Taking flight from TikTok, North Star Boys (NSB) are soaring across North America on their “Cydia” tour, showcasing infectious tracks from their debut album, CYDIA.
This seven-member, Southeast Asian boy band rose to stardom growing massive followings on individual TikTok accounts before uniting to create NSB.
Oliver Moy, Kane Ratan, Justin Phan, Regie Macalino, Ryan Nguyen, Darren Liang, and Sebasitan Moy channeled their social media success into a musical force. Withreleases like CYDIA, SATURDAY NIGHTS, and PANIC, they’ve ignited a North American tour, bringing their energy and music to fans across the continent.
We recently sat down with Oliver Moy from NSB to delve deeper into their tour, musical inspirations, creative journey, and remarkable growth.
NSB’s “Cydia” tour marks a major step for the rising boy band, showcasing their musical prowess on a grand scale. The seven members are eager to share their journey and the inspirations behind their critically acclaimed debut album, CYDIA, which serves as the namesake for the tour.
First of all, huge congratulations on the CYDIA tour! When North Star Boys first started, did you ever envision yourselves touring across the US performing all your own music?
Oliver Moy: Thank you! When NSB first started, we didn’t know we would be diving deep into music, we made music for fun in my bedroom and used a snippet of our song as our outro for our YouTube videos, the Stars (NSB Fans) started asking about it and one thing led to another… now we are touring around North America and have no plans of stopping.
Speaking of your music, your sound has evolved a lot overtime – as we see in the CYDIA album! What musical influences or experiences have shaped your recent work?
Moy: Everything we do, we do it for our Stars (NSB fans), we read a lot of their comments and take their feedback seriously. A lot of the songs on the new Album ‘CYDIA’ is inspired from the Stars’ ideas, for an example: “Would you love me if I was a bug” is a question I have received from a Star, I liked it and thought it would be funny to turn that into a song, which is now called “BUG”.
From the CYDIA album, do you each have a favorite and why? Ours is Nocturnal for sure, since we are The Knockturnal! Haha.
Moy: My current favorite song on the New Album CYDIA would be the title track “CYDIA”, the meaning behind the song is very close to my heart.
Let’s talk some more about your tour! You guys are seasoned tour-goers… having experience on the road, how has this tour been different or stand out compared to your previous ones?
Moy: Yes! We look forward to every moment we can get with the Stars. This tour we wanted to give an upgraded experience for the Stars and anyone who joins us for a show. With on stage Choreo, to visuals that go with the music, this tour we are going all out.
NSB, known for their deep appreciation for their fans, whom they call “Stars,” prioritize interactive experiences across platforms. From captivating photo ops to incorporating lightsticks, a K-Pop staple, into their show. NSB cultivates a strong sense of community with their fans.
Your shows are known not only for your music but also a ton of energetic fan interactions. Have there been any particularly special moments with fans so far on this tour?
Moy: The kissing booth experience has been a highlight of mine, to sit down and have a 1-on-1 moment with a star is very special to me. Some of the Stars have been fans of us for 3 years, so to hear how we have impacted their life is very endearing.
On the same note of fan interactions, you recently released a NSB lightstick! The concept is popular in K-Pop, but what inspired you to bring it to the American scene?
Moy: Although we are not K-Pop, we are inspired by some K-Pop groups who have made a big impact around the world. The NSB light stick has been requested by the Stars and we thought it would be a great item for the Stars to remember their concert night. The NSB light stick from what I heard is very durable and high quality, and I would agree.
NSB’s seven members bring a unique perspective and vibrant energy to the music scene. They’ve seamlessly transitioned from social media stars to singers and performers, captivating audiences with their authentic personalities. We asked Moy about how they navigate the demanding world of entertainment while staying true to their roots and the valuable lessons they’ve learned along the way.
As an all Southeast Asian American boy band, how does your representation impact you and what sense of accomplishment does it bring?
Moy: Being an all Southeast Asian American boy band, our representation empowers us and others, celebrating our cultural heritage. It brings a profound sense of accomplishment in breaking barriers and inspiring diversity in the music industry.
Your videos and on-stage presence showcase your genuine personalities, which fans undoubtedly love! What advice can you offer creators who want to stay true to themselves online?
Moy: Stay authentic, engage with your audience genuinely, and let your passion shine through.
It has been super impressive seeing you all juggle both a tour and still keeping up with tons of social content across YouTube, TikTok and more! How do you manage to stay so active on all platforms?\
Moy: We manage to stay active on all platforms by maintaining a structured schedule and delegating tasks effectively among our team members. Planning ahead allows us to allocate time for creating and posting content during breaks on tour. Additionally, we prioritize engaging with our audience, which motivates us to consistently share our experiences and connect with fans across different social media platforms.
This tour is just the first chapter for NSB. Eager to learn and grow, they’ve undoubtedly gleaned valuable advice and lessons from their experiences on the road. We spoke with them about the key takeaways from the tour and what exciting ventures lie ahead.
Looking back on your journey so far, is there a particular piece of advice or lesson that you’ve learned and would pass on to aspiring musicians?
Moy: Looking back on our journey, one valuable lesson we’ve learned is the importance of perseverance and resilience. The music industry can be challenging and competitive, but staying committed to our craft and continuing to improve has been crucial. We’ve also found that building a strong network and collaborating with others can open doors and create opportunities. Ultimately, we encourage aspiring musicians to stay true to themselves, work hard, and embrace every opportunity to learn and grow.
After the CYDIA tour, do any of you have dream locations to perform at or future goals you’d like to tackle?
Moy: After the CYDIA tour, each of us has dream locations we’d love to perform at, like iconic venues such as Madison Square Garden or overseas at festivals like Glastonbury. We’re also setting future goals like expanding our fanbase globally and collaborating with other artists we admire. These aspirations drive us to keep pushing boundaries and delivering memorable performances for our fans worldwide.
One thing is crystal clear: NSB’s dedication to their fans and music burns brightly. As Oliver Moy eloquently expressed, the group can’t wait to continue sharing their journey and surprises with their loyal “Stars.” Buckle up – the best is yet to come from NSB!
Is there anything special you’d like to share with your fans who are either excited for the tour or supporting you from afar?
Moy: To our fans who are eagerly anticipating the tour or supporting us from afar, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude. Your enthusiasm and encouragement mean the world to us and drive us to deliver the best performances possible. We’re incredibly excited to share this experience with you and can’t wait to create unforgettable memories together. Stay tuned for behind-the-scenes glimpses, exclusive content, and more surprises along the way. Your support fuels our passion, and we can’t wait to see you all soon!
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