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Q&A // TOM HIGGENSON OF PLAIN WHITE T'S
> Because we have questions. Celebrities have answers.
Plain White T's frontman Tom Higgenson has been creating music with his Chicago-based band since his high school days in the late '90s. After several independent releases over the decade, the band saw international success from hits like the twice-Grammy-nominated "Hey There Delilah" and "1-2-3-4."
Higgenson says that today the band's accomplishments and maturity have influenced their new work. Inspired by a Cirque du Soleil show, Higgenson and the rest of the group sought to capture the same sense of youth and wonder with their most recent album, Wonders of the Younger. In creating the record, released last December, Higgenson says the band raised the bar. The group wrote prolifically and spent more time than usual in the studio.
Now on the second leg of their tour, Plain White T's will play at the Bottleneck in Lawrence on Tuesday, April 12.
Higgenson took some time to talk with Jayplay about the new record, what keeps him motivated, and the ups and downs of touring.
What sets Wonders of the Younger apart from Plain White T's earlier albums?
I would say it's the best album we've ever done. It's the first album we've ever done that's had a concept behind it. There's an ongoing theme throughout the album of a loft of innocence, trying to regain some of the sense of wonder and adventure you have when you're a kid. We've never gone into an album with a theme or concept before so it's a big step for us.
Which song, past or present, are you most proud of and why?
When we make something new, that's the material we're most proud of because it's
new, fresh and we're just the most excited about it. There are some songs on this album that really made me push my boundaries as a songwriter. The song "Cirque Dans La Rue" is about being dissatisfied with where you are in life, wanting to run away and finding a bunch of people that are outsiders just like you. Even the arrangements and everything about it make it a very unique song.
What artist or album is your favorite to listen to right now?
Well, you can't ask me that because Panic! At the Disco just put out an album [Vices & Virtues] like three weeks ago, so I've been listening to that nonstop. I was really nervous about that.
too, because they kind of lost half of the band but they killed it. It's a great album.
What inspires you and keeps you motivated on a daily basis?
It's just the love of music, for me. That's what it's always been about. That's why I started writing songs. I love music so much that I just want to live it and breathe it. We have had some success and a couple hit singles, but [with our new album] we just really wanted to focus and make an album that would hopefully stand the test of time and stand on its own. We wanted to push our limits and excite people, so it was inspiring to raise the bar and challenge ourselves.
What's the scariest tour moment you've ever had?
We were on tour in Australia and I had strayed from the group to go get some food. I was walking to this Indian restaurant and there was this homeless guy who was kind of being shady. He came up to me and asked me for money or whatever, so I gave him maybe like a buck. And he literally put his hand on my neck, like grabbed it, just to scare the shit out of me. He said, "Is this all you've got?" or something like that. For a second I thought, "This is it. This bum's going to murder me." But it was only a second and he let me go, and I just walked away really fast. And I ended up getting that Indian food and it was delicious. In fact, it was probably even more
delicious after that experience because I felt alive and more appreciative.
Who's your hero?
There's a difference between idol and hero, but for me, they're kind of one in the same. [John] Lennon and [Paul] McCartney. Those are my idols, but they're also my heroes because they did what I would love to do and what I'm trying to do.
If your tour bus were to break down and leave you stranded in any city, where would you want to be and why?
We had a day off on this tour and for some reason we stopped between two cities in this town called Pocatello, Idaho. So we're rollin' up thinking, "Oh, man, this is going to be a shit town, wherever the hell this is." And, yeah, it was a really small town, but it ended up being awesome. The hotel we were at had an indoor water park, a pool table and ping-pong tables, and there was a great restaurant right across the street. The town had such charm that it reminded us of being like 10 years old, out on a family vacation. I guess it's not where I'd love to get stranded, but it was a surprise how cool that town was.
What's the most important goal you have for your music or for yourself as a musician?
To keep putting out music that people connect with. I think so many bands fade out and just go away after a while, and I think it's all about losing that inspiration for bands. So I think my ultimate goal is to keep doing this, keep connecting with people for as along as we want to. I never want to put out an album that fans don't appreciate or relate to. So my ultimate goal, I guess, is to keep meaning something to people.
What advice do you have for college-aged students who are aspiring musicians?
Focus on music. As soon as your homework is done, don't go out looking for chicks and getting wasted, but sit with your guitar and sing songs about how you can't get any chicks. Or write a song to the girl you love. Just dedicate your time because that's what it's all about — dedication. The more time and focus you put into it, the better you're going to get and the more it's going to mean.
