usatoday.com
30 August 2005

Comment from Hanson: Hey everybody! Welcome to the chat. We are excited to be talking about all the exciting things coming this fall and any other random questions you may have.

ALBANY, NY: when is the new album going to be out? And what can we expect on the new album?
HANSON: I suppose you are talking about the new studio album. We've been writing a lot of material over the course of the Underneath Tour and over the last couple of months. We plan to release the new album in 2006. We will keep you posted as it gets closer. Right now our main focus is on the Live & Electric album. We hope the new songs can hold you over until the new album is released.

FRANCE: How did you chose the set list of the live album? Is it a choice to put almost only old songs and just few unrealesed? Why didn't you put "Lost Without Each Other" for example? Lily
HANSON: It's never easy to cut a song from a live album. We have to focus on the most dynamic songs and wanted to include a lot of the past singles and rarities such as our performance of U2's "In A Little While." "Lost Without Each Other" is unfortunately not included on the live record but you may be able to find a download farther down the line.

PHILADELPHIA, PA: Zac, When I was in Lancaster at the concert, you were wearing the Pennsylvania cow tipping shirt, have you ever or would you ever go do that?
HANSON: I wear a lot of different t-shirts on tour. Not all of them are of activities I do. I also just designed three shirts for our fans. We always encourage our fans to express themselves artistically.

PHILADELPHIA, PA: On the upcoming fall tour, can we expect to hear some never-before-heard material? I look forward to seeing your shows again! -- Chrissy
HANSON: Yes. We will be playing all the old music as well as introducing new music that will possibly be new songs for the next studio album. We're really excited about testing out our new material at the shows. We think this will allow us to get a better perspective of what fans are really connecting to.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA: What is the message you will be bringing to your stops at colleges? How do you hope your fans will respond to these very different stops?
HANSON: The idea of coming to the universities allows us to focus on the importance of independent music and engaging on the music out there now. It's really important for people our age to realize that they have a valuable role to play in the growth and success of music. We are passionate about the message of a community of fans and community of artists coming together. Another great way to show our support for local music is the opening band contest going on at the stops on our tour. The bands that win the contest will get to open for us and it exposes us and the audience to some really great local music. The role the documentary screenings will play in the college appearances is also really important. As we show the screening, it will allow us to talk about the issues involved with the record companies and what artists have to go through for their music to reach the fans.

MILWAUKEE, WI: In the past we have seen you guys experimenting with different sounds for your songs. How do you layer that within the sound of your music and to know just how you want it? I hope I said that right. Love, Moni
HANSON: The sound that ends up on our records usually just come naturally. We kind of know intuitively what is too much and what we're looking for. Playing songs live allows us to iron out the kinks in the arrangement. Because there are three songwriters in this band, there is a wide range of influences. When it comes to making a record, the trick is always to find the cohesive thread in the various songs that are brought to the table. This is always a process of elimination that we can't really predict and that's what makes every album so unique.

BUFFALO, NY: what are your expectations for screening your documentary at colleges?
HANSON: The purpose of the documentary is to show music fans and people all around the country our story of making a record. That story is really a representation of what it takes to make an album now 'n' days. Our hopes with this screening is to start the conversation with college students and all music fans on how they can help to fuel a healthier music industry and about the importance of supporting local music. That's why the opening band contest that we're doing is so cool. We will be showcasing local music to every single Hanson stop on the Live & Electric concert tour!

CINCINNATI, OH: You go night after night, show after show, how do you keep the material fresh for yourselves?!
HANSON: The way we keep the material fresh is by mixing the set up every night. You never know what to expect! We never play the same show twice. It doesn't matter how many times we play a song. If you have a great, energetic audience, it always stays fresh and exciting.

WASHINGTON, DC: Your finished documentary Strong Enough To Break is supposed to be extremely heartfelt, dramatic, and truthful. How did you react the first time you saw it? How do you expect fans to react to see the hardships you guys had to face just to make your own music!? Thanks - Amanda Belcher
HANSON: The documentary is a very personal story but it is meant to tell a story that many bands have gone through. The truly personal element is what we decided to do to solve the problems in front of us. We hope that people walk away from this documentary with a new perspective on music, who this band is and a reignited passion for music as a whole. And yes, parts of it are hard for us to watch at times.

Comment from Hanson: OK. That was the last question. Thanks to everyone who submitted their questions. We look forward to talking to you all soon. We hope that you will join us on the Live & Electric Tour this fall and don't forget to check out Hanson.net for the latest info on the new live album and everything else we are doing!