interview by: Jennifer Perkins

How do you think Girls Can Tell deviates from Spoon's past releases? It seems to be a sweeter more stripped down release. more reverb

What exactly is it that girls can tell? everything

This is your second release with Merge, how are enjoying working with them? we love them.

Do you think you may have found a permanent home finally? quite possibly

How has it been flipping around from label to label. pretty wild

You have recorded for Elektra, Saddle Creek, Peek-a-Boo, Matador, and now Merge. What are the nuances of each label. Elektra - nice dinners Saddle Creek - free place to stay in Omaha for life Peek A Boo - evil, manipulative label boss Matador - Chris Lombardi constantly hit on Jim. Merge - fine appreciation for prank calls

Do you prefer working with the smaller or larger labels? smaller - we can boss them around better

Did you get anything out of the deal with Elektra? inspired

I know Sixteen Deluxe walked away with The Bubble Studios from their deal with Warner Brothers? Was the parting amicable? no but it wasn't amicability that got Sixteen Deluxe a ton of money when they got dropped. It was a good contract.

How do you like living in Austin? it's cheap

Are you guys all from here? no

A band like Spoon could easily move out of town and survive, probably even thrive where a million and one bands try to make the move to Chicago or New York and are back in a year with their tails between their legs. Why the decision to stay in A-Town? the studio is here

There is a giant Austin tour guide in this issue. If someone was coming in to Austin for a mere few days, like say for SXSW, where would you tell them to go? The Salt Lick and Matt's El Rancho

I always have to ask, who are some bands you are digging in Austin right now? Those Peabodys

How was the mini-tour with Superchunk? wild

Any future tour plans? http://www.spoontheband.com/

Were there any scandalous stories? not really

I haven't seen the latest Spoon T-shirt designs, but have you ever considered having one read 'Chips 'n Dip'? I think it'd be a hit. we made one. no lie. Just the statement by itself..

How are the two new guys working out, Roman and Eric? great How did you hook up with them? met them at men's room at gregory gym

I know Britt occasionally does solo shows. Do you have your own material or do you do Spoon songs? both

Has anyone ever thrown their panties on stage at you? no but swervedriver threw little girls' panties at us in Sacromento in 1998

Read a review of Girls Can Tell here. Read where Spoon got their name from here.