Category: Magazines

In defence of Jedward: two plucky Irish lads who have cast off their X Factor shackles

They’ve battled hard to be taken seriously and it’s time we all paid attention

There’s been a clear shift in the evolution of Jedward. When they first appeared on The X Factor in 2009, no one took them seriously. How could they? They were there as comic relief in an otherwise dull year – apart from Olly Murs and Geordie Joe, obviously – and they entertained us. Of course, this was in the day when they were still technically John & Edward and hadn’t yet had the foresight to re-brand to their portmanteau of Jedward. That name change was just the beginning for the blonde twins and their long road to chart success.

They’ve gone from jokey novelty act to serious popstars in a relatively short time and it all started with their two big Eurovision entries: the percussive earworm of ‘Lipstick’ and the innuendo-laden ‘Waterline.’ The success of Eurovision brought them new fans and a new kind of respect. How could you deny the two Irish twins who managed to crush the UK and many other countries with their frenetic dance routines and lacquered hair?

After platinum success in Ireland and many DIY music videos, the two parted ways with Grandpa Munster Louis Walsh in a quest to gain more creative control and began work on their self-produced, self-written fourth studio album. If the LP’s lead single is anything to go by, the good ship Jedward is now charting a much different course. The bubblegum is replaced with a more palatable, more mature pop sound; even their voices have changed, giving way to a deeper and more controlled sound. They’re the new and improved Jedward.

“Over the last year we have gone through a transition as artists, we have had time to reflect about life and put those thoughts into our songs,” John said.

They’re quite right, too. The fact that they, as an X Factor act, are still around and still reinventing themselves five years later is a sign of their plucky resilience. At their core, they’re still the Jedward we all know and love. They still ramble on Twitter and upload daft videos where they dance in their pants, but they’re more considered and more invested in their career. And on the strength of what we’ve heard so far, it looks like Jedward may now be free of their X Factor shackles.

Source: ClickMusic

Jedward chat about imminent GuilFest spectacular

The Irish duo are heading to Guildford’s Stoke Park for a performance to remember but are they ready?

The people of Surrey better prepare to be ‘Jedified’ when pop twins Jedward hit the stage at GuilFest next month.

Back with a new album, entirely written by the 22-year-olds, Jedward’s appearance will be their first UK festival performance this year.

The Irish duo – John and Edward Grimes – originally shot to fame after appearing on the X Factor in 2009, and the energetic pop stars said they cannot wait to ‘rock out’ at GuilFest.

“We love Surrey,” said Edward. “We have been there a lot and it’s a great vibe. Didn’t Cheryl Cole live there?

“GuilFest is very exciting for us. We’re going to keep it real mellow. You know, stand still, have flat hair.

“Just messing. We cannot wait to rock it and go mental and Jedify Surrey.

“We know we’re not everyone’s taste but we hope the other acts will watch us and we’re really excited to watch them and hang out backstage.

“We’re always messaging [fellow X Factor star] Sam Bailey so it will be great to hang with her in person if she’s around.

“She is pregnant though, I’m not sure when it’s due, hopefully not during the festival.

“If it is Jedward will be there on call for her, ready to run on to the stage.”

John added that of the other artists appearing, he is looking forward to catching the Boomtown Rats’ performance.

Jedward’s new single, Free Spirit, which is about the US figure skater Gracie Gold, was released last month and their album is expected to be released at the end of the summer.

“We’re really proud of what we’ve written,” said John.

“We want all our songs to speak to our fans in different ways.”

The pair also offered some words of wisdom for lesser-known artists performing at GuilFest.

“Don’t be shy, just go out and rock it,” said Edward.

“Just because we’re Jedward, doesn’t mean we can’t all hang out together.

“I think we’ll go and check Guildford out.

“We can’t wait to get there. Usually in the UK we perform in places like London, where the fans have to travel to us, so it will be nice to go out to where the fans actually live.”

Jedward said they have already had a pleasant stay in Surrey while filming Jedward’s Big Adventure at Hampton Court Palace. “It was so symmetrical,” said Edward.

