Thursday, September 30, 2010

Hanson tonight with local opener Cameron Rafati

Published on Sep 30, 2010 09:05AM



Hanson performs tonight, with Cameron Rafati opening.
When • Thursday (tonight), Sept. 30, at 8 p.m.
Where • The Depot, 400 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City
Tickets • $25 at SmithsTix

When Salt Lake City musician Cameron Rafati tells people he will be opening for Hanson at a Sept. 30 show, some chide him for being associated with the band that unleashed “MMMBop” onto an unsuspecting public.

But Rafati shows no fear about being on the same stage as Hanson. “They’re brilliant songwriters,” he said.

Rafati’s opinion is shared by many who first fell in love with the blond-haired trio of squeaky-clean brothers in 1997 and who have continued to watch the band develop into talented craftsmen of blue-eyed soul over the years. Hanson today is not the Hanson of 1997.

The Oklahoma boys — Isaac is 29, Taylor is 27 and Zac is 24 — experienced a wave of success 13 years ago that even Justin Bieber hasn’t seen, when the irresistible Dust Brothers-produced “MMMBop” was one of the biggest debut singles of all time, eventually becoming No. 1 in 27 countries. Nobody knew what the heck the pop-rock song was about, but like “My Sharona” and “Louie Louie” before it, the song’s lyrics were impossible to not sing (or at least make up words to):

In an mmm bop they’re gone.
In an mmm bop they’re not there.
In an mmm bop they’re gone.
In an mmm bop they’re not there.
Until you lose your hair. But you don’t care.

The spotlight has dimmed for those searching for the next big thing, but over the years, the brothers have continued to write, record and tour. While each is under 30, they have been in the music business for more than a decade and a half, and have become a respected pop-rock band that has embraced styles of soul and R&B that were in vogue before they were born.

“We joke that we’re a ’70s rock band,” said Taylor in an interview. Shades of midcareer Billy Joel and Steve Winwood show up in the trio’s new album, “Shout It Out,” released in June.

“It’s a little more R&B, more organic than our last record,” Taylor said of “Shout It Out.” “It’s a pop, summertime, engaging record that invites people in. … The record has a feel to it, [with] the horns making an exclamation point. Sometimes, subtlety doesn’t get noticed.”

Ever since the boys — I mean, young men — established their own record label in 2003, the brothers have been interested in giving unsigned bands chances to show off their talent, which explains the contest that led to Rafati opening for Hanson at the band’s Salt Lake City tour stop.
Hanson and website OurStage.com held an opening-act competition for each of the 34 dates of the tour, designed to allow local up-and-coming artists the opportunity to perform onstage before Hanson. Each of the acts is also invited to be featured on a nightly live-streamed interview and acoustic performance with Hanson at each of the dates, to be broadcast at www.Hanson.net/alive. The competing artists were chosen by fan vote.

“With this record, the idea of art and expression and breaking the ice was the theme,” Taylor said about the contest. “We’ve seen thousands of bands submit [applications].”
Then he joked, “To a degree, you’re taking a risk, like maybe there isn’t a good band in this town.”

He was not referring to Rafati, a 28-year-old singer-songwriter who splits his time between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. The Cottonwood High graduate several years ago took a break from selling commercial real estate to follow his dream of writing and performing his own music.
For the contest, Rafati submitted an audio clip of his song “XOX” and a video for “1 in 10,” both of which can be heard and seen on his website (www.cameronrafati.com/). “XOX” shows off the promise of Rafati’s grand dance music with soul; he describes it as “cinematic and pop that you can dance to.”

He will be backed by a band of seven friends and is excited to make hundreds of people bop. Maybe not MMMBop, but bop nevertheless.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Hanson on Howard Stern (May, 2007)

Old, but still good










Thanks to @writemeadream

Setlist 9/27/10 - Spokane, WA

1. Waiting For This Medley
2. Make It Out Alive
3. A Minute Without You
4. And I Waited
5. This Time Around
6. Madeline
7. Carry You There

Acoustic
8. Penny and Me
9. Kiss Me When You Come Home
10. Go
11. Crazy Beautiful

12. Thinking 'Bout Somethin'
13. Hold On, I'm Comin'
14. Voice In The Chorus
15. Where's The Love
16. Oh Darlin'
17. MMMBop
18. Give A Little
19. Lost Without Each Other

Encore
20. Long Way To The Top (a rocket to the moon)

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Isaac Mistery.

Yesterday they were live, singing Long Way To The Top. They seemed pretty happy ..  Taylor grabbed his camera and took several photos, lay down and took Isaac's, from Zac on drums .. and at the end of this broadcast was where everything happened.





