Groove DenieD

The skinny on Malkmus’s next record...

is Malkmus already planning his next album? Sparkle Hard was actually not the album he originally presented to Matador records. the first was something new, a collection of songs that draw from the solo Jickless shows he’s been playing around portland. he created the album — tentatively titled ‘Groove denied’ — in his basement using an array of laptops, keyboards, and drum machines. “there are some garage solo songs and lots of electronic drums,” he says. “there’s one song that’s pretty synthpop.”

It’s a very different side of Malkmus — maybe too different. For the first time in their nearly 30-year relationship, Matador rejected the album. not that he minded too much.

“the label preferred something that was more relatable to pavement and the Jicks. the other record would be seen as a joke. It’s not a joke at all, but I get that. there was this potential for relevance again with all the stuff going on with guitar bands, and they thought I should take that chance.”

Malkmus forged ahead with the demos for Sparkle Hard, but he’s hoping the other record will get a release sooner rather than later. “people who like weird music will like it. A lot of the people at the shows, some of the guys I met backstage, I don’t know if they’ll like it that much. that’s OK.”