Hanson’s heard it all before. The long hair jokes, the Partridge family comments, the comparison of their singing voices to that of The Chipmunks … Hanson is now stuck trying to convince the music world that they outgrew their OshKosh B’Gosh and bed wetting. They are marketing themselves as a truly dedicated and talented rock band that not only cares about the music, but wants to change what Hanson has called the “f*ed up” system mainstream music has become entangled in.

On March 1 at 10 a.m., Hanson will be visiting Georgia State’s radio station, Album 88.5 (WRAS). Hanson will be streaming a live question-and-answer session from Georgia State University for students and anyone wanting to participate. Hanson believes there is something college students need to know-- that there is a whole lot of good music out there that corporate record labels are keeping from eager audiences. Hanson places the blame on the giant music conglomerates that are allegedly more concerned about the bottom line than the music on the disc. Hanson’s sees its newfound purpose as promoting music as an art form rather than a planned product for distribution to the masses.

Not only will Hanson be answering students call-in questions live on Album 88, but they will also announce then and there if, when and where Hanson may be playing a free show at Georgia State later in the day on March 1.

With a new grassroots effort underway, Hanson believes it is at the forefront of this attack on the corporate control of creativity. They aim to defy the molds of the genres set forth by the music industry by promoting college radio stations and independent (“indie”) bands.

With their release of the newest album, Underneath, in 2004, Hanson broke from their former mainstream record label and created their own indie label, 3CG Records, with the firm intent of running a label that caters to the bands.

Hanson has a message they want to send loud and clear – they think college radio is the way for indie bands to gain a new public hearing. College radio stations, Hanson purports, have the freedom to play a much larger array of music than any mainstream station could play.

Hanson sees itself as a “Renaissance band,” if you will. They write their own music, produce their own albums, fund their own tours and run their own record company.

“You have to be the artist and the businessman at the same time,” drummer Zac Hanson explains during his interview with The Signal. “Too often artists let themselves be pawns in everyone else’s game. You have to maintain the creative side.”

Hanson says of its upcoming visit to Georgia State- “[Grassroots] is a different way to promote yourself. It is important to be here, rather than up on a big stage. We want to reintroduce people to where we are as a band with our new record. Playing acoustic is always important in showing people who you really are, how you write songs and who you are when you are by yourself.”

Hanson believes that the mainstream media is controlling the image of today’s youth, and that only the youth have the power to change this by embracing independent music. “If you don’t become part of it, then you will be defined by P Diddy or Britney Spears. If that doesn’t define who you are, and what you want to be represented by, then you need to let your voice be heard” says Zac.

Hanson has been touring college campuses throughout the United States to spread the word on the appeal of the indie scene. Along with their visit to Georgia State, Hanson will also be visiting Emory’s college radio station (WMRE) on Feb. 28 at 10 a.m.

With their message of promoting indie bands and uncontrolled creativity in music, Hanson plans to take Georgia State by storm on March 1. Hanson wants to answer student questions and make sure everyone is informed of what they see as a regime change in music