 

It seems that Ike mixed up a few words from that song and Tay said aloud: "What was that? what is your problem?" And Isaac made some signs saying he did not know what Taylor was saying and then he got angry, wanted to leave the stage and Zac took both hands to thank the audience. Soon after Taylor was talking to Isaac and Ike took Tay's arms and they left the scene. And finally, someone heard Zac saying: "i dont know what was wrong with isaac"
 
Thats it :(
 
And the only thing we know is that today, Isaac was not in the transmission and the walk was canceled.

Hanson Reveal How 'Shout It Out' Is Connected to Motown

By PopEater Staff Posted Sep 28th 2010 01:00PM

Hanson are currently on the road in support of their latest album, 'Shout It Out,' and have been checking in from the road all along the way. In their latest video, the band hits the West Coast, stopping to talk about their more "straight ahead" album and its strong ties to Motown.

"One of the great things about this new record was we were able to sort of connect with Motown in a major way," Taylor tells Adam Corolla on his talk show. "One is [that] most of the record was recorded on a Motown console, an old Neve. But the bass player we brought in at the end was Bob Babbit -- he's one of the only white guys that played in the [Funk Brothers]. James Jameson and Bob Babbit are the guys."

Watch Taylor open up about the band has moved away from R&B, and hear more from Hanson's interviews with Corolla and KLOS's Mark and Brian after the jump.

As the summer is winding to a close, the Shout It Out Tour has taken us west through L.A., San Francisco and up the Northwest. This run has taken us to a few places we have not been in a couple years, like Portland and Seattle, plus our first Canadian show on the SIO Tour in Vancouver following about a week of shows in California. Check out some clips from around the West Coast, and some random visits to the one and only Adam Carolla Show, and our buds Mark and Brian at KLOS in Los Angeles. There's also some clips from the tour kick off, set to the song 'Give A Little' from our livestreamed performance in San Francisco. Thanks to the amazing fans that have come out all tour long, hope you enjoy this weeks vi vi video. Enjoy.

-Taylor, Isaac and Zac



Thanks to PHB @hansonbrasil

Monday, September 27, 2010

Hanson at Y100





Sunday, September 26, 2010

Walk & Concert in Vancouver

Thanks to Silvia Fernandes

http://images.orkut.com/orkut/photos/OgAAAEUUxwsJEH-z2VsgQ6J1TkIb1ln0FfLZEp6BeIgDwT4-xCl44kLPfA-04YzEbiuuqqzd27nozm_TKAwg4FwTemEAm1T1UHycBmSL3P_ZKHc7fdu8BVN3rsE3.jpg

http://images.orkut.com/orkut/photos/OgAAAM-5vbbqTuEy3VPkNJcaSyP_nPq9_iaIY1r0h_94hfFMhEMcTJNy5tr4iQiaXttpZu1Z7HsaUwumdEez1wGxGKQAm1T1ULLMhGKxZzICJynglZordwMun3S8.jpg

http://images.orkut.com/orkut/photos/OgAAAHEZ1EiHsn_9zDt9GK40r9dP_Ibgkh4wZNRIy_0CfqdUVC7YB2CEHrhThUqMbLJc_bTohLhHpn703w4HjvgssecAm1T1UAc0ucmvxpg9OY7OocGmNWdL-fBb.jpg









http://images.orkut.com/orkut/photos/OgAAAOXxydwYp64cJpBuImMX56OXc-Rz-NBIL1E4zAnFQ3woF6oGHgU28I8l61mge3TWOFT5fXU-ZyvowH8ZxtyXiFwAm1T1UDMQ5MMn2YuyU7fxuujow3mIiyYE.jpg















http://images.orkut.com/orkut/photos/OgAAAG0YE7pJeT1qPVz6f2LeWZ5CaylSr4AXdJEVvV5OqBSF9sQUBGcoQRhDWJm4prvKdGPoH-bbMue1rQu2qpQi0QAAm1T1UHyjBJf6GRAr_5YwndEk2oNqjkmc.jpg

Setlist Vancouver, Canada - 09/25/2010

1. Waiting For This Medley
2. Make It Out Alive
3. Minute Without You
4. And I Waited
5. Speechless
6. Get Up And Go
7. Thinking 'Bout Somethin'

Acoustic
8. Carry you There
9. Penny and Me
10. Musical Ride

11. Been There Before
12. Where's The Love
13. This Time Around
14. Voice In The Chorus
15. Hand In Hand
16. Oh Darlin'
17. MMMBop
18. Give A Little
19. Lost Without Each Other

Encore
20. If Only

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Friday

Usually Fridays are hard working, always tired. But late yesterday afternoon when I finally gave my departure time, two colleagues left the company with me and got into my car before me, sat down and turned on the sound. It was no surprise to them when the music started playing was Hanson and was very loud! The three of us started to dance to the beat of "Give a Little" and at least five neighbors stopped to watch us pass that crazy loud car, with 3 happy people and listening to Hanson. It was very nice, especially because my friends weren't  fans of my favorite band.


