Ahh, it seems like just yesterday the Hanson brothers (Isaac, Taylor and Zac) were discovered at SXSW. However, the boys have been busy over the last 10+ years, recording, touring, having kids, and doing philanthropic work with The Walk Tour. Of course, they’re also still really cute.
When I told some friends they did The LP Questionnaire and Pick Three I got beyond excited responses from gals (and guys, too, like Flatiron Management’s Jamie Sampson who saw them play at a US Open Tennis Event in ‘97) aged 24-37, which proves the power of the Hanson is still strong.
We’re pleased as punch that the brothers are headed down for this year’s fest. In addition to their show at Cedar Door on Saturday night, the lads are also performing as part of SXSW Live on Thursday evening at 8 pm. This show is free to the public, space permitting.
And without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, Isaac, Taylor and Zac answer some probing questions from yours truly…
The LP Questionnaire
Names: Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson
Pro Wrestling Names:
Isaac: Primal Hellfire
Taylor: Booty Peacemaker
Zac: Lord Mysterio
1. Pretend you’re 15 (and tell us what year it is, if you don’t mind). Name three songs you’d put on a mix tape for your girlfriend/boyfriend.
Isaac: 1995, Two Princes (Spin Doctors), She’s Got A Way (Billy Joel), Rip it Up (Little Richard)
Taylor: 1998, Flower (David Garza), Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes (Paul Simon), Since You’ve Been Gone (Aretha Franklin)
Zac: 2000, Yellow (Coldplay), Writing to Reach You (Travis), Best I Ever Had (Vertical Horizon)
Which evil villain would make the best president?
Isaac: The Brain (Pinky and the Brain)
Taylor: Dr Octopus (he can do eight things at a time)
Zac: Brack from Space Ghost Coast to Coast
3. What was your favorite cartoon as a child?
Isaac: Duck Tales
Taylor: Animaniacs
Zac: Tiny Toons
4. What superpower do you wish you had?
Isaac: The ability to morph into animals
Taylor: X-Ray Vision
Zac: Super Strength
5. What would the title of your autobiography be?
Isaac: Words Of Wisdom With A Foot In My Mouth
Taylor: It’s Been A Long Road
Zac: 1 Man 40,000 Gamer Points
Pick Three
Isaac: Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers. We’re looking forward to touring with these guys later this year, they’re really great musicians.
Taylor: David Garza: David is super talented musician with a very unique style. Anyone who does not know his music is missing out on something one of a kind.
Zac: Kaki King: I saw her last year at SXSW and she was really great. I’m looking forward to hearing more finger tapping instrumental guitar madness.
Thanks for spending some time with us here at the SXSW Music Blog. I know I’ve enjoyed it. It’s lunch time, so I bid you adieu for now. Email bunny rabbits to musicblog@sxsw.com. Check out more LP Questionnaires here. Bon apetit, lp
Shannon Parsells, a young puzzle guru who works for High Beam, our official partay planners (did I just say ‘partay’? You’ll have to excuse me), once hiked the Routebourn Trail in New Zealand, swam with dolphins, hung out with seals, sea lions and penguins and dove the Great Barrier Reef.
She enjoys sunny days with the windows down and the music up. She’s also fond of Wheel of Fortune.
SP + Pick Three =
Dr. Dog: A rockin’, electronic, harmonizing folk band on Park The Van Records. The first time I saw them was in the back of a parking lot. Needless to say, I parked my car, and my life has never been the same since. These guys are AMAZING!!
N*E*R*D: I’ve always been a fan of shakin’ my money maker, and with Pharrell and The Neptunes at the helm, I’m ready to get down. I’ve been dreaming of this day since I was an awkward adolescent in high school. Things haven’t changed very much.
People In Planes: Probably the highlight of my SXSW ‘06 experience. Really nice Brits who know how to rock. I ran out to buy their CD after the conference. It’s still in my car.
Merci beaucoup de la lecture. I’m listening to the Jesus & Mary Chain while I write. No, they’re not playing. It’s time to go home now. Ecrivez moi a musicblog@sxsw.com. Au revoir, lp
Bo Koster is more than just a master of the keyboard, more than just a poker player. Bo Koster also has a kickass tattoo that I’m secretly envious of.
Mr. K is making his first SXSW appearance as a member of My Morning Jacket (yes, it’s been that long since they were here). The boys will be in town to rock your little sockies off with all their greatness as they offer some glimpses into the upcoming Evil Urges.
Way back when, Bo did The LP Questionnaire, if you’re interested.
Please enjoy his finely crafted, just for you, Pick Three…
Nicole Atkins: She just came out with her first major label recording, and it’s a damn fine album. She has a very powerful and unique voice, and is a good songwriter. I’ve never seen her play live, but I’m really looking forward to it after sitting with the record for a while now. There’s a classical, whimsical, romantic feeling from a lot of the songs that I think has been lost in a lot of modern music. Her sound is classic without ripping anything in particular off.
