The Hanson Entry

This is becoming a habit for me. Creating new blogs every now and then, writing a few posts and then moving on to make another one. It’s fun. But I like wordpress. I might just stay on here.

Forgive me, but my inaugural post will have something to do with Hanson. It’s not that I’m obsessed, I’m just a devoted fan. And I just have nothing better to write about now

Along with becoming delicious looking, especially Zac, Hanson have also become delicious sounding. I know. Hard to believe. They have a new album, The Walk. 3 years in the making, recorded in their own home studio, self-written, self-produced (along with Danny Kortchmar). In my opinion, this is their best album to date, with This Time Around coming a close second. It’s just so wholesome and refreshing and exciting, it makes you listen till the last note on the album. I don’t think that has anything to do with the fact that I love pretty much whatever they do, but even I was pleasantly surprised when I heard the album. It’s so brilliant (IMO) that it breaks my heart that Hanson are so low-key with its promotion.

They’re an Indie band now. They have their own label, 3CG Records. Which means, no big label paying for the radio and promotion and tv and all. Which means, they do everything with their own money. Which means, its up to them to convince people to listen to them, getting over their mindblock of them being a teeny band (which they never were). They’ve decided they won’t go to the radio. Inspite of that, a Chicago radio station played their song, Great Divide, didn’t tell people who it was, and it was the most requested song of that week. If only the radio would play them. But Hanson, ofcourse, doesn’t believe in the corrupt system of the radio. So no radio. Then there’s no single on TV. MTV, Vh1 have nothing to play except the shitty video for Go, made for the international market, which also it doesn’t play. No TV and Radio means that most people are not even aware that there is something new with Hanson.

So how does Hanson really go about this?

They have a committed fanbase. A super strong internet community which they’ve managed to keep intact for the past 10 years. Basically, Hanson rely on the internet now. They’ve realised radio sucks, Tv sucks, Internet is the way. Personalised videos for the fanclub members. Podcasts being the new in-thing. Hanson get right into it. They show their documentary, Strong Enough To Break (about the whole struggle of starting their own label and making their pevious album Underneath), episode wise FOR FREE on iTunes and YouTube! Oh, what drama! More than a Hanson docmentary, it shows the condition of the present music industry and how money oriented it is instead of being artist-oriented. Then, the brilliant band that they are, document the making of The Walk and post weekly episodes of that too!!

Now for every fan, it’s the most ultimate thing to be able to watch your favourite band record your favourite songs. The whole process that went behind making the album. I think this is one of the best things Hanson have done in their career. There was a gap between album, what better way to pacify anxious fans. This is probably why it so much fun to be a Hanson fan. They always have so much to offer. The right things at the right times. Weekly drama about the recording of all these great songs… Been There Before, Georgia, Great Divide, and other unreleased songs. Shows their potential as songwriters, as musicians, as bandmates. It really doesn’t get better.

Then Hanson go about releasing their ‘first’ single, Great Divide online. All the money earned from that goes straight to Africa. Oh yes! Somewhere during the making of The Walk, Hanson went to Africa and become all involved in “the fight against AIDS”. I think it’s nice. It’s a little cliched, but that’s alright! They went and recorded 3 songs with these kids from Africa, and since I love children choirs, I love the songs. Great Divide. Been There Before. Blue Sky. Hands down the three best songs of the album, after Georgia, ofcourse

So what is my cool band upto now? They’re on tour. Yeah, people still come to their shows. As I said, committed fanbase. What they’ve done is tied up with this company that makes shoes, TOMS. And for every pair of shoes they sell, the donate a pair in Africa. So Hanson sell shoes at their concerts. Before that, they go a Walk with their fans, barefoot. I think thats a really nice. They walk for a mile, get fans excited, make them buy shoes, spread the word about AIDS. It works out fine. Infact, again I think it’s a great idea. Imagine walking side by side with you favourite band, for a cause. Works fine.

Their marketing strategy is cool. Focus on those who care and the rest just happens. Be where it matters. Be where people who matter are. The right shows, the right papers. I’m not too sure about their region-wise release. The Walk was released in Japan in Feb, UK in April, and US in July. It’s yet to release in the rest of the world, but I think most fans have alreayd bought the album, or downloaded it off the net. I have done neither, btw. I’ve just heard it online on their website (http://www.hanson.net) But I don’t think Hanson is that bothered with sales. Hmm, we’ll see.

I like where the band is now. They aren’t like big stars and all. Big enough for Isaac’s blood clot news to be on the front page of every major news site :p They’ve made a great album. They have their own label. They’re doing all this AIDS things. Oh yeah, and then they all have their super-hot wives and ultra-cute babies too. I’m scared that they’ll take a break from Hanson after this. Pursue other stuff. But till then…

10 years and lovin’ it!