Blending cosmic charm with irresistible chemistry, We the Band make a stunning entrance with their debut single “One & Only,” introducing themselves not just as Justin Bieber’s longtime touring crew, but as a funk- and soul-soaked force all their own.
Stream: “One & Only” – We the Band
We want the listeners to feel real love, real passion, real musicianship, real instruments, real guitar/synth solos, and just overall real songs. We want to bring that special magic back and push the bar forward.
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It only takes one song to fall head over heels for We the Band.
With their debut single “One & Only,” the five-piece supergroup – born onstage with Justin Bieber and bonded through a decade of touring – deliver a knockout first impression: A funky, soulful seduction pulsing with deep grooves, dazzling solos, and once-in-a-generation chemistry. It’s the kind of track that commands attention and holds it, turning up the heat one beat at a time. From its lustrous bass lines to its glistening guitars and simmering synths, “One & Only” is as confident and charismatic as they come – a fever dream of feeling, sound, and undeniable musicianship.
Just as Dylan had The Band, and Bieber has had We the Band – and just like their backing band predecessors, these guys are primed and ready for the spotlight!
Brand new diamond that I’ve never seen
You give me wing, baby, to my knees
You give me, mm, baby, somethin’ sweet, mm
And yeah, you rare, you another breed
I bet God wonders where you are
Comprised of five world-class musicians – Harv (bass), Tay James (DJ), Julian Michael (guitar), Devon “Stixx” Taylor (drums), and Dr. O (keyboards) – We the Band cut their teeth as the core of Bieber’s Purpose and Justice World Tours, before deciding to step out on their own together. Individually, they’ve played alongside the likes of Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Post Malone, and Mary J. Blige. Collectively, they’re a powerhouse quintet with old-school roots and a modern edge – blending influences like Earth, Wind & Fire, Aaliyah, Missy Elliott, OneRepublic, and Paramore into a smoldering sound that’s uniquely and entirely their own.
“We want people who are just discovering us for the first time to feel the true essence of passion and love through our musicianship,” the band tells Atwood Magazine. “We’ve all come from different walks of life and different places, but collectively, ‘One & Only’ sounds like all of us together.”
Written across multiple sessions – from Harv’s studio to a trip in Palm Springs – and stitched together through each member’s contributions, “One & Only” tells a love story as timeless as its sound. The track captures a euphoric sense of devotion and desire, spinning a tale of celestial infatuation through smooth vocals and soul-stirring instrumentation:
‘Cause you came from the sky
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Something fell from outer space
Something got me all in, all in
I dream about it all day, all day, all day
“We’re talking about this beautiful woman that is so rare, so unique that she had to come from outer space because she’s divine,” the band explains. “Her essence is pure and captivating.”
But beyond its seductive lyrics, the track is a mission statement: A bold introduction to We the Band’s soulful vision and sky-high ambition.
“We want the listeners to feel real love, real passion, real musicianship, real instruments, real guitar/synth solos, and just overall real songs,” they say. “We want to bring that special magic back and push the bar forward.”
That magic didn’t appear overnight. The group’s roots stretch back to 2009, when Harv and Tay James first joined Bieber’s team. Once Harv stepped into the role of musical director in 2015, he brought in Stixx, Julian, and Dr. O – ultimately forming the core five. From rehearsals to soundchecks to sold-out stadiums, their bond solidified both on and off the stage. “Working with JB for the past decade and a half helped us perfect our live performance skills,” they reflect. “And helped us build relationships. We also built a network of our own fans. We’re so thankful for that opportunity.”
Tell me, tell me, where you from?
I think you might be the one
Shinin’ like the morning sun
Shine bright like
Chase you down, around the world
You got to be in the galaxy to separate you from me
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Something fell from outer space
Something got me all in, all in
I dream about it all day, all day, all day
“One & Only” is We the Band’s first release – but it doesn’t sound like a debut. It sounds like the arrival of something long in the making.
And there’s plenty more on the way. Their debut single is the first of three tracks rolling out this summer, with a full-length album slated for late August.
