The Hard Quartet Release “Lies (Something You Can Do)” / “Coreopsis Trail” double single

Eight months ago, we began noticing Matt Sweeney (Chavez, Zwan, Superwolf) posting images of himself with Stephen Malkmus (Pavement, The Jicks, Silver Jews), Jim White (Dirty Three, Xylouris White), and Emmett Kelly aka Cairo Gang, on his Instagram. We didn’t want to get ahead of ourselves and assume anything, but an inside source gave me the scoop that this powerhouse of indie rock titans had already recorded a full album and I was going to “gonna love it.” These details weren’t available to the general public yet, so I kept my enthusiastic yap shut. About a week later, we confirmed from another friend in the “music biz” that their debut would be released through Matador Records. The truth of the matter is that the time between when Sweeney started teasing the project and the official announcement unveiling their subtly brilliant band name, The Hard Quartet (“hardcore-tet”), was only about 3 weeks, even if it felt like months to me. Since then, the 4-piece dropped one of the best albums of 2024, played shows in the US, UK, and Australia; and, is now already releasing new music. Maybe it’s time to finally relax and accept that this formation of rockin’ gents might actually stay around for a while.

The Hard Quartet initially played 3 select dates in Los Angeles, New York, and London. With the evergrowing list of projects each member has their hands in, it was easy to wonder how invested they would be in maintaining this union for the long haul, but they’ve been pretty vocal about this being more than just a “side project.” Soon a block of Australian dates was announced for January, followed by an extensive US tour that begins later this month and runs through May. A run of EU/UK shows will take up most of June. They seem to be enjoying themselves and show no signs of letting up. 

Following announcements on their social media, The Hard Quartet has released a new “two-song single” consisting of “Lies (Something You Can Do)” b/w “Coreopsis Trail.” The A-side was recorded in New York back in July, while the B-side is an outtake from their album sessions. Kelly takes the helm on “Lies” with Sweeney providing backing vocals on the soaring ’60s folk-rock number interlaced with pockets of swirling psych guitar and little exploding drum flourishes throughout. Meanwhile, “Coreopsis Trail” is a spaced-out, borderline nightmarish instrumental jam allowing Malkmus to embrace his more krautrock leanings, as White goes wild with the sort of pummeling yet beautiful free-jazz onslaught Dirty Three fans know him for.

Emmett Kelly offers the following insight about these new songs and their relation to one another:

“‘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. I guess ‘Coreopsis Trail’ is a reflection of this phenomenon. 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.”

The most exciting thing about any supergroup is discovering how the skill and unique style of each member will ultimately blend or complement that of the others. The results tend to vary. It’s always cool to be able to pick a particular trademark out in a tune, but too often these disparate sounds exist alongside each other rather than unify into something new. What I love about The Hard Quartet is that, aside from Jim White, the other three members alternate between instruments and vocals so fluidly. For example, the setup for “Lies (Something You Can Do)” is Emmett Kelly (guitar, lead vocals, percussion), Sweeney (bass, guitar, vocals), Malkmus (guitars), and Jim White (drums). For “Coreopsis Trail,” Kelly is on the bass, along with adding the third guitar. With this group, there is a history of collaboration between them, but never before in this formation with all of them together – Kelly and White have their duo, The Double, and Sweeney has played and toured with Malkmus, along with joining the other two on Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy projects. There is mutual respect between all members involved, which allows space for everyone’s ideas to meld, as well as breathe. You can really hear the way that their playing and styles play off and influence each other. Ironically, “Lies (Something You Can Do)” has a distinctly Malkmus-esque vocal delivery and cadence, although Kelly and Sweeney are the only ones singing