Stephen Malkmus is no stranger to collaboration. From Silver Jews to Pavement to the Jicks, Malkmus clearly loves jamming with friends and influences alike. Now he’s back with The Hard Quartet, an indie supergroup of all supergroups, alongside Emmett Kelly, Matt Sweeney and Jim White. The four musicians have collaborated and crossed paths in different duos, trios and show bills dating back to the early ’90s. Now they’re making it official. The music is improvisational in a way that can only be accomplished by veteran musicians. More than that, it’s clear The Hard Quartet has mutual respect and admiration for one another — taking turns on who is “fronting” the band and who is stealing the show with a ripping solo.
Watch The Hard Quartet perform “Rio’s Song,” “Hey” and “Hometown Boy” live at Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville, Tenn.