New Show! PA Fans!

Apart of the Rock the Fall Festival: Drake Bell : Honor Society : V Factory & KSM will be performing! On October 10th in Palmerton, PA (Blue Mountain Ski Area), V Factory will be performing alongside Honor Society, Drake Bell and KSM. Be sure to head over! Tickets are for sale on Ticketmaster. Just search V Factory.

"Fame" Official Track Listing

As most of you may know, V Factory member, Asher Book will be staring as "Marco" in the up-coming movie, "Fame". The official track listing has been released and we're more than happy to announce that Asher will be involved in FOUR songs (three being solo!). Congrats Asher!

1. Welcome To P.A. - Raney Shockne
2. Fame - Naturi Naughton
3. Big Things - Anjulie
4. Ordinary People - Asher Book
5. This Is My Life - Hopsin, AK Sent, Tynisha, Keli & Donte "Burger" Winston
6. Out Here On My Own - Naturi Naughton
7. Street Hustlin' - Raney Shockne featuring Stella Moon
8. You'll Find A Way (Switch & Sinden Remix) - Santigold
9. Can't Hide From Love - Naturi Naughton & Collins Pennie
10. Black and Gold - Sam Sparro
11. Back To Back - Collins Pennie featuring Ashleigh Haney
12. I Put A Spell On You - Raney Shockne featuring Eddie Wakes
13. Get On The Floor - Naturi Naughton & Collins Pennie
14. Try - Asher Book
15. You Took Advantage Of Me - Megan Mullally
16. Too Many Women (Damon Elliott Remix) - Rachael Sage
17. Someone To Watch Over Me - Asher Book
18. You Made Me Love You - Raney Shockne featuring Oren Waters
19. Hold Your Dream - Naturi Naughton, Asher Book & Kay Panabaker

Thanks to the V Factory Street Team for the details!

New poster of Asher in "Fame"!

Check out this poster of Asher from his new movie "Fame"!

Magazine Scans

Check out these two magazine scans of V Factory in this months J-14 magazine issue and also a scan of Asher in OK! magazine.

Thanks to http://www.asherbookstreetteam.weebly.com/ for these!

V Factory singer brings "Fame" to Fiesta Texas

Check out this interview that Asher did with http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/. We also get to see a new photo of Asher too!!

If you haven't heard of 20-year-old performer Asher Book, you soon will. He's not only the lead singer of a fresh pop/hop boy band called V Factory, but he's also snagged one of the primary acting roles in the fall flick "Fame."

Book will serenade audiences with his pop vocals at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, at Six Flags Fiesta Texas.

His performance coincides with the semi - finals of the "Fame National Talent Search." The first round of the talent search begins Saturday, July 18, at the park. The winner will score $5,000, a photo spread in OK! Magazine and a trip to Hollywood to meet with a major studio exec. Singers, dancers, actors and other talented folks are welcome to enter the competition. Visit this link for more details.

The L.A.-based talent spoke with 210SA about singing with V Factory, advising contestants and whether or not he'll hop on the roller coasters at Fiesta Texas.

You're going to be performing alongside hopefuls in the "Fame National Talent Search." Do you have any advice to give them?

Yeah, just get out there. Definitely prepare something. Try not to wing it. If you really want something, you got to work for it. Definitely go for it. Don't hold back. If you feel like you have talent to show, show it.

How did you get involved with V Factory?

I was actually going to my freshman year of college at Azusa Pacific University and I was studying to be a business manager, like money manager type of guy. Basically, I was still taking vocal lessons...

...at the time but I was really putting it off a lot just because it was hard to juggle both. For some reason, one day I got a call from A&R of Warner Bros. Basically, they found me through this vocal coach who I was still coaching with who was well known. The next thing, they sent me some of their songs and whatnot. They flew out to meet me and got to do some demo work and go into the studio. The next thing you know, I was the lead singer of the group. Two years later, here we are today.

You can read the full interview here: http://blogs.mysanantonio.com/weblogs/alamode/2009/07/v-factory-singer-brings-fame-t.html#more

Slive.com interviews Wesley & Nicky!

Slive.com got the latest news, while interviewing V Factory members Wesley Quinn & Nicky T. Find out the latest on the album status, as well as the band's toothbrush colours :D

Silive.com: V Factory is made up of five guys who love to entertain. They have a passion for making people happy. They know how to sing, they know how to dance -- so why should they not utilize their talents? They have goals, and a dream, and harmony. They've got determination, focus, and optimism.

Who are they? Jared Murillo, Asher Book, Nathaniel Flatt, Nick Teti and Wesley Quinn.

They are everything a modern pop group should be... And maybe, with this cocktail of strengths, they'll take over the charts and be in your iPod soon.

