Translation:

Hanson: Third time is a charm

Not bothered by those who have continually identified them as a boy band, Hanson has succeeded with their latest album, “Underneath”, an explosive cocktail of pop, rock, and soul They have matured, and their melodies, contrary to the multiple artists whose styles dubbed perfect rock, have died. In spite of their busy schedule, the brothers were excited to meet with Guitarist, knowing well in advance that we would spare them the questions about the female hysteria, their favourite kind of jeans, or what kind of gel they use. Our interview took place with mainly Taylor and Isaac. Zac, the youngest of the group, didn’t join us until the end of the session as he was being interviewed for a magazine dedicated to drummers.

What has changed from the beginning of your career to today in your way of composing?
Taylor: First, you have to understand something; that each one of us compose and play multiple instruments. We all play a little guitar, drums and piano. We are not like these groups where there is one clear leader and the other ones follow.

Isaac: Like U2, where the majority of their ideas come strictly from the singer and the guitarist, with many parts conditioned by the lyrics of the song. For us, writing a song has always meant, “How can we combine a text with music in the best way?” We get there by putting all the ideas on the table and asking each other how they think we can get the best song possible from what we have. So that you can understand better, the other day Zac was playing the guitar, granted in DADGAD (an open tuning, editor's note). He found a pretty melody and wanted us to hear it. He told us, before allowing us to hear it, that he still had no ideas as to the lyric that should accompany it. That’s how we work: exchanging our ideas non-stop and asking each other if they think we are going in the right direction.

Taylor: With time, I think our sound has greatly improved due to a more varied and extensive dynamic. And also, without even having to stop and think about it, we knew precisely what kind of sound we wanted to achieve. The other thing that has changed since we started making music together – a period of time that covers the majority of our lives – is that we know who is best suited to which role in each particular song. We have a better understanding of what is going to work for a single. We also have the understanding of each step in the recording process, and how to record a song in the studio.

You did well choosing “Underneath” as the title track for this album. It’s an excellent ballad, which has everything required to become a hit.
Isaac: Thank you very much! We also think it’s a great song and it was a unanimous decision to make it the title track. I sincerely believe that this title has a lot of emotion, and that it could easily become a classic. We composed the song in only four hours, we’re very proud of that.

Taylor: It doesn’t always happen that quickly, unfortunately. Sometimes we can spend hours without thinking of anything – and it is a horrible feeling – but sometimes it will come to you all alone without even thinking about it. Like the song with did with Emma Daumas, “Someone – Laissons-nous une chance”: It was a unique experience both for her and for us. We were just playing around with three chords – G, D and C – and suddenly the verse happened. I remember that one of our friends left the studio to go to the washroom and when he came back, the song was finished!

What is it like working with a well-known guitarist such as Danny Kortchmar, your producer?
Taylor: Danny is a legend and an amazing producer. What makes him so excellent is that he knows when to tell you something and when he should leave it as is. That is what makes him stand out from the other young producers with whom we have tried to work. They are these young guys trying to produce THEIR album, forgetting about yours in the process. They don’t know how to help an artist realise their vision, how to solidify the idea. Danny is incredible with that. In our work, his contribution is to give us direction. He talks to you like Al Pacino in the Godfather. (laughs) He will say, “Ok guys, here’s what we can do”.

How do you respond to the people who still see and refer to you as a boy band?
Taylor: (very calmly) that we never have been a boy band, that is an image that was created by the media. You know, people will generally perceive you as you are portrayed by the press. Simply put, we have always been a rock group. We were so young... but we were always exactly what we wanted to be: three musicians who play several instruments.

Comparing the points that you are brothers, all musicians and singers; do you believe Hanson has something in common with the Bee Gees?
Taylor: Wow, being compared with the Bee Gees is a huge compliment. These guys wrote incredible songs. They had up to five hits in the charts in the month... In addition, they signed the biggest contract imaginable with a record company. Being compared with them is obviously very flattering. However, we believe that very different from them by the energy that we have on stage, it’s way more rock. As of yet we haven’t unleashed all that could possibly be in that direction.

Do you think that one day Hanson could release a heavy metal album?
Taylor: Absolutely. We wouldn’t do it under the name “Hanson”, but we would love to collaborate with someone on a project in that style.

Zac (drums): The style in which you play is not important if you are good. There are many ways of being good. We listen to all sorts of good music: John Lee Hooker, the Corrs... We have no problem with that.

Isaac, to finish, since you are the one who plays guitar the most, tell us which guitars are your favourite.
Isaac: I am a big fan of Gibsons. My two favourites are a 335 from 1966, which has an incredible sound and a Firebird from 1968. I adore them. I play them a lot, but I never bring them with me on stage.