An evening with President Bill Clinton

 President Bill Clinton and James 

When James met JLS

 JB, Marvin, James, Oritse, Aston 

Humble, welcoming, warm, talented, friendly, inspiring. These are just a few of the many adjectives I could use to describe the pop band JLS.

Having watched the boys, like most of the country, progress on last year’s X Factor- the nation’s favourite Saturday night show- I was looking forward to speaking to the four lads who have, without sounding too melodramatic, transformed their lives in just over twelve months.

From their first audition, Simon and the gang were rubbing their hands together with glee, as they knew they had, potentially, the finest group to come out of the show that has made Mr Cowell a household name, a multi-millionaire and, to put it conservatively, a global phenomenon.

Although coming anything but first in a talent show like the X-Factor often spells the end for most acts, this really wasn’t the case for Jack the Lad Swing, as they are formally known. On the contrary, since leaving the show, they have gone from strength to strength, collecting fans like a stamp enthusiast collects you know what.

Having lived in Cardiff for the past six weeks I have, for some bizarre reason, forgotten how awful Bristol traffic is during the middle of rush hour. Arriving fashionably late, with about five minutes to spare, before I was to question the talented quartet, I was met by a barrage of blood thirsty hyenas– and that’s the politest way I could describe their fans!

Word had spread that the boys were in town and a crowd that seemed to contain most of Bristol’s teenage girls had assembled with banners, while the shy ones just swung their knickers around their heads, as they waited in the pouring rain to get a glimpse of the group.

As I was ushered passed the tight-knit security, which was made even stricter due to the attack on fellow X-Factor star, Leona Lewis, the day before, I was taken deep inside the venue to one of the many backrooms.

The place was crowded with instantly recognisable faces- a paradise for autograph hunters, but also hazardous for anyone not qualified in the Japanese art of Ju-Jitsu. As I battered my way through the rigid and rather intangible mess, I thought to myself, ‘how do these lads live, let alone thrive on such numbers everyday of their lives and come out unscathed?’

After being greeted by a tsunami of smiling faces, we exchanged pleasantries, shaking hands and sharing, what can only be described as a brief, but rest-assured, very masculine, man hug. “Pull up a seat James bruv,” Marvin exclaimed rather charmingly.

Having explained I was writing the feature for Cardiff University’s Gair Rhydd, pint-sized Aston exclaimed, “I love Cardiff- it’s a wicked night out”, to which I nodded and shared a mutual grin. Little did he know, like most students, I don’t really remember too much about my nights out!

You might think that you know JLS already as, for most of the British public, Oritsé, JB, Aston, and Marvin are part of the most successful group to enter Simon Cowell’s star-making vehicle. But what lurks behind the scenes is an altogether more interesting story of ambition, drive and determination to succeed in this rather harsh and fickle industry that tends to chew up and spit out almost everyone who tries their hand at it. “I was in a boy-band before we met, but it didn’t feel right,” Ortisé explained. “One day someone said to me ‘why don’t you form your own band?’, so I did.”

With his vision firmly in mind, Oritsé tirelessly trawled for people he believed could turn his boy-band super-group dream into a reality. He toyed with a number of different line-ups on his computer, pitting face to face, working out how they would fit together, before alighting on his dream team. “As soon as I saw the four of us, I knew it was perfect,” Oritsé said with a wry smile.

The boys soon formed a brotherly bond, giving all their time to rehearsals, polishing their act at studios in West London. Their fervour for the band bordered on the devotional. “It clicked immediately,” Aston mused.

Marvin interjected, “There was no time for time-wasters. If one of us was late for rehearsals, they’d have to pay for the time.”

The dream was not just to be slick and solid, it was to hit the pop world for six. Various parties within the boys families began mentioning the idea of trying for the X Factor. “We were quite anti the idea of going into it,” Oritsé recalls.

