Joe Jonas' Sessions: Singer Writes Songs About His Famous Exes, Reveals Post-JoBro Dream Band

Joe Jonas and his band of brothers may already be hinting at a Jonas Brothers reunion, but the new solo artist is definitely doing his thing -- and on his own terms. This past fall, the 22-year-old dropped his debut solo album 'Fastlife,' a CD full of songs co-written by the singer. To make 'Fastlife' a sound all his own, JJ collaborated with the likes of Chris Brown, Lil Wayne and producers like Danja and Rob Knox. The result? An edgy, all-grown-up sound ... and the image to go along with it. Have you seen his steamy and mostly shirtless 'Just in Love' music video?!

Jonas performed an exclusive Sessions set at AOL Music's New York studios and afterward, the singer sat down for a candid Q&A about breaking away from his fam, forming his fantasy super group and writing tell-all lyrics about his famous exes. Check out our interview with the JoBro-gone-solo, and watch him perform tracks from his solo album in our Sessions studios below!

What was your biggest fear when it came to leaving your brothers and going solo?

Probably the biggest fear was doing this on my own, taking that step, that leap of faith to try something on my own without them there. Whether it was for writing songs or even performing, I was all by myself ... a very vulnerable state. But having their support made it a lot easier and having the fans' support, knowing that they are excited by the new music and liking the stuff, it's been a very overwhelming experience.

What creative sacrifices did you have to make as a member of a group that you don't have to make now as a solo artist?

I think probably the biggest thing is when we write songs, I would say a lot of the time there are three different ideas of what you want the song to be about. For me, I'm able to write about experiences that I've gone through personally that my brothers or other writers haven't really experienced. So I get to really go there and it can be hard too, because you really have to be honest with your lyrics. You can't really hold anything back. That was probably the biggest difference.

When it comes to being honest with your lyrics, you've had some high-profile relationships. Does that affect your songwriting at all?

Yeah, sometimes it's interesting. You know, I don't like to say names of who I write songs about just so that way the audience can relate. Though, that said, it's interesting to hear what other people may think. You know, sometimes they're totally off. They go, "Is this about this person?" and they try to juggle which song is about whom. But as for me, it's really satisfying when somebody goes, "I've been through that situation. I know where you were when you wrote that song."



So you leave things anonymous for your fans, not for your own personal privacy ... ?

I mean sometimes I try to keep it quiet for myself too, because I just know that I'm still pretty cool with those I've been in relationships with. So if it's a really mean or upsetting song, I don't want to make anyone upset.

Have any of your exes' songs made you think, "That's about me"?

Not really. I'm just more so focused on what I'm doing ... It could be flattering if someone wrote a song about you.

What inspired your album title?

'Fastlife' was one of the names of the songs on the record and also just this crazy busy life that I live, traveling city to city. I went to Paris like three weeks ago, and the next thing you know you're in New York, then you're in Los Angeles the next day. So, it's a crazy life. It's busy and it's exciting too and it's a lot of fun, so I wanted to bring people into that world that I live to experience it for themselves.

Speaking of living the fast life, do you ever regret that you stepped into the spotlight at such a young age?

The experiences that I've had are so amazing, so I don't know if I really want to give back any of those amazing experiences. At the same time, there are things that I missed. I mean sporting events, being at school -- they're small things, but at the same time, I really love what I've been able to do in my career.

Where do you see yourself at one of those slightly arbitrary milestone ages? Let's say 30.

I would say when I'm 30, I'll hopefully have done a couple of records, solo records and with my brothers. More acting. I've got a couple opportunities coming my way so I'm hoping to further that acting career. And then, who knows, do something different. I love cooking, so open a restaurant or something!

What acting opportunities are you working on?

I'm trying to develop a movie with a buddy of mine back in L.A. We have this idea to create this film. I don't want to give away the idea too much, because it's so bare bones, but it's a very exciting, exciting project. [I'd be] producing and acting in it.



What three songs would be on the soundtrack to your life?

Wow, that could be really difficult. Well I guess there are songs that affected me the most throughout my life. I would say 'Blackbird' by the Beatles, 'Somewhere Only We Know' by Keane, and then wow, third one. I would probably go with the whole album 'The Joshua Tree' by U2 [laughs], if I can do that.

You've had a lot of nice things to say about working with Chris Brown. Who else would you like to work with?

I have to say, Chris Brown was a lot of fun to work with. He's a really talented artist and the music he's coming out with is incredible. Recently, he has worked with so many different artists, so when I worked with him I was really thankful. And another artist I would love to work with? I mean, I love Adele. I love people like Kid Cudi and Kanye West. There's something about working with an artist who is totally different from what you do that's intriguing.

Is collaborating with other artists something that there is more opportunity for now that you're outside of the group?

It can be easier to work with one person one-on-one rather than one-on-three, so we'll see.

If you could create a super group, like Mick Jagger's SuperHeavy, who would you choose to be in your band?

My super group? Chris Martin from Coldplay. The lead singer of Muse, Matthew Bellamy, he plays base so he can play the base in the band. I would say Paul McCartney, and then Tommy Lee on the drums. I mean, we'd all share lead vocals [laughs]!