Jump5
Since debuting in 2001, teen pop sensations Jump5 toured the globe multiple times, amassing over 1.4 million units in worldwide record sales and while receiving heavy airplay on Radio Disney since the second of its inception. Along the way, there have been tours with the likes of Aaron Carter, A*Teens, Jesse McCartney and the Baha Men (amongst countless others), plus multiple performances on Nickelodeon, ABC’s “Christmas Morning with Regis and Kelly,” CBS’ “Early Show” and the Disney Channel (not to mention a personal performance for President George W. Bush at The White House). Add in soundtrack appearances on “The Lizzie McGuire Movie,” “Sleepover,” “Ella Enchanted,” “Ice Princess,” “Spy Kids,” “Beauty & the Beast,” “Brother Bear,” “Kim Possible” and “Lilo & Stitch” (for which they sang the theme song. Add to that an unceasing commitment to positive messages in all the aforementioned mediums, and Jump5’s global influence is truly immeasurable.
Yet after the exhilarating ride that also included four studio albums, two gold videos, two Christmas discs, a remix album and a series of greatest hits compilations, the group comprised of singers/dancers/songwriters Brittany Hargest, Brandon Hargest, Lesley Moore and Chris Fedun is saying farewell with one final album and tour.
“One day we were all sitting in a hotel lobby after having been on the road for a really long time, and we all started expressing the desire to achieve other goals,” says Lesley of the catalyst conversation for which Jump5 would eventually part company. “We’ve been doing this for nine years, which is literally half of our lives, and while it’s been a dream come true, we could all just look at each other and tell it was time. We were each probably too nervous to say it, but when we finally started talking about it, we felt like it was the right time to move on.”
Unlike most band break-ups laden with dissension and drama, the vibe both outside and inside the studio has been nothing but joyful, particularly evident on the lead single “Shoot the Moon” (sure to be an instant Radio Disney staple having come from the writing team behind the smash series “Hannah Montana”). There’s also the self-penned “Never Enough,” which finds the silver lining in a rainbow of relationship-based emotions, along with the carpe diem appeal of “Fly.” Yet the troupe turns to personal roots of spirituality during “I Surrender All,” featuring piano playing and co-production by Brandon, alongside the disc’s primary producer Brad Minor (a renowned touring veteran, whose credits include Steve Perry sideman Lincoln Brewster and alternative rockers Luna Halo).
As has been the tradition throughout Jump5’s tenure thus far, the group will be loading up its buses this fall and winter to present the new tunes on an extensive North American tour, along with a career-spanning set list from yesteryear. While the group may be simultaneously looking down memory lane and rehearsing for the Hello & Goodbye tour, members also have their future courses mapped out in the back of their minds. For brother/sister combo Brittany and Brandon, that means starting a brand new band called Guest, slated to take a more piano-tinged direction a la Coldplay or Keane. Lesley plans to pursue the country market with a solo record, but not before enrolling in college and marrying her fiancé. Chris also plans to head the solo route, though he’ll also double up as an actor, accompanied by a move to California.
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