Brandi Carlile and the Hanseroth Twins on Joni Mitchell at the Bowl and the rock stardom that wasn’t
As I delve into this fascinating conversation between Phil, Tim, and Carlile, I can’t help but be captivated by their unique bond and shared journey. Their story is a testament to the power of friendship, creativity, and the pursuit of dreams.
Brandi Carlile has a unique preference for certain vocal tones – “extremely selective,” she admits, “unusual, and particular” – which might explain why she’s consistently worked with similar voices for over two decades.
From the year 2000 onwards, Brandi Carlile – the singer-songwriter hailing from Washington state – has been a part of the three-member group known as Brandi Carlile, which includes Tim and Phil Hanseroth, identical twins who handle guitar and bass duties, respectively, and lend their harmonious vocals to complement Carlile’s powerful performances.
In a recent conversation, Carlile describes Phil as sharp, rough, and eccentric, while she refers to Tim as calm, low-key, and somewhat unpredictable. She further compares Phil’s voice to Cat Stevens and Tim’s to Chris Cornell, stating that their combined voices create an entirely unique sound, much like twins.
Tim smiles and says, “That’s something that makes us both feel like we’ve received a superior compliment.
Currently, following the release of seven studio albums from Carlile’s studio, and receiving ten Grammy nominations, including several for both album and song of the year, these talented siblings are embarking on their independent musical journey with their debut LP titled “Vera”, credited to the Hanseroth Twins.
Essentially, Carlile played an executive role in producing the album that harmoniously blends delicate ballads with grand folk-rock tunes. This year, she’s had the Hanseroth brothers as her opening acts on tour. Notably, they also lend their backing vocals to the powerful “I’ll Always Know I Do.” However, “Vera” provides a special platform highlighting the profound musical bond shared by the Hanseroth siblings.
On a sun-kissed afternoon, I found myself nestled at the Sunset Marquis, joined by Carlile and the twins, delving into our latest album and the intricate tapestry of our shared professional journey – all in eager excitement for the upcoming concerts with Joni Mitchell at the Hollywood Bowl on October 19th and 20th.
A while back, Tim mentioned to me that Brandi has a switch she flips when she’s on stage to unleash her inner diva. Brandi, how do the twins behave around an audience compared to off-stage?
Tim Hanseroth: We don’t say a lot onstage with Brandi.
Carlile: You don’t say anything!
× Have you ever wondered what lessons Brandi has imparted on performance over the years? Well, let me tell you, she’s taught me practically everything! Her ability to captivate audiences with her eloquence is truly remarkable.
Carlile recalled that they observed her as she figured out how to perform that task. She recollected performing opening acts for Howie Day and Ray LaMontagne in the initial stages of her career, and at the end of each night, she would get into the van and say, “Fellows, I’m not making it — I need to learn how to speak between the songs.” Later, they went on tour with Shawn Colvin, who often talks during her performances, and Carlile began learning about comedic timing.
As a dedicated film enthusiast, I recall my initial encounter with the twins was when they were jamming together in their legendary Seattle band, the Fighting Machinists – a group everyone seemed to be talking about.
Was their twinhood one of the factors that made them so captivating?
Phil Hanseroth: I wish I’d known that back then.
They didn’t seem like everyone else; instead, they shimmered – as if they left a trail of stardust wherever they moved.
Why didn’t the Fighting Machinists outside Seattle find success?
Tim: We were an excellent group, but we had a tendency to be loud without saying much. With our two massive Marshall amplifiers and that heavy grunge sound, we made quite an impression. However, there wasn’t a lot of emotional depth in our music.
It’s unclear if living at the Candlebox drummer’s house posed any challenges for them as a band.
Tim: I believe we haven’t truly lived experiences that are deep enough yet to compose a song that could resonate emotionally with others.
At that point, it was nearly over for the ’90s grunge music boom in Seattle. The record companies in downtown Seattle were already sealing off their windows as things shifted. Unfortunately, the twins arrived too late to be a part of it. It’s fortunate, indeed.
Were you two around 25 when the band disbanded? At that age, did it seem like the right time in the music industry to forge a new direction?
Carlile: Initially, they parted ways a tad, with Phil linking up with a punk group from Philadelphia called The New Black. Meanwhile, Tim and I were finding common ground musically. However, throughout this period, I kept thinking, “We need to bring your brother into the mix.” Phil hesitated, saying, “I’m not sure…
Phil: One evening, you contacted me while you were performing as an opening act for Vienna Teng. I responded, “Man, I was actually kissing a girl in the middle of Portland’s street at that time.
Alternate Phrase: It was unusual, yet fitting, when our band’s bassist joined the two acoustic guitarists – this is essentially the foundation of our current sound. His basslines turned out to be exceptionally melodious, distinctive, and somewhat peculiar.
