Translation:

It’s a family affair

Even the brothers Hanson grow up: eight years after Mmmbop the 3 are their own (record) boss. Going from early to bed, lemonade and sweet songs to family, beer and rock ‘n roll.

If you think of Hanson you think of Mmmbop. This song put the trio on the map in 1997. Isaac, Taylor and Zac, then respectively sixteen, thirteen and eleven had a world hit, were nominated for 3 Grammy Awards and sold over eight million copies of their debut album Middle of Nowhere. The high cuddle factor of the blond haired brothers made women fall in love with them, and even the most sour journalists couldn’t deny their musical talent. After Mmmbop a few small hits followed but after – the now forgotten- If Only from 2000 things got quiet. Until now. With the new album Underneath Hanson wants to play themselves back in the picture. And so on a rainy day we knock on their hotel room door in the centre of Amsterdam. Zac, the youngest Hanson, opens the door and we can only barely keep in our first thoughts: “Wow you got big!” The three Hansons grew up. Taylor has been married for a few years already and is the proud father of a little boy. (‘’ A great kid, we can take him anywhere, he feels at home everywhere’’) and Zac can leave the lemonade and have a few beers after a show.

Own Record company

We might not have heard from them in a little while but the trio didn’t sit still. The record company got put aside and they boys formed their own record company. Taylor: ‘’Underneath hasn’t been made under the most ideal circumstances; we didn’t choose the easiest way. When we started preparing for the album 4 years ago, we were really looking forward to going into the studio. We just got back from a long period of touring and we build up a solid fan base. We just didn’t have a connection with our record company, we didn’t feel free. The decision to break the contract with the record company was hard. We love to work together and we don’t like to leave people like htis. But it has been a good decision. Underneath is our third album and we produced it ourselves. Musically it’s completely different from our other work.’’

Isaac: ‘’ Everyone always saw a record deal as the biggest achievement, but more artists find out that big labels are only in your way. The business side got more important then the creative side. These days you have to be successful within 6 weeks or else you’re done for’’

Sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll

‘’We have been to 15 countries in the past year” says Taylor. ‘’But all the travelling isn’t always cool you know. You get tired. Sometimes you wake up in the morning and you have no idea where you are. Then you’re in China and you think: Right... but performing is awesome. That’s what we do it for.’’ Isaac: ‘’ Touring is very important. That’s something you can’t download. In the 90s you had people like Mariah Carey, who never toured. They only released albums. That’s something you can’t do anymore. By touring and performing you build a strong relationship with our fans. The past 18 months we did over 120 shows. We want to give our fans the attention they deserve.’’

That all sounds very goody-goody. How about the sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll??

Taylor laughs:’’ We rock hard, love women and preferably use drugs every day. But that doesn’t necessarily has to be cocaine.’’ Isaac: ‘’ No we do different kinds of drugs.’’ Zac looks a bit confused and shakes his head. ‘’ For us the rock ‘n roll lifestyle is about being passionate about music.’’ Isaac: ‘’You shouldn’t put the image over the quality. I often see artists that are thought of as really cool. They look tough and always talk about all their girlfriends. But when I listen to their albums...

On the surface it might sound ok, but there isn’t one good song on it. They have the sex and drugs but they miss the rock ‘n roll.

A solo career isn’t an option for any of the guys. Zac admits it isn’t always easy working with your brothers. ‘’ We do have fights, that’s normal.’’ But if you really want to achieve something it doesn’t come easy.’’

Isaac: ‘’ We have been working together for 14 years already. To go solo we would all have to build a new band. At that: if I would do a solo album, I want Zac as the drummer. So that would be two third of Hanson. And then I would also need a singer...”