Hanson moves from Mmmbopping to "Taking the Walk"
By Stefanie Helbich
Lance Writer
November 28, 2007
 In 1997 everyone was “Mmmbopping” all around the schools, but the boys of Hanson have come a long way from singing sugary pop songs like “Mmmbop” and “Where’s the Love.” Now, perhaps some of you are saying to yourselves, “Wait, I didn’t know that Hanson was still around!” Alas, they are and still going strong. The Hanson brothers, Isaac, Taylor, and Zac, left major-label Island Def Jam over creativity differences in 2003, and started their own record company, 3CG Records. They have since released three albums independently, their most recent album being The Walk.
The album is filled with inspirational and moving songs, dealing with issues of religion, personal strength, support, and hope. The album also champions an important cause–childhood AIDS in Africa.
Their first single The Great Divide is an anthem for this cause. It was written and partially recorded in Africa while Isaac, Taylor, and Zac were there with friends who were donating medical treatment and technology at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, South Africa. While it has some of the harmonized melodies of their early days, the song is pure rock-and-roll and features a South African children’s choir.
These themes have been echoed by their charity partner, TOMS Shoes. The concept is simple–for every pair of shoes that they sell, TOMS will donate a second pair to a child in need in Africa. They raised awareness for their cause by hosting a one mile walk in each city on their tour about four hours before their concert. Their goal was 50,000 shoes and they met it recently in October.
TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie and Hanson are currently in Africa until November 26 where they are personally delivering all 50,000 pairs of shoes to children in schools across the continent.
On their current tour, Hanson is helping to raise awareness by hosting their own walks. Before each concert Isaac, Taylor and Zac are guiding fans on a one-mile walk around the city in bare feet to help the public understand what it is like to be without shoes. With thousands of fans in support of the cause, the boys are beginning to turn some heads. They have documented their process for this cause on video podcasts entitled Taking The Walk, available for free download on iTunes.
Hanson comes to London to play on December 6 at Cowboy’s Ranch, and while this is a drive for Windsorites, it will be worth it to support the cause. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.ca or from Speed City Records in London.
|
