Collegiate Times

Maroon 5 stormed the pop music scene in 2005 with its debut album “Songs About Jane” and took home the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. Following its first effort was 2007’s “It Won’t Be Soon Before Long.”

Two years after its sophomore album, the five band members spent their summer abroad in Switzerland working with producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange who has created albums for AC/DC, Def Leppard, Bryan Adams, The Cars, Shania Twain and Foreigner. Their latest work will be released in spring 2010.

Maroon 5 keyboardist Jesse Carmichael spoke with the Collegiate Times over the phone on Oct. 9. Carmichael discussed the band’s upcoming album, his desire for Maroon 5 to be the first band to play a televised concert from space and guitarist James Valentine’s tennis prowess.

The band is spending November touring colleges. It went “back-to-school” on Nov. 2 and will wrap up on Nov. 22. Maroon 5 will play Burruss Hall on Nov. 10.

COLLEGIATE TIMES: How are you today? Where are you today?
JESSE CARMICHAEL: I’m good. I’m back at home in Los Angeles.

CT: When did you get back?
CARMICHAEL: Just a few weeks ago.

CT: Maroon 5 is playing at only college venues all throughout November. Are colleges some of your favorite places to play?
CARMICHAEL: We want to get away from some of the bigger venues and get back to where we played when we first started out. There’s a certain energy and enthusiasm that college students have. They’re out on their own for the first time.

CT: You started playing keyboard in college. Why do you think you discovered this instrument later in life?
CARMICHAEL: In high school, I was really focused on guitar and listened to rock bands. And then towards the end of high school, I started listening to jazz, soul and R&B. Herbie Hancock and Stevie Wonder were my heroes.

CT: How long were you in college?
CARMICHAEL: I took about two years of online classes here and there. Maybe this tour is a good opportunity for me to take a few online classes.

CT: Do you regret not graduating from college?
CARMICHAEL: No. Not at all. My life just evolved this way. I’ve been lucky. We’ve all been lucky.

CT: Did you ever think your life would turn out this way?
CARMICHAEL: I did. (Lead singer Adam Levine) and I used to stay up and talk about how we’d end up like our favorite bands.

CT: You’re all friends with each other. What’s it like working and being around your friends all the time?
CARMICHAEL: It’s basically like being in a fraternity. All you have to do is get a ticket (to one of our shows), and it’s like you’re a part of it too. Plus, it’s co-ed.

CT: Did you enjoy recording overseas in Switzerland?
CARMICHAEL: Switzerland was amazing and truly beautiful. I’m very excited about how this record has turned out so far.

CT: Did you pick up any new languages while you were abroad?
CARMICHAEL: No, just a few words. “Please” and “thank you” in French. That’s all you need.

CT: How do you feel about your new album?
CARMICHAEL: I feel like it’s going to be a beautiful thing. People who love us will love us even more. People who are on the fence will love us. And people who hate us will be on the fence.

CT: Do you have any favorite songs off that album?
CARMICHAEL: No, it’s too early to tell, and it’s not finished yet.

CT: What was it like working with producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange?
CARMICHAEL: He has an incredible work ethic, and his ear is just impeccable. He hears the tiniest frequency changes. If you’re working with someone who has made so many big records, you think, “I better play like it’s just a huge record.”

CT: How have social networking sites such as Twitter changed the musicians’ relationship with fans? Do you think it is a good thing?
CARMICHAEL: It’s definitely a good thing. The way that people can connect is a good thing. ... There can be something to be said about mystery though. Radiohead is one of my favorite bands, and I can’t see Thom Yorke using Twitter, but you never know.

CT: Where would you like to see the band go in the future?
CARMICHAEL: I think it would be a great thing to play a concert in outer space. It would be televised on the surface of the moon.

CT: Who would be invited to this concert?
CARMICHAEL: Lance Bass. (pause) I don’t know. Don’t you think it would be cool to play a concert on the moon? Hopefully U2 won’t beat us to it. We’ve got to establish ourselves a little more on the global scale.
CT: Are you at U2 fan? Have you met them before?
CARMICHAEL: Absolutely. We’ve only met them once, but they’re super-nice. They graduated from the Mount Olympus of bands.

CT: Where did Maroon 5 graduate from?
CARMICHAEL: We graduated from the top of the highest building in Dubai.

CT: College students who follow your Twitter have a chance to play tennis against guitarist James Valentine. Have you ever played against him? Is he a good player?
CARMICHAEL: James is insanely good, maybe one of the best. I don’t know what he’s doing being a professional musician. I beat James once, and it was the best day of my life. Adam is getting involved because of his competitive nature.

CT: Our school colors are orange and maroon. Will you or any of your band mates be wearing maroon on the night of the concert or is that just a name?
CARMICHAEL: You never know. We’re big into school spirit, big into spirit in general.

CT: Is there anything you’d like to say before we let you go?
CARMICHAEL: We’re all just really excited to start playing at colleges and get back to our roots.