Kevin Jonas Talks ‘Bucket-List’ Jonas Brothers Christmas Movie & (Finally!) Making His Solo Debut With ‘Changing’: ‘I Feel Like I’ve Lived This Song’

We’ve known Kevin Jonas for the better part of 20 years as the eldest member of the Jonas Brothers, and last week, we were introduced to what he sounds like when he’s all on his own.

Jonas officially released his first solo single “Changing” last week, but he’s been playing an abbreviated version of the track on the JoBros’ ongoing Greetings From My Hometown Tour, starting with their August date at Boston’s Fenway Park.

“What a great way to start it off,” Jonas told Billboard‘s Pop Shop Podcast of making his solo debut at the famed ballpark. “Really thrown into the fire, getting to actually do that at Fenway Park, which was wild. You know, this tour has been about surprises. It’s been about the surprise guests we’ve been bringing out from the start of it. And so I guess, in essence, I was also another surprise guest.”

In addition to the tour, Kevin’s role in A Very Jonas Christmas Movie — which arrived earlier this month on Disney+ alongside a soundtrack album via Hollywood and Republic — also set up his solo debut, but that hadn’t been the plan all along. Listen to Kevin’s full interview in the podcast below, and find highlights from our chat as well — including whether there’s more solo music on the way.

Why was now the right time for Kevin’s solo music?

I didn’t have the right song. I think for me, it was about finding my voice in the music, and it took a long time. You know, I’ve recorded and wrote songs and recorded music for 15, 16, 17-plus years, and nothing ever really just felt like authentically me and real and honest and like how I wanted it to sound. And also, maybe my vocal ability didn’t feel as strong as I wanted it to be. I’m pretty critical of myself. You know, it’s kind of challenging when you’re standing next to two of the best vocalists I’ve ever met.

How did he find the perfect song?

I wrote Jason Evigan — a longtime friend, songwriter, producer — and I wrote him in February, and I said, “Hey, man, do you have any songs that you feel could work for me?” … And I didn’t hear back from him until June, and he wrote me and said, “I thought about you last night, and I remembered I have this song.” I’m like, oh, OK, five months later. [Laughs] It doesn’t matter; it’s all about timing, right? And he sent me “Changing,” and it just instantly felt like a song I’ve heard before. It felt weirdly like a part of the ether for me. And I was like, “I know this song. I feel like I’ve lived this song.” It’s weird. And I was like, “I’m coming to L.A. in two weeks. … I would like to cut it.” I flew in early, and we cut it, and instantly, while singing it, it was the first time I’ve ever felt at ease cutting vocals like that for myself. And I was like, “OK, this feels different.” And I got the cut, and [producer] Mark Schick and team, they killed it, and they really made me feel great and comfortable.

Is more solo music on the way?

I have been recording more music with this team, yes, but I luckily, as an independent artist — which is fun to say, outside the Jonas Brothers, right? I’m really able to do kind of whatever I want, so I don’t have to follow specific rules. I don’t know if an album’s in the works. Maybe an EP, maybe just a collection of some music that I like over the course of the year. I really don’t have exact plans. I know the next song I want to release, but as of right now, I’m gonna get through this one first.

How did A Very Jonas Christmas Movie set up his solo debut?

My song “Changing” wasn’t even a thought yet. And so for now, for this movie to come out, which has that storyline, and then the next thing comes out, and it’s a week later, [is] my song. The stars are kind of aligned on it.

Why now for a Jonas Brothers Christmas movie?

I will say, it’s been a bucket-list item for us to do a Christmas movie ever since the days back working with Disney, like when we were much younger. We met with Bob Iger and team, and we said, “We’ve always wanted to do a Christmas movie.” Who doesn’t love the holidays, right? And it didn’t come together then, but then the last couple years, we’ve been reigniting our relationship with Disney, and now we’re doing Camp Rock 3 as executive producers, and we’re in the film and then working with them on this project. It really happened at the right time. Our families are involved. I think we can speak to the adult nature of things now, at the same time of allowing it to be just enough fun so kids will love it, but still, like, you know, I’m almost 40, so I think it’s a little easier to digest as a film.

How did the movie soundtrack come together?

The album and soundtrack is incredible. You know, it really is special that we got to work with an incredible team. Justin Tranter did a great job of creating and helping us craft this universe. “Coming Home This Christmas” is a song that we’ve actually held on to for a while. We had it before the movie, and we kind of ended up knowing that it felt perfect for this film, and so we kind of built the story around that as well. Sometimes you’ve just got to collect those songs and just hold on to them for a little bit.

How did Kevin prepare for his first non-music-video acting gig with his brothers since their Disney Channel days?

I leaned on [Joe and Nick] a lot. I worked with an amazing acting coach who’s a really good friend, Michael Park. He’s a Broadway actor. We’ve seen him in a lot of things, but he’s like one of our best friends, and I really called him every day. Just leaned on him. Because playing yourself to start is a weird challenge. … Nick’s done a lot of movies, Joe’s done a lot of movies and acting, and I just kind of had to do the best version.

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Also on the podcast, we’ve got chart news on how Taylor Swift continues to dominate both the Billboard 200 albums and Billboard Hot 100 songs chart; how Summer Walker, NF and 5 Seconds of Summer all debut in the top 10 on the Billboard 200; and how Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” jingles back into the top 10 on the Hot 100. Plus, Katie tells Keith about seeing Robyn’s first concert in six years (plus the live debut of her newest single “Dopamine”) and the penultimate show of Sabrina Carpenter’s year-plus Short n’ Sweet Tour.

The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things pop on Billboard‘s weekly charts. You can always count on a lively discussion about the latest pop news, fun chart stats and stories, new music, and guest interviews with music stars and folks from the world of pop. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard‘s executive digital director, West Coast, Katie Atkinson and Billboard’s managing director, charts and data operations, Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. (Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com.)