What is in store for the future of One Direction? We have a feeling it’s even more big things.
After two #1 albums worldwide in the past two years which made One Direction the first British band to enter the top of the chart with its first two albums since the Beatles, the band is getting ready to release their third album next week. The lads and their management teams, including Simon Cowell, sat down with Billboard to discuss the success of One Direction, writing and recording Midnight Memories, and the future of the band.
Check out some highlights:
About their new album Midnight Memories and the recording process:
“I’m a night owl, so the late-night recordings don’t really bother me—as long as I can sleep in late!” – Zayn Malik
“I don’t think it’s that hard to stay focused. We get to go to amazing places and work with great people. It’s just really fun.” – Harry Styles
“Luckily, I have my four best mates on the road with me to keep me from getting lonely; of course we all miss home at times. Who wouldn’t, being on the road all year long? Wouldn’t give it up for anything though.” – Niall Horan on homesickness
“They’re experiencing all this crazy stuff right now. It’s like the prime ripe moment, they’ve been like sponges and now they want to express it and talk about it. They know who they are better than anyone and they also know what their fans want better than anyone.” – Julian Bunetta (who co-penned and produced a bulk of the album’s tracks) about the writing process with the boys
“The facts we knew going into the making of this album was that they were going to do a stadium tour, so we wanted to make sure these songs really felt at home when you play them for that many people live as well as when you put it on in your car” – Julian Bunetta
The future of the band:
“Eventually they probably will split and up and maybe want to have their own careers. The choice is theirs, and we’ve got the opportunity to do both. But from what I hear, they’re really enjoying what they’re doing and we don’t feel there’s anything seriously wrong here. They’re getting more time off and I hope they stay a band for a long time.” – Simon Cowell
“We just love what we’re doing right now. We’ve got no intention to change that.” – Liam Payne
“Who knew we would be here three years ago? We’re just going to focus on tomorrow and go from there.” – Louis Tomlinson
Some fun facts:
· The band contributed lyrics to 12 of the 14 songs on the standard edition (and an additional three on the 18-track deluxe).
· The hard-rocking “Little Black Dress” was recorded in an entirely live setting with the members singing with guitarists, bassists and drummers.
· Sony just re-upped its contract with 1D and Modest! for another three albums, the next of which tentatively will arrive around November 2014.
The issue of Billboard featuring One Direction on the cover hits newsstands Monday, November 25. To read more highlights, go to Billboard.com.
Also, if you missed 1D’s Jonathan Ross interview from last week, watch it below.
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