If footprints in a snowfield represented the music career of Stephen Malkmus, the last three years would find you gaining height in order to capture the increasing breadth of his journey and noting that his footprints never cross. Traditional Techniques – possibly so-called after the broad musical palette of traditional instruments used in its making, including a variety of Afghani instruments, is his third solo LP without the Jicks (or Pavement).
The accompanying press describes the album as packed with handmade arrangements, modern folklore, and ten songs written and performed in his singular voice. …a serendipitous trilogy with the loose fuzz of the Jicks’ Sparkle Hard (2018) and the solo bedroom experiments of Groove Denied (2019). Taken together, these three very different full-lengths in three years highlight an ever-curious songwriter committed to finding untouched territory.
There is no overselling and the suggestion of this being expansive and thrilling is certainly justified here by the “straight-up commune rock” lead single ‘Xian Man’, the lyric video for which you can watch below. Whether Makmus has resorted to daily readings from the I Ching or been led down the Dice Man path courtesy of Luke Rhinehart remains to be seen but whatever is leading him on this inspiring musical journey, long may it continue.
Centred around the songwriter’s 12-string acoustic guitar, and informed by a half-century of folk-rock reference points, Traditional Techniques is the product of Malkmus and Halfling engineer/arranger-in-residence Chris Funk (The Decemberists). Additionally, Matt Sweeney (Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Chavez) plays guitar throughout.
Malkmus will embark on a North American tour this spring with an entirely new band (more shows will be announced in the weeks to come). The Traditional Techniques live band is Malkmus (vocals, guitar), Funk (pedal steel, keys), Sweeney (guitar), Brad Truax (bass), and Jake Morris (drums), joined at times by Qais Essar (rabab) and Eric Zang (kaval, udu, daf). A full list of dates can be found below; tickets are on sale Friday, January 24th.
Tracklisting:
1. ACC Kirtan
2. Xian Man
3. The Greatest Own in Legal History
4. Cash Up
5. Shadowbanned
6. What Kind of Person
7. Flowin’ Robes
8. Brainwashed
9. Signal Western
10. Amberjack
Traditional Techniques is available to pre-order on deluxe LP (red vinyl + enamel badge), LP, CD and digitally. Pre-order: Dom Mart | Digital
Stephen Malkmus live dates
Tue. March 31 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Ave
Wed. April 1 – Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall
Thu. April 2 – Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall
Fri. April 3 – Louisville, KY @ Headliners
Sat. April 4 – Nashville, TN @ Cannery Ballroom
Sun. April 5 – Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West
Tue. April 7 – Asheville, NC @ Orange Peel
Wed. April 8 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
Thu. April 9 – Richmond, VA @ The National
Fri. April 10 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat
Sat. April 11 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
Mon. April 13 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall
Wed. April 15 – Boston, MA @ Royale
Thu. April 16 – Montreal, QC @ L’Astral
Fri. April 17 – Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall
Sat. April 18 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
Sun. April 19 – Detroit, MI @ St. Andrew’s Hall
Photo by Samuel Gehrke and Chris Shonting