The multi-talented band, Why Don’t We, returns from a nine-month hiatus. This time, they’re back for the long haul—and they intend on taking you with them.
This year has been quite a rollercoaster for Why Don’t We. Following three years spent primarily on the road, the Los Angeles quintet—Daniel Seavey, Corbyn Besson, Jonah Marais, Jack Avery, and Zach Herron – went off-the-grid on social media, got COVID-19, and delved into the studio to write, record, and produce their next chapter themselves…All in a span of nine months. Crazy, we know.
NO LONGER THE LIMELIGHTS’ LITTLE SECRET
Audiences were treated to a stellar performance by the band last November 12 as they showed off their vocal and musical range in The Ellen Degeneres Show. Each member playing an instrument while belting out pitch-perfect melodies.
But before that refreshing performance (which Jack was super excited about, by the way), the return of Why Don’t We kicked off with the beginning of the band’s partnership with HeadCount and Atlantic Records’ task force ATL Votes to encourage voter registration last month. The band unveiled a “Why Don’t We Vote” mural in Los Angeles, urging their wide network of fans and beyond to make their voices heard this November.
When asked how they felt following the results of the U.S. Election, Daniel answered, “We’re really proud of our fans because a lot of them went out and voted.” Jack and Corbyn nod in agreement before Corbyn added, “Young people are more open to change…and I think that’s really important for society, to be more open-minded and think about stuff in a different way. I think we’re in a great spot to hopefully get back up on the incline, going into 2021 and coming out of the pandemic…hopefully very, very soon. Life just feels so weird right now.”
And boy, would they know. The band shared how all of them caught the virus in the early stages of the pandemic. Jack said, “When I had it, it didn’t really hit me hard but it scared me because I didn’t want my mom to get hit, or my dad.”
“It was weird because I wouldn’t even know I had it if I hadn’t tested positive,” shared Corbyn. “But for Jonah, he was slammed. He was just in his room from five days to a week.”
“It was a bit hard to breathe,” details Daniel. “It’s weird because it’s different for everyone.”
Corbyn doesn’t miss a beat as he encourages everyone to get tested as much as they can, especially for those who are already experiencing symptoms. “You just never really know when or where [you can get it,]” he said. “And you can possibly see us on tour quicker if everybody’s okay!” added Daniel in an attempt to push more people to practice social distancing and get tested for COVID-19.
With something to look forward to in the coming months, the band got hyped as we talk about releasing more music now that they are set to release The Good Times and The Bad Ones this January 15.
“We definitely plan to have more shows, more surprises, more videos. The album is on the way.” said Daniel as he spoke about the hopeful future. “Being off the tour, we’ve definitely been thinking of different ways to stay in touch with fans. So if you’re a fan, we’re thinking of you and we got some plans to keep in contact. But yeah, we’re just excited for things to keep moving forward.”
Self-penned and co-produced by the group, the album marks a new chapter kickstarted through a combination of deft musicality and bold experimentation.
“This is the first music we wrote and produced and we were a bit nervous to see how the world would take it, you know? This is the most personal we’ve ever been for the world and our fans,” Daniel said.
“Writing and co-producing our own music has been one of the most rewarding experiences for us,” explains Corbyn.“In the past four years, we’ve become confident enough to reinvent ourselves, becoming the band we always hoped to be.”