Originally, “Vera” started as a pastime during COVID times and was set aside. However, when we opted for reduced touring, we saw this as an ideal moment to resume it. Additionally, it offers us a chance to acquire new skills that can be beneficial for the Brandi Carlile band.
In times of genuine development, it’s been when we dared to take a risk that potentially altered our group dynamic.
Carlile: [Producer] Dave Cobb collaborating with us on “The Joke”. That was the first time anyone else has ever joined our arrangement, and I don’t think anyone knew how to accommodate that at the time. We’ve always been difficult for drummers to work with. We’ve pushed away wives and family members [laughs]: “I’m not hanging out with Brandi and those annoying twins. Those guys don’t let anyone into their secrets. They don’t let anyone into their songs.” But we can change our structure when needed. We can do these things and then quickly return to our original formation.
Tim: It was similar to discovering another book in a set of encyclopedias. We had enjoyed artists like Gordon Lightfoot and some folk music. However, Johnny Cash was just a name I’d heard before meeting Brandi. I hadn’t listened to that kind of music while growing up – not at all. In fact, I barely remember hearing any country songs other than “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.
Carlile: They would also say s— like, “We don’t listen to women’s music.” They weren’t being misogynist — they just hadn’t heard much. I was like, “This is gonna be a great van ride, then, because we’re gonna go through the entire Lilith Fair lineup for the last three years.”
Phil: Emmylou Harris I remember hearing for the first time in 2005 or something.
Carlile: I played Indigo Girls for them: “Listen to the harmonies, guys — it’s like Simon and Garfunkel, but they’re lesbians.”
× Vera’s rendition of “A Little Respect” by Erasure is quite enchanting, a song that was a popular synth-pop hit in the late ’80s. In my opinion, Erasure didn’t garner as much popularity in America as they deserved. Could it be because their music was visionary and perhaps too avant-garde for the American audience at the time?
As a movie-goer reflecting on the past: Ahead of their curve in countless aspects – spiritually, musically, technologically. Back when I had limited exposure to pop culture, I was oblivious to the significance of [singer] Andy Bell, thinking he wasn’t as influential as Freddie Mercury. However, they were far more flamboyant than Queen.
Was the camp factor perhaps something you had in mind when you first encountered Erasure? (Phil)
Carlile: Well, Phil’s kind of camp.
Tim: He’s wearing a mesh shirt.
Phil: I’ve never been kicked out of a place for being too masculine, I’ll tell you that.
Carlile: Remember we used to tease you about having your legs crossed all the time?
Phil: In fact, you used to call me Bitch Lips.
He was never without his ChapStick and he constantly cared for his lips. While we were taking pictures for fans, he’d often say, “Just a moment, just a moment…
The three of you live with your families in separate houses on what you call a compound near Seattle. Clearly, you believe in its benefits. What’s a drawback?
Carlile: That no one can move.
Phil: If one person moves, the whole thing crumbles [laughs].
Alternate Phrase: The major issue I can see is that the mountain we admire is being deforested currently. At the moment, it seems like a small hill, but it will regrow and become green again someday.
Do you think, looking back, that you’d end up living this way as a child?
Tim: To be honest, yes, if things turned out ideally. I believe this kind of lifestyle is how people were intended to live – more interconnected and communal. Humans have coexisted in such ways for over 200,000 years or so.
Carlile: I might seem a bit odd, being a woman in her 40s, discussing that everyone I cherish is close to me. However, I’m not so peculiar as to alter this situation. It’s our proximity that motivates me to strive more for us to navigate the world as separate entities. I’m working on another book. They’ve released an album. Tim nearly auditioned for The Smashing Pumpkins.
They have a superior guitar player compared to what I could offer; I doubt I would have managed to stay for long either way.)
Carlile: He didn’t end up trying out because they were looking for somebody for more than a tour.
Tim: Big commitment.
Carlile: Let me share a bit about my experience with Joni Mitchell at the Bowl. For the past five to six years, I’ve been her passenger, but in this instance, I find myself in the back seat. She’s taken up learning songs that were unfamiliar to us all, making it a demanding yet exciting journey for everyone involved. This concert promises to be lengthy as Joni aims to offer a comprehensive portrayal of who she truly is and the impact her career has had. It won’t be like her shows at the Newport Folk Festival or the Gorge Amphitheatre – it’s going to be something even more exhilarating. I’ve never seen Joni so inspired before, and we have some remarkable individuals joining us that are truly a joy to watch work.
Phil: It’s likely that about half of the tracks on our upcoming album will feature unusual tunings, thanks to collaborating with her.
Carlile is stating that Phil, the bassist, must perform Jaco Pastorius’ complex basslines on songs where Jaco played three parts simultaneously. This means that he needs to execute all the intricate licks while also ensuring he doesn’t upset Joni Mitchell in the process.
Phil: You can’t get anything by her.
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2024-10-07 21:32