Jim Eno Send-Off Promises Secret Lineup of “Public Hi-Fi All Stars” on June 5

“Sadly, Austin just can’t compete with Jim’s insatiable thirst for clams,” commented the Spoon Instagram account on Antone’s Nightclub's post announcing a send-off concert for their drummer.

Spoon percussionist Jim Eno plans to return to his birthplace of Rhode Island following decades in Austin. The event, I Want More: A Salute to Jim Eno + Public Hi-Fi, will be presented by KUTX and Antone’s at the venue on June 5. Tickets are on sale now at $30.

The evening calls on the chops of “a secret lineup of Public Hi-Fi All Stars” to “salute Jim and send him off in style.” Titled I Want More after a song by Seventies German rock band CAN, whose hit song “Spoon” also inspired the local band’s name – the full event description reads:

“This summer, stalwart Austin drummer and producer Jim Eno will move back to his home state of Rhode Island. Never one to seek the spotlight - always more comfortable behind the drumkit or the mixing board at his Public Hi-Fi Studio - Eno nevertheless made an incalculable impact to the Austin scene. It’s hard to imagine anyone who used their credibility and talents to uplift and shine a light on such a broad array of local talent.”

The announcement follows Eno’s own disclosure yesterday on social media of his coming move back to his hometown of Providence, where he will be starting a new studio. Since moving to Austin in 1992 and the 10 Spoon albums that followed, Eno celebrated the band’s first Grammy nomination for 2022’s Lucifer on the Sofa.

Formerly an electrical engineer, Eno started his Austin-based recording studio, Public Hi-Fi, in 1998 to record Spoon's third album Girls Can Tell. Since then, the building neighboring Eno's house has been renovated into a two-story sonic haven, previously host to the likes of Lady Gaga and Justin Timberlake.

The 57-year-old shared with fans on Instagram: “I’m going to really miss Austin and all the great relationships I have here, but am excited about this new and exciting adventure. I’ll be wrapping up my sessions in Austin in the next few months and then moving all the gear to PVD to start a new studio. More to come friends!”

Proceeds from the Antone’s show will benefit Project Traction, a female- and non-binary-focused producing mentorship program launched by Eno last year. In the project’s most recent release, Kam Franklin of the Suffers co-produced the new track “Sacrifice” by Austin duo the Vapor Caves, recorded at Public Hi-Fi. On May 5 at Waterloo Records, the team released limited edition vinyl for Project Traction Volume 1, including tracks produced by Emilie Basez (Ley Line), Sara Houser, and Megz Kelli (Magna Carda).