X = InterviewerMI = IsaacMT = TaylorMZ = Zachary

TWEC.com Chat, May 9, 2000

SPEAKER_Hanson> Thanks for coming out to the chat and listening to us in Real Audio
SPEAKER_Hanson> We were just recently in Argentina. The last couple of days we were in NY. The album released today.
SPEAKER_Hanson> It's very exciting to finally have this record come out and the fans response. Thanks to the internet, our fans have responded well.
SPEAKER_Hanson> We were able to put clips up on the internet for fans to listen to.
SPEAKER_Hanson> We've gotten good response from the fans. This Time Around is the title track and we're going to release a second track called If Only sometime soon.
katey> What songs mean the most to you on this new album?
SPEAKER_Hanson> There have been a lot of responses to all kinds of songs on our album. Save Me has gotten a lot of response.
SPEAKER_Hanson> It's really interesting to see what everyone's favorite songs are.
SPEAKER_Hanson> When you write all of the material, all of the songs have a different meaning to them. One of the songs that stands out to me, in a purely intriguing level, is A Song To Sing which is a bonus track on the record.
SPEAKER_Hanson> It tells the essence of who we are. It strips away all of the band and production elements and strips it down to purely the song and the vocal performance.
lauren1257> What's the difference between how people reacted when mmmbop came out to when This Time Around came out?
SPEAKER_Hanson> Only people buying the CD will hear the song. And lots of people have been buying the CD.
SPEAKER_Hanson> T: the cool thing is that now there's a fan base. We've been all around the world and now there's people waiting to buy the record whereas before people didn't know who we are. People are excited for the release and that's a big difference this time.
rockstar> Your lyrics are really deep. Where did you come up with the ideas?
SPEAKER_Hanson> I: There are fans out there who have been into the band for the last 3 years and it's really cool to hear people say that they've been into us for the last 3 years.
SPEAKER_Hanson> Z: experience in living life. Just looking out of a window in your hotel. being at home... there's so many things that can inspire you.
Ladyhawke15> WHAT MADE YOU GUYS DECIDE ON CALLING THE ALBUM THIS TIME AROUND
SPEAKER_Hanson> Generally by the end of the song everyone has put in their two cents. There's tons of revisons while you're recording a song or hashing it out. In the end, everyone has a say in the song.
SPEAKER_Hanson> The name is from the first single. We felt like that song represented a lot of where we were going musically. It was different than what we had done before. Represented where we where going. It also comes down to liking the way something sounds and flows.
SPEAKER_Hanson> I: The title was kind of one of those things that we all thought about but then dimissed. It was too obvious.
sweetstock_bound> What's the next single after "If Only?" Is it "Save Me?"
SPEAKER_Hanson> T: in the end, we decided that's where the group was going.
SPEAKER_Hanson> We're excited about seeing more of everyone.
diehardHANFAN> Are you planning to put any non-album cuts (Bridges of Stone, nudge nudge) as B sides on future singles from the album?
SPEAKER_Hanson> That has been a conversation. Internationally, a couple of songs were put on the albums for different reasons. It's always great to have extra songs. We'll definitely keep all of the fans updated.
itz_tia> Any plans on releasing Can't Stop as a single? I love that song so much, and I think it'd be a great single - Tia
SPEAKER_Hanson> We can't say at this point. It's so up in the air. you have to judge it by how people respond to the existing single. right now we're focused on having the record out.
SPEAKER_Hanson> That has been a conversation. Internationally, a couple of songs were put on the albums for different reasons. It's always great to have extra songs. We'll definitely keep all of the fans updated.
marry me Zac> how do you guys decide who has what solo? do you ever fight over solos?
SPEAKER_Hanson> Z: it usually comes out naturally. It isn't something you think about. It isn't like 1, 2, 3, arm wrestle.
terryfio> How long does one song take to finish recording?
SPEAKER_Hanson> Before you know it, you just go with whatever feels right. Sometimes you go with whatever key it was written in. What it really comes down to is whoever wins the rock, paper, scissors. haha
SPEAKER_Hanson> It's definitely longer than an all day process. You don't really work on one song for however long. On this record, we started with keyboard and then vocal. Then we'd go on to another song. It's all about layering and adding on.
SPEAKER_Hanson> Often times, you start with the basic tracks like drums and tracks. Then you build from there.
SPEAKER_Hanson> I wouldn't say any of our songs are perfect. That's just the process we use.
SPEAKER_Hanson> For instance, the song In The City, that guitar track is the only guitar track on the song. It was the first we laid down and then we realized it was good enough and we said, "why would we redo that?"
