The Wanted: a boy band that can sing

In 2010, the five members of British-Irish boy band The Wanted tasted success with the release of their first single, All Time Low, from their self-titled album. Overnight, Max George, Nathan Sykes, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness and Tom Parker - all under the age of 25 - were catapulted onto the world music stage.

(From Left to Right) Tom Parker, Jay McGuiness, Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Nathan Sykes

The band talks about their latest album, their influences, and provides an insight into their creative process. Excerpts from the email interview:

Tell us a little about your latest album, Battleground…?
Max: It's probably more grown up; we've grown older and our lyrics have probably matured as well.
Siva: This album is more Pop-centric, but we like all kinds of music and want to incorporate all of it.

What are some of your music influences or inspirations?
Tom: Each of us works on different music inspirations. I listen to a lot of Nirvana and Oasis, Stereophonics…
Max: My influences are in the space of Elvis Presley.
Jay: My influences veer towards folksy, Indie music.
Siva: I like Soul music like Motown.
Nathan: I like modern R‘n'B like John Legend, Boyz II Men, Folk music and many different sounds.
Jay: That's just the thing about Pop music; you can use any genre as an influence.

Glad You Came is quite the rage. Was it a favourite on the album with you guys as well?
Max: Glad You Came is my favourite. Not only because it's become a rage, but also as it reminds me of the good time we had in summer while filming the video. It was fantastic!

Since you ideate together, do your opinions ever clash?
Max: We sit together and discuss songs and then go into separate rooms to write. At night we discuss and listen to what each of us has. So clashes don't really happen.

There are people of different ethnicities, who bring diverse influences to the band. How do you reach a consensus and make a song that appeals to all of you?
Siva: It works for us that we're different. It wouldn't work if we had similar personalities, as we'd end up competing with each other. Our focus is making songs that people can relate to.

There was a time when boy bands were popular, but things have changed since. Weren't you sceptical about being part of a boy band?
Jay: Honestly, no. We think we can change people's perception of '90s boy bands. We're happy making good music. That's our only aim.

Have any of you heard music from India? Is there an Indian artiste that you like?
Siva: We love Indian music and are aware of how colourful and grand the videos are. We can't dance though!

What are your future plans?
Jay: We're working on our third album. Our aim is to release it by the end of the year, so let's see how things go.u00a0