A global band, literally consisting of members from different countries in the world. Now United consists of 18 members from 18 different countries. Their anthemic dance music that brings you a certain type of happiness and joy is the type of medicine the world needs. Whether it’s their feel good “Beautiful Life” song or their recent anthemic jam “Wave Your Flag,” there’s a song that you’ll fall in love with instantly.
Noah Urrea, one of the members, is from Orange County, California, the American member of the band. We chatted with Urrea about his experience in the band and much more.
How did you get your start in the music industry, what motivated you to get into the music field?
I kind of came out of the womb singing basically. Singing was always something that I loved so much and when I was around like 10, 11, 12, I would beg my parents to put me in singing lessons. I wanted to be in musical theater, so I could sing, and I have always had this huge passion for it. I wanted to pursue it. Thankfully I’ve had some amazing parents who have always supported me and helped me out. I mean, it really started when I was about like 11 and I was just singing anywhere I could at, at church festivals, at local theater plays and that’s basically how I got started. I was just singing everywhere.
How did you find Now United? What was your audition process like and what inspired you to join?
Actually, my modeling agent at the time, knew one of the people who was casting it. She asked her “Hey, do you know, an American boy that can sing and dance?” And my agent said yeah, I think I know the right kid for you. She asked me if I wanted to audition. And then when I heard about the project, it was actually so hard for me to comprehend, like what it actually was or could be, because that thought is so foreign to me, like making a global pop group. I’ve never, no one’s ever heard of it before. Yeah, I was like, wow, it seems like it could be something truly special. So, I wanted to try out for it and give it my best shot. That’s exactly what I did. Thankfully they picked me to be in the group and my life changed ever since that day.
I’ve noticed sometimes when you’re in California, you play in a smaller band, are you in another band as well?
Yeah, that was like my high school band growing up. I played in a couple surf rock punk bands, and that’s a huge part of me, I love doing that type of music as well. As well as pop music. So, occasionally we’ll have like the nice little random show at a random venue and just have our friends come and watch perform. I don’t know when our next one will be. It’s been a while since we’ve done one.
You don’t really play any instruments for Now United, do hope you get to a point in your life where you’re making music full time with instruments?
Yeah. That’s definitely something I would like to do.
Playing instruments is a big part of who I am. Yeah, I’m definitely excited to be able to expand on that in the future. I hope one day that we can do a cool instrument thing with Now United, because there’s a few of us that are playing instruments and I think we could do something really magical all together. I think we should make that happen.
Speaking on it Now United, what has been your favorite experience being a part of the journey thus far?
I think learning so much about different cultures is such an incredible thing to do. Especially firsthand and at such a young age. I never, ever thought that I would be traveling the world and spending so much time with such cultured, amazing, beautiful people and learning so much from them. My favorite thing about Now United is that I learn so much from being a part of the band.
Talk about getting to be a part of the recent single “Wave Your Flag,” especially it representing the band as a whole and also the fact it came out during the Olympics and after a time of such division across the world?
Well, I’d like to tell you a story of the first time that we heard that song. It’s funny. Cause I’m on the freeway right now and I’m seeing an American flag while I’m driving. It’s kind of funny. It’s right in front of my face.
I want to tell you a quick little story. So, the first time that we ever heard that song, was when we were at Simon’s house and he played a few songs for us that night, and then he saved that one for the last. I’m pretty sure he saved that to be the last one that he would show us. And I don’t think I’ve ever seen Now United light up the way that we did that night, when we heard that song, we knew it was going to be ours, we all were screaming at the top of our lungs and just hearing, like hearing the lyrics and hearing the whole vibe of the track.
We just knew that it was perfect for us. Just being proud of where you’re from and that’s exactly what Now United is all about. And the songwriters that wrote that song articulated it so perfectly.
I know you guys film a music video for every song you put out. Do you have a favorite video you’ve filmed so far?
I think my favorite music video that we’ve done so far, the music video for “Wake Up,” because I got to help direct that and get to be a part of the creative process on it. We filmed it in my hometown and went to my favorite taco shop. It was really cool to have like Now United in my city and we got to create some really cool art. So, I’d have to say that one is my favorite.
If you could set up a fan in a setting for them to listen to “Wave Your Flag,” what setting would that be?
That’s a cool question. When I hear that song, “Wave Your Flag.” When I close my eyes and I listened to it, I just envisioned us being in a stadium and everyone just freaking the F out. Just screaming that song on the top of their lungs.
Honestly, I would want that fan to be surrounded by 20,000 other fans singing along and just jumping up and down to that song. That would just be so powerful.
What’s one quote that you’ve heard in life that you’d want to ECHO out to your fans?
I don’t know who said this, but I’m actually going to look it up after this, because I’ve said it in a few interviews, “the only person that is stopping you from doing what you want to do is yourself.”
That’s kind of the like a gnarly thing, but it’s so true. So, if you really want something, you just got to make it happen and don’t stop until you make it happen.
Stream “Wave Your Flag” now!!