Forget the “boy band” tag that dogged them for years. Now in their 20s, the Hanson brothers — Zac, Isaac, and Taylor — have evolved into a superb R&B-influenced rock band. Since forming their own record label in 2003, Hanson has also become staunch social activists, devoting much energy towards alleviating the AIDS crisis in Africa. The trio will perform at the Orange Peel in Asheville on Monday. In the following interview, Taylor Hanson talks about the band’s latest album, “The Walk.”

Russell Hall: Most of the songs on “The Walk” were recorded live in the studio. What prompted you to record the album that way?

Taylor Hanson: We wanted to limit ourselves, as far as the tools we used, because that’s the best way to crystallize what we do. It’s all about capturing what happens when the three of us sit down to play together. It was about figuring out what we don’t need, in order to make the songs sound great, as opposed to what we do need. It’s like the painter who has to know when to stop adding colors.

RH: The band’s style has become more eclectic through the years. What accounts for that?

TH: That’s mainly because all three of us write. We draw from a lot of the same influences — a lot of old R&B, and classic rock and roll. But once you get past that, each of us goes in separate directions a bit. Isaac goes for more R&B, and stuff with beats. Zac likes music that’s mellower. And I like great pop songs. The idea of crafting a great pop song — not something sugary, but something with hooks you can’t forget — is a hard thing to do. We wanted to create songs like that, songs that feel as if they existed already.

RH: Legendary producer Danny Kortchmar worked with you on the album. What was it like working with him?

TH: From the start, we knew we were either going to produce the album ourselves, or produce it with Danny Kortchmar. We didn’t need someone to come in and tell us how to craft the record. What we needed was someone who had nothing to prove — someone who could work from the arrangement standpoint and let us be honest with ourselves. We went head-to-head on some issues, but that’s to be expected, and we did that in a constructive way. He challenged us, but we like a good challenge.

RH: You decided to get out of the big-label record industry five years ago. What’s surprised you most about going independent?

TH: We really face the same issues. But the thing that has been most surprising is how much the record business has continued to disintegrate, since we left to start our own label. When we made that decision, we knew it was something we had to do. Since then, that feeling has become much more confirmed.

RH: Do you try to plan far into the future?

TH: As a band, we try to look out about ten years. But on a business level, we’re focused on a one- to two-year cycle. And actually we’re trying to speed that up. The business model is changing. Just putting out records isn’t what any label should be doing any more. It’s about using technology, and figuring out how people are going to obtain music. Ultimately, it’s about building a relationship with your fans. They’re not just buying a song; they’re buying into the band itself.

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