I recently interviewed members Wesley and Nick:

Three words that portray your music:
Wesley: OK, um well three words -- Pop, R&B influences.

As an entertainer, what's your goal?
Wesley: To entertain people. I think that's every entertainer's goal. To, you know, have the audience or whoever is watching you leave happy. Or else, you're not doing your job. So, definitely to entertain a crowd. To at least leave people satisfied.

And your album -- last I heard it was coming out late summer...
Wesley: Yeah, yeah it's coming. It's still going to be late summer, but more toward September-ish. Asher, in our group, has a movie coming out called "Fame." So (the CD) will probably be out around then.

I grew up in the '90s, and while listening to your music I heard some bubblegum '90s influences. You're bringing it back. Do you find any resistance?
Nick: There definitely was some resistance with us being five guys who sing and kind of dance. Definitely some sort of resistance to that kind of movement. But, I think you know that when people get to see us in person and meet us, and when they listen to our music they get a different impression. It's just off the bat there is still a little hesitation with our, I guess, type of music.
Wesley: Especially with the term "boy band" as well.

What's your typical day like now that you're in V Factory?
Nick: I think it kind of varies. We all pretty much, at some point, go to the gym each day. Um, practice some vocals. We all hit the studio. Maybe rehearse dancing. And then, depending on what's going on, we'll be traveling. A lot of times we'll be doing shows or like doing phoners, interviews. Stuff like that. We're always busy doing something.

You do all that... how can you keep up with family and friends?
Nick: Ironically it's easier. Since everyone is so connected, and there is MySpace and Facebook and Twitter. And with Mac's you can do iChat. And texting. There are so many different avenues to keep in touch with people. It's not as "normal" as making a phone call or seeing someone face-to-face, but you kind of have to adjust a little bit. But it could be done. It's not the easiest thing to do because you're always running around. But there are ways.
Wesley: And I personally like my privacy sometimes. (Working) is kind of a break from the world. Some alone time.

What song has inspired you as a performer?
Wesley: Our song, or any song?

Any song at all.
Wesley: "Billy Jean," and all of Michael Jackson's songs. His performances have inspired me to be a performer, cause I mean that he's the greatest performer in the world -- who has ever lived. So I think everyone should look up to his music. His artwork. He's definitely an inspiration to me.

OK, well I just have one more question... the teenybopper one -- what color is your toothbrush?
Wesley: My toothbrush? Mine is actually red.
Nick: Mine is an Oral-B with the white and blue.
Wesley: And Nathaniel has a pink one, I know that one.

Is it electric?
Wesley: Uhhhhh, actually I'm not exactly sure. Is it?
Nick: I don't know, I never use it (laughs).

New V Factory photo!

Here you've got the exclusive first picture from VFactory's album photoshoot!

Parade Video Part Two!

Check out the second part of V Factory's parade video.

New V Factory Videos!

Check out these two new videos of V Factory out and about and at the parade on 4th July!

Vote for V Factory on Dean Kelly!!

Dean Kelly are doing a poll on their site!! Go check it out now and be sure to vote for V Factory!! Here's the link: http://dean-kelly.com/index.php/2009/07/13/just-wondering/

V Factory rocks Rye Playland!

Thanks to the V Factory Street Team for these videos!

Fame 09 - The Remixes Vol. 1

Head on over to this site to hear the brand new Paul Oakenfold remix of the FAME theme of Asher's new movie. It's up there exclusively in anticipation of the release of Fame 09 - The Remixes Vol. 1, on iTunes next week! They aren't songs by Asher, but I'm sure some of you are interested in hearing the songs. The song is sung by Naturi Naughton.

Here's the full tracklisting:

Fame 09 - The Remixes Vol. 1

1. Fame 09 (Chris Cox Club Mix)

2. Fame 09 (Bimbo Jones Club Mix)

3. Fame 09 (Oakenfold Club Mix)

4. Fame 09 (Renholder Club Mix)

5. Fame 09 (Chris Cox Club Mix Instrumental)

6. Fame 09 (Bimbo Jones Club Mix Instrumental)

7. Fame 09 (Oakenfold Club Mix Instrumental)

8. Fame 09 (Renholder Club Mix Instrumental)

Philly Videos!

Brand new videos of V Factory's performance July 4th in Philly!

V Factory & Fame Team Up!

The FAME National Talent Search is looking to find the most talented entertainers out there. Select Six Flags parks will be hosting live auditions and the parks below will have a special LIVE performance from V FACTORY during the Semi-Final shows.

San Antonio: Six Flags Fiesta Texas: Sunday, July 19th
St. Louis: Six Flags St. Louis: Sunday, July 26th
New Jersey: Six Flags Great Adventure: Sunday, August 9th
Chicago: Six Flags Great America: Sunday, August 23rd
Los Angeles: Six Flags: Saturday, September 5th

Visit www.sixflags.com/fame and find out more information on how you can audition in person and find out V-Factory show times.