And then I went for my post graduation. I chose Middle of Nowhere CD for the short trip. I have the slight feeling I was hoarse in class because I was screaming the whole way those lyrics. I love it. Once there, the internet was not working, and I couldn't see any Hanson news from there. I went home disappointed and at night I dreamed that someone had stolen my car in the parking lot of my post graduation school and I was just sad because of my CDs Hanson were inside!

Well, that was it and I just wanted to share with you!

Friday, September 24, 2010

new merch items

U.S. Street Team Shirt – Gray - $16.00
This shirt is only available to those who are a member of the street team.

Product Details
THIS IS A PRE-ORDER ITEM.

You must be logged in as a street team member to purchase this shirt. Pre-order will be available until September 27th.
To ensure your size is available Pre-order your shirt. Only a limited amount of additional stock will be ordered past the pre-ordered amount.
Pre-ordered shirts will be shipped by the week of October 25th.
$1 from every shirt sale will be donated to a TakeTheWalk.net Cause.

The shirt includes a 1 inch button that can be placed on your State. The button says “I AM HERE” in the Shout it Out album inspired colors




US Street Team Shirt - Striped - $16.00
This shirt is only available to those who are a member of the street team.

Product Details
THIS IS A PRE-ORDER ITEM.

You must be logged in as a street team member to purchase this shirt.
Pre-order will be available until September 27th.
To ensure your size is available, please pre-order your shirt now. Only a limited amount of additional stock will be ordered past the pre-ordered amount.
Pre-ordered shirts will be shipped by the week of October 25th.
$1 from every shirt sale will be donated to a TakeTheWalk.net Cause.

The shirt includes a 1 inch button that can be placed on your State. The button says “I AM HERE” in the Shout it Out album inspired colors.






World Street Team Shirt - $16.00
This shirt is only available to those who are a member of the street team.


Product Details

THIS IS A PRE-ORDER ITEM.


You must be logged in as a street team member to purchase this shirt.
Pre-order will be available until September 27th.









To insure your size is available Pre-order your shirt. Only a limited amount of additional stock will be ordered past the pre-ordered amount.
Pre-ordered shirts will be shipped by the week of October 25th.
$1 from every shirt sale will be donated to a TakeTheWalk.net Cause.

The shirt includes a 1 inch button that can be placed on your country. The button says “I AM HERE” in the Shout it Out album inspired colors.








Shout It Out Hoodie - $45.00
Product Details

Inspired by the Shout it Out Album artwork this hoodie is sure to be noticed.

Bright Multicolored printing on Front and Back.

Grey American Apparel Hoodie (90% Fleece Cotton/ 10% Polyester)
American Apparel Unisex size: For best fit order a size above your traditional Unisex HANSON shirts











LIVE REVIEW: Hanson @ Great American Music Hall 9/21/10

Posted on 22 September 2010.

Hanson took the stage two nights in a row at The Great American Music Hall here in San Francisco on September 20th, and 21st. Though I was only able to attend the last night, there is no doubt in my mind that the first show was just as great as the last.

I have been a Hanson fan for 15 years. I’ve seen them 7 times, met them a few times, traveled all around to get to their shows, etc. Yeah, I am one of “those” girls. I’m not ashamed to admit the love affair I have with this band, especially after seeing them grow into the musicians they have become. Isaac, Taylor, and Zac Hanson are no longer the three lanky little kids we all remember from 1997 (think “MmmBop” era). They’ve grown up, and not only physically, but in their musicality as well.

“Shout It Out,” their newest record, has received praised from every media outlet that has decided to review the record. Their tour seems to be getting the same type of reviews as well. With that said- here’s another one to add to the list.

Hanson took the stage around 9pm, and opened with “Great Divide,” the first single off of their last record. I can’t say what song they opened with the previous night, however, I am guessing “Great Divide” was not played, seeing how the entire crowd went nuts the second they launched into the song. The followed up their opening with old and new songs, such as “And I Waited,” “You Never Know,” and “Waiting For This,” which ended in a montage of songs including “Rock n Roll Razorblade,” and “In The City,” two songs Hanson doesn’t play too often anymore.

The crowd was also just as entertaining as the band itself. San Francisco is known to have a few crazies lurking here and there, but I never expected to see more than a few of them at a Hanson show. Needless to say, they were there in all of their weird and crazy glory. I scored a seat upstairs for prime viewing capabilities, and when I looked over the rail to see what the crowd was doing, I noticed the usual- some were bobbing their heads, some were dancing along, others were singing loudly, but then I spotted this blonde-haired, little pixie looking girl who was going completely nuts. I don’t mean fangirl nuts, I mean just plain “what the hell is this girl on?” nuts. She was in the middle of her own mosh pit…at a Hanson concert. Her arms were flying all over the place and she was bouncing from wall to wall. This raised a few obvious questions: 1) Does she realize this isn’t a metal show? and 2) Who does she buy her drugs from? Then I looked towards the other side of the stage, and there was another one. The looks on peoples’ faces around them were pretty priceless, as I presume they were enjoying the entertainment of their fellow Hanson fans just as much as they were enjoying the show.

