CHAT TRANSCRIPTS hanson.net
27 October 2006ZAC: Hi everybody! Welcome to the chat. I can feel it... this is going to be a good one.
ISAAC: Hey guys. If you’re in Colorado, enjoy the two feet of snow for us!(LOTS OF PEOPLE): When will you tour? Will it be US or international?
ZAC: The record will be coming out early next year, and we will start the promotion in the UK. Touring will follow hopefully soon in the summertime. God willing, all over the world. But definitely in the US.(LOTS OF PEOPLE): Do you have a release date for The Walk? Tell us details about the album!!
ZAC: The album will come out in the first quarter of next year. We’re leaning towards releasing the single "Go" first. Many of you have probably heard Bleu’s version of the song. Like I said, the album will be out in the UK first, soon after will be the US and the rest of the world.(LOTS OF PEOPLE): When will we get to buy the DVD for Strong Enough To Break?
ISAAC: Hopefully the Hollywood Film Festival will help in the search for a company to release the DVD. We could release it on our own, but we believe in Strong Enough To Break and want to have partners that are willing to put time and money behind promoting it. We are planning on streaming it over the Internet to give more opportunities for you to see it while we continue to look for partners.UZMA: Your Hanson logo has somewhat changed on the new look Hanson.net front page, who came up with that design?
TAYLOR: We figured after almost 10 years of the same font, it was time for a change. The sound of the band has evolved and so should the logo. We used the company that designed the Underneath artwork to help us refine our ideas for what the new Hanson font should look like. It was derived from a sign we saw on a 1950’s car dealership.CODY: Zac, Sandra McCracken credits you with co-writing the song "Goodbye George." When did you collaborate with her? Is this the only song you wrote with Sandra or are there others we may hear in the future?
ZAC: Unfortunately, that is the only one. Sandra is very, very talented and I look forward to future collaborations. That song was written at our most recent songwriting get together in Tulsa. The inspiration was the death of George Harrison, the former Beatle.RACIB: "Penny & Me" = dental floss? I am a writer and have been inspired by some truly random things that seem in no way related to the finished product. Have any of your songs that you can think of been inspired by things we would never had guessed?
ZAC: Most of you know that "Man From Milwaukee" was inspired by Isaac writing a song about ants. Nowadays it seems the random inspirations end up in songs like "Turning 21" - my birthday song, or a song I recently wrote about my flatulence. But, everyone keeps telling me that song stinks. Hahahaha.
TAYLOR: We’re really glad you guys liked Zac’s birthday song. We get excited about the chance to do more like that for you guys.ZACBOP: With Underneath you did a lot of the engineering yourself. Did this stay the same for The Walk?
ISAAC: I did engineer quite a bit of Underneath. The process of placing mics and twisting knobs has always been something I enjoy. With The Walk, rather than recording each instrument individually, we did the recording as a three piece off the floor. Though I still can’t help putting my two cents in when it comes to sounds, we found someone else who we could really trust and let the reigns loose when it came to engineering. Which let me focus on getting my parts.KARKAR2782: Hey guys (it's my birthday!). Anyway, are you going to dress up for Halloween? If so, what are you going to be?
ZAC: I’m going to be a knight of the round table.
TAYLOR: I’m dressing up as a father of three! I’ve been planning this costume for 4 years.
ISAAC: We’ve been working non-stop trying to get the new album finished, recorded, and mixed. So, I’m going as Rip Van Winkle.SLMIC2: Do you all choose your own clothes and style yourselves or do you have someone that puts it all together for you?
TAYLOR: Yes, we pick our own clothes. In the case of a photo shoot, we have a few people that we’ve worked with for years that we trust to help pull clothes for us to pick and choose from.ROCKFAN: Hey Hanson! How was the screening of the documentary at the Hollywood Film Festival? Mihaela, Bulgaria
Taylor: It went great! It was a packed house. It was really awesome to have Ashley Greyson (the TAYLOR) with us at the screening, and to see him get the due credit for many hours of editing and slaving over a hot computer. It wasn’t too bad to attend the gala the next night and give Robin Williams a hug either.MOECHIC: Hey Zac! Just wanted to wish you a Happy 21st Birthday! I had mine last year so I know how exciting it is! I love the song and music video you did in FUTY. It's very catchy and I can't stop singing it. Will it be on the new CD?
