Hanson pulls into USC for college series

The trio conducted a Q-and-A session about their move to 3 Car Garage.

By Kate Palmer
Published: Wednesday, September 14, 2005

They are just three brothers committed to music - the passionate kind of music that only 13 years and a brotherly bond can create. Now, the pop music group Hanson is visiting college campuses all across the United States to share its experiences in the industry to talk about its documentary, "Strong Enough to Break" and promote its newest tour, Live and Electric '05, kicking off at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles tonight.

Brothers Zac, 19, Taylor, 22 and Isaac, 24, visited USC music industry students at Ground Zero Coffeehouse on Tuesday as part of their college education series, letting students participate in a question-and-answer session and educating them on their recent move to an independent label, 3 Car Garage.

"3 Car Garage is the collaborative result of our commitment to music despite the industry changing around us. We all have the love of music and singing, and without each other pushing ourselves, we wouldn't stay as strong as we are," drummer Zac said.

After friction with its previous label, Island Def Jam, Hanson decided to go independent, bringing about changes for the band as well as new responsibilities. The group decided that it was more important to continue working with what they felt comfortable with and not changing based on a record label's vision. They wanted to remain down-to-earth, yet produce a newer, more-mature sound.

The band's label is more focused on great music that will stand the test of time, they said. They are not concerned with records that people will play temporarily, or that radio stations will pick up for a few weeks. Hanson argues that there is no equation to making good music; you have to be a musician to know what sounds good and when it sounds good.

"Records are not syndications. They are reality, and the same equation for one artist may not work for another. We try to put out records that are not just driven by one single song; instead, a whole record full of great music," Zac said.

Students watched the band's documentary, based originally on the creation of its new album. The band changed the film's focus, however, when it decided to move away from corporate labels and form 3CG.

"I think it is really important to educate people about the entire process and show what really happens, start to finish, while making a record, producing it and then selling it. The film is like a mirror of what is going on with major labels and how they work," Zac said.

If there is one thing the band wants students to take away from the documentary, it's that now is the time to get involved to support music that people care about. Fewer and fewer music videos are being shown, replaced by reality and talk shows; TV is defining the decade's music legends. Hanson's support of indie bands demonstrates its dedication to music that will last beyond TRL and conglomerate radio stations.

Balancing business with music, Hanson brothers say they have tried to stay true to their original goals as musicians while transitioning to a new, more mature style. Their newest album, "Underneath" topped the independent charts and overwhelmed fans across the globe.

"It doesn't matter how good the business is if you cannot make passionate music, music you are involved in and connected to. We understand that we have to do the business part right while also remaining excited about the music we produce," Zac said.

Hanson started out as three brothers playing wherever they could in their community. From an early age, the brothers loved music and singing yet somehow have found a way to remain as passionate today as they were 13 years ago, they said. Their new tour is a compilation of their greatest hits, favorite covers and newer songs appearing on their album-in-progress.

The group selected indie bands from all over the country in its tour as part of its dedication to making great records that fans voted for on their official Web site. Hanson made samplers of the bands' music, as well as some of its own tracks for fans to listen to from the tour. They said they feel that supporting these bands is important because it shows how vital they think good music is to their generation. Giving these bands exposure helps promote making great records that will endure this generation and possibly the next, they said.

What can viewers expect from the upcoming tour? Even Hanson does not know specifically.

"In our almost 200 shows, we have never played the same set of songs. We are anticipating some new music from our upcoming record as well as our old favorites. We think it is important to feel out the audience, see what they want to hear," Zac said.

Hanson still appear to be the boys next door, the brothers from Tulsa who love music and are committed to its vitality.