Once I was able to take my eyes off of the crowd and focus on the show again, the guys had left their instruments, and taken to the front of the stage to do a little acoustic set. They played three songs, including everyone’s guilty pleasure, “MmmBop,” and ended their acoustic set with an a capella version of “Change in My Life,” which left the entire crowd completely silent. They also played a few covers, including “Magic Carpet Ride,” and “Dancing In The Street,” which was one of the songs they chose to close out the show with.

Hanson puts a lot of energy into their shows, which is one of the reasons it’s always fun to see them play. It’s really obvious that these guys love what they do, and truly enjoy watching the reaction of their fans. After 15 years of loving this band, their music, and their passion towards the Take The Walk campaign, I can honestly say that I will continue to travel many’a miles to see these guys perform because they are just that good. I’m never disappointed in a Hanson show, and if you’ve gotten past your grade school judgements, I recommend going to check them out…now.

Thanks to PHB

3 distinct shows, including The Thermals, hit area

               The inaugural Uproar Festival brings the noise to Post Falls, The Thermals’ bandleader is feeling the love and Hanson is all souled out.

              That’s just a glimpse of the live music highlights coming to the area over the next few days.

                [...]


              Hanson

              The three brothers who make up Hanson are looking to the old school for inspiration on their latest album, “Shout It Out,” released in July on their own 3CG Records.
The album features appearances by a Motown great, Funk Brothers bassist Bob Babbitt, and horn arranger Jerry Hey, who worked with Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones and Earth, Wind and Fire.

             “Shout It Out” has received critical praise from Billboard, Salon and Entertainment Weekly, which said the record shimmers with top-shelf songcraft.

              In a news release, singer/keyboardist Taylor Hanson likens the trio to a 1970s rock band made up of “white guys from the Midwest who grew up listening to ’50s and ’60s soul, who are mixing guitars with vintage keys and melodic songs.”


For music news, videos, mp3s, artist profiles and more, visit Isamu Jordan’s local music website, thesomshow.com.

Interview with A Rocket To The Moon

By editor: Colleen Johnson on September 23, 2010.

Did I just say I was holding onto my Chicago scene a little? Well if any of my past interviews with Boston bands show for anything like View From An Airplane, The Bay State and Lannen Fall, the biggest example of me following the Boston local scene would come across in my coverage of A Rocket To The Moon. Writing up my latest interview with them, I’ve realized that since November Music Remedy has really followed this talented band’s career over such a short time through our conversations with them!

Dropping their debut full length, touring with everyone from We The Kings to Hanson who are their current tour mates, this young quartet has quickly grown. Catching sets from the boys over the past few months while covering local shows, I definitely was up for sitting down with Eric Halvorsen via the interwebs while two of the other tour mates were on Warped Tour this summer playing acoustic sets! This time around, we talked about both the serious and the silly. The boys have dropped the news that they’ll be both be touring as main support for All Time Low this fall along with announcing the release of their new EP on November 5th that features both re-done tracks from ’On Your Side’ along with a cover of ’Single Ladies’. Also get a sneak peek of the new Rocket video concept that Eric and James Cameron have been collaborating on! It’s a winner.

Details
Artist: A Rocket To The Moon
Title: On Your Side
Release date: 10/13/09
Record label: Fueled by Ramen
Single:
Official website: Fueled by Ramen website
Buy at: Amazon

Last time we talked with the band, you were planning to put out some new music and I know you’ve put out a new song. When can kids maybe look forward to new music?
As far as a new album, kids might have to wait for a little while for that. But we are planning on releasing some special stuff like an EP of songs from ‘On Your Side’ that we re-did with our friends in Larkin Poe. I am not too sure when that is coming out though.

Are you writing/recording a new album/ep maybe?
Last tour that we did we were throwing around a lot of ideas for songs! Justin is always writing stuff too because he is a machine haha. Hopefully we can get back in the studio soon.

You’ll be hitting the road later this summer with the iconic band Hanson. What are you most looking forward to from this experience?
I personally am looking forward to playing to a different audience. I know that our fans will be there as well but Hanson has such a dedicated fan base and I’m really excited to see how they react to us. I am also looking forward to watching them every single night. They have so many great songs and seeing those live I’m sure will be quite entertaining.

Since this band originally started as a solo project, how do you feel now that it’s a full band the sound has really matured?
I am just happy that we finally have a solid line up. I was the first permanent member to be added and before Justin and Andrew joined up, there were a lot of line up changes which can wear on the band a lot. So now that we are all on the same page, it feels really great. I definitely think things have matured a lot too. If you come out to a live show, you can tell just by watching the set. I’m happy with how things are moving.

