OneRepublic

With hits like “Apologize,” “Counting Stars,” and “Good Life,” it’s no surprise why OneRepublic is one of the biggest bands in the music industry. However, their success didn’t come overnight, and they’ve had their fair share of struggles. Let’s take a closer look at the band, its members, and how they’ve managed to stay on top despite the challenges.

OneRepublic is an American band from Colorado Springs, Colorado, formed in 2002. The band consists of lead vocalist Ryan Tedder, guitarists Zach Filkins and Drew Brown, bassist and cellist Brent Kutzle, and drummer Eddie Fisher. Before their big break, the band worked tirelessly performing at gigs around Los Angeles to get noticed.

Their huge break came in 2007 with the release of “Apologize” from their debut album, “Dreaming Out Loud,” which received immense success worldwide, including topping charts in the US and UK. The song became a massive hit largely due to Timbaland’s remix, going on to sell over 7 million copies in the US alone.

Their second album, “Waking Up,” was released in 2009 and featured hit songs like “All the Right Moves” and “Secrets” that were also huge radio hits. The album didn’t take off as much as their previous one, but it was still widely praised by fans and critics alike.

The band’s third album, “Native,” released in 2013, was a game-changer for OneRepublic. The lead single “If I Lose Myself” became an instant sensation, and the album itself debuted at number four on the Billboard 200. “Counting Stars” was released as the album’s third single, becoming OneRepublic’s biggest hit and spending over a year on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. The song has since passed over 1 billion streams on Spotify.

OneRepublic’s success is undoubtedly impressive, but it hasn’t come without its struggles. Tedder has openly spoken about his battle with anxiety and depression, which seeped into his creative output as well. In an interview, he spoke about his terrible mental state and the difficulty in creating music during those times. He revealed how their third album, “Native,” was finished in just nine days as he wanted to get the work done as soon as possible, given his mental breakdowns.

In addition to Tedder’s struggles, the band’s fans waited anxiously for their fourth album, and they didn’t disappoint with “Oh My My” in 2016. The album featured collaborations with Peter Gabriel, Santigold, and even Cassius, marking a new musical direction for OneRepublic. The band, however, was not pleased with the record label telling them what to do and who to collaborate with, leading to the band breaking off from their long-time distributors, Interscope.

In 2019, the band announced their fifth album, “Human,” which is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. The album was a highlight of Tedder’s career and tackled subjects many people face in life, including mental health.

The band has never failed to bounce back from setbacks either. Early in 2020, they kicked off their tour, but like many events, it was pushed to reschedule or cancel due to COVID-19. The band, however, refused to quit on their fans and instead opted to perform virtual the concerts. This adaptation drew many fans together and was proof of the band’s determination to remain relevant.

OneRepublic’s journey has been a celebration of ups and downs, success, and failure, with each experience adding to their knowledge and skill sets. The band never ceases to inspire others and has demonstrated incredible resilience and determination in the face of adversity. They continue to produce musical treasures, and their journey is far from over.