Inspirational Christian act Jump5 got their act together as
teens back in 1999 having members siblings Brandon and Brittany Hargest, Lesley
Moore, Chris Fedun, and Libby Hodges form out the whole team at first. But as
the years progressed so did the band, instead of having six members it
was now five. The name for the band itself wasn't always Jump5 it was once
known as Jump Start but changed due to trademark conflicts.
As years pressed on the band released albums over the course
of their career until disbandment in 2007. Soon after sibling's Brandon and
Brittany Hargest as well as the other members would pursue projects elsewhere.
Brittany Hargest continued to work with music same as her brother Brandon.
Having left the Jump5 days behind Brittany slowly built
her own ground to walk upon, while there have been things happening every
now and then including a Jump5 reunion, there were doors just waiting to
be opened into the next phase of her life.
Brittany took some time to discuss her time with Jump5 both
past and present as well as what her
solo career has in-store for her.
1. What is the origin of the band's name? How did the band
come together?
Brittany: At the time we started Jump5, there weren't a lot
of music acts that geared their music towards young preschool aged kids. We
were kids singing to kids, and we knew how to dance, and we wanted our name to
reflect that, so we went with a name that sounded positive and energetic. We
all grew up together dancing and singing, but there was an audition held for a
singing group, so we all tried out and made it. Once we were a group, then we
went out looking for a management team and record label, who then signed us,
and the rest is history.
2. When and if Jump5 does get back for good will it be all 6
members or just the 5?
Brittany: If we ever were to get back together, it would
only be the original 5.
3. Since the band's disbandment in 2007 the band has gotten
back for a few reunions how have those been going?
Brittany: They've been going great! We all live separate
lives, some of us aren't even in the same state anymore, so when we are able to
get together to catch up, we always do. It's always so fun to see each other
and reminisce on the last decade of our lives together.
4. Will we be seeing a reunion tour happening later on down
the line?
Brittany: I'm not entirely sure what's going to happen for
us down the road. We all have things that we're doing now that we wouldn't
really be able to pull ourselves away from, and we have our very first little
Jumper to take care of, but if we ever did get back together, I know it would
be an amazing and fun experience.
5. Is there plans for new music?
Brittany: Not at the moment.
6. How would you feel about bringing Jump5 back, creating
new music and touring?
Brittany: It would be great to create new music and tour
with them again. Our Jump5 days were the best of our lives, it would be so fun
to get back out there with them.
7. If it did happen would you consider taking yours and
Brandon Hargest's solo projects as a part of the tour, that would be an
interesting twist.
Brittany: That would be an interesting twist, but it's hard
to say what would happen since none of us have even really talked about it yet.
8. Can you tell me about your solo career as well as Brandon Hargests?
Brittany: Well, after Jump5 ended, we all were in need of a
break. We were out on the road for almost 10 years, and after awhile, it starts
to get tiring. So when we ended, I did just that, I rested. I took a nice long
break, and then one day I woke up and realized how much I missed singing and
touring. So I talked with my manager and some songwriter friends to see if we
could just get into the studio and start creating music. Eventually, it turned
into an album, and I could not be more proud of it. This album was the first
time I could actually help with the creating process and sound, and it was
amazing.
9. What was the inspiration for the album name Love All The
Way?
Brittany: About 90% of the songs we had written for this
album were in some way, shape or form about God and the way that He loves us.
We were just so amazed at how something so simple could be such a strong and
incredible reminder that we are loved no matter how we feel about ourselves.
God's love is full force all the time, all the way.
10. Do you write your own songs? Can you discuss the
songwriting process in detail.
Brittany: I helped co-write most of the songs on the album.
The process is different with every person, but most of the time we would mess
around with melodies first and the words would come later. Sometimes it happens
really fast, and then sometimes it takes days or even weeks to finish a song.
It all depends on who you're working with!
11. Who are your musical influences?
Brittany: I grew up listening to everything my dad did. He
loved the music of his generation, music from the 60's and 70's. I will always
have a special place in my heart for groups like Earth, Wind and Fire! But
nowadays I listen to everything under the sun. From Mutemath, to LeCrae and
Otis Redding.
12. Do you think talking about spirituality in music is
becoming more popular and accepted in mainstream music?
Brittany: Absolutely! More and more people in mainstream
music these days are becoming more open about their spirituality and I think
it's much needed.
13. Does the band ever get criticized for not being
Christian enough?
Brittany: We were always criticized for never being
Christian enough in our music. We were also criticized for being TOO Christian
in our music. It all depended on who you were talking to. In our minds, we
wanted to be a positive pop band for kids who might not have known Christ. We
wanted to set positive examples for them, not shove it down their throats. The
best way to do that is to create fun and wholesome music, which we felt like we
achieved, so we didn't really bother with critics.
14. How do you respond to those people?
Brittany: You're never going to please everyone no matter
what you do. We just went with the fact that we knew who we were and what we
believed and why we were doing what we were doing. God put us in that position
for a reason and we wanted to make sure we didn't take it for granted.
15. If Jesus walked the Earth today and had an iPod, what
five songs would definitely be on it?
Brittany: That is a great question, that I have no idea how
to answer! I hope he would like some of my music. :)
16. What advice would you give to fellow bands?
Brittany: Keep doing what you love and make music that you
can be proud of!
17. Anything else you'd like to say or add to the fans out
there?
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