You recently put out the video for “Like We Used To”. If you could pick any other track off the new record to do a video for, what song would it be and what’s the craziest concept you could think of?
I would like to do one for “She’s Killing Me” because I think it’s a fun song that would work well with a video. As far as crazy concepts go, I’m thinking of maybe signing on James Cameron and doing the most expensive video ever. 3D obviously, hover crafts, aliens, the whole deal. Be on the look out for that.

Finally, what can fans look forward to within these next few months? More shows, touring, new music?
Fans can catch us this fall with Hanson and then we will be releasing some more shows for the rest of the fall. So come catch us on tour!

Hanson shows its grown-up side

'90s teen idols still know how to craft a pop tune

BY LYNNE MARGOLIS - SPECIAL TO THE STATESMAN
Published: 09/24/10

When Hanson became one of the hottest acts on the planet in 1997, they had to fight the perception that they were a trio of child puppets with some Svengali pulling the strings. But the sandy-haired siblings proved themselves every time they "MMMbopped" onstage, convincing even jaded critics that they did, indeed, have chops - and a pop sensibility that was pretty darned irresistible.

Thirteen years later, Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson are now 29, 27 and 24, and all three are married fathers (with darker hair). They've also been through the major-label wringer, which they left behind to form 3CG Records in 2003. They're hardly the flavor of the moment anymore, but they still have chops -sharpened further by time - and an unerring sense of what makes a great pop hook. But perhaps most importantly, they've managed to maintain some cred instead of descending into unintentional self-parody, bad rock-star behavior or "where are they now and why should we care" irrelevance.

Need evidence? Just listen to "Thinking 'Bout Somethin'," the first single from their latest release, "Shout It Out." Or better yet, watch the YouTube video, in which they lovingly re-create a dance scene from "The Blues Brothers" movie, a send up of the beloved early-era soul music that provides the foundation for their sound.

Or listen to the danceable pop-funk of "Waiting For This" and "Give A Little," the soulful "Kiss Me When You Come Home" or the gospel-infused "Carry You There." Hooks abound, and lyrics, too. And according to Isaac, they're still attracting screaming fans, though perhaps not at the pitch that earned them the dubious distinction of having the loudest concert audiences in history (we're not sure if they officially beat the Beatles, but the claim has been made).

"The intensity level of the crowd is surprisingly fervent," said Hanson, speaking from Tulsa, Okla., where he lives not far from his brothers. "There's a lot of long-term devotion to the music that we make, for which we are profoundly honored."

The teeny-boppers who fell in love with Hanson 13 years ago apparently have grown up with them - but not outgrown them. Which is another testament to their staying power, even though they're not headlining arena shows these days. And frankly, they're fine with that. They like being able to go out in public without causing a scene.

"That's also part of why we stayed in Tulsa. We found a lot of peace and sanity here," Hanson said.

Though they have a recording studio there, they laid tracks for "Shout It Out" in El Paso, Texas.

"We didn't want to do it here in Oklahoma with all the distractions," Hanson said. "We had to separate ourselves physically."

They spent two weeks in Texas, then overdubbed vocals and horns - the latter arranged by Jerry Hey, whose credits include Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones. Hanson also invited Bob Babbitt, one of Motown's Funk Brothers, to contribute bass.

"When we made this record, it was a lot like making our earliest records. It felt really natural and free of all the mess," Hanson explained. "We'd gone through a lot of stuff when we were making, particularly, our third record ('Underneath'), which is what led us to go independent with that album, and then 'The Walk' had all these ties to humanitarian efforts.

"We just felt like it was time to say, 'You know what, we can do good in the world, we can encourage others to give of themselves to people who are in need, but we can also have fun in the process,' " he said. "With this record, we had had a lot of heavy experiences, and it was time to, shall we say, celebrate life as opposed to contemplate life."

One experience he's referencing is their split from Island Records, which had absorbed their contract after Mercury Records folded. They had no support and faced multiple rejections of material before deciding to leave (a saga documented in the film, "Strong Enough to Break").

Another was his bouts with potentially deadly pulmonary embolisms and surgery to remove a rib that was pinching his arteries against a tendon, causing clots in his arm that traveled to his lungs.

Of course, that scare caused some reassessments of priorities. The album did, too. Hanson said it brought them full circle, back to the early, pre-label days when it was "just the three of us in a room."

They produced it themselves, with just a couple of engineers on hand.

"I think it captures a spontaneity and it captures us at our most honest space in a lot of years," he said. "It's a very upbeat record.

"We try very hard to make songs that we feel are worth singing. Or remembering," Hanson said.

