Tom Higgenson of Plain White Ts joined me for a long overdue catchup. And for this episode, we went for burritos at Los Burritos #2 in his old stomping grounds of Villa Park. We talked at length about the band's excellent new release, "Parallel Universe," as well as:
Villa Park is like primordial soup. How important are the ties back to Chicago as the band continues to take over the world? "I'm such a suburban kid... always have been." "Parallel Universe," and the experimentation the band did with the songs for the album. Is Tom a "romantic" at heart? ("I used to be 'all in'... ") Tom snuck a peak at the interview notes, and was given an unfair advantage. The hints of darkness that weave their way through PWTs music. My favorite song on the new album: "Top of the World" "Bonnie I Want You": It's not about a hooker (much to my surprise). The band's commitment to video-making (and their incredible success with it). The video for "1, 2, 3, 4" and its coming-together of romantic spirit, Chicago scenery and DIY approach. The much-rumored TV show based on the Grammy-nominated super huge megahit "Hey There Delilah" ("We've got this story arc... we've got this idea"). The whirlwind that engulfed the band when "Hey There Delilah" took off. The band's performance on "iCarly" and the relative awesomeness of that show compared to other tween shows on Nick and Disney. The band's early days in the suburbs: Truly the "good old days." Tom's nomination for a Tony Award ("BFF" from Spongebob Squarepants: The Broadway Musical). The evolution of Plain White Ts: "It's been a weird one."