LA-based high-school buddies Maroon 5 showcased second album It Won’t Be Soon Before Long in our fine Festival City car park in December 2008. Now they’re coming back to the sandlands with third studio album Hands All Over. So what’s new? We spoke to lead singer Adam Levine to find out.
We hear you’re the main creative influence behind Maroon 5’s songs. How much input did the rest of the band have with Hands All Over?
It was really collaborative. Because we’re a band, we all give our opinions and we always try to listen to each other, to get input and see what we all think. We all trust each other to share our ideas and everyone has equally valued ideas about music.
What inspires you?
Inspiration is a weird thing. It happens in the way it happens – you can’t force it. You can’t push it.
You’ve all been friends for a long time. Does the pressure ever get too intense?
Yeah, I suppose, but we get over it when we’re bothered with something. Now we know how to handle all the emotions – you learn how to cope, over time. It’s a weird life, but it’s interesting as well. Well, it’s certainly not normal, so it’s important to create that balance. But it’s a part of it.
What’s the best thing about being in Maroon 5?
I think it’d have to be that I’m creating my own life. If I had to say something that wasn’t very good about it, it would be not being home very often. But it’s a good job and it’s all worth it. You deal with it.
You’ve been quoted as saying that the band is reaching its peak and you may make one more album before disbandment. Is that true?
Maybe it’s true, maybe the band has reached its peak, who knows. I think the band has a lot more to offer. I think now we’re growing outside of our comfort zone, experiencing new things and diversifying how we sound. That’s the most important thing for us right now: to be looking elsewhere for inspiration.
What would you do if the band did break up?
I don’t know. I’ll never leave the music behind and I think I’d regret it for the rest of my life if I did. Maroon 5 is like an institution for us right now.
Do you ever listen to your own songs and watch your own videos when you’re not working?
No. I listen to everything we do until it’s done and that’s it. Maybe five or 10 years later I’ll watch the videos. But I don’t listen to our own music voluntarily. I mean, it’s my life, I sing it and I perform it. So when I have some free time I’m not doing that.
A lot of your songs are about relationships. Is there anything you wish you knew about women?
I don’t know. I think women are really complicated.
And men aren’t?
No. Men are not nearly as complicated as women.
What can the audience expect from your Dubai concert?
I’m pretty sure it’ll be one of the best shows we’ve ever done. We keep it together. We’re a better band now than we’ve ever been.
What’s the plan when you’ve finished your international tour?
I’ll probably sleep for a few months. Then start doing it all over again, and working on a new album.
Maroon 5 play Dubai World Trade Centre on April 21. Tickets from www.timeouttickets.com