Dr. Dog: I’ve seen these boys a few times, and let me tell you, they just keep getting better. Going to a show of theirs is like taking a happy pill. If you go, you won’t regret it.
Hanson: A friend of mine used to play bass with this Oklahoma City Trio. He swore by their musicianship and told me that they really know how to put it down. Every time I think of them, I think of that movie Slapshot starring Paul Newman (a classic). They should dress up as the Hanson brother from that movie, that would be sweet. But seriously, these kids have grown up, and have been taking their music very seriously their whole lives from what I understand. So, I’d be interested to see what kind of adults they’ve become and what kind of music they’re making. Don’t hate, or I’ll mmmmm bop you on your head.
Thanks, as ever, for dropping by. Love MMJ (I know I sure do!)? Read Two Tone Tommy’s Pick Three here. Email your artist renderings of Jim James to musicblog@sxsw.com. See ya real soon, lp.
...if you were waiting for the Showcase schedule and My SXSW Calendar to launch.
Sorry for the delay, Lovelies, but it takes a while to slot 1750 (number subject to change) bands.
Now that the schedule is squared away (it'll still change, so pay attention,) you can plan your attack on the SXSW Music Festival. You can also use the My SXSW Calendar link on the band/panel/film pages to keep yourself organized. It's a cleaner, easier than my current "system" of writing reminders on my arms/hands/jeans (it washes out most of the time.) You should try it. Click the link and it'll add the event to your calendar program of choice.
So get going and start planning! There's only 20 days left and you have a whole lot of MP3s to listen to.
Also, if you find My SXSW Calendar handy, you might want to check out SXSW Tools for all of the fun gadets, programs and social networking things we've got to offer.
In my quest to highlight all things grand and foreign (this time via Spain), I bring you the dreamy Ramiro Nieto from Jet Lag and The Right Ons. As a tennis fan obsessed with Rafael Nadal, it surprises me not that young Rams is just as charming and delightful as his fellow Spaniard.
He sent along this intro for you:
“Hi there! I’m Rams, from Spain. I’m performing at SXSW with Jet Lag and with The Right Ons. I’m a newcomer, so I’m absolutely petrified with the idea of performing at the biggest music festival I’ve ever heard. I’m pretty sure it’s gonna be one of the best music experiences I’ll have in my whole life, and will be remembered forever. Hope to see you at our shows in Brush Square (13th) and BD Riley’s (12th with Jet Lag and 13th with The Right Ons). Thanks!!”
And now, The LP Questionnaire…
Name: Rams (Ramiro Nieto)
Pro Wrestling Name: King Kingpin
1. Pretend you’re 15 (and tell us what year it is, if you don’t mind). Name three songs you’d put on a mix tape for your girlfriend/boyfriend.
Ok, so, it’s 1995, let’s say September the 10th…wow, it’s my birthday. My friend Alvaro have a present for me: it’s Green Day’s Dookie! Yeah…track 8, called “She.” That would be one.
Around that age I started playing guitar, with Beatles classics such as “Love Me Do", “Please, Please Me” and stuff. One of the first songs I’ve ever learnt to play (to girls) was Harrison’s “I Need You.” That’d be another.
I remember there was a TV commercial with an awesome music in it. It took me a month to find out it was Love’s “Alone Again Or”. Wow…that changed my life forever… That’s the third.
2. Which evil villain would make the best president? Not sure, but, Martin Muñiz (Jet Lag’s keyboard player) is pretty sure that Smack Down’s Great Khali would be a good choice…at least in Spain!
3. What was your favorite cartoon as a child? Of course, Fraggle Rock. That was a cool world, cool people, always singing…no worries! I loved that show…and still do!
4. What superpower do you wish you had? I’d like to be able to make people understand each other, so lots of conflicts won’t happen. Kind of hippie thing, i know.
5. What would the title of your autobiography be? I didn’t have the time yet to think about it…I still have a lot of things to live. Right now it’d be This is Just the Begin.
Pick Three
My Morning Jacket: I saw them a couple years ago in Spain, and they kicked ass. I love their album Z (one of my all time favourites) and I won’t miss the opportunity to see them again.
the s.i.g.i.t: This band from Indonesia is AMAZING! I only had heard some songs in their MySpace, and…wow. They’ll be playing at BD Riley’s on the 13th, with The Right Ons, so I’ll see them for sure.
Tokyo Sex Destruction: This is one of the best bands in Spain. Lots of attitude, high energy, and a crazy lead singer. I know these guys for a long time, and see them hundred times, and I’ll see them a hundred more if I can, because they’re something else.