ZAC: Thanks. We have been joking that it’s one of the catchiest songs we’ve written in a while. But, no it won’t be on the record. I had a lot of fun making it; it was literally a challenge. Late one night Isaac said, "Hey Zac, write a funny song about being 21." So, I did. But, I couldn’t stop there. I figured a funny song needs a funny video, and I thought you guys would get a kick out of it. PS: Getting high and watching 6 hours of Murder She Wrote is not cKITTYCAIT27: If you could perform any novelty song at a concert which song would it be? I think “Monster Mash” would sound awesome hehe.
TAYLOR: "Monster Mash" is a good idea!
ISAAC: I can think of a whole medley of Ray Stevens songs I’d like to do; high on the list is "Mississippi Squirrel Revival."MMATT: "The Ugly Truth" definitely shows a more rock-driven and edgier side to your music. Is this going to be your first single? Do you feel this gives your fans a taste of some of the other content on The Walk? »» Matt
ISAAC: When we were approached to put a song on The Van Wilder soundtrack, we figured it was the type of the album you shouldn’t think long and hard about it. You don’t think long and hard before you go to a movie like that. "Ugly Truth" is about as true blue rock n roll as anyone can get. There’s nothing like it on The Walk, and that’s why we were excited to put it on the soundtrack.KATYG: Zac, what program/computer did you use to make that birthday music video? It was hilarious by the way, I loved it. Thanks!
ZAC: I recently got a MacBookPro. I’m a convert from the PC. That was part of the reason I wanted to switch - the built in programs are really great and worth using. Garage Band, iMovie, iDVD, etc. Thanks. Glad you liked the video.FROMARGENTINA: First of all I’m sooo happy that you are making a PUBLIC CHAT, yay! And the new look on the site is awesome. What do you think about all the Hanson’s posers (not only Ike, Tay, and Zac... but your family's too!) on the net?
ISAAC: If I knew where they lived, there wouldn’t be any more posers… I mean I would shut off their internet.
TAYLOR: It’s never cool to fake to be someone. Mainly for the sake of those who think the posers are actually real.AYOHBEE626: Who do you think would win in a fight, the Aflack duck or the Geico gecko?
ZAC: The gecko, mate! It’s free pie & chips.MUSIC101GIRL: How many tracks are you planning on putting on the new album and are there any hidden tracks?
TAYLOR: How could they be hidden if we told you? We’ve been going back between 13 & 14 tracks.BRITTW617: 2007 is the 10 year anniversary of "MMMBop" and Middle of Nowhere. Any plans to do something special for this anniversary (not necessarily partying but in terms of the new album release)?
ISAAC: We are re-recording "MMMBop" for the next record... just kidding. To be honest, we don’t have anything planned at this point. We’ve had ideas like doing an acoustic album for Middle of Nowhere or a really nice coffee table book that used the different pictures & articles from that time period. But, right now we just don’t have enough time in the day to get those projects done. With The Walk about to be mastered, our plate is clearing up a little. I’ve got my hopes up that we’ll be able to work on those projects.APLACETOHIDE: I was just wondering, what is the instrument Danny Kortchmar is playing in the studio pic posted?
ISAAC: Danny is playing a 1954 Gibson EB2 bass guitar.CALEBB: The new opening page looks great and the site seems to be going towards a more interactive feel like with the gallery pics. Technology is always changing and you guys and HNet seem to always try to take advantage of new things. What other plans do you have for the new site and what do you say to fans who never update their comps and want things to stay the same?
TAYLOR: With the redesign of the site, it’s a lot about what the fans have told us they like and don’t like. To be honest, there is still some debate on how much to change the site. We’ve talked a lot about how we’re using the space on the home page and about things like searches and tabs vs. dropdown menus, etc. We’re still right in the middle of the redesign, but by the time we’re done, I hope you will find the site much more enjoyable to spend time on.DETECTIVEKERRY: You often say you pull inspiration from your personal experiences when writing a song - any good writer knows that's a key to good material. But once you've completed that process and the song becomes something by itself, do you separate the song entirely from the personal experience or does it still keep the original meaning? For example, when you're on stage and singing that song, does it take you back to whatever inspired you, or does the song survive by itself as its own breathing organism once it's completed and you've sung it a hundred times?
ZAC: We never like to stress what a song means to us, because songs mean different things to different people, and that’s their beauty. It is hard sometimes to still sing a song with the same emotion as the day you wrote it. If it’s born from heartache or a painful time in your life, it can be even harder. A recent example is the song “Go," which was written directly about a dear friend’s separation from his wife. You don’t always think about what the song means when you’re standing in front of a cheering crowd. It’s when you’re sitting backstage or on your couch that you remember where it came from.BLUEBERRY: Hi guys! How would you describe in one word the new album?
