live talk: Backstreet’s Back, Alright
They're chart-topping musicians, legendary performers, teen heartthrobs – and they're back! Armed with their new album This is Us, the Backstreet Boys are hitting the stage in Shanghai. TALK caught up with Howie Dorough (pictured second from right) ahead of the group's Asian tour for a chat about music, swine flu and the BSB family.
This is Us is being billed as the 'original' Backstreet Boys, as opposed to the last two albums which were a more pop-rocky departure. What inspired the return to your R&B roots?
It’s what we love and it was time to come back to it. We did the pop rock thing and liked it as well, but we always felt this is where we belonged. It was just more us. Hence the title of the record, This Is Us.
What do you think are the best songs on the new album?
'Bye Bye Love' is my favourite song.
You've brought in some other big name artists to collaborate with on this album. How does that change the group dynamic?
It makes it more interesting. Hanging with T-Pain was a completely different thing for us. We had never recorded like that, but it made for good stories. It’s also great to have an outside ear – someone who hasn’t been with us for 15 years.
What has it been like working together for so long?
It’s different every day. Some days it’s easier because we know exactly what’s going to send someone off. Other days it makes it harder, because you know the person so well and you can get frustrated by their habits. It’s just like being in a family … we love and hate each other all in one day.
You actually released two albums in the past few months – This is Us and Playlist: The Very Best of the Backstreet Boys, your second 'greatest hits' collection. How many best-ofs do you predict you'll put out by the time you actually stop producing new material?
We hope a lot!
A lot of your 2010 tour – not to mention the promo tour in October and the filming of your new video 'Bigger' – is in Japan. Do you have a big following there?
We absolutely love Japan and the market is good to us. We actually only had one day off to shoot the video and it was during our Japanese promo trip. It ended up working out so well. We had a blast shooting it – even though it rained and took 20 hours to make.
You had to cancel some promo events in October when your band mate Brian Littrell came down with swine flu. Do you anticipate any trouble getting to China with that on your record? Because we know this Mexican guy who's still living at a hotel outside the city …
Oh no, really? Don’t tell us that. I’m going to have to call our managers and figure that out. Brian is doing great. One hundred per cent better and ready to rock out the tour in China!
You've done fundraising in the past for causes like global warming and breast cancer. Any Haiti benefits on the agenda?
I’m actually playing a solo show tonight in LA for Haiti. We always want to help out where we can.
What's next for the boys?
We’ve still got a lot more This is Us touring in the US before we are done. We are also hoping to get into recording the next record soon as well. We are just going to keep chugging away.
If I wasn't a writer, I'd definitely be a dolphin trainer. Any unfulfilled career aspirations that have been dashed to pieces by the Backstreet Boys' success?
I’ve always wanted to be an entertainer. I loved the stage – be it singing or acting. I think if it weren’t BSB, I’d be involved in the arts in some fashion – managing, producing, and so on. It’s my passion.
Catch Howie and the rest of the Backstreet Boys live in Shanghai at 7.30pm on 14 & 15 March. Shanghai International Gymnastic Center, 777 Wuyi Lu, near Zunyi Lu. RMB 280-1,600. Web: http://en.piao.com.cn (for tickets)
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