MMMBOp> Will you guys sing "old" songs on this tour?
SPEAKER_Hanson> we're doing a US and a world wide tour. Tour dates will be announced soon. Our current plan is to start in July and then we will be all over the US and then to Kentucky.
SPEAKER_Hanson> I think it'll be a mixture of songs from both albums. Maybe some new songs that can't be found anywhere, covers, and just a wide variety. We do a good amount of covers that are just classic rock and roll tunes.
SwedishHansonFanClub> What do ya guys play when you´re jammin "private" besides your own music??
SPEAKER_Hanson> We did the Spencer Davis "Give Me Some Lovin'" song and "Money, That's What I Want." We throw in several covers because it's fun for us and we like to introduce them to people who may not know them.
SPEAKER_Hanson> Hopefully, a bunch of you guys out there have seen us play live. We toured in the summer of 98 and played for a lot of people.
SPEAKER_Hanson> Well, a lot of times it's songs we always used to jam on and have reemerged. The idea of jamming is that it doesn't really matter.
mutedserenity> do any of your songs have a "special, personal" meaning?
SPEAKER_Hanson> Speaking of jams, the first song on the new album, You Never Know was originally conceived during a sound check while on tour. Taylor was goofing around on the piano and came up with the initial piano melody for the song and we said, "Dude, that's really cool." And before you know it, it's the opening track for the new album.
chicken1218> when is it possible to find out the tour schedule?
wheresblu> How do you guys feel about touring this year, more excited since its the second time, or less excited since its not really a new experience?
SPEAKER_Hanson> We're about to put that up,...a few things changed last minute. We'll be doing radio shows all over the country as well.
luna> Do you have a name for the 2000 tour?
SPEAKER_Hanson> It's a lot of fun and an awesome experience. We're very excited about it. Now that we have this second record, there's just more material that people will know. Gives you more options to mix things up.
SPEAKER_Hanson> I will give a shout out to all of my friends out there. They're an incredible bunch of people and we couldn't ask for better fans.
SPEAKER_Hanson> We haven't translated it into english yet. So when it is translated, we'll have it on our webstie.
SPEAKER_Hanson> It's sort of like naming an album. you need something that flows. We don't have anything yet. Something that catches you and ties into the record.
CaraMariee> Are any of these songs written on the album a reference to trials or experiences that have happened to you?
Bethany14> Hey guys do you have any pets?
SPEAKER_Hanson> We do plan on branching into acting, we're doing some design.
SPEAKER_Hanson> Wouldn't it be nice if we had pets.
TaysbabyIke> why and when did you cut your hair?
SPEAKER_Hanson> We just have each other. Zac takes us out and walks us every day! just kidding!
SPEAKER_Hanson> I don't remember exactly when. I think it was the middle of the record.
Rachel says Moderator: can you give me ink to hear this in RA
SPEAKER_Hanson> I had been thinking of cutting it for a long time and the minute I chopped it off I said "yeah! that looks good!"
TerryfioTaylor> when did you learn how to play harmonica?
SPEAKER_Hanson> Officially I haven't learned to play. I just sort of wing it.
AshTayHow> do you guys feel when you are compared to groups like NSYNC
SPEAKER_Hanson> The musical style is the most important thing.
SPEAKER_Hanson> If you listen to our music and think we fit there, then fine, put us there.
SPEAKER_Hanson> We do have a very similar fan base.
taylor has my heart> I LUV U TAYLOR. How important is it to you to make music videos to express your songs?
SPEAKER_Hanson> We always try to make sure the video portrays the song.
taysbabyWhy> are 2 different singles being released in different places?
SPEAKER_Hanson> The video is definitely important to represent a lot of things.
SPEAKER_Hanson> The video for "Weird" is a good example.
SPEAKER_Hanson> Yes it is. We released "If Only" around the world and "This Time Around" in the US and Canada.
Princess> Are any of your younger siblings gonna join the band? Princesa....
SPEAKER_Hanson> We felt each song would be better received in their respected areas.
SPEAKER_Hanson> I don't think there is any place for them in the band at this point. Hanson will stay as it is now.
Nevebaby> How long will you be at Coconuts tomorrow
MODERATOR> Twec.com would like to thank Hanson for joining us tonight, is there anything you'd like to say to your fans online before you go?
SPEAKER_Hanson> We're going to be there for several hours signing autographs and we'll try to sign as many autographs as possible. We're also hosting TRL tomorrow afternoon.
SPEAKER_Hanson> Thanks for listening to the interview tonight. We hope you enjoy the new album and hope to see you tomorrow at Coconuts in NYC. We'll see you soon around the world.