Spoon frontman Britt Daniel on the band's latest release and why he loves the radio

When Spoon released a demo version of their 2014 album They Want My Soul this summer, fans heard a whole new side of the critically acclaimed release.

For founder and lead singer Britt Daniel, it recalls a time when the indie-rock band was unsure of themselves and stressed out, recording together for the first time after a long break.

“It ended up being a situation where I was like, we're making this record and I don't know how it's going to turn out," Daniel told KAXE Music Director Kari Hedlund in a recent KAXE Morning Show interview.

Andrew Dziengel

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KAXE

"I don't know if any of these songs are any good. And a lot of, you know, questioning from not only me, but other members of the band — if these songs were really any good.”

What emerged from this stressful time was what Daniel describes as some of the best songs they’ve ever recorded, like "Rent I Pay" and “Inside Out.”

On Saturday, Sept. 7, fans may hear these or some of the 136 songs the band has released in its 25-year run as they cap off a jam-packed Grand Rapids Riverfest lineup. Based in Austin, Texas, the band is described by Spin Magazine as "reigning over the last two decades as one of the most consistently great rock bands that America has."

Also taking the stage are Shakey Graves, Sarah Jarosz, S.G. Goodman and Corey Medina and Brothers. Because many of the performers are from Austin, The Minnesota Star Tribune described the event as a "hipster's guide to modern Austin,” adding the location of Riverfest is in a convenient and cozy riverfront downtown site.

Music

The super-duper, very official, Spoon song rankings from maybe-experts

Andrew Dziengel

KAXE producers Malachy Koons and Andrew Dziengel go through the grueling task of ranking every Spoon song released in anticipation of their headlining set at Grand Rapids Riverfest.

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For Daniel, this isn't the first time he'll visit Minnesota. In fact, the Spoon legend has a connection to the state.

“I used to live in Minnesota when I was really young, and of course I've been to Minneapolis a zillion times," he said. Daniel lived in Rochester until he was 3 years old, but noted he hasn't spent much time in Northern Minnesota ... yet.

Re-release of a beloved album

This year's demo re-release of They Want My Soul is the most recent to come from the band, with their last record Lucifer on the Sofa released in 2022.

The demo version of the song “Inside Out” was the most different from the final product.

“It basically started out as a piano ballad: It was just these piano chords you hear on that demo," Daniel said, describing the song as straightforward. " ... There was something to it that really was kind of hitting me emotionally and then [I] put down that vocal. It was good, but it was just a piano ballad.”

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Spoon

In rehearsal, he told his bandmates about the song, and clarified he didn’t want it to be a ballad. “That's not what this record needs,” he said.

Using unexpected inspiration from 2001 by Dr. Dre, the band found a bass line that turned the song into a "slightly more R&B version."

On the radio

As Spoon prepares to headline a festival organized by KAXE, Daniel spoke about the song “On the Radio” and what radio meant to his life.

“Radio is the thing that kept me from being so lonely when I was a kid, you know? I had spent a lot of time in my room alone.”

Emily Bujold

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Fold Up Studios

He continued, "This one piece of technology that I did have in the room was a digital clock, which sort of was my window to the world. ... I liked just turning it on and leaving it on, knowing that something was happening out there.”

Radio, he said, gave him a good feeling.

"From when I got that clock radio and maybe when I was 7 or 8 or something until I was maybe 14 or 15, I knew everything that was in the Top 40. I was just always listening to that radio.”

More on Riverfest

The first weekend after Labor Day in Northern Minnesota has become a tradition. It's a promise from KAXE and the city of Grand Rapids for great music, food, beer and atmosphere, in a small festival on the banks of the Mississippi River.

We thank our listeners, members and local businesses for making Grand Rapids Riverfest possible, especially our main event sponsor Grand Rapids State Bank.

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PJ Nelson

The special part happens because of the hard work and commitment of KAXE's Kari Hedlund. She works tirelessly throughout the year to create an event that celebrates both music and the magical place we live.

Don’t forget to check out Andrew Dziengel and Malachy Koons super-duper ranking of all the Spoon songs here!

Tickets are still available. See you on the river this Saturday.

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