The year is 2015, early 2015. The location: the Radio 1 live lounge. Wha— what’s that noise? Is… is that a stripped back and acoustic version of The Club Is Alive? “The club is alive,” Aston Merrygold sings, sweetly, beautifully, while sat on a padded leather chair. “With the sound of—“ the beat drops. Pause. Wait for it. “Myoo—hoo—siiiiiiic.” Pause. Applause. Fearne Cotton breathlessly says it was ‘brilliant’.
And this is a reality that awaits us all, with the news that spinal-fracture-following-a-backflip-gone-awry-just-waiting-to-happen person Aston Merrygold has become the first member of JLS to sign a solo record contract.
Yesterday Aston shared an Instagram post of him hanging out in the lobby at Warner Records and accompanied it with the longest caption ever on earth explaining his excitement at his new solo career.
“Someone once told me enjoy every minute of it... I've known this day was coming for over a week and been fine, driven, motivated.. READY to just get working asap! But I've not actually sat back n enjoyed the thought of being signed to a record label on my own...
"I was lucky enough to be apart of what I think is one of the best boy bands this country has ever produced! The best fans, the best team, the best band mates/brothers hands down! But I've had a dream since I was young watching my idols do there thing, there way and how they wanted and I can't believe I get a shot at that..."
HE WENT ON, BECAUSE APPARENTLY INSTAGRAM DOES NOT HAVE A CHARACTER LIMIT:
“Everything outside and around me has changed but I'm still the same guy ready to give my new management team Craig, Vikki and all the guys at LOGAN MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT, my new record label Miles, joe, Phil and all the WARNER BROS MUSIC team, the WHOLE A TEAM, my family, friends, lovers, haters and most important you lot who have had my back from day dot starting in this industry...
"I'm going to give you ALL I got! I feel so blessed to be in this position and I'm not going to waste it!!!!!! Get ready it's going to be a bumpy, but fun as hell ride! Ax (So f**king excited btw)."