Indie Rock Documentary Brought to UNH by Hanson Brothers

Forget about your preconceived notions concerning the band Hanson. The boys are doing much more exciting things since the days of Mmmbop. A documentary depicting their battle with Def Jam records and their struggle as a band on an independent label is coming to UNH's Strafford Room this Saturday. The film attempts to expose the disadvantages of today's mainstream music industry to the public.

They have embarked upon a college tour funded by themselves to reach out to more local grass root audiences. They hope that with enough exposure, their film will be shown to academic music programs across the country.

Hanson believes that the big record labels have "sold out" and that artists are being dropped for the sake of profits meanwhile hurting the music community.

"Fans are being deprived of good music out there and so we are trying to get the word out there," says guitarist and lead singer Taylor Hanson. Their platform also stresses the importance of fans and artists working together and to "not be complacent" in order to bring great music to the forefront.

"It's really about a rebuilding of the media. Together there needs to be work done between the fans and the artists. The quality of what the public hears has suffered," states Taylor Hanson.

UNH's college radio station 91.3 WUNH will have a helping hand in promoting Hanson's short stay by having them into the station for an on-air interview.

"A lot of the station is going to be mad because it's Hanson. But they have a really nice message and we support that message within our own radio station," comments WUNH general manager Emily Faulbauer.

Hanson claims that "growth is happening" and changes are being made among the grass root level with the partnership of college radio stations, local newspapers, and zines. "It's about building back the community," says Taylor Hanson. Colleges are being targeted because of the diverse set of attitudes about the music industry, according to the band.

"Colleges are so exciting to play because there is a sense of community. Every school is different whether is be public or private and it's a living breathing thing. The kids have been really cool actually and always have different perspective to give after the screening of the documentary. We want college kids to change things," articulates Taylor Hanson.

Hanson also claims to have "grown extensively musically".

"We've become a lot more diverse in out music. What we want is to be able to play "Mmmbop" with a Radiohead type song in the same set. Music is really about art and art links to human emotion. What we are going for is really to connect with people," comments Taylor Hanson.

Some students say the band has "lost musical street cred" while others disagree. Graduate student Adam Michaud states that he was amazed to hear of Hanson's abilities from a friend after accidentally hearing them play in a bar in Washington D. C.

"I was expecting to hear that all they played was that sickly sweet pop tune Mmmbop but instead they were rocking out," reminisces Michaud.

Some students are excited about Hanson's mission.

"I wouldn't judge them just because they used to be poppy. I agree with their philosophy. At least someone's raising musical awareness," says sophomore and music lover Rebecca Cisin.

Hanson will have a question and answer period after the documentary is shown.

You can see Hanson in the Strafford Room in the MUB on the UNH campus or at the Hampton Casino and Ballroom November fifth.