“We’re most excited to continue to build our love, friendship, and the brotherhood amongst us,” they share. “We got a lot of surprises coming up… but honestly, we’re just enjoying the moment and taking it all in.”
Something fell from outer space, and it’s pretty damn groovy. With unmatched talent and a whole lot of heart, We the Band are a name we won’t soon forget – an instant Atwood Magazine artist-to-watch fueled by raw passion and full of limitless potential. “One & Only” is just the beginning: Stream this stunning debut and its music video below, and stay tuned for much more to come from We the Band!
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Something fell from outer space
Something got me all in, all in
I dream about it all day, all day, all day
Something fell from outer space
Something got me all in, all in
I dream about it all day, all day, all day
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:: stream/purchase One & Only here ::
:: connect with We the Band here ::
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Stream: “One & Only” – We the Band
A CONVERSATION WITH WE THE BAND
Atwood Magazine: We the Band, it's GREAT to meet you all! First and foremost, for those who are just discovering you today through this writeup, what do you want them to know about you and your music?
We the Band: We want people who’re just discovering us for the first time to feel the true essence of passion & love through our musicianship.
Since we're all just getting started, does everyone mind introducing themselves a bit? Would love to get to know everyone a bit better!
We the Band: Yo, what’s going on! It’s HARV, Stixx Taylor, Julian, DJ Tay James, and Dr. O – and we are We The Band.
What's the story behind your debut single, “One & Only” – and what’s this song about, for you all?
We the Band: The story behind “One & Only” is: We started the song at HARV’s studio. Stixx cut his drums at a different location and then later we wrote Julian’s verse during a trip to Palm Springs. Dr. O then did his solo at his home studio so we all worked on it individually, but collectively at the same time. This song is special to us because it’s a love song – we’re talking about this beautiful woman that is so rare, so unique that she had to come from outer space because she’s divine. Her essence is pure and captivating.
Why introduce yourselves through this track? What makes it your best foot forward?
We the Band: We wanted to introduce ourselves through this track because it’s a clear sonic representation of who we are as individuals and as a group we’ve all come from different walks of life and different places, but collectively “One & Only” sounds like all of us together.
You met as Justin Bieber's touring band in 2016, and to my understanding, have been together more or less ever since. How does that legacy – supporting one of the world's biggest artists for the better part of the past decade – color your own identity as a band now striking out on your own?
We the Band: Actually, HARV and Tay started working with JB around 2009/2010 and once HARV became his music director in 2015, he was able to bring in Stixx, Julian and Dr O. From there we created We The Band. Working with JB for the past decade and a half helped us perfect our live performance skills, and helped us build relationships. We also built a network of our own fans. We’re so thankful for that opportunity.
What do you hope listeners take away from “One & Only,” and what have you taken away from creating it and now putting it out?
We the Band: We want the listeners to feel real love, real passion, real musicianship, real instruments, real guitar/synth solos, and just overall real songs. We want to bring that special magic back and push the bar forward. And for us, we’re just humbled and blessed to share that with the world.
How do you describe your style as a band – what are you going for, and what is your collective vision?
We the Band: If we had to describe our style, we have to talk about what we’re inspired by which is Earth Wind and Fire, Gap Band, Marvin Gaye, Teddy Pendergrass, OneRepublic, Maroon 5, Paramore. Blend all those together with our own originality you get We The Band.
I promise this is the only time I'm ever going to ask this question: After getting to know his catalog over the past decade, what's everyone's favorite Bieber song?
We the Band: “Peaches.”
Let's end on a fun one: What are you most looking forward to as you introduce folks to We the Band, and roll out more music, over the coming months?
We the Band: We’re most excited to continue to build our love, friendship and the brotherhood amongst us. We’re so excited to finally release music. We got a lot of surprises coming up. But honestly, we’re just enjoying the moment and taking it all in.
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:: stream/purchase One & Only here ::
:: connect with We the Band here ::
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Stream: “One & Only” – We the Band
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© Chad Brady
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