If you can’t make it to Six Flags and still want to audition, visit www.myspace.com/fame to learn how to submit your video online.

V-Factory’s own Asher Book plays Marco in the upcoming film FAME in theaters September 25th. For more information on the film, visit www.generationfame.com

Hope to see you there!

More New Photos!

The photos just keep coming!! Check out these ones from the recent Popstar! photoshoot that the V Factory boys did! Credit to: Keith Munyan

Interview with openly gay boy-bander Nathaniel Flatt

Check out this interview with Nathaniel from http://www.towleroad.com/

Credit to: http://www.towleroad.com/ for this interview! You can read it in full here:

http://www.towleroad.com/2009/07/boy-bands-are-successful-because-theyre-formulaic-giving-fans-the-archetypes-they-wantyouve-got-the-cute-one-the-dan.html

"Boy bands are successful because they're formulaic, giving fans the archetypes they want—you've got the cute one, the dangerous one, the young one.

Well, how about the gay one?

Twenty-seven-year-old Nathaniel Flatt is not a household name, and you can be excused if you have not yet heard of his boy band V Factory since their single "Love Struck" is just now making an impact at pop radio ahead of a projected summer album release on Warner Bros. Records. What makes him remarkable, aside from his obvious good looks and musicality, is that he's the first member of a U.S boy band to be openly gay from the beginning of his career.

It's anyone's guess whether V Factory will join their ranks, but they're on their way, sharing a manager with Ashley Tisdale of High School Musical fame and with former teen idol Tommy Page as their A&R at Warner Bros. (his "I'll Be Your Everything" went to #1 in 1990).

As for Flatt, it sounds like he's already where he needs to be.

Matthew Rettenmund's full interview with Nathaniel Flatt after the jump...

Towleroad: When did you first get interested in singing and dancing?

Nathaniel: I was pretty young. I saw a production of Peter Pan—I can’t remember how old I was—and I saw them flying around and I thought from then on, “Oh, my God, I wanna do this.” I think also being the youngest of four there were probably some attention-starved aspects that also kinda came with it. I just have always sung in musicals and acted in plays and all that.

Towleroad: What was your first play?

Nathaniel: First play…it was some sort of Easter Bunny play and I was the Easter Bunny. I started it off right!

Towleroad: Was it considered cool among your friends to be involved in performing? No teasing?

Nathaniel: I kind of kept it really separate. The town that I’m from is really small. Once I got pretty serious into it, the town actually where I did most of the productions—I worked in a professional theater—it was like 45 minutes away, so where I did a lot of my training and performing wasn’t even in my town. I never did the high school production of whatever because I was actually doing stuff and being paid for it.

Towleroad: What was your hometown, Cookeville, Tenn., like?

Nathaniel: Really small. Everyone knows everybody and my family’s been there forever, my grandparents. I was a pretty good kid, I think, also because I knew that my parents were gonna find out about things. It was a pretty strict household...we went to church Sunday night and Wednesday night—that whole thing.

Towleroad: At what point in your life did you realize you were gay?

Nathaniel: I think as long as I can remember. People are always curious about that kind of stuff, girls or what-not that don’t know any gay people. I remember my roommate in college was like, “Oh, I didn’t realize until I was a sophomore in high school,” or something and I was like, “Whoa!” I mean, I just always knew. When you’re that young, you don’t really put two and two together, but I just…really liked Jem and the Holograms better than He-Man. [Laughs]

Towleroad: Was being gay ever something that stressed you out or worried you?

Nathaniel: I definitely struggled for a really long time with how that fits in with what you’ve been taught in church. I think being gay is so hard growing up because, like, let’s say you’re a minority that is completely segregated from anyone else. If you’re living in America and you’re Hispanic or something, more than likely you have a Hispanic family, obviously, and some sort of culture, but growing up in the South in a small town, I didn’t know anyone else who was gay. I didn’t have anything really to base that off of until I started performing and there were older professionals that would come in that I knew were gay. I just assumed they were going to hell or something.

"Make me look cute," Nathaniel told me when I asked which photos to use.

Towleroad: Were you aware of seeing any gay representations in the media?

Nathaniel: When I was older, Will & Grace was on television. I was embarrassed just to be watching that in my household. I would watch it in my room with the door closed like it was something dirty.

Towleroad: Who was the first person you came out to?

Nathaniel: I left high school and then I ended up going to college. I went to a performing arts college, and I just assumed we would all continue the charade. But I wound up meeting somebody and had my first boyfriend and it was kind of like there you were gay until proven straight. They just assume everybody is gay. It wasn’t, “Dah-dah-dah-dah…I’m gay!” It was just kind of assumed, and I was dating someone so….

