The Hard Quartet, featuring Emmett Kelly, Stephen Malkmus, Matt Sweeney, and Jim White have released a brand new digital two-song single. Following last year’s debut album, ‘Lies (Something You Can Do)’ was recorded last July in NYC, while ‘Coreopsis Trail,’ is an unreleased track from the S/T album sessions.
‘Lies (Something You Can Do)’ is a credo that states that one must NOT only be a complete dick in the quest for modern survival,” explains Kelly. “I guess ‘Coreopsis Trail’ is a reflection of this phenomenon,” he continues. “On morning runs, excessive cellular oxygenation permits a natural euphoria akin to a glandular spasm famously described as a ‘micro death’. Similar results can be achieved by the murder of one’s ego, mental disorder, and/or the ill-advised usage of drugs.”
Watch the accompanying Etch A Sketch video, Directed by Kevin Spanky Long:
Listen to Coreopsis Trail:
Stream both singles: https://thehardquartet.mat-r.co/lies
Talking about the project, they shared:
“Emmett Kelly, Stephen Malkmus, Matt Sweeney and Jim White formed The Hard Quartet in May 2023. They recorded a 15 song album in NYC and Malibu California without telling anyone except their families and friends – ideal times spent in idyllic locales. It’s a full-on rocking band. All four band members write, sing, play musical instruments and produce The Hard Quartet’s songs. The band is the natural result of decades of friendship and playing music in each other’s presence.”
The band play a European tour in June, including UK dates in Leeds, Glasgow, Manchester and London. Before that, The Hard Quartet embark on their inaugural North American tour. They will be joined on this run by Chicago power-pop trio Sharp Pins (members of Lifeguard) and experimental musician / instrument maker, Evischen.
THE HARD QUARTET ON TOUR
Mar. 21 – Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl Nashville (w/ Sharp Pins + Fake)
Mar. 22 – Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse #
Mar. 23 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle (w/ Sharp Pins + Unmastered Masters)
Mar. 25 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club #
Mar. 26 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer #
Mar. 28 – Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw (w/ Sharp Pins + Loosey)
Mar. 29 – Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground Ballroom #
Mar. 30 – Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club #
Apr. 1 – Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall #
Apr. 2 – Detroit, MI @ Saint Andrew’s Hall #
Apr. 3 – Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall #
Apr. 5 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue (w/ Sharp Pins + Ryan Davis)
Apr. 25 – Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater #
Apr. 26 – Austin, TX @ Scoot Inn #
Apr. 29 – Mesa, AZ @ Nile Theatre (w/ Evischen + The Sheaves)
Apr. 30 – Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory Santa Ana %
May 2 – Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy + Harriet’s (Outdoors) %
May 3 – Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom %
May 5 – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall %
May 7 – Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall %
May 8 – Vancouver, BC @ The Commodore Ballroom %
May 9 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox %
Jun 2 – Porto, PT @ Hard Club $
Jun 3 – Lisbon, PT @ Teatro Capitolio $
Jun 5 – Madrid, ES @ Sala Villanos $
Jun 6 – Barcelona, ES @ Primavera Sound 2025
Jun 8 – Bologna, IT @ Locomotiv Club
Jun 9 – Zurich, CH @ Bogen F
Jun 11 – Bergen, NO @ Bergenfest
Jun 12 – Oslo, NO @ John Dee w/ Kosmik Boogie Tribe
Jun 14 – Berlin, DE @ Hole44 $
Jun 15 – Dresden, DE @ Beatpol $
Jun 16 – Hamburg, DE @ KENT Club $
Jun 17 – Cologne, DE @ Gebaude 9 $
Jun 19 – Nijmegen, NE @ Doornroosje *
Jun 20 – Amsterdam, NE @ Paradiso *
Jun 21 – Brussels, BE @ Ancienne Belgique (Matinee Show) *
Jun 21 – Brussels, BE @ Ancienne Belgique *
Jun 22 – Paris, FR @ La Gaite Lyrique *
Jun 24 – Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club $
Jun 25 – Glasgow, UK @ Saint Luke’s $
Jun 26 – Manchester, UK @ Gorilla $
Jun 27 – London, UK @ Earth
# w/ Sharp Pins
% w/ Evischen
$ w/ Dragged Up
* w/ CIA Debutante