Incredibly, it's been twenty years since JC Chasez released his debut solo album, Schizophrenic — his first and only solo foray since leaving *NSYNC. But after all this time – during which Chasez has explored various creative outlets, from crisis America's Best Dance Crew to reunite, most recently, on two songs with his former bandmates — Chasez is back with a surprise release.
Playing with Fire is the concept album for a musical based on Mary Shelley's Frankensteinwhich Chasez co-wrote with longtime collaborator Jimmy Harry — and the singer stopped by Billboard News to discuss the project and how it pushed him creatively.
“We knew we wanted to write a musical, we just didn't know what to do,” Chasez says of the seeds of the project. “[Jimmy and I] they come from pop music — we write different styles of pop music, but basically our strengths are in pop music. [But] we're more mature, we have more ideas than the typical pop song, and this gave us an opportunity to express those ideas — to do something that's longer than three minutes and a little more focused, but allows us to dream in different ways.”
Chasez is a deep theater lover who admits, “I could go to a show every night if I was lucky enough,” and says Jesus Christ Superstar was their greatest inspiration Playing with Fire. “They started with a concept album, and that inspired us to release it as an album first. If someone as intelligent and talented as Andrew Lloyd Webber believes [it’s a good idea] is to get the music out for a show first, why don't we give it a shot?'
Also opens for *NSYNC reunion and “Better Place” (from Trolls Band Together) and “Paradise” by Justin Timberlake Everything I thought I was. “We're all great friends and we always talk,” says Chasez. “The conversation was a little more open — right now I'm focusing Playing with Firejustin is on tour, joey is about to & Juliet [on Broadway]but we always talk and everything is possible in the future. It always has to be for the right reasons.”
And speaking of possible reunions, he talks about celebrating the 25th anniversary of former Mouse-bearer Christina Aguilera's debut album with her — and the possibility of a duet someday: “If it was the right thing and organic, I'd be happy to sing with her anytime,” he enthuses.
Watch the full interview — including the story behind “Better Place,” how *NSYNC's performance with Timberlake came together earlier this year in Los Angeles, and how Playing with Fire vocally pushed Chasez — over.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/jc-chasez-playing-with-fire-nsync-christina-aguilera-1235817727/
