Semisonic Discusses Sexuality Of New Record

As "Closing Time," the first single off Semisonic's sophomore record, "Feeling Strangely Fine" inches closer to the top of the Modern Rock charts, the Minneapolis band is currently winding its way through a summer schedule of solo dates and radio shows.

The group, which has been known to incorporate a spirited cover of Prince's blue-themed "Erotic City" into its live show, recently sat down with MTV News at last weekend's HFStival in Washington, D.C., and discussed the thematic departure of "Fine" from their earlier effort, 1996's "The Great Divide."

"I really wanted it to be seductive," said lead singer Dan Wilson of the new record, "more sensual, sexier. I wanted it to be romantic. I kind of feel like there's this huge, that there's this gaping gap in rock music for something more sexual something more loving" [700k QuickTime].

"I'm so damn tired of people trying to be more jaded," Wilson continued, "more cynical and more dark than the last guy. It gets very tiring."

Semisonic, which on May 23 will open for the Wallflowers -- a band they name-check on "Gone to the Movies" on "Fine," is currently leaning towards "Singing In My Sleep" as its next single, and have just announced its next batch of tour dates through the end of June.

• 5/22 - Milwaukee, WI @ Marcus Amphitheater
• 5/23 - Austin, TX @ Music Hall
• 5/24 - St. Louis, MO @ Riverport
• 5/25 - Omaha, NE @ West Fair Amphitheater
• 5/31 - Mansfield, MA @ Great Woods
• 6/3 - Pontiac, MI @ 7th House
• 6/4 - Chicago, IL @ Cabaret Metro
• 6/5 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
• 6/6 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
• 6/7 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
• 6/9 - Kansas City, KS @ Beaumont
• 6/11 - Denver, CO @ Bluebird
• 6/13 - Dallas, TX @ Tree's
• 6/17 - Atlanta, GA @ Cotton Club
• 6/18 - Nashville, TN @ Riverfront Park
• 6/19 - Birmingham, AL @ City Stages
• 6/20 - Cincinnati, OH @ P&G Pavilion
• 6/28 - Milwaukee, WI @ Summerfest