Baeble Music

Last week, Baeble caught up with 1/3 of the pop rock wonders, Hanson, to discuss the newest developments in their fifth studio album Shout It Out, learn about their experiences creating their own independent label, and discover the benefits and challenges of their time in the music business. Hanson have always held a unique position in the music industry, balancing a continuum of decades, success, and independence within their optimistic direction. They grew up in the 80s and 90s worshiping a mo-town mix of 50s and 60s grooves. Then in 1997, they emerged with an effervescent energy to solidify the post-grunge era with enough time to catch a breath and rule a summer before the age of mechanized pop swept the airwaves. For the next three years, they embraced their success and continued working together to create the music that had always been coursing through their veins. After this time, the band’s relationship with their record label became strained, resulting in the creation of their own independent label. Though only ranging from ages 25-30 years old, these brothers have acquired enough knowledge, experience, and longevity to disprove fifteen years of questioning critics. Though often mislabeled as a gimmick in their early years, Hanson have worked tirelessly to produce unaffected records of soulful rock, jazzy pop, and singer/songwriter acoustic ballads that reveal such an undeniably genuine drive, no one is doubting them now.

After their label, Mercury, merged with Island Def Jam, the band found themselves caught in the middle of yet another shift in the music industry. While recording their third album Underneath, the band hurdled through the issues to follow, and captured this experience in their documentary on the matter, entitled Strong Enough To Break. They spent years attempting to work with their label while maintaining artistic integrity, but could feel their efforts slipping between the cracks. Determined not to let themselves become victims of a misguided process, they left Island Def Jam and began their own independent label: 3CG Records.

Isaac Hanson, the band’s chief guitar player, tells us “it’s very important to say that, artistically, [Hanson] never compromised”. “We have always been who we are, no matter what the circumstances. That was why we started our own record company, because we were not going to be put in a position where we felt as though we were compromising ourselves”. And although Isaac is sure to point out that they have benefited from trusting their gut, he admits that “it’s very, very important to not get lost in the idealism of art. The idealism of art is that you do whatever you want, whenever you want, however you feel emotionally. And on some level or another, you’re just free to express yourself in whatever way you see fit. The irony of that, is that that’s never going to be the case.” As Isaac put it, “with now fifteen years of experience and judgment to go along with that gut feeling”, Hanson have understood that, along with making the music they can’t seem to stop themselves from creating, they have also learned the value of the audience’s response.
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