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DNCE

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DNCE
DNCE at Soundbox in 2017
DNCE at Soundbox in 2017
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.[1]
Genres
Years active
  • 2015–2018
    2022—2024 (hiatus)
LabelsRepublic Records
Spinoff ofJonas Brothers
Members
Past members
  • Cole Whittle
Websitednce.com

DNCE is an American dance-rock band consisting of lead singer Joe Jonas (previously of the Jonas Brothers), drummer Jack Lawless (who previously performed with Demi Lovato), and guitarist JinJoo Lee (who previously worked with CeeLo Green). Bassist and keyboardist Cole Whittle (previously of Semi Precious Weapons) was a part of the band from when it started in 2015 to when it went on hiatus in 2018. DNCE's music is mainly dance-rock, dance-pop, pop rock, and funk-pop.[2][3][4][5][6] The band signed with Republic Records, who gave them a record deal to release their debut single, "Cake by the Ocean", which was released on September 18, 2015. The song reached the top 10 on several charts, including on the US Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number nine.[7] The band would then release their second single, "Toothbrush", which was also decently successful.

Their debut extended play (EP), Swaay, was released on October 23, 2015, and the release hit number 39 on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum. After appearing on the positively-received Grease Live!, their self-titled debut studio album was released on November 18, 2016 and hit number 17 on the Billboard 200, alongside earning a gold certification. Their second EP, People to People, was released on June 15, 2018, although it did not hit any chart. The band was also nominated for Favorite New Artist for the 2016 Kids' Choice Awards and Best Song to Lip Sync and Best Anthem for the 2016 Radio Disney Music Awards, and performed at the 2017 Fashion Meets Music Festival.[8]

In 2018, after People to People and their non-album single "Dance" had no success, the band would go on an indefinite hiatus. After the group went on a hiatus, Jonas would reform the Jonas Brothers and Lee would perform with acts such as Charli XCX. In February 2022, DNCE returned (albeit, without Whittle) after their hiatus, with a collaboration with Kygo titled "Dancing Feet".[9] The band released three more songs afterwards ("Move", "Got Me Good", and "Flamingo", the latter for the movie Anything's Possible) before going on hiatus once again in 2024. The band is still on hiatus as of 2025.

Career

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2015: Background and origins

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Lead singer Joe Jonas originally rose to fame as a member of the band the Jonas Brothers, alongside his brothers, Nick and Kevin. Both guitarist JinJoo Lee and drummer Jack Lawless were, for varying tenures, a part of the Jonas Brothers' live backing band, playing guitar and drums respectively. The idea for DNCE first came about while Jonas and Lawless were living together, although the project was put on hold due to the duo's respective busy schedules.[10] Jonas, Lawless, and Lee officially came together to form DNCE in 2015.[11]

Though work on music had already begun, the group struggled to find a fourth member to fit into the band.[1] Jonas began working with American singer-songwriter Justin Tranter for DNCE's music. This led to the friendship of Jonas and bassist and keyboardist Cole Whittle, the now-former bassist in Tranter's band, Semi Precious Weapons. Ultimately, Whittle was added as a full-time member of the band.[1] The group named themselves DNCE, which lyrically spoke of being too drunk to spell the word "dance".[11] Jonas later added that the group decided on the name as it described the "imperfect awesome[ness] of the four of [them] together."[11] Lee later added that "much like the spelling of the word, you don't have to be a perfect dancer to dance in life."[12]

2015–2016: Initial releases and success

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DNCE performing at the 2016 MTV Europe Music Awards (in order from left to right; JinJoo Lee, Joe Jonas, Cole Whittle, Jack Lawless)

The group began performing secret shows in New York City to rehearse for their upcoming tour and promotional performances.[13] DNCE made an official Instagram account in September 2015 and Jonas later posted a teaser video for the band on his account, tagging the band's official page, on September 10, 2015.[14] The band released their debut single, "Cake by the Ocean", on September 18, 2015.[15] Though starting out slow, the song managed to reach the top 10 across several charts, including a number nine peak on the Billboard Hot 100.[16] The band released their debut extended play, Swaay, on October 23, 2015.[17][18] The band embarked on a 14-date tour in November 2015, known as the Greatest Tour Ever.[19] All 14 scheduled dates for the tour sold out.[20] The tour received critical praise, and featured unreleased songs as well as covers of older classics.[21]

On January 31, 2016, DNCE made a cameo during Fox's television special Grease: Live; a live production of the Broadway musical Grease. The band performed as Johnny Casino and the Gamblers during a high school dance scene, which incorporated a 1950s-inspired rendition of "Cake by the Ocean" and a cover of the Crickets' "Maybe Baby" alongside the Grease songs "Born to Hand Jive" and "Rock & Roll Is Here to Stay". In an interview with Rolling Stone, Jonas explained that DNCE was approached by the producers of the special following a show in New York City, and that he had always been a fan of Grease.[22] In February 2016, the band joined American singer Selena Gomez as opening acts for her Revival Tour.[23] On February 26, 2016, DNCE was featured on American singer and actress Hailee Steinfeld's single, "Rock Bottom", from the update of her debut extended play, Haiz, which was then considered the main version of the song. On April 22, 2016, the group appeared on BBC One's The Graham Norton Show, performing "Cake by the Ocean".[24] "Toothbrush" was chosen as the second single from Swaay, being sent to contemporary hit radio on May 17, 2016.[25] The song peaked at number 44 on the Billboard Hot 100.

On September 14, 2016, DNCE announced their self-titled debut studio album and its release date. The album includes three songs from Swaay: "Cake by the Ocean", "Toothbrush", and "Pay My Rent", while the last song from the EP, "Jinx" only stayed on the EP. The lead single of the album, "Body Moves", was released on September 30. Three promotional singles were subsequently released for three Fridays in a row: "Blown" (featuring Kent Jones) on October 28, "Good Day" on November 4, and "Be Mean" on November 11. The album was released on November 18, the next Friday. On April 14, 2017, the band released the single "Kissing Strangers", featuring Trinidadian-American rapper Nicki Minaj.[26] The single was released on the "Jumbo Edition" of the album, alongside two additional remixes of "Good Day" and "Hollow" and three bonus tracks from the Target-exclusive version. On August 25, 2017, DNCE was featured on a remade version of British singer-songwriter Rod Stewart's single, "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?".

2018–2019: People to People and hiatus

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To start out 2018, DNCE released the non-album single, "Dance" on January 26.[27] This release was the first single from the band (as a main artist) to not chart at all. On April 6, they were featured on Italian record producer duo Merk & Kremont's single, "Hands Up", which only hit number 42 on Italy's FIMI Singles Chart, although it was certified platinum in that country. On June 15, they released their second extended play, People to People.[28] The EP, although positively-received by critics, did not hit any chart. It would later be released in Japan with "Dance" as a bonus track.

On February 28, 2019, the Jonas Brothers announced their comeback, in which Jonas and Lawless resumed work with them, which caused DNCE to go on hiatus for more than three years. The Jonas Brothers' comeback would be more successful than DNCE's recent endeavors, with the band's comeback single "Sucker" debuting at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, alongside hitting number one on four other charts. Even after DNCE's breakup, however, The Jonas Brothers have frequently performed "Cake by the Ocean" in their live set. Lawless and Lee joined the Jonas Brothers in their backing band for their Remember This Tour from August to October 2021 before DNCE reunited, in which they added "Toothbrush" to the set.[29]

2022–2024: Reformation and second hiatus

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On February 7, 2022, DNCE announced their return, in which Cole Whittle did not return to the band as he started his solo music career when they were on hiatus.[30] On February 25, 2022, DNCE was featured on Norwegian record producer and DJ Kygo's single "Dancing Feet", as their comeback single.[31] On May 6, 2022, they released the single "Move".[32] On July 8, 2022, they released the single "Got Me Good".[33] Exactly two weeks later, on July 22, 2022, DNCE released the song "Flamingo" as part of the soundtrack for the movie Anything's Possible.[34] After limited success from their comeback and the absence of releases since "Flamingo", the band would go on hiatus again in 2024.

Artistry

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Now-former band member Cole Whittle has said, "Musically, we sound like disco funk hits played by a good garage band."[35] The band's influences include the Electric Light Orchestra, Sly and the Family Stone, Weezer, Earth, Wind & Fire, Hall & Oates,[36] Prince, the Bee Gees,[35] and Led Zeppelin.[37]

Members

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Final line-up

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  • Joe Jonas: lead vocals – Jonas first rose to prominence as a member of the Jonas Brothers, a band that has considerable success across music, film and television.[38]
  • Jack Lawless: drums, percussion, backing vocals – Jack Lawless played drums for the Jonas Brothers from their Marvelous Party Tour (2007)[39] until their disbandment, and again from their 2019 reunion onwards. Lawless and Jonas were roommates, with Lawless continuing to perform with the band on subsequent tours.[10] In 2010, Lawless became the drummer for alternative rock band Ocean Grove; the group released their debut extended play in 2011.[40]
  • JinJoo Lee: guitar, backing vocals – Lee is from South Korea and, like Lawless, has previously toured with acts such as the Jonas Brothers, playing the guitar.[41] She was a member of CeeLo Green's touring band from 2010 to 2011, and later worked with JoJo and Charli XCX.[41]

Former members

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  • Cole Whittle: bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals – Whittle rose to fame as the bassist for Semi Precious Weapons.[42] The band released three studio albums during their run, with their final release coming in 2014.[43] He has also recently contributed as a songwriter, alongside fellow Semi Precious Weapons member Justin Tranter. Whittle did not return to DNCE when they reunited in 2022 in order to focus on his solo career.