Speaking about their new album, John said: “Over the last year we have gone through a transition as artists, we have had time to reflect about life and put those thoughts into our songs.”

During the last four years the twins have released albums PlanetJedward, Victory and Young Love, which all reached number one in Ireland.

Catch Jedward on the Good Time Guide Stage on Saturday July 19.

Source: get SURREY

First Listen! Jedward Grow Up on New Single ‘Free Spirit’

Although Jedward, aka “double divas of Dublin” John and Edward Grimes, were considered novelty contestants when they placed sixth on “The X Factor U.K.” in 2009, they’ve managed to carve out quite a career for themselves since, with endorsement deals, several television shows, two competitive performances at Eurovision, and three albums to their credit.

But now at age 22, they’re ready to really be taken seriously, as they prepare to release their fourth album, “Free Spirit” — the first album written and produced by the twins themselves. And Yahoo Music is thrilled to present the online premiere of the album’s title track (out on iTunes May 17).

The song’s brooding, mature sound, surprisingly similar to indie-electro bands like Bastille and the Temper Trap, is a massive departure from the kiddie-pop of early Jedward singles like “Bad Behaviour,” “Wow Oh Wow,” and “Girl Like You”… but it still packs in a lot of Jedwardian fun. Check out the track and listen as Jedward go from boys to men!

Source: Rolling Stones

About first kisses

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John Grimes, 22:
I had my first kiss when I was 13. We were having fun together when she suddenly took hold of my arm. I could feel her heart beating & we checked each other out, paralysed. Then we kisses for what felt like 10 minutes but it was only a couple of seconds. Strange but wonderful.

Edward Grimes, 22:
My first kiss was when I was 12. It was perfect, at sunset, with a girl in my class. She was wearing lip gloss & I can still taste it. Amazing!

 

Translated by: @bethany_alicia

Interview with John and Edward in the journal Frida

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Jedward are back!

Listen up all Jedheads! Your favourite duo are back with an album they wrote themselves. John & Edward are ready once again to show the world their delightful personalites.

In just 3 years Jedward have taken part in the Eurovision twice as Ireland’s entry & managed to release 3 albums. This summer they’ll be releasing their 4th album, Free Spirit, which for the first time is written and produced entirely by 22 year old John& Edward Grimes.

Can you tell us about the first single from the album, Free Spirit?
J: it’s the first song we’ve written entirely by ourselves, the fans flip out when they hear it. The song’s about the Olympic Figure Skater Gracie Gold. I saw her on tv & thought she was fantastic.

How does it feel now your fans have heard the song?
J: it’s unbelievable because it’s ours
E: many of our fans have tattoos of our song texts, but it’s more fun now because we wrote them ourselves. Not that I’m encouraging anyone to get a tattoo, haha!

Would you get tattoos yourselves?
J: I like tattoos but I wouldn’t get one myself. If I did, it’d have to be a very good one, the most amazing tattoo ever.
E: we don’t need tattoos to express ourselves.

 

TEXT WITH GIRLS
You’re releasing an album you wrote yourselves this summer, how does that feel?
J: unbelievable, we’ve been working on it since October & it’s difficult when you’re doing it all yourselves.
E: after Eurovision we got a lot of songs sent to us that producers would like us to sing, but there came a day when we said that we ought to be doing it ourselves instead.

How are your love lives?
E: we always talk & text a lot of cool girls. But we’ve not found the one yet.
Why do you think girls like you so much?
J: we’re the kindest guys ever. We’re cool when we’re round girls & I think they like us  because we’re ourselves. We’re not like other guys.

Your Mum is your manager & is with you when you play, how’s that?
E: it’s nice! If we’d been on our own it would be more difficult. I can understand why celebrities go crazy because they’re alone. That’s why it’s so good that me & John always have each other to talk to & we’ve known each other our entire lives. It’s good to have our Mum with us because she treats us normally.

Translated by: @bethany_alicia