“We were of the opinion that we could get there through sheer hard work. For us, it was about creating our own path. We’d already won an award for best-unsigned act, we’d arranged photo shoots of our own and we were doing paid gigs by the time we entered. We had that level of achievement before any of the X Factor thing started. The Leona effect changed the perception of the whole show. The chance to become a global superstar existed through it now.”

From the outset, it was clear that JLS were not the usual X Factor fodder. A year’s worth of disciplined rehearsal had turned them into something special. “From the producers and the judges to the back-stage crew, they all said, they couldn’t believe we were a real group.”

The X Factor, however, was just the beginning for the talented four. Despite their early reservations to audition for the show, they are all delighted with the experience they gained. Aston explained, “The last year has just been everything we have ever wanted and more. It’s been absolutely amazing. Our first single debuted at number one- which is a dream come true for any new artist.”

Adding, “That sort of thing opens up so many doors for you that you didn’t even know existed. Without that platform it would’ve taken us much longer to get to where we are now. We’ve had the best start- it’s been incredible- but no way did we anticipate how quickly this would happen. It’s all down to our supporters. Everyone who supported us on the X-Factor, everyone who bought the singles, our tour tickets, our book- it all culminates with where we are now- we’re just so thankful and we’re all just over the moon.”

As their stellar debut single, ‘Beat Again’, marched its way out of radio speakers up and down the country, the infectious, addictive, street-savvy pop gem skewed perception of the four piece. “I think people might have expected a black Westlife,” says Oritsé. “But that wasn’t what we wanted to do. We have our own sound and you can hear it all the way through the album. The music we are making is exactly what we wanted to make.”

So, what advice would the band give anyone wanting to make it in this business? Aston responded, “The best advice is to practise, practise and practise. As Simon (Cowell) always says, you don’t have to be the best singer to make it in this industry. As long as you have that character and that personality on stage and, you bring something different that no-one else can do.”

Adding, rather philosophically, “You also need to believe in yourself. Maybe the first hurdle might not be the one for you, but the one after that could be.”

So is the dream becoming a reality? “Every day I have to pinch myself,” Oritsé said.

“It’s worked out exactly as I wanted it to. Getting a number one single was just the validation of that for us. We’ve put every single bit of our energy and devotion into making this record. There can’t be a first time for JLS again so we have to make this right. I never anticipated anything happening this fast for us but somewhere along the line the stars have aligned for us. And most of all it is about sharing the most incredible journey of your life with three other guys that share this ambition and love for what you do. I set out wanting a pop super-group and sometimes I have to say to myself ‘be careful what you wish for’, because it might just come true. Let’s just hope people love our album as much as we do.”

Towards the end of the interview, I explained to the boys that my girlfriend (Bryony Tooley) was a huge fan who, in a couple of months, was going to see them perform in concert.

Somewhat cheekily, perhaps, I asked the affable four whether they would record a message wishing her a happy birthday, as it was only a few weeks away. In unison, “sure” came back from each member of the band, at a speed Usain Bolt would be proud of.

Without hesitation they broke into song. With three clicks and a brief one, two, three, Marvin began the song, singing the top line, followed by the rest of the group. Having sung Happy Birthday, serenading arguably their biggest fan, the boys continued with another little message- “Happy Birthday Bryony- We love you, this is JLS. Have a good day hun.”

Birthday message for Bryony JLS by jamesdaviesmedia

This gesture really was a testament to how nice they were. Although the boys have already been incredibly successful during the last year, they remain humble and realise they have their fans- as well as their talents- to thank for where they are today.

Before I left, I thanked each member individually, as it really had been a pleasure talking to them. “Give these to Bryony,” Aston said, as he passed over a handful of sweets and a book signed by them all.

As the famous saying goes, actions speak louder than words, and their polite manner says more than I could ever convey. Despite all the success, fame and wealth that has come their way, they have not let it turn their heads, nor have they let it dilute the straightforwardness that seems to have always been their way.

JLS: OUR STORY SO FAR, Published by Harper Collins.

jamesdaviedmedia.co.uk