CMT Blog: Hanson

Of all the bands I saw at South by Southwest last month, I have to say that Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers put on the most energetic show. I already liked their album before I got to Austin, so I figured I’d go and give them a good write-up - only to find the bar so crowded up front that I could barely get in. Here’s a video that they just put out too, called “Sweetest Goodbye.”

I caught up with the band the next day at Whole Foods for an afternoon interview. Asked how the band has built up its loyal following, Kellogg cited some great opening slots for bands like O.A.R., as well as a lot of festivals. They’re currently on the road with the all-grown-up pop band, Hanson, and their album, Glassjaw Boxer, surfaced on a best-of-the-year Top 5 list in USA Today in 2007. Cool points for bringing in Caitlin Cary on harmony.

The band’s goals for 2008 are very specific — to make their career album, and to get involved with performing for the troops overseas. Incidentally, band member Kyle Riabko (who also has a fine solo album) has recently departed to join the cast of Spring Awakening on Broadway, but the Sixers are nonetheless forging ahead.

“For years and years, we were always trying to get support slots, trying to get your chance to go out because that’s a huge thing,” Kellogg says. “You go out and play to 10,000 people, and if you draw 5 percent of that crowd, your next time in the market is 500 people,” he says. “The good thing is, I think it’s made us get clear on the type of music we’re playing and it’s helped us to really build a loyal batch of people.”