Days Difference Talks Sunrise, Selena Gomez & Justin Bieber With PopAwesome

Jeremy William Smith wasn’t one of those kids who sang into a hairbrush in front of the mirror dreaming of being a famous pop star. “I never planned on being a singer,” he says. “My mom made me take piano lessons when I was in first grade and at first I hated it. But then I just fell in love with it and it’s been a constant thing in my life ever since.”

Thank goodness for persistent parents. Jeremy is now the frontman and chief songwriting force behind Days Difference, a young quartet from Virginia Beach, VA, who recently released their self-titled debut album — a breezy collection of pop gems that showcases the melody-minded songwriting, expressive vocals, and dynamic piano sound of 21-year-old Jeremy. Jeremy formed Days Difference in May 2004 with his 23-year-old brother Jonathan on drums and another set of brothers, 22-year-old Micah and 23-year-old Jeremiah Ricks, who play bass and guitar, respectively. The siblings met when Jeremy and Jonathan filled in for a no-show pianist and drummer at a high school concert that Micah and Jeremiah were performing. “We jammed it out onstage and the chemistry and connection we had together was incredible,” Jeremy recalls. “We knew it was special and that we had to do something together.”

Certainly the folks at Universal Motown saw the potential in Days Difference and their ability to connect with a wide audience. The band signed to the label a mere 24 hours after playing a well-attended industry showcase in June 2008. Disney has also climbed aboard, casting Jeremy, Jonathan, Micah, and Jeremiah as members of Miley Cyrus’s backing band in the big-screen version of Hannah Montana: The Movie.

It’s been quite the journey for Days Difference, so we congratulate them on releasing their major-label debut!  Their new single “Sunrise” is climbing the radio charts, and they just finished up a string of tour dates with Disney darling Selena Gomez.  They even opened up for Justin Bieber at Pop-Con to thousands of screaming fans.  PopAwesome wanted to get to know the band a little better and help YOU guys get on board with them too, so we decided to ask them a few questions.  Check out lead singer Jeremy’s super-exclusive video for PopAwesome below and be sure follow the guys on Twitter!