Back to Articles

Three break free
By MATT GLEASON World Scene Writer
5/7/2004

Hanson debuts concert film to boost indie release 'Underneath'

The Hanson brothers -- Isaac, Taylor and Zac -- have a sixth sense in the studio, said pop maestro Matthew Sweet, who collaborated with the brothers on the title track of their latest release "Underneath," in an interview with Rolling Stone.

Isaac Hanson agreed with Sweet's observation during a recent telephone interview, but said that sixth sense just comes with working with the same fellas for more than a decade.

"When you work with each other for 12 years, you pretty much get to the point where you don't have to ask certain questions," Hanson said. "Then again, we're brothers and we're band mates and we definitely have our moments of intense, heated discussion. People walk out of the vocal booth, or out of the room and go, 'I can't do this right now.' "

Aside from their own shared sixth sense, Hanson said they shared a similar connection with Sweet.

"He was sort of the brother we didn't have when we were writing (the title track) 'Underneath,' " Hanson said. "He was such a great collaborator for us. We just clicked."

It was "fortuitous" that "Underneath" became the title track, Hanson said.

"The effortless and inspired situation that song came out of really describes the feeling that we had throughout -- and that we wanted to continue to capture," he said.

When Hanson set about recording the lead vocals for his track, "Deeper," which features his pal Michelle Branch, he said he felt a bit self-conscious -- well, sort of.

"I know I've always been slightly self-conscious when it comes to leads," he said. "Actually, let me rephrase that. I'm really, really perfectionistic."

To make it easier on himself, Hanson usually lays down his guide vocal and the guide guitar part, together.

"The guide vocal is the one that's the right vocal, because it allows me to get more inside of the song," he said. "A lot of the times you overdub the vocal. I've found that I need to make sure to play while I'm doing that.

"For me, playing live is a very liberating experience that allows me to be that much more creative with the vocal, and more inspired and uninhibited."

Lately, the Hansons have maintained a hectic schedule to promote the new disc.

In fact, when asked what he had been up to lately, Hanson said the real question should be what have they not been doing.

"My head is still spinning," he said. "We've been doing pretty much everything under the sun."

During the constant interview onslaught, Hanson has reveled in discussing the trio's business acumen, especially after releasing the independently-released "Underneath," which debuted at No. 25 on Billboard's Top 200 chart, making it one of the most successful self-released albums of all time, according to the band's Web site.

"That's always fun because we've always been, I guess you could say, businessmen," he said. "But it's more like we enjoy talking about the behind the scenes elements of what we do."

Having its own indie label, 3CG, has been a gas, Hanson said.

"It's been really exciting to be liberated and indie," he said. "Obviously we have always maintained a very definitive creative vision no matter what record it was, whether it be 'Underneath,' 'Middle of Nowhere' or 'This Time Around.' They have always been a very true representation of who we are as a band."

Starting Saturday and through May 15, Hanson's concert film "Hanson -- Underneath Acoustic Live," will be on iN Demand/Pay Per View. Hanson said the performance film is a great representation of the band's musical abilities live on stage.

"The live performance and the show is something we're really, really proud of," he said. "It really showcases our songwriting, harmony and who this band is at its core.

"And it really gives people an opportunity to get into Hanson more than how they may have before."

Recently, Hanson confirmed an Aug. 7 performance at the Cain's Ballroom. Tickets go on sale May 14.

The trio's ultimate aim for "Underneath," Hanson said, was to release a record that would "turn heads."

"Every time you release a record you don't want people to say, 'Oh, that's exactly what I expected,' " he said. "If it's exactly what you expected, then maybe your fan base will potentially, over the years, become disinterested.

"You've always got to keep them revitalized and interested in what you're going to come out with next."