// SARAH CHAMP
Contributed photo
For love of the music: Plain White T's will play at the Bottleneck on Tuesday, April 12. Tom Higgenson (front, center) is the band's frontman.
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Parr opted for bouncy balls, which forced racers to spin around if hit by one.
The event is just one of several events SUA is producing in the remaining month and a half left in the semester. SUA vice president of communications Andrew Fillmore, a junior from Belle Plaine, spoke about some of the highlights:
peels that racers use against opponents. Every round eight participants raced through two laps on oversized tricycles. The winner each round won a $15 gift card.
KU'S BEST DANCE CREW Students will have the chance
"One hundred percent bouncy ball every time," Parr said.
Others went for banana peels.
Auditorium Tuesday, April 19, to speak about the "It Gets Better" project, which he created.
Heather Kaplan, a sophomore from Shawnee, handed out peels to racers. She also donned a banana suit for the event.
Rain had threatened to derail Kansas Kart, but the sky held for the event.
Tickets are available at the SUA Box Office on the fourth level of the Kansas Union and are $15 for students.
Kaplan and other event staff originally tried to eat the bananas for the peels but gave up after about 10.
"What's more fun than wearing a banana suit?" Kaplan said.
Posner is perhaps best known for his songs "Cooler Than Me" and "Please Don't Go."
"It Gets Better" consists of a series of videos designed to communicate to gay and lesbian youth that "it gets better" regardless of the hostility or insecurity they may be experiencing. Celebrities and politicians have lent their names to the cause, including President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron.
SEE SUA ON PAGE 3A
Fillmore said that although Savage often did his "Savage Love" presentation, the Union event will be focused on "It Gets Better."
to use when Petroleum and Memorial Stadium to house major events.
Travis Young/KANSAN driver them
Johnson said the platform stemmed from listening to a friend's parents reminisce about their time at the University.
"They talked about how when they went to school they remember having concerts after basketball games." Johnson said. "And we would like to welcome big name artists and speakers, things like that, back into Allen Fieldhouse and even Memorial Stadium."
The event is $5 with a KU student ID.
MIKE POSNER
SUA will host hip-hop artist Mike Posner at Liberty Hall Tuesday, April 26.
KUnited's goal is to make those venues more accessible as an option to infrequently house big events.
"Something like what KUnited is proposing would be ideal," Anderson said. "But the question will still be do we spend a huge amount of money for that one show or spread it out over the entire year?"
Funding will always be an issue to book events, Anderson said, but developing a partnership could help fray those costs.
Anderson, a senior from Manhattan, said as an organization SUA had discussed this idea extensively.
Jon Sabbion, a senior from Lawrence, dresses up as Mario for SUAS Kansas Kart event Thursday afternoon and cheers as Jeni Burrows, SUAS special event coordinator from Belle Plaine, drives them through the line. There was a track set in the parking lot of the Visitor's Center with various obstacles and had handful of different projects the drivers could pick up.
SUA president Rachel Anderson said attempts were made year after year to have an event in Allen Fieldhouse.
this is one of and we look for down with them it can happen,"
my, the assistant r, said it's not an feat KUnited is aptting.
"But," Marchiony said, "It is very difficult to schedule outside events at Allen Fieldhouse."
During the academic year, Fieldhouse is and exclusively
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Historically, though, it's been done.
As recently as 2006 Allen Fieldhouse hosted comedian and actor Bill Cosby during Homecoming week.
Even artists such as Bob Marley and Louis Armstrong once graced the University with their musical presence.
"Certain artists won't come because we have to be able to offer them a sell-out space and this could help in bringing any artist," Johnson said.
Marchiony said the first discussions regarding this kind of proposal would most likely take place between himself and the Athletics Department facilities staff.
Without knowing specifics and without speaking to other staff members, he said it was difficult to discuss feasibility.
"We would talk about it as a department and decide on whether or not it would be something we would want to schedule here and something we would want to represent," Marchiony said.
Neither Marchiony nor Anderson said they had personally spoken with KUnited coalition members.
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SATURDAY
RELAYS|3A
Some events move to downtown
Kansas Relays moves three events to downtown Lawrence.
Team has first spring practice
FOOTBALL | 10A
Coach Turner Gill studies his players during practice to decide on their positions.
Kansas needs to strengthen its defense for weekend's game against Oklahoma St.
After losing its two games against Oklahoma earlier this week, the Kansas softball team fell 0-8 in its conference record.
SOFTBALL|8A
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