Why Don’t We…Put The Band Together

Every time I write about a newly formed boy band, my thoughts turn to words from record executive Simon Cowell. During the first season of American Idol, eventual second place finisher Justin Guarini was competing and doing well. However, at times Cowell would tell Guarini that he was better suited for a boy band than a star solo artist. Guarini took offense to the assessment and vowed to keep trying. Cowell explained that his words were not a slight on his talent at all. In fact, he went on to show examples of successful boy bands at the time and how much money they were making. Was Cowell right? Well, Guarini never had that breakout solo career though it’s hard to say if he would have found boy band success either. I don’t think he has any regrets after giving it his best.

This week Weekly Music Commentary features another new boy band called Why Don’t We. Their formation story is similar to many other groups, but their sound is different of course.

In preparation for this post I listened to quite a bit of Why Don’t We music. I must say I was a little surprised by what I heard. Sure, the group of young men are without a doubt singing pop music. Nevertheless, their brand of music might have appeal further than teenage girls. That fact might not be apparent for some time, but it’s possible as they become more recognizable to a larger audience. Let’s start the process by way of an introduction here in Weekly Music Commentary.

Why Don’t We (commonly abbreviated as WDW) assembled on September 27, 2016. The band has five members: Daniel Seavey, Jack Avery, Corbyn Besson, Zach Herron, and Jonah Marais. Each of the members had solo careers prior to joining the group. Daniel Seavey was in the top 12 in season 14 of American Idol, which he accomplished at the age of 14 years old, making him the youngest finalist of that season.

Jonah and Corbyn often livestreamed in-home performances to massive audience as Zach served up viral covers that generated tens of millions of views. Jack built a growing a subscriber base on YouTube. The young men would often cross paths while working on their solo careers. Soon, they found themselves on a group text where the idea of joining forces came up. Their collective response: “Why don’t we?” Hence, a band was born complete with a new name.

This would not be the first time I have written about how bands are formed today, unlike in years past. Yes, bands are literally chosen member by member, sometimes seeking a certain look before a unique sound or style. I understand why this is happening, as music fans grow more visual than sonic. Videos and social media have changed the game and brought us to a point where we want to see more than hear. Good, bad or indifferent, this is what we have become as mankind. Especially our youth.

I noticed something else as I listened, and watched videos of Why Don’t We. Each member of the group was actively “working” on their solo careers. They all gained some success too. An audience of fans already knew each member as solo artists, and each gained their own following. Therefore, each brought something with them on the way to forming a group. Of course every member will bring his or her brand of talent, but these guys actually brought fans.

From the beginning, the group emerged as a phenomenon. Beyond generating over 300 million YouTube views and 200 million Spotify streams during that period, the quintet released five EPs—Only The Beginning, Something
Different, Why Don’t We Just, Invitation, and A Why Don’t We Christmas. Along with singles such as the 2018 Ed Sheeran-penned single “Trust Fund Baby,” this avalanche of music represented an unconventional approach as their audience constantly received new music at a record pace.

Why Don’t We carved out a place among pop’s elite on the entire iHeart Jingle Ball tour, including a momentous stop at Madison Square Garden sharing the stage with the likes of Taylor Swift, Sheeran, and more. They sold out their first-ever headline tour throughout North America and followed that up by selling out an even bigger headliner in 2018, including multiple nights in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Toronto.

Rolling Stone dubbed them “An Artist To Watch,” and The Today Show described their meteoric rise as “one of pop music’s biggest breakout stories.” Why Don’t We was using new technology but building a fan base the old-fashioned way, one performance at a time.

“When you see the numbers go up on social media, it’s great, but it’s just some pixels on your screen,” says Corbyn. “When you go on tour, you realize these are real people. We get to put a face, a voice, and a name to each fan. It’s so cool to experience that energy. We just want to have a great time with everybody.”

The group’s full-length début for Atlantic Records, 8 Letters, provides the soundtrack to that “great time.” Merging pop, R&B, hip-hop, and even Latin vibes, it reflects their ambition to as Zach puts it, “do something original and different and bridge gaps.”

After listening to 8 Letters, I understood very much what Zach was saying. I think the group really could bridge gaps. The older, less visual music fan just might give his ear to the young bands brand of music, and grow to appreciate them, and possibly like what they do.

Jonah adds, “By making those first five EPs, we found our sound. However, we needed to reach the next level. We all agreed we had to focus on not just making an album, but creating something that we could really stand behind and be proud of. All of our work led up to it.”

8 Letters represented Why Don’t We growing as musicians and a group – together. The vocals were much improved as well as the musical meaning in the songs. “8 Letters means ‘I Love You’,” explains Zach. “It’s basically about a complicated relationship. It’s hard to say ‘I Love You’, because you don’t know if your significant other loves you back. Simultaneously, it’s got a few other meanings. There are eight songs on the album. Most importantly, 8 Letters is our way to say, ‘I Love You’ to the fans.”

Why Don’t We has not slowed the pace at all. In fact new music has been released as the band continues to perform and their fan base grows. Keep listening – and watching!