Discography

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Main article: DNCE discography

Studio albums

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Extended plays

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Filmography

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Television
Year Title Role Notes
2016 Grease: Live Johnny Casino and the Gamblers Television special

Tours

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Headlining

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  • The Greatest Tour Ever Tour (2015–2016)[44]
  • DNCE in Concert (2017)
  • DNCE GOGO SAIKO Japan Tour (2017)

As opening act

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Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominee Result
2016 American Music Awards[45] Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group DNCE Nominated
New Artist of the Year DNCE Nominated
Kids' Choice Awards[46] Favorite New Artist DNCE Nominated
Radio Disney Music Awards[47] Best Anthem "Cake by the Ocean" Nominated
Best New Artist DNCE Nominated
Best Song to Lip Sync "Cake by the Ocean" Nominated
MTV Europe Music Awards[48] Best New Act DNCE Nominated
Best Push Act DNCE Won
MTV Video Music Awards[49] Best New Artist DNCE Won
MTV Video Music Awards Japan[50] International New Artist DNCE Won
Teen Choice Awards[51] Choice Music: Breakout Artist DNCE Nominated
Choice Music: Group DNCE Nominated
Choice Music: Party Song "Cake by the Ocean" Won
Choice Music Single: Group "Cake by the Ocean" Nominated
Choice Summer Music Star: Group DNCE Nominated
2017 iHeartRadio Music Awards[citation needed] Best Cover Song "Hands to Myself" Nominated
Best Duo/Group of the Year DNCE Nominated
People's Choice Awards[52] Favorite Breakout Artist DNCE Nominated
Radio Disney Music Awards Song of the Year "Cake by the Ocean" Nominated
Best Song to Lip Sync To Nominated
Breakout Artist of the Year DNCE Nominated

