Earlier today, I chatted with The Gossip’s Brace Paine. Here’s our full dialog:

1. Congrats on the release of Music For Men! How’d you celebrate?

Well, we had a record release party in London – in Hackney at a bar called Dolphin Superstar. It was pretty exciting. For the US release, we’re probably gonna do something in Portland. We’re still figuring it out.

2. A proper NA trek begins in October. Are you feeling excited?

Yes, so excited for America again! We play Europe a lot because of festivals. We get some great offers that we can’t refuse. Sometimes when we’re home, we just wanna chill out but I’m excited for this tour. MEN is opening!

Read the rest of this interview & enjoy a Gossip MP3 AFTER THE JUMP…

3. Were there any particular LPs that helped shape Men?

Lots of things! Everything from house to punk to piano music – everything. Rick Rubin produced it. He’s cool to work with because he’s such a music fan and we’re all such music nerds. He’s amazing. Such a sweet guy. It’s important to work with people that are nice and interesting and Rick is just incredible guy. So cool – not pretentious. No ego. Nothing but music. As far as what we were listening to – Beth has always been into pop/R&B. Hannah likes dub & hip-hop. I like whatever – it all comes together!

4. Over the last few years, Beth Ditto has undoubtedly become an international fashion icon. How do you feel that this has affected the inner workings of The Gossip (if at all)?

We’re very supportive of her. We’re friends – you support your friends and we do that with her. It’d be pathetic for her fame to cause tension. She has a fashion line and is a positive role model for young girls – her presence is radical in the mainstream world. Hannah & me support her 100%. We’re happy to be a part of it. We operate separately as a band. Some of the UK press asks me about that as if to cause drama but we’re really totally cool.

5. Would it be fair to say that Music For Men is more personal and less political than Standing In The Way Of Control?

Lyrically, perhaps. Beth & her partner have been together for 7 or 8 years. We tour constantly. Touring can be hard on a relationship – so that sort of plays a part in the new album. Also, musically, I’ve never played a piano or keyboard until this record and it was so fun to do so.

6. Can you discuss the inspiration behind the ‘Love…’ video?

Now that we’re on a major label, we have to try to have a hand in everything we do or else it becomes shitty. I contacted the director (Joel Trussell) after I saw a Kid 606 video that he made. It had an interesting treatment so I seeked him out after seeing that and the clip came out great.

7. Is there any artist that you’d like to duet with in the future?

We’re possibly going to be doing something with Nick Cave. He is amazing!

8. Are there any misconceptions that you’d like to clear up?

Well, we don’t read our own press but it’s funny to me when people meet us & say: ‘you’re really nice’. Why would people assume otherwise? Personal human connection, regardless of who it is, is important to us. They can’t believe that we are polite. It’s weird to think otherwise!

MP3: The Gossip – Standing In The Way Of Control (Le Tigre Mix)