Anyone who's ever hummed "MMMBop" knows they've already accomplished that. "Shout It Out" just proves that even though they're all grown up, they can still write hooks with the youthful exuberance it takes to make them soar.

Additional information:

HANSON: 7:15 p.m. Sept. 28, Knitting Factory, 416 S. 9th St., Boise. $25. Ticketfly. Opening: A Rocket to the Moon.

Additional Tour Date Added!

HANSON is pleased to announce an additional tour date for the third leg of their Shout It Out Tour: November 18, 2010 in Montreal, Canada at Club Soda. For more ticket information, check out the Tour Section!

Hanson mention on the Office


Michael: "Do you think they should have open auditions for the band Hanson? What if no one named Hanson showed up? That wouldn't even make sense. Or what if they just hired the littlest kid and a fifty year old guy who was a murderer."

John Goodmanson: Mixing the New Hanson, No "MMMBop"

Sound Check

John Goodmanson is a Seattle-based record producer, recording engineer, and mixer. The list of bands he's worked with is holy: Blonde Redhead, Nada Surf, Death Cab for Cutie, Blood Brothers, Jaguar Love, Sleater-Kinney, Wu-Tang Clan, Gossip, and more. He stays busy for a reason—he's good, and so are his ears. He's a meticulous craftsman of sound. A sculptor of EQs, effects, tonal range, and panning. One thing he does is work with bands to derive their sound, starting by getting songs as live as possible. In the mix-down, he has a divine sense of the tracks, a feel for how sounds should sound, and an awareness of space in a song. Musicians want to work with him because of his experience and because of his working knowledge of gear, rooms, speakers, and soundboards. Goodmanson understands where a band is trying to go, and he's able to get them there. Recently, he mixed Hanson's fifth studio album, Shout It Out. It's been 13 years since "MMMBop." Things have changed.

How did it come about that you would mix Hanson's album?

Years ago, I comixed their ill-fated Island/Def Jam record. Once they got out of that deal, they started their own label, and we've been in touch on and off. I mixed a live concert DVD for them somewhere in there. I'm very flattered that they call me back.

What's it like working with Hanson?

They are awesome. There is no reason for them to be as well-adjusted as they are. They're smart and articulate and very self-aware. They also bleed radio pop songs. They're excellent musicians and sing harmony the way only siblings can.

What surprised you about them?

That there was nothing weird about them at all!

What was the most challenging part of working with them?

They were in Los Angeles and Tulsa while I was in Seattle mixing, so it started a little rough, with the mixes going back and forth over the internet. I think they haven't ever not been present at a mix before. Suddenly, it's the norm for me. It makes it slow to try ideas.

Was there a process? If so, what was it?

They would have a direction. Actually, they had mixed the record once already, and I'd mix and send it to them, and they'd call and have notes/ideas. It seemed like every time I thought I had them figured out, they would surprise me and want something really different. They pushed for things to be more raw and lively. They cut the record together in one room, so there was plenty of bleed and they wanted to retain that.

How has Hanson evolved as a band?

They have facial hair now. Having not been involved in the early stuff, it's hard for me to say.

Do you ever think the one main Hanson dude will go solo? Reinvent himself?

Like to be more urban, like Gwen Stefani or something? I don't know. It'd be like when that dude from New Kids on the Block put out his own record. I'm sure there have been plenty of opportunities for Taylor to go solo if he wanted. That's a very lonely position to be in, I think. There's safety in numbers. Plus, how are you going to fire your own brothers?

Were you ever like, "Oh my God, I'm working with Hanson. They did the 'MMMBop' song."

Nope.

Do they do drugs? Or drink? Are they married? What is their sexual orientation?

They are all married with kids. I assume they drink. When I first worked with them, they insisted on smoking stogies while they made records. The studio had to get them special from a fancy tobacco store.

What about the drugs?

Probably. They go to all the best parties. But I don't really know. Most people don't do anything, except weed, in the studio. Studio time is too expensive.

Are they sick of the "MMMBop" song?

I can only imagine.

What would you say to people who want to slap the youngest Hanson, the cute one? He's the drummer, correct?

Yeah, the drummer is the youngest. I wouldn't slap Zac, though. He's built like a linebacker and could probably kick the ass of a dozen of your average Pitchfork-eating hipsters.

How did the single "Thinking 'Bout Somethin'" come together?

That was one where I had the mix together and they wanted it way more chaotic and lively, and it totally works. They played the track together live, including solos, and there was quite a bit of drum bleed into the Wurli mics. They really wanted that sound. I didn't polish it up too much. The horns on that song are KILLER. They hired some of the guys who played on all their favorite 1960s and '70s records: Jerry Hey (Earth, Wind & Fire) did the horn arrangements with the EW&F horn section. Jerry is on tons of other records, as well—Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Joe Cocker to name a few. All Music has 14 pages on him. I met him once years ago at a cash machine on Santa Monica Boulevard. The song "Thinking 'Bout Somethin'" works really well. Hanson rule. They're a great band.

