Big Time Rush, also known as BTR, is a hugely popular American boy band with a vast fan base around the world, attracting music lovers with its unique brand of smooth vocals and energetic hooks. The group quickly ascended to stardom playing fictionalized versions of themselves in the Nickelodeon TV series of the same name which aired from 2009-2013.
The bandmates feature in the photo above – from left to right, they are: Carlos PenaVega, Logan Henderson, Kendall Schmidt, and James Maslow. After five years of huge success, BTR went on a lengthy hiatus before they reunited in 2020, to pick up where they left off.
Globe had the chance to sit down with James and Carlos, who explained just how excited the group is to be performing in Bangkok for the very first time, discussing the challenges they have faced since reuniting, and how they have sustained long-lasting music careers.
James – I’d say our excitement level is at a 10. Maybe even an 11 out of 10! We are beyond excited. Playing in Asia has been something that we’ve wanted to do since we started the band. As for expectations, I’m not sure we have any specific ones, but we’ve seen a lot of engagement from our Thailand-based followers online! They seem to get more and more excited as the show approaches. We’re aiming to deliver the highest quality performance possible, see how it’s received and figure out which tracks are the most popular. When it comes to expectations though, I am just really looking forward to eating some Thai food!
Carlos – Big Time Rush was our first experience at this level. Obviously, James and I did a lot of musical theater before, so we are well used to being on stage. But it is a completely different game when it comes to concerts, especially when you’re running around for two hours straight. We could not even get through a minute-and-a-half song, and now we are doing almost two-hour shows. James, I bet if we really pushed, we could go even longer.
James – Yeah, we have, actually. When we played at Madison Square Garden, it was for 2 hours and 30 minutes, maybe even closer to 3 hours. It is an endurance you only build up through experience. Expanding on what Carlos said, being on the TV show changed how we connected with fans. Most artists build this bond on tour, but for us, fans were already watching us on TV. That shaped our music career because we knew how much the show and our music meant to them, and we always make sure to produce something they like!
James – Well, coming up with our new sound was difficult and the album was a challenge until it was mixed and mastered! Balancing our personal lives is still hard. We have gotten better at it, but it’s still difficult, particularly since we’ve been living in different parts of the world. Next month, we will all be in Nashville for the first time since getting back together, which should help us to evolve as a group. There are challenges in being four individuals who juggle their careers and personal lives, but we understand and respect one another.
Carlos – We’re like four brothers. If you have siblings, you will get it. When we’re together, we’re super close, but when we are apart, we can go 3-6 weeks without talking and that’s totally fine. I was laughing the other day because we went a month without speaking and then got back together and just jumped right into performing like nothing had happened.
James – There is a simplicity and a catchiness to it. Actually, some of the biggest songs in the world are the simplest ones, where you have listened to it once, and then start to sing along by the second chorus. “Boyfriend” perfectly nailed that! Plus the release timing was spot-on. We were young at the time, but our fans were even younger. The song came out when many of them were experiencing their first crush, or seeking for their first boyfriend or girlfriend. I think part of the success was how well it resonated with the core audience.
Carlos – I’d say what I bring to the table is a family-centered perspective. If we’re a puzzle and need all four pieces to fit, mine is shaped by my life experience. I’ve been married for 11 years, and I have three kids who mean everything to me. So when we’re writing a song, I always think, ‘Would I want my kids to listen to this?’, and that sometimes leads us to get even more creative. I’d call it a dad brain. My kids love Big Time Rush, and while we want to appeal to a broad audience, I also make sure our content is something they can enjoy.
James – I am a big fan of soulful music, and I tend to sing in an R&B style. Sometimes that takes a song in a direction that doesn’t quite match with the band but other times it works well! The four of us sing differently and also think differently, because we are four distinct individuals. That’s what makes Big Time Rush stands out. While we do sometimes aim for a more unified sound, I’m unsure if that would lead to greater success. What I do know is that our fans love the individuality each of us brings and I also love that about the group!
Carlos – It is important to cater to what your fans want. I’ve seen many artists who want to explore new directions and do X or Y, but their fans are saying, ‘We like it when you do Z’. It’s fine to try something new, but if your fans are asking for Z, you’ve got to give them Z. I think we do a great job of giving the fans what they want while still trying new sounds. So really, listening to fans, giving them what they want..it’s the key to sustaining your career.
James – Social media is a wonderful tool for emerging artists. Never before have you had the chance for one song, one reel, or one TikTok to potentially go viral and attract millions of views in such a short time. However, it’s vital to distinguish between vanity metrics, like follower counts, and the more meaningful metric of who makes up the actual community. It’s more valuable to have a smaller, devoted group of real fans who always support you.
Big Time Rush’s Bangkok show is on Saturday, October 19 at Lido Connect Hall 3, next to BTS Siam station. Visit www.livenationtero.co.th or call 02-262-3838, for tickets and info.