Thank you for joining us here at the SXSW Music Blog. Please feed us to your RSS reader as we make quite a tasty snack! My fascination with all things across the ocean ends on Friday when The LP Questionnaire goes All-American with… HANSON! Yes, friends, it’s true. I have Taylor, I have Zac, I even have Isaac! It’s all happening! More Pick Three fun tomorrow with Bo Koster from My Morning Jacket and the SXSW staff. Email pictures of the Silver Surfer to musicblog@sxsw.com. I heart Norin Radd, lp
Jamie Miller loves Billy Zoom (Happy Birthday, Billy!), and apparently Molly Ringwald loved Jamie Miller (if this picture from 1983 is any evidence).
Mrs. Miller is also fond of travel, 20th century modern design and political satire. Conversely, she does not appreciate obnoxious travelers, southwestern design (really? no coyotes for you, Jamie? I heart coyotes! Especially when they’re howling at the moon!) and conservative news programming.
Here’s her Pick Three…
X: They’re in my Top 5 All-Time Favorite Bands, and Billy Zoom gives the best hugs.
Anyone/Everyone from Brazil: Everything sounds better in Portuguese…
Katchafire: … but my Pakeha heart belongs to Reggae Aotearoa.
Muito obrigado for dropping in. Come back soon, ya hear! As always, the magical email address is musicblog@sxsw.com. I will write back, but I might not say anything interesting. Ate logo, lp
I get the feeling it’s impossible not to be enchanted by White Shoes and the Couples Company. They look positively adorable and the music is guaranteed to take you out of a bad day and paste a sweet smile on your face. The group, which hails from Jakarta, Indonesia, made it on to both Rolling Stone’s 25 Best Bands on MySpace and Paste’s 4 To Watch. It’s my bet their SXSW showcase will be one to remember.
I was lucky enough to get the lovely and fabulous Miss Sari (vocals and finger snaps) to answer The LP Questionnaire and Pick Three.
Head to your happy place and enjoy…
Name: Sari
Pro Wrestling Name: Gold Justice
Pretend you’re 15 (and tell us what year it is, if you don’t mind). Name three songs you’d put on a mix tape for your girlfriend/boyfriend.
It was 1996 when I’m 15, the three songs are:
“Without Him” – Astrud Gilberto
“I’m Gonna Love You Too” - Blondie
“Carnival” – The Cardigans
Which evil villain would make the best president? Homer Simpson…?
What was your favorite cartoon as a child? I still really love the classic Tom & Jerry.
What superpower do you wish you had? I wish I could stop the time and be a time traveler like Hiro Nakamura.
What would the title of your autobiography be? I don’t know… maybe the title is going to be UrbanTropical because I live in tropical country.. but I’m not sure that’s going to be the title… ha!
Pick Three
The Raveonettes: I took a glance on their album cover few years ago and I thought, wow they can surely define the word “cool.” I guess it’s a must to see their live performance in SXSW and absorb their “coolness.”
Jens Lekman: I’m looking forward to see Jens Lekman performance, he made beautiful songs, I saw it once in YouTube, and I think it was fantastic, really wish I can catch his live performance.
the s.i.g.i.t: One of the many performance in SXSW that I’m intend to see is The S.I.G.I.T because there’s nothing more thrilling than watching your friends from back home performing live at SXSW and experience the history in person!
Thanks, as ever, for reading. Please email panda bears to musicblog@sxsw.com. Check back frequently for fun type things or subscribe via rss. Sampai jumpa, lp
Ellen Alger, our resident phone hag (and production mistress), is in her fifth year at SXSW and just “loves it to pieces.” An agile rock climber ("bouldering to be more specific") and knitter, Ellen also enjoys Entomology, woodworking and long walks on the beach.
As evidenced by her rather interesting photo, she also does the best Halloween costumes ever.
Ms. Alger took time out from her busy schedule of eating babies to do the Pick Three. I’m so grateful because apparently I totally love her.
Please enjoy…
Bowerbirds: I saw the Bowerbirds as an opening band for someone else and I didn’t know anything about them. They blew me away and quickly became my new favorite. A quaint 3-some who write beautifully dynamic, heart-wrenching songs, swap instruments, and in spite of their low-key music put on an energized, grin-inducing show.
Lick Lick: No matter how many times I see these guys they always make me laugh out loud and dance my butt off. Lick Lick is a little punk, with touches of metal, a hint of old-school ska, and a lot of effin’ rock and roll. Just you try not to bang your head.
Pterodactyl: I get to see these guys once a year, if I’m lucky, and they always rock my pants off!
Dear reader, you’re a peach for stopping by. Catch up with more Pick Three good times here, and we’ll be back real soon! Email cute pictures of kittens to musicblog@sxsw.com. Ciao, lp
