Interview with IM5 Band
Michael Moccio ’16 / Emertainment Monthly Editor
Emertainment Monthly got the opportunity to sit down with IM5, a boy band that’s sweeping Youtube with their new video Disney Dudez. They were an awesome group to interview, and they’re definitely a group to watch out for in the coming months!
Emertainment Monthly: For those who doesn’t really know about IM5, how did the band form?
Dana: IM5 started a couple years ago. Simon Fuller, the creator of American Idol, Jamie King–a world renowned tour director, who has done Michael Jackson, Madonna, Rhianna, and Brittany Spears–and Perez Hilton, who is a very famous blogger online, had a huge audition across the nation. They visited cities like New York, Dallas, Miami, Los Angeles, and they also took video submission. After 40,000 people auditioned, we’re the chosen five.
What’s it like to work with big names like Simon Fuller, Jamie King, and Perez Hilton?
Gabe: It’s amazing, and it’s such a blessing and an honor. We’re so grateful, because they’re just so talented with what they do, and they’re so well known. They work so hard, and we get to look up to that and work with them. They’re so involved and they do a lot of us.
What’s your favorite part about meeting the fans?
Cole: They love what we do and we’re able to change their lives. They love our music. It’s one thing to see them over Twitter, and seeing all the positive comments. But, to see their faces, to see them cry when they see us, it’s just a surreal feeling and it’s so amazing when they’re there. We get to hug them and meet them, and it’s so much fun.
Going to the Todrick Hall video, what was the experience like to work with him, and where the idea come from for Disney Dudez?
Dalton: We were all sitting in his apartment, and we were like “Hey, what are we going to do a video about?” We knew we wanted to do a video, but we didn’t know what we wanted to do. We spent about an hour putting our heads together, trying to figure out what we were going to do. It was great to work with him, he’s the coolest guy ever.
Do you think you’ll be compared to One Direction and other boy bands?
Dana: One hundred percent. I know we are, and we’re going to in the future. I think that’s just how the game is, and we gotta find what makes us different and what sets us apart from other people. Honestly, people like more bands than just one. You just have to figure out how to make people come to you, and what makes you appealing. What makes you fun, and finding your way and what makes you different than the competition.
So, what do you think makes you different and sets you apart from other boy bands?
Gabe: I think we’re a lot younger than anyone else. We dance, and they don’t dance. We can do something at a concert, where we play instruments. We’ll multiracial–we’re each different and we have different styles. We have different tastes and music and we’re just totally different guys that came together to create this band. I’m Hispanic, Dana’s African American, Will’s Asian, and then we have a rocker and a Caucasian–all American guys. We each have our own styles. One’s a rocker, dress wise, I’m like a fashionista, Dana’s urban, Will’s very casual, and then Cole’s like a suit and tie kind of guy. I feel like just looking at us, it’s kind of different.
You guys have been on tour right now, right?
Cole: We’re not on a set like IM5 tour, but we’re touring around America right now. Different performances, different appearances, to get our name out there and meet the fans and get our name out there. We’re having fun and promoting the band. Right now we’re in Chicago for Radio Disney, and we’re doing Pop Explosion Tour, we’re doing the Pulse, Simon Mall’s Mall Tour. We’re just popping in all these different venues and performances, and it’s a lot of fun.
What’s that experience been like, especially since you’re younger than the rest?
Dalton: It’s been great. Being younger, there’s a lot of things you can’t do, that you don’t really want to do. You know, I feel like it’s different as an adult. But, the experience is great and we get to meet all our fans.
You guys are working on an album right now, right?
Dana: Well, it’s a little tricky right now. We’re basically working on some singles. We’re not working on a full album at the moment. Who knows if we’ll have one at the end of the year or at the beginning of next year. Right now, we’re just looking for a couple singles, and hopefully get one out before summer’s over. It should be cool.
Do you guys have anything else that you’d like to add?
Dana: If people don’t know who we are, then check our website out: im5band.com. Check out Disney Dudez! And thank you for all the support and the love you give us. Hopefully, we’ll come out with more music this summer!
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If you’d like to learn more about IM5, visit their website here. Check out their video below!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWdFrw5DoJU&w=560&h=315]