The oft-misunderstood music scene around Nashville is filled with far more than the country music that dominates the city's storied reputation. Hailing from nearby Franklin, Paramore is a testament to that fact. The earnest, melodic pop rock that litters its debut, "All We Know Is Falling" (Fueled By Ramen), quickly endears new listeners to the band. Setting the otherwise male five-piece apart from the testosterone-choked emo-inspired scene are the soaring vocals of Hayley Williams, making the group a viable alternative to the same 'ol same 'ol. She bravely parked herself in the searing mtvU Hot Seat to endure our probing queries. Here's what she had to say about music and life:

Q: Tell us about your craziest touring experience.
A: Last October, we were on the Simple Plan tour. Riding in our 12-passenger van at about 2 o'clock in the morning, the sky was dark and the moon was full. We all lay sound asleep, when a female deer suddenly fell from the night on to the interstate before us. We swerved to the left and then right but we couldn't escape the fate dropped in our path. The impact of traveling at 55 mph launched the deer into the air and over our van and it landed between the empty space between the van and the trailer.

That night she passed on into her next life, although she hadn't gone without first making his mark. Once our vehicle had stopped, we stumbled out onto the grass along the road like zombies. We were all a little disoriented but awake enough to know that we had killed a deer and she had taken the biggest s--t I've ever seen, right along the side of our trailer.

Q: What type of college class would you most want to take and why?
A: Probably some type of art class. If not that, then I'd love to take a class in cosmetology.

Q: What city in America is the most fun to visit and why?
A: We love L.A. and Boston and Orlando... it's a little hard to choose. Tokyo is our favorite, but unfortunately it's not in America.

Q: What's some of the best advice you were ever given?
A: Well, back in February we started writing again for an upcoming record and I was having a really hard time. I was putting a lot of pressure on myself to write something that could be huge, and all the passion that I had had for the writing process just sorta went away. [Paramore guitarist] Josh [Farro] told me to write what I love. It's pretty simple. "Write what you feel and what you love."

Q: What's in heavy rotation in your mp3/CD player right now?
A: Abandoned Pools' "Humanistic" & "Armed To The Teeth," Bloc Party's "Silent Alarm,: Taking Back Sunday's "Louder Now."

Q: The last good book you read or TV show you're addicted to?
A: "The Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold. We normally don't get to watch a lot of TV, but we all love Conan O'Brien!

Q: What's the first concert you ever saw and how was it?
A: Should *NSYNC even count? Ha-ha...

I saw Copeland with Lovedrug and a band that is now called The Lonely Hearts at this club called The End in Nashville. It was my introduction to the indie scene in Nashville and I'll never forget it.

Q: What are three items you can't live without on tour?
A: None of us leave our homes without our Mac notebooks. I always bring a pillow and I like to bring tons of journals.

Q: Who are your major musical influences?
A: For me personally, it's Robert Smith [of the Cure] and Etta James. As for our band, we wouldn't be here without Failure, Jimmy Eat World or Death Cab for Cutie.

Q: Any random messages or tips you'd like to give to mtvU watchers?
A: Wash your hands after using the bathroom and buy our record ... twice! (We promise you'll love it.)

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