What else have you been up to lately? What's coming up?

The Globes EP is out. I hope they put out the full record soon. Recently, I've been working on an LP with Black Whales. Blunt Mechanic will be making a record this fall. A new Los Campesinos record will get finished at some point here. The second Skylarkin LP was released last month. And I mixed a track on the new Weezer that just came out. recommended

Setlist 09/23/2010 - Seattle, WA

1. Waiting For This Medley
2. Hey
3. Thinking of You
4. And I Waited
5. Speechles
6. Make It Out Alive
7. Carry You There

Acoustic
8. Penny & Me
9. Kiss Me When You Come Home
10. I Will Come To You

11. Been There Before
12. Thinking 'Bout Somethin'
13. Where's the Love
14. Madeline
15. Voice in the Chorus
16. You Never Know
17. Oh! Darlin'
18. MMMBop
19. Give A Little
20. Lost Without Each Other

Encore
21. If Only

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Setlist Portland, OR 09/22/2010

Waiting For This / Watch Over Me / Rock N Roll Razorblade / In The City
Make It Out Alive
Runaway Run
And I Waited
Speechless
Thinking of You
Carry You There

Acoustic
This Time around

Penny and Me
Me Myself and I

(out of order)
Thinking Bout Somethin
Where’s The Love
Can’t Stop
Madeline
Been There Before
Minute Without You
Give A Little
Voice In The Chorus
MMMBop
Something Going Round

Encore:
Crazy Beautiful
If Only / Let’s Get It On

Hanson giving local artist the stage

image

When Salt Lake City musician Cameron Rafati tells people he will be opening for Hanson at a Sept. 30 show, some chide him for being associated with the band that unleashed “MMMBop” onto an unsuspecting public.

But Rafati shows no fear about being on the same stage as Hanson. “They’re brilliant songwriters,” he said.

Rafati’s opinion is shared by many who first fell in love with the blond-haired trio of squeaky-clean brothers in 1997 and who have continued to watch the band develop into talented craftsmen of blue-eyed soul over the years. Hanson today is not the Hanson of 1997.

The Oklahoma boys — Isaac is 29, Taylor is 27 and Zac is 24 — experienced a wave of success 13 years ago that even Justin Bieber hasn’t seen, when the irresistible Dust Brothers-produced “MMMBop” was one of the biggest debut singles of all time, eventually becoming No. 1 in 27 countries. Nobody knew what the heck the pop-rock song was about, but like “My Sharona” and “Louie Louie” before it, the song’s lyrics were impossible to not sing (or at least make up words to):

In an mmm bop they’re gone.

In an mmm bop they’re not there.

In an mmm bop they’re gone.

In an mmm bop they’re not there.


Hanson performs, with Cameron Rafati opening.

When » Thursday, Sept. 30, at 8 p.m.

Where » The Depot, 400 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City

Tickets » $25 at SmithsTix

Until you lose your hair. But you don’t care.

The spotlight has dimmed for those searching for the next big thing, but over the years, the brothers have continued to write, record and tour. While each is under 30, they have been in the music business for more than a decade and a half, and have become a respected pop-rock band that has embraced styles of soul and R&B that were in vogue before they were born.

“We joke that we’re a ’70s rock band,” said Taylor in an interview. Shades of midcareer Billy Joel and Steve Winwood show up in the trio’s new album, “Shout It Out,” released in June.

“It’s a little more R&B, more organic than our last record,” Taylor said of “Shout It Out.” “It’s a pop, summertime, engaging record that invites people in. … The record has a feel to it, [with] the horns making an exclamation point. Sometimes, subtlety doesn’t get noticed.”

Ever since the boys — I mean, young men — established their own record label in 2003, the brothers have been interested in giving unsigned bands chances to show off their talent, which explains the contest that led to Rafati opening for Hanson at the band’s Salt Lake City tour stop.

Hanson and website OurStage.com held an opening-act competition for each of the 34 dates of the tour, designed to allow local up-and-coming artists the opportunity to perform onstage before Hanson. Each of the acts is also invited to be featured on a nightly live-streamed interview and acoustic performance with Hanson at each of the dates, to be broadcast at www.Hanson.net/alive. The competing artists were chosen by fan vote.

“With this record, the idea of art and expression and breaking the ice was the theme,” Taylor said about the contest. “We’ve seen thousands of bands submit [applications].”

Then he joked, “To a degree, you’re taking a risk, like maybe there isn’t a good band in this town.”

He was not referring to Rafati, a 28-year-old singer-songwriter who splits his time between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. The Cottonwood High graduate several years ago took a break from selling commercial real estate to follow his dream of writing and performing his own music.

