Biography
In 2015 the high-energy dance-rock band DNCE, fronted by Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers, reached mainstream audiences via the SWAAY EP and its key track “Cake by the Ocean,” a multi-platinum worldwide success that carried their self-titled debut album, released the next year, into the U.S. Top 20. Already a proven arena draw, the group paused activities until 2022, when they resurfaced on Kygo’s single “Dancing Feet” and issued their own song “Move.”
DNCE—an acronym for dance—formed that year around former Jonas Brothers vocalist Joe Jonas, Korean-born guitarist JinJoo Lee (Jordin Sparks, Charlie XCX, Cee Lo Green), bassist/keyboardist Cole Whittle (Semi-Precious Weapons), and drummer Jack Lawless (Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus). After the Jonas Brothers disbanded in 2013, Jonas began shaping plans for a fresh project. Rather than booking session players, he enlisted longtime touring drummer Lawless and Lee, who had opened for the Brothers while on the road with Jordin Sparks. Jonas next added Whittle, the dynamic former Semi-Precious Weapons member, completing the lineup.
DNCE premiered “Cake by the Ocean” on New York’s Z100 in September 2015, then released the full SWAAY EP a month later; both entries reached the Top 40 in the U.S. and the Top 20 in Canada. Their 2016 album DNCE featured production and songwriting from Sir Nolan, Ilya, Mattman & Robin, and Justin Tranter, ex-frontman of Semi-Precious Weapons. Anchored by the already-released “Cake by the Ocean” and the lead single “Body Moves,” the set climbed to number 17 on the Billboard 200. Following extensive touring, DNCE issued the People to People EP in 2018 before entering hiatus.
When the band reemerged in February 2022, Whittle was no longer part of the lineup; they appeared on Kygo’s “Dancing Feet,” which entered the Top Ten of the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart and registered internationally. That May the remaining trio unveiled their own single “Move,” their first new music since 2018. Jonas wrote the track with Andrew DeRoberts and OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder, the latter pair also serving as producers.
DNCE—an acronym for dance—formed that year around former Jonas Brothers vocalist Joe Jonas, Korean-born guitarist JinJoo Lee (Jordin Sparks, Charlie XCX, Cee Lo Green), bassist/keyboardist Cole Whittle (Semi-Precious Weapons), and drummer Jack Lawless (Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus). After the Jonas Brothers disbanded in 2013, Jonas began shaping plans for a fresh project. Rather than booking session players, he enlisted longtime touring drummer Lawless and Lee, who had opened for the Brothers while on the road with Jordin Sparks. Jonas next added Whittle, the dynamic former Semi-Precious Weapons member, completing the lineup.
DNCE premiered “Cake by the Ocean” on New York’s Z100 in September 2015, then released the full SWAAY EP a month later; both entries reached the Top 40 in the U.S. and the Top 20 in Canada. Their 2016 album DNCE featured production and songwriting from Sir Nolan, Ilya, Mattman & Robin, and Justin Tranter, ex-frontman of Semi-Precious Weapons. Anchored by the already-released “Cake by the Ocean” and the lead single “Body Moves,” the set climbed to number 17 on the Billboard 200. Following extensive touring, DNCE issued the People to People EP in 2018 before entering hiatus.
When the band reemerged in February 2022, Whittle was no longer part of the lineup; they appeared on Kygo’s “Dancing Feet,” which entered the Top Ten of the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart and registered internationally. That May the remaining trio unveiled their own single “Move,” their first new music since 2018. Jonas wrote the track with Andrew DeRoberts and OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder, the latter pair also serving as producers.
Albums
Singles
Got Me Good
2022
Move
2022
DANCE
2018
Good Day (End of the World Remix)
2017
Kissing Strangers (Remix)
2017
Kissing Strangers
2017
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
2016
Live
