How they hooked up:
Carly: We've been friends, all of us all together, for a year. Jessica: Angel and I have been friends for two or three years. Jade: Erin and I are cousins, so we've been friends all our lives.
How they got their name:
No Secrets: It's kind of a joke name. Carly and I made it up. It came out of the name No Doubt and Victoria's Secret. We grew to love it.
Biography:
How long can you keep a secret? Well, if it has anything to do with the five talented teens of no secrets, then the answer is probably not too long. In fact, once word spreads about no secrets' dazzling blend of hot music, cool fashion sense and intense quest for fun, most of the world will be in on the secret too. It all begins with no secrets' self-titled Jive Records debut album, which showcases the girls' firm grasp on a variety of musical styles.
Comprised of Angel Faith, Carly Lewis, Erin Tanner, Jessica Fried and Jade Ryusaki, no secrets takes girl group conventions and turns them upside-down. Ranging in ages from 14 to 16, the girls' natural sweetness and vulnerability runs up against an equally exuberant zest for life. Each is a gifted performer and all five understand perfectly the hearts and minds of their generation.
To make their debut album, the girls worked with a variety of producers and songwriters, including Adrian Gurvitz, Andy Goldmark and Riprock 'n' Alex G.
Featured on the album is a feisty remake of the 1982 Kim Wilde classic "Kids In America," a track also featured in Nickelodeon's animated box office smash "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius." The song has an irresistible 80's spirit, reinvented as an in-your-face new millennium anthem. Tracks like the hip-hop-flavored "On The Floor" exemplify the best in contemporary dance/party music. Others, like the spirited "What Are You Waiting For" and "It's Alright,:" showcase the girls' innate feel for sweet-toned harmonies and harmonious melodies.
The stinging pop of "Comes Back' contrasts nicely with "I Know What I Want" and the wistful "I'll Remember You" while the intricate classically influenced harmonies in songs like "No Secrets" cannot fail to impress fans and critics alike. Particularly poignant is the utobiographical "Here I Am," a song about making dreams come true, which has pretty much been the story of their lives. Long before no secrets first formed a little more than a year ago, each of the five members were little girls dreaming of stardom.
All five members of no secrets grew up in and around Los Angeles, although Carly was born in London, moving to California at the age of four. Her father, Adrian Gurvitz, was a world-renowned rock guitarist, who had been a central player in bands like Gun and the Baker-Gurvitz Army (with legendary drummer Ginger Baker). He later became an accomplished songwriter/ producer, working with such diverse artists as the Moody Blues, Eddie Money, Mya, Christina Aguilera, and Mariah Carey. Growing up, Carly studied dance and voice from an early age and the daily exposure to the music industry fueled her dream of forming her own group.
In 2000, Carly approached her father about her dream: singing. She recalls telling him, "Dad, if anyone could make my dream come true, it's you". Once he agreed to help, things happened fast. First to join were Jade and her cousin Erin. Both have Hawaiian backgrounds, and were enthusiastic hula dancers as well as trained pop singer/dancers. Adrian then took out an ad in a local entertainment paper and found Angel, also a lifelong singer/dancer. Angel introduced the others to her friend Jessica who she had worked with in Rock Theatre and Kid Power, a professional touring group.
The chemistry among the five was immediately apparent. "Everybody brought something special to the group," says Angel. "Each of us has her own identity, but together we become something more." The girls recorded a two-song demo that brought immediate and intense major label interest. As the home of their heroes Britney Spears and *NSYNC, Jive Records emerged as the #1 choice and a record deal was soon reached.
In June 2001, no secrets flew to Toronto to appear in the video for Aaron Carter's single "Oh Aaron," providing background harmonies on that track which is featured on Aaron's platinum selling sophomore album 'Oh Aaron". "In between recording sessions for their own album, the girls completed a six city U.S. mall tour, as well as the filming of a video for "Kids In America." In a moment of triumph, they also performed at the NBA All-Star Game Pre-Game Show earlier this year, winning over a tough Philadelphia crowd. They've also appeared on "Regis & Kelly" with Aaron Carter and performed "Kids in America" on Nickelodeon's Slimetime Live."
no secrets released their first home video "no secrets - Get To Know Us" in March 2002. the VHS/DVD includes five video clips from songs on the new album, plus interviews and fascinating behind-the-scenes footage. It shows just how well the five of them get along. "We lean on each other, swap clothes and encourage each other," says Jessica. "And we make everything fun." That's good news, since the girls' grueling 10-hour-a-day rehearsal schedule gives them a little free time. "You need to really love this in order to have fun," notes Erin. "it's hard work, and you have to give it everything you've got."
And they certainly give it all they've got, all the while keeping things light and sisterly. Fortunately, their personalities compliment one another. Good-natured Carly always sees the bright side, bringing her group mates up when they're down. Jade is the social director, invariably pleasant and polite to everyone. Jessica is no-nonsense businesswoman, always focused on the tasks at hand. Erin is the sweet shy one, while Angel has the reputation as the crazy one, cracking everyone up with her delightfully warped sense of humor. Though at times they wish they could lead normal teenage lives, if asked whether they would trade with anyone else, they'd turn the offer down flat.
Now they're ready. With their families 100% behind them (Jade says they call their respective mothers "mom One, Mom Two, etc.") and keeping them level-headed, Angel, Carly, Erin, Jessica, and Jade couldn't be more excited about meeting the future head-on. Given the beauty, talent, class and youthful enthusiasm of no secrets, there's no telling just how far they'll go.