For the contest, Rafati submitted an audio clip of his song “XOX” and a video for “1 in 10,” both of which can be heard and seen on his website (www.cameronrafati.com/). “XOX” shows off the promise of Rafati’s grand dance music with soul; he describes it as “cinematic and pop that you can dance to.”

He will be backed by a band of seven friends and is excited to make hundreds of people bop. Maybe not MMMBop, but bop nevertheless.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Rick Dees Interviews Hanson Live in Studio!


Hanson Performs "Thinking 'Bout Something" For PAPERTV



We've been lucky enough to have Hanson as a regular presence on PAPERMAG.COM the past few months via the photo diary blogs they've been keeping for us as they tour. But there's always room for more Hanson! The boys were recently in town to play our tour diary blogs Sounds Like Paper concert at Roseland Ballroom and were kind of enough to treat PAPERTV to an acoustic version of their sunny, unbelievably catchy single "Thinkin' Bout Something."

The 'Mmmbop' boys still rocking, releasing 5th album

By Amy Kaufman
Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES Whenever the band Hanson is introduced, there's always one word that's included in the primer, so let's get it out of the way: "Mmmbop."

"Hanson burst onto the scene about 13 years ago with their 1997 Grammy-nominated song 'Mmmbop,'" "Today Show" host Ann Curry said earlier this summer, before the band played a set on the morning program.

That the band - Hanson brothers Isaac, 29, Taylor, 27, and Zac, 24 - has never stopped playing music after "Mmmbop,' and in June released its fifth studio record, "Shout It Out," is something most aren't even aware of.

Perhaps more surprisingly, the brothers insist the repeated point of reference doesn't bother them.

"I guess you decide at some point in your career whether you're going to run from it or embrace it, and we've embraced it," Zac said recently. "So many people who know nothing about this band still know 'Mmmbop,' so it's like this incredible tool to open the door to so many people.

"That song was No. 1 in 27 countries at the same time. That doesn't happen almost ever."

Indeed, Hanson has yet to replicate the commercial success it had when its members were barely teenagers. In the '90s, the three boys from Tulsa, Okla., with long blond hair and high-pitched voices provoked a reaction not unlike the one teen star Justin Bieber incites these days.

Now, they seem to embody the antithesis of all things pop. They've shortened their golden locks. They dress like hipsters, sporting suspenders, fitted blazers and skinny ties. And they release their music via their own record label, 3CG.

Having their own imprint has allowed them the creative control to try new things. They recently purchased a device that enables them to live-stream a video feed from wherever they are so that they can stay in touch with their cult-like fan base. For the music video of their latest single, "Thinkin' 'Bout Somethin'," a choreographer created simple dance moves to post on their website, so fans could partake in Twitter-fueled dance flashmobs with the group.

Other things have changed for Hanson, as well. All three men are now married with children: Isaac has two kids, Taylor has four, and Zac has one and another on the way. Themselves a product of a big, religious family - they have four other siblings - the band members say they've been perplexed over criticism that they married too young. ("Married at 20 years old? I would have smacked you right in the head," Howard Stern chastised Zac during a 2007 interview with the band on his radio show.)

"I actually don't think that we're off the majority of this country's standards. I think it's mostly a coastal thing," Isaac said.

"I'm the one that throws everything off," said Taylor, laughing. "I've got four kids and got married at 19."

"But he has also beat the national divorce average," Isaac said.

"I can hear a little bit of married-ness in the record, actually," Taylor interjected.

Band members said the album harkens back to the music they listened to as kids - '50s and '60s rock 'n' roll, Motown and R&B, like Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin.

"We're Midwestern guys who grew up listening to soul music," Isaac said. "I've also realized on this record how similar our sound is to when we first started. Our songs all carry the same way. Well, with different keys. Taylor's no longer a soprano."

Staff Pick All Ages Hanson, A Rocket to the Moon

When: Wed., Sept. 22, 7 p.m.
Price: $30

MMMBOP! — Okay, you fair-weather Hanson fans! You may have grown up, but so have they, and Hanson is still producing some very soulful and hummable hits. It may not reach the heights of “MMMBop,” but their newest release Shout it Out exhibits the same R&B-flavored pop smarts you grew up with. Show up and show your love for Tay-Tay! WSH

Wonder Ballroom
Northeast 128 NE Russel
503-284-8686
wonderballroom.com

Setlist 9/21/10 - San Francisco, CA

1. Great Divide
2. You Never Know
3. Waiting For This Medley
4. And I Waited
5. Voice In The Chorus
6. Penny & Me
7. Thinking 'Bout Somethin'

8. MMMBop
9. Go
10. Change In My Life

11. Every Word I Say
12. Wish That I Was There
13. Madeline
14. Speechless
15. Can't Stop
16. Get Up & Go
17. Give A Little
18. Magic Carpet Ride

19. If Only
20. Dancin' In The Streets
21. This Time Around

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