MTV News: Where did the title of the new record, "Electric Honey," come from?
Jill Cunniff: The name "Electric Honey" is perfect for this album, 'cause we combined a lot of electronic equipment -- samplers, sequencers, computers loaded with ProTools [applications] -- and yet we also maintained a natural and organic feel, which you hear in the acoustic guitars, the harmonies, the drums, and pianos. We always wanted to make sure that we had both elements and we never strayed too far in either direction.
MTV: The last record, "Fever In Fever Out," was produced by Daniel Lanois, who loves effects and brought an eerie undertone to the album. Did you think you needed to brighten the sound for "Honey?"
Kate Schellenbach: I don't think that we made a break from the sound as much as we learned a lot about techniques. Both the recording and the songwriting, and we incorporated everything we've learned up to this point into making the new record, be it using effects or capturing vocal performances or--
Gabby Glaser: You know, a lot of stuff has to do with your state of mind when you're making a record, and we were in a really positive state and had a good time. 
MTV: The last record came out in '96, and the music climate has changed rather dramatically since then. Did you feel any pressure from what is happening right now musically?
Kate: I think we're pretty immune to what's going on. I think we've always been kind of doing our own thing and when we first came out, people were kind of confused about where to put us.
Jill: They still are.
Kate: Yeah, but even when we first came out, guitar-based alternative, that was what was happening, stuff like Nirvana. Things have sort of caught up with us in a way, as rhythm-based tracks have become more popular, especially in the alternative market. But there's always tons of stuff going on in the pop world, and we feel like there's room for everybody and everything and every style.
MTV: Let's talk about the first single, "Ladyfingers," which features Emmylou Harris on guest vocals. How did that come about?
Jill: Emmylou Harris is a great singer, known for her country work, and we met her on the last record via Daniel Lanois. Now, she's a friend. We've done some co-writing together, and she said she'd come and sing backup vocals on "Ladyfingers" and on another song, "Country's a Callin.'"
MTV: On the surface, "Ladyfingers," is an exuberant, beach-hop kind of song, but the lyrics are a little dark.
Jill: They're on the border, yeah. "Ladyfingers" is sort of symbolic of happiness coming out of darkness. I don't really like to use the word "darkness," but happiness coming out of difficulty, or something of that nature. I think most people can relate to this.
MTV: The video for "Ladyfingers" is very cheerful, very psychedelic. Was it your idea to mix in the party on the transit bus?
Kate: The director, Tamra Davis, thought of that. It was something that she had done with friends for a movie premiere. They rented a bus in New York City and drove around from party to party. They were all dancing on the bus and we really related to that. On tour, we definitely get into having dance parties after shows.
Gabby: While the bus is moving.
Kate: While the bus is moving. You can really get some good air, while you're pogo-ing around the bus and stuff. Then someone else suggested the NYC Botanical Gardens for the other half, and it ended up very psychedelic and "Alice in Wonderland"-esque.
Jill: We were sitting and shooting under a hot sun, and then they set the scenic lights in very specific directions. So you'll have these patches of natural light combined with studio lights, and it creates a very surreal effect.
