For decades, Spoon, one of Austin’s most prominent and acclaimed rock groups, has consistently doled out taut, sharp records brimming with inventive, rock-reeled hooks. The band, perhaps more than many, continues to prove rock ’n’ roll a fertile ground for invention; its newest album, 2017’s Hot Thoughts, finds Spoon exploring with synths. I talked with drummer Jim Eno about Hot Thoughts, Austin, and playfulness.
What’s been the best day of 2018 so far? We had a show in Washington, D.C, and played the 9:30 Club. This band, White Reaper, opened, and it was a really great show. We had a massive balloon drop, and it was interesting because the way the A/C worked, it blew all the balloons onstage, and everything kept coming onstage.
How does this tour feel, bringing this record to life? It feels great. We are playing the best shows, and we have the best band that we’ve had since Spoon has been around. The songs are sounding really good live; they’re sounding more tough, more rock ’n’ roll, more in your face. Plus, we’ve been playing them for an entire year; we’re very dialed in, and we’re playing really well together right now.