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Interview with DNCE". 997now. November 5, 2015. Archived from the original on May 9, 2017. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  2. ^ Colla, Matt. "DNCE Biography – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  3. ^ Mercuri, Monica (February 28, 2019). "The Jonas Brothers Reunite And Announce New Single 'Sucker'". Forbes. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
  4. ^ Rowley, Glenn (February 7, 2022). "Joe Jonas Teases 'It's Go Time' on a 'New Era' of Music: 'There's So Many Different Projects'". Billboard. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  5. ^ "Best of 2015: Joe Jonas on 'Mad Max,' Other Favorites – Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 19, 2017. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
  6. ^ Iahn, Buddy (February 28, 2022). "Kygo, DNCE team for 'Dancing Feet'". The Music Universe. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
  7. ^ Trust, Gary (February 15, 2016). "Hot 100 Chart Moves: DNCE's 'Cake by the Ocean' Sweetens Pop Radio". Billboard. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  8. ^ Oller, Julia. "Third Eye Blind, Fetty Wap, DNCE among Fashion Meets Music Festival acts". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on April 16, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
  9. ^ Spanos, Brittany (February 7, 2022). "Joe Jonas Wants DNCE to Be the Next E Street Band". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  10. ^ a b Kaplan, Ilana (October 23, 2015). "Get Ready to DNCE". Interview Magazine. Interview, Inc. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  11. ^ a b c "INTERVIEW: Who Is DNCE? Everything You Need To Know". iHeartRadio. October 13, 2015. Archived from the original on January 5, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  12. ^ "8 Questions with Joe Jonas's New Band, DNCE". InStyle. October 16, 2015.
  13. ^ "Joe Jonas on New Funk-Pop Party Band DNCE, Second Chances". Rolling Stone. October 23, 2015. Archived from the original on October 28, 2015.
  14. ^ "Joe Jonas Teases New Band". MTV. September 11, 2015. Archived from the original on September 11, 2015.
  15. ^ "Joe Jonas forms new band". Toronto Sun. September 16, 2015. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  16. ^ "Music: Top 100 Songs – Billboard Hot 100 Chart". Billboard.
  17. ^ "SWAAY – EP – DNCE". iTunes. Archived from the original on September 30, 2016.
  18. ^ Hailey, Jonathan (October 13, 2015). "DNCE Announce 'SWAAY' EP and Tease 'Cake By the Ocean' Video". Radio.com. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  19. ^ "DNCE Announce Greatest Tour Ever Tour". Alter the Press.
  20. ^ "Instagram". Archived from the original on December 26, 2021.
  21. ^ "Concert Review: Let DNCE Be Your New Favorite Band".
  22. ^ "Joe Jonas Talks DNCE's 'Grease: Live' Cameo". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  23. ^ a b Vulpo, Mike (February 23, 2016). "Selena Gomez's Revival Tour Just Turned Into an Even Bigger Party With the Addition of DNCE". E! Online. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  24. ^ "BBC One – The Graham Norton Show, Series 19, Episode 5". Bbc.co.uk. April 22, 2016. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  25. ^ "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access Media Group. Archived from the original on May 17, 2016. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  26. ^ Halpin, Molly (April 25, 2017). "DNCE and Nikki Manaj Collab on "Kissing Strangers"". LemonWire. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  27. ^ "DNCE Make Their Comeback With New SIngle 'Dance'". elbroide.com. February 1, 2018. Archived from the original on April 23, 2019. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  28. ^ "DNCE Drops Surprise EP 'People to People': Stream". Billboard. June 15, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  29. ^ "Jonas Brothers Concert Setlist at Minneapolis Armory, Minneapolis on April 6, 2019". Setlist.FM. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  30. ^ "Joe Jonas Wants DNCE to Be the Next E Street Band". Rolling Stone. February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  31. ^ Aniftos, Rania (February 25, 2022). "DNCE Reunites for 'Dancing Feet' with Kygo". Billboard. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
  32. ^ Iahn, Buddy (May 6, 2022). "DNCE returns with 'Move'". TheMusicUniverse. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  33. ^ Sadler, Armon (July 8, 2022). "DNCE Admits Defeat By Way Of Emotions In The Upbeat Track 'Got Me Good'". Uproxx. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  34. ^ "DNCE Releases New Song "Flamingo" from "Anything's Possible" Motion Picture Soundtrack". PMStudio. July 23, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  35. ^ a b Copsey, Rob (April 26, 2016). "DNCE talk Cake By The Ocean, working with 'pop god' Max Martin and being inspired by Prince - Interview". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  36. ^ name=seven>Kaplan, Ilana (October 23, 2015). "GET READY TO DNCE". Interview. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
  37. ^ Stern, Claire (April 26, 2016). "8 Questions with Joe Jonas's New Band, DNCE". InStyle. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  38. ^ "Some teen stars are still well-scrubbed, others have gone wild". NY Daily News. New York. April 29, 2008.
  39. ^ Boyle, Kelly (2008) "The Jonas Brothers hit Boston[usurped]", bostonmusicspotlight.com. Retrieved November 19, 2013
  40. ^ "Little Record – EP". iTunes. February 15, 2011.
  41. ^ a b "Who Are the Members of Joe Jonas' New Band DNCE?publisher=MTV". MTV. September 15, 2015. Archived from the original on September 16, 2015.
  42. ^ Poet, J. "StyleHive Semi Precious Weapons – Biography". Retrieved December 12, 2008.
  43. ^ Atkinson, Claire (November 19, 2015). "Meet the duo behind pop music's latest and greatest hits". New York Post. New York. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  44. ^ Norton, Jessica (October 27, 2015). "What Can We Expect From DNCE's 'Greatest Tour Ever Tour'?". MTV. Archived from the original on October 27, 2015. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  45. ^ "AMAs 2016: See the Full List of Winners". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  46. ^ "Here Are The Nominees For The 2016 Kids' Choice Awards". MTV. March 14, 2013. Archived from the original on February 4, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
  47. ^ "2016 Radio Disney Music Awards". Nick and More. March 14, 2013. Retrieved March 16, 2013.[permanent dead link]
  48. ^ Smirke, Richard Smirke (November 6, 2016). "2016 MTV EMAs: See the Full Winners List". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  49. ^ "DNCE Wins Best New Artist, 2016 Video Music Awards | MTV". MTV. August 28, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  50. ^ "Winners for the MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2016 announced | Page 3". ARAMA! JAPAN. October 3, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  51. ^ Goodman, Jessica (July 31, 2016). "Teen Choice Awards 2016: See the full list of winners". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  52. ^ "People's Choice Awards 2017: Full List Of Nominees". People's Choice. November 15, 2016. Archived from the original on November 17, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
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