Stephen Malkmus, best known for his role as the principal songwriter and guitarist of legendary indie band Pavement, is launching a new band called The Hard Quartet.

Joining him are the Cairo Gang’s Emmett Kelly, Matt Sweeney of Zwan and Chavez as and Jim White, co-founder of Dirty Three. The four members  announced the project on his earlier this week through synchronised social media posts on their respective accounts.

Kelly, Sweeney and Malkmus are said to be sharing singing and guitar/bass duties, with Jim White contributing vocals and drums.

Malkmus had spent the past week teasing fans with cryptic messages like “a hard band is good to find” and “A hard band name is good to find”.

 

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The Californian songwriter is widely considered as one of the most influential figures in the modern indie rock movement through his work with cult favourites Pavement.

Formed in 1989, the outfit recorded five full-length albums across their initial ten year stint, all while remaining signed to independent labels. Whilst they retained an underground presence throughout the ‘90s, the band received some brief mainstream attention in 1994 with the single ‘Cut Your Hair’.

Further details about The Hard Quartet are yet to be revealed, though an announcement of their debut material is expected soon.