Towleroad: That’s a very decisive way to come out!

Nathaniel: Exactly!

Towleroad: How did your family react?

Nathaniel: I didn’t actually tell my mom until much later. We don’t talk about it much. I know that she loves me. My family’s amazing. I know that they support me no matter what. Even now, they’ve never left this town—I don’t hold that against them, but I don’t think they fully understand it.

Towleroad: Ever have any really negative reactions to being gay?

Nathaniel: I would say sometimes in high school, yeah, people were cruel just like for everyone, but I always knew there was a bigger picture. Sure, that kind of stuff hurts, but I didn’t let it get to me. Like I said, in college everyone else was gay, too. Now, when I go back to random cities in the country [on tour], I don’t dress differently or alter anything about myself and I don’t notice people cracking jokes or anything, but I don’t know if that’s because I’m not operating on an assumption that someone is gonna think of me differently or what.

Nathaniel theorizes he doesn't give off the sexual, young-boy energy teen girls want.

Towleroad: How did you first get involved in V Factory?

Nathaniel: I knew a girl that was running an audition for the label that was interested in putting together a music group. I just knew her from working in L.A.; we had done some jobs together. She called me and said, “Hey, I don’t know if this is your thing, but I know you sing, so come on down.” I kind of thought it seemed a little ghetto, but everybody in L.A. has a record deal or something. It was just down the street from my house so I thought, “Okay, I’ll go down at the end of the day.” I was the last person to audition, 10 minutes late. Even with that I was very apprehensive once this all got rolling. I actually lied about my age! You were supposed to be 21 and I was 24 at the time. She was like, “Oh, just say you’re 21!” So I put down that I was 21.

It wasn’t for a few weeks into it I was like, “Shit, like, how do I come out to them? Are they gonna just fire me because I’m gay?” or whatever. It just kind of organically unrolled. A couple of the other guys, some of us had mutual friends, so they knew I was gay. I can’t even remember how it ended up coming up. But it was never an issue—at all. I feel very fortunate, because a lot of people ask that—that’s one of their first questions: “So, do you have to be in the closet with this group?” The label, everyone has been pretty…pretty…pretty good about it.”

Towleroad: Are the members of the group totally fine with it, too? No issues?

Nathaniel: No, no, not really. Just kidding around and stuff. We all have nicknames for each other all the time and Wesley affectionately calls me WeHo. [Laughs]

Towleroad: What’s your place in the group?

Nathaniel: There’s the age thing, so I’m older and more mature. I’m a voice of reason a lot of times. I think most of the time I’m the one calling people, “Okay, we have to be in the lobby at 9:30.” Things like that. I think from being gay—I hate to sound stereotypical, but I feel like it brings a queer eye to the group. They always ask me, “Should I wear this?” There for a while when we started I was kind of the stylist just because there wasn’t the money to go around so I would go and buy stuff at Nordstrom and just return it after our photo shoot.

Towleroad: Do they come to you for personal advice?

Nathaniel: We all have different dynamics with how we relate to each other. I would say maybe Nicky would ask me for advice sometimes. Like, if he had some issues he wanted to talk to management about he might send me the e-mail and say, “Hey, do you think this is cool?” We’re supportive that way with each other for sure.

More New Photos

Here are some more new photos of the boys thanks to Nicky T and Wesley!

V Factory in Philly!

Check out this photo of the boys in Philly today! Thanks to nicky T for the photo! If you're in the area go show your support!

See V Factory at a city near you!

V Factory have announced more new dates! Check out all the official dates below:

July 4 – Philadelphia, PA – Sunoco Welcome America Concert
July 10 – Rye, NY – 87.7’s Playland Concert
July 18 – Modesto, CA - KHOP
July 19 – San Antonio, CA –Six Flags
July 26 – St. Louis, MO – Six Flags
Aug 9 – Jackson, NJ – Six Flags
Aug 14 – Philadelphia, PA – Q102 Beat Stock
Aug 15 – Holmdel, NJ – 103.5 KTU’s Beatstock
Aug 16 – Jones Beach, NY -103.5 KTU’s Beatstock
Aug 22 – Chicago, IL – Six Flags
Aug 23 – Chicago, IL – Six Flags
Sept 20 – Okalhoma City, OK – Oklahoma State Fair
Oct 4 – Richmond, VA – Virginia State Fair

Win a signed V Factory poster!

Do you want to win a signed poster by V Factory? Well, Dean-Kelly.com is giving away some posters! All you have to do is leaving a comment on this page, with a valid email, telling why you love V Factory and you would love to see them on tour with! This contest is for everybody, so also for fans outside the United States! Good luck, may the best comments win!