It’s Family First for SM6
It wasn’t the wakeup call the Jones children expected.
“We saw a bunch of local bands performing and we saw a kid band perform as well and we thought it was really cool to do that,” said Isabel Jones. “We had the instruments already and our dad woke us up the next day after seeing one of these bands, and he’s like, ‘Guys, you’re gonna start a band.’ That’s pretty much what happened.”
As simple as that, SM6 was born. Today, the Chicago area band — which is comprised of Isabel and her siblings George, Adam, Emily, Eliana and Jack — has an album (On Our Way) in the bank, and they’re currently on the Boys of Summer 2019 tour that lands in Patchogue, New York on Saturday.
Suffice to say the SM6 gang, which ranges in age from 11 to 20 years old, wasn’t dragged kicking and screaming into the music biz?
“We were really into music and we thought it would be really cool to do this together,” Isabel said. “We liked doing things together regularly, but when we said we were gonna start a band together, we just thought that would be even cooler.”
It’s not the usual existence for folks their age and they know it, but at the same time they appear to be handling it a lot better than many would in their situation.
“It is a little weird, mainly because no one really sees it,” said guitarist / vocalist Adam Jones. “You don’t see a lot of 13-year-olds and 11-year-olds touring across the U.S. So I think that makes us unique in a way, having a huge age range from 11 to 20. And we’re actually all home schooled and our priority is music, so we get home schooled so we can focus on this.”
Risky move? Possibly. But again, this seems to be a well-adjusted group and they’ve got the solid musicianship and pop tunes to back everything up. More importantly, they have each other, and it’s clear that no Oasis or Kinks level brawls are about to break out on the road.
“I love doing this with my family,” said Isabel. “It’s a lot of fun and it’s also brought us closer together. There is definitely a connection when we play on stage. We grew up together, we grew up in the same house, we know each other so well, the good and the bad and everyone’s different personality, and we respect everyone’s opinions. And since we know each other so well, it makes it easier to do this together and perform and connect with the audience as well.”
Those audiences are getting bigger, with this current tour exposing them to even more people. The New York show is already sold out, and the response they’ve been getting gives them even more incentive to carry on.
“I love meeting fans at performances,” said Isabel. “When we’re going up to these people and they’re hugging us and telling us we’re making a difference in their lives through our music, it’s an incredible feeling, and I love that we’re spreading positivity and we’re helping other people through music, and that’s what we’re really going for.”
So the million dollar question is, are they ready for an even bigger life change if SM6 takes off?
“Everyone in the band is committed and everyone wants this,” said Adam, a sentiment shared by his big sister.
“We’ve been doing this for four years now and it’s been a slow and steady climb, but the steps are getting bigger and bigger and I think we’re prepared now,” said Isabel. “We’re ready to go.”
SM6 plays on the Boys of Summer tour at 89 North in Patchogue, New York on Saturday, August 10. For more information, click here
For more information on SM6, click here
