Taylor Hanson Talks ‘Anthem’ & 20 Years Of Hanson: The Idolator Interview

emilytan | June 14, 2013 9:07 am

What was the most memorable song to work on?

The record definitely has some moments that are unique to this album. And like I mentioned before, the opening track, “Fired Up,” then there’s “You Can’t Stop Us Now,” which is another very riff-driven, singalong, kind of you and the crowd singing along. Those songs were essential in getting the album off the ground because we weren’t ready to capture this intensity in a way that felt authentic. When we walked away from those tracks, I felt we’ve definitely done something we have not done on any other album, and that’s always a good feeling.

You collaborated with Fitz and the Tantrums on the song “Get the Girl Back.” What was that experience like?

We connected with them when we were on the road for the last album. We heard their record, and we both had mutual respect and admiration for what each other’s music. And how it started was like, “Hey! We’re fans of you guys,” and they felt the same way. So once we met, we tried to figure out what we could do together. We had to go back to a song called, “I’ve Got Soul,” and there is a verse that Fitz sings. And we felt those two songs made sense musically. They were able to develop this neo-soul punk thing that’s something that we love as well. And with the single, “Get the Girl Back,” we love the idea of mixing their sound and put it into that record.

“Get the Girl Back” was also chosen as a first single in large part because it really captures something that’s very much our band, which is just this love for classic soul music and pop music. It’s extremely organic, but we try to push it down and have a modern energy. And adding Fitz to it sent it over the edge and was an opportunity we’ve wanted. So it was fun.

With all the tours you’re planning to do for this album, how do you prep for something like this? Since it’s the summer, is the family coming along as well?

Our family is always close by. Family isn’t necessarily on every plane ride, but they will be with us here and there. Then when there are international shows, it’s fun to have the kids see the world and broaden their horizons. But we’re very much focused on rehearsal and plotting the tour.

Being on the road so much, what is in your survival kit?

Well, there’s the real true survival like having your laptop and your communication devices. I’ve had iPads and broken them along the way. At one point, that was an essential tool. For me, a camera. I’m really into capturing photos on the road. That’s one of the quick ways to share stories with the fans so several different cameras. A good book if you have a little bit of time. And of course, in my case, you got to have two brothers so the bus is always packed.

Since you mentioned the photography, you keep up your own Instagram account. Are you big on social media? What are your favorites?

Instagram is the form I find the easiest because it’s surrounded by content. We use Twitter and connect with people as much as we can, but I think there are other people use it more effectively than we do. But I have to say for me, Instagram is my preferred form of social interaction because it always starts with an image you can share and is about sharing content. But as a band, we use all of them. One tool we’re really excited about is our mobile app. It’s a straightforward mobile app. The features on that will increase as the tour goes on, and the fans can talk to each other and network that’s more streamlined. So I think those things that can actually enhance your experience as a fan, those are the things I find more interesting in social media.

Who are you listening to right now?

A lot of the bands we admire and are friends with. The new Fitz [and the Tantrums] record is great. And actually Paul McDonald, who’s in the [“Get the Girl Back”] music video and is married to Nikki Reed, their EP is fantastic. I really like it. I’m really digging the new Daft Punk. There are so many great records, but we’ve been so deep into finishing our stuff that we haven’t heard as much.

You and Isaac are in your early 30s, and Zac is in his late 20s. What would you say to your teen selves about getting into the music business?

Wear less polyester, and invest in a Starbucks. Buy Apple stock, a lot of it early. I think a lot of lessons we’ve learned and a lot of the hard decisions were made when we were younger. We didn’t have any huge pitfalls besides the decline of the general industry-ness the music business is. But I would tell them to stick to our guns and our passion and encourage the decisions that we were trying to make and feel the process. If you’re in the right direction, don’t doubt it. Just head on down the road and look toward brighter days ahead.

What are your favorite memories of Hanson from the last 20 years? Tell us below, or by hitting us up on Facebook and Twitter!

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