Louis Tomlinson Talks 'Just Hold On' & Teases New Music for 2017

Before 2016 ended, Louis Tomlinson went into the new year with his first piece of solo music since his former band One Direction announced their indefinite hiatus. The song, "Just Hold On" (a collaboration with producer/DJ Steve Aoki), was written by Tomlinson and Aoki, along with Eric Rosse, Sasha Sloan and Sir Sloan. It has already received gold and silver certifications in countries around the world including Australia, Canada, Italy, and the UK (where it debuted at No. 2 on the Singles Chart), and it hit the top ten on the US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart.

Louis and Steve performed the song live for the first time on the series finale of The X Factor UK, just days after he revealed that his mother passed away following a battle with a form of leukemia. Since then, the pair have performed on major late night shows in the US including The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and The Late Late Show with James Corden. And there is plenty more solo music from Louis where that came from.

We recently caught up with Louis in Los Angeles, and during an exclusive interview, he told us about how he teamed up with Steve Aoki on "Just Hold On," what he loved the most about being in the studio with Steve, what fans can look forward to for the rest of the year (Hint: MORE MUSIC!) and more.

This is such an exciting time for you! You released your collaboration, "Just Hold On" with Steve Aoki. What's it like to be making solo music like this as opposed to being in a group?

"It's quite a moment. I met Steve ... I was with my friends on holiday in Vegas, loving life, obviously, and Calvin Harris was playing a show, so we were going to go to that. He [Calvin] pulled out, and then Steve did the gig, and honestly, we had the most incredible time. Anyone who has seen Steve's shows knows it is crazy fun. Off the back of that I messaged him, kind of audaciously, said maybe we should do something together, and things just started happening. There wasn't really any kind of timeline until we got the X-Factor folks for the UK, and then everything was rushed, so it was cool."

Do you have a favorite moment from being in the studio with Steve? He's such a fun guy.

"Admiring his beautiful hair all day long. He's got great locks, that guy."

True...

What is next for you? Are you working on more solo music? I know you have a record label yourself, also.

"I'm doing solo stuff at the moment, [and] trying to find the second single, I suppose ... which is really fun. I love to write, so singing sessions are good for me. And then, I also got this side project with the label. I have a girl band that I'm really, really excited about. It's cool to kind of have two things to focus my attention on."

What can fans look forward to from you for the rest of the year?

"Well, I'm gonna keep writing, and I think part of the charm of my writing is it's very honest, lyrically. So, the fans will be able to get to know me even better than they already do."

Listen to "Just Hold On" below!