Phase V: “Music Is Life…”

Please introduce for me the members of Phase V…

Jeremiah Neil; From Boca Raton, Florida, USA [Phase Earth]

Nelson Santos; From San Juan, Puerto Rico [Phase Water]

Alex Odon; From Brussels, Belgium [Phase Metal]

Joseph Musia; From Surrey, BC, Canada [Phase Fire]

Jay.C; From Lafayette, Indiana, USA [Phase Air]

Tell me how the five of you initially came together in order to form the group?

Jeremiah held auditions in October 2013 with a partner to put together a super-group. That’s where we found Nelson, Jay.C and Joseph. However, that line-up did not work out. Instead of giving up, the remaining four of us decided to hold auditions at the top of 2014 and that’s where we found Alex, who flew from Belgium to L.A. just to audition.

Growing up, who all do you all consider to be your strongest musical influences?

Nelson: Justin Timberlake, Ricky Martin, Luis Fonsi.

Jeremiah: Brandy, Panic! at the Disco, Gwen Stefani.

Alex: Beyoncé, Chris Brown and Justin Timberlake.

Joseph: Michael Jackson, ?NSYNC, Celine Dion.

Jay.C: Justin Timberlake, Chris (Brown) and Beyoncé.

At what point in time did you all even opt to pursue music on a professional basis?

Besides Alex, the majority of us did not pursue music until we got into the band. Alex was on The Voice in Belgium, so performing on national television gave him that urge to go for it!

That said, how then would you all describe and/or define the style of music that you all create and perform?

We are very versatile (with our) music. We are going for high energy, urban pop! Radio friendly music that (you) can still get down to in the club. We strive to create entertaining music.

What particular string of events led to you all signing with Parimore/Sony Music?

After our “Drop It” video, Jeremiah sent out an email blast to multiple management teams in L.A.. Parimore Management was one of the few that responded, and thank God! Through her [Michelle] pulls in the industry, we got signed through Sony distribution.

Right now, it’s all about your “official” debut single “#NGGYU” — Tell me about this particular track? How did it actually come to fruition?

We reached out to Boy Rekless, who produced  for artists like Demi Lovato and Jason Derulo. We went to his studio to listen to some demos, and as soon as we heard this song we knew we had to have it! We were so excited to record (it) that we knocked out the track in one night. It’s the perfect pop track!

What do you all feel you all offer the music industry that we don’t already have in other performers?

Although we are considered a “boy band,” we want to bring back that performance quality seen from acts like ?NSYNC, New Kids on the Block, etcetera. The type of music we (perform) is a little more urban than ’90’s boy bands. Plus, because all of us are from across the world, the international factor helps bring multiple cultures together in our music!

Have you all encountered any problems in getting to this point in your career?

We haven’t had problems, but there have been some setbacks! In picking Alex, we had to wait for his VISA approval, which caused (us) to perform many summer shows as a four. And also being signed with a major label, music releases aren’t in our control either. But, it’s teaching us patience and gratitude.

What do you all want people to get from your music?

We want people to be inspired and be entertained. We want everyone to forget about their worries, struggles and doubts…And have a great time with Phase Five!

When can we, the masses, expect some new music from you all? Like maybe perhaps your full-length debut LP…

At the top of the year!

If you all could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Jeremiah: Janet Jackson.

Alex: Rihanna.

Nelson: J.Lo.

Jay.C: Justin Timberlake.

Joseph: Timbaland.

If you all could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?

Either The O2 Arena in London or Madison Square Garden…It means we’ve made it!

One track of yours  (off our EP) that you think defines you all and why?

“Body” was one of our first songs we ever recorded, and it’s the perfect example of the kind of music we want to sing. It’s urban, flavorful and showcases all of us in a cool way.

Do you all have any other additional/outside aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?

[ed.note: Phase V mistakenly interpreted aspirations for inspirations]

Nelson: Musicals and Broadway.

Alex: My grandmother.

Joseph: Friends, family and God.

Jay.C: Family.

Jeremiah: Supporters of mine who’ve been loyal to me. Music is life though.

To date, what has been your biggest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?

Recording our EP has been an amazing experience. We’ve been fortunate enough to cross paths and create something no one has ever heard or seen before. It’s awesome to make history!

Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you all see yourselves?

We would like to have done a World Tour, with plenty of albums out. Most of all, we want to be respected in the industry as musicians.

As for the immediate future, what’s next for Phase V?

Our EP and single video release are our goals for this last quarter of 2014! We hope to be traveling a lot in 2015 to promote the record.

Any “closing” thought(s) for our readers?

We appreciate everyone who has supported us thus far! We can’t wait to show the world what Phase Five is about. Hard work and determination has gotten us to where we are right now and the sky is the limit!

@PhaseVMusic

By: Todd Davis