ZAC: BooYa!
TAYLOR: Can I use a phrase?..."Off the floor"
ISAAC: Middle of this snowed in time underneath the walk.VONVON: I love the new pictures of you guys in the gallery of the new site. Where were these taken?
TAYLOR: The photo shoot for the new album was done in Tulsa. Because we made the whole record at our studio in Oklahoma, it felt right that the pictures should be of us here in Tulsa. We took shots all over the city - in some cool buildings downtown, in the studio - but the coolest ones were taken on the sand bars of the Arkansas River.SCB: Hi Zac!!! I hope you had a great birthday last weekend! My question is, what was the best gift you got for your 21st birthday? Or the most surprising? Hope you are having a wonderful day! – Shelley
ZAC: I am a dork. So I went to Medieval Times for my birthday. I got a book and a video game, but the one I’ll use the most is a drafting table. For the first time, I really have a place that I want to sit down and draw. Something that wasn’t designed for eating off of.BLEUSTREYDSNATA: Do you believe that it is the record labels or the artists themselves that have degraded today's music and the industry?
TAYLOR: It wouldn’t be right to just blame one. Though, labels probably play a bigger part, I think artists have let themselves play a smaller role. Labels have grown a shorter attention span, but so many artists aren’t willing to stand up for themselves. I think the music industry will truly turn the corner when it is understood that the power is in the hands of the musician, and even more so the fan. The Internet has paved the way. On that note, everyone should research Net Neutrality, because the Internet could be in jeopardy.ELIZABETH: Tell us about your collaboration with L.E.O and do you still plan to contribute to that project in the future?
TAYLOR: L.E.O. is a project of a friend of ours named Bleu. When he was part way through making his last album (still unreleased), he did some work at 3CG Studios. The record had a lot of collaborations on it. So, when he needed background vocals, it was natural that we would step in. As for the future, I don’t know of anymore L.E.O. records, but if it comes about, I’m sure we’ll be involved.CINDY RONCALLI: In the studio, what is the main source of conflict between the three of you?
ZAC: Communication styles. When we’re tracking, Ike tends to be very off the cuff, whereas Taylor has the propensity for detail, unrivaled by any other members of the band. I can be detailed about some things, but for the most part I look to the big picture of the songs and don’t worry about how we get there.ZEUS22: With fewer bands now releasing singles in CD format, do you plan on releasing any CD singles for your upcoming album, or just making them available for download?
ISAAC: It’s still undecided. But, chances are that a physical copy of a single won’t happen. The reason being that the costs of printing and shipping and stocking outweighs the value. I think we’re seeing the music industry becoming more of a singles market, but that is only because the Internet is making it cost effective to release one song at a time.UNASHAMED2BE: I love 'older' music (60s and 70s, some 80s), and have great respect for Hanson. Any tentative thoughts or plans to do a cover album? Not to sound fannish or silly, but PLEASE SAY YES. If not, a tour cover of "Paint It Black" (chilling. The Stones really do rock) might suffice.
ZAC: It’s funny you say that because we have a great desire to do a cover album. Many of the artists who originally inspired us have passed on, but a few like Chuck Berry, Aretha Franklin, Leon Russell, and Les Paul are stick rocking. We’ve had a dream project cooking for a while to get some of those artists to perform their own songs with us and release it as a covers album. Cross your fingers.
ISAAC: We only have time for a few more questionsCRAZYLAMB1: Is Zac going to have track 8 as a lead on this album as well, and is there a reason he had the lead on track 8 on all three previous studio albums?
TAYLOR: Wow. Didn’t know that. We don’t really think about the lead as much as the vibe and tempo of the song when deciding the order of tracks. This record has more lead switches than any previous album. With Zac singing almost half of the leads, the odds of him singing lead on track 8 are better than ever.LOTRNZAC: Okay, random question. If all three of you were aliens, what celebrity would you abduct for your research?
TAYLOR: Hunter S. Thompson. I saw a documentary at the Hollywood Film Festival that was really interesting on him.
ZAC: Tom Cruise, and take him back to the planet he came from.
ISAAC: Keith Richards, I’ll cut him in half and count the rings.
ZAC: Last question, guys!CALLIE: Have you seen the Hallmark musical card that plays “MMMBop?” What do you think of it?
ALL: We think it’s awesome!TAYLOR: Thanks so much for all your questions. We think you guys are going to really love the new music. We’ll be filming the first music video next week, so wish us luck! See you guys next time! Bye!