MANILA, Philippines – After almost 20 years of making music together, Hanson—composed of brothers Zac, Taylor and Isaac Hanson—still think that there are more facets to the music industry that they can best discover and experience as a group.
“I think we still have a lot to do as a band,” said Taylor during the press conference for the “Hanson Shout It Out Tour” on March 29 at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City.
Prior to breaking into the mainstream scene in their teenage years, the brothers have already been creating music together, which is why, according to Taylor, they are “not focused” on pursuing independent careers—for now.
“It’s hard to find a pair of people that you can make music with as fluently and share the same kind of aspirations,” the 29-year-old pointed out.
He, however, admitted that they’ve “never closed that [solo career] door” because they “can’t imagine the rest of our career that there will be other projects and things [for us to do together].”
Music and passion
Having had to compete with a boatload of boy bands during their time and with the ones emerging of late, the Hansons were asked how they wanted to be remembered by their millions of supporters.
“Probably we wanna be known for writing songs that last,” Taylor quickly replied.
Describing themselves as “music nerds,” he explained, “You know, writing music that stands the test of time. You know, the music that still holds up down the line.”
To this date, the band has released eight commercial albums, with 2010’s “Shout It Out” being their latest. Prior to releasing “Middle of Nowhere” in 1997 under a major label, they were already able to release two independent album—“Boomerang” in 1995 and “Mmmbop” in 1996. The single “Mmmbop,” which was originally included in the album of the same title, was re-released with “Middle of Nowhere” and became the young band’s ticket to fame.
Apart from their timeless songs, Taylor also highlighted that their group’s zeal is also something that they hope young musicians could look up to.
“I think, there’s a lot of things that we do, whether it’s activism or it’s about our band and what we’re passionate about… That kind of career is a part of our story now because it really comes from the point of view of our passion for the whole industry, the whole idea of great art and great music.”
As for activism, Taylor was pertaining to their charity campaign called Take the Walk, which raises money and awareness for several charities that help impoverished areas in Africa. Supporters of this campaign can apparently choose which of the charities involved —whether it’s the one providing new shoes to poor families, helping with clean water access, building up educational resources, supporting AIDS treatment and prevention, or providing general health care access—would receive their $1 donation.
The ideas for the walk grew out of Hanson’s 2007 album “The Walk.”
Hanson’s two-day “Shout It Out” concert is happening on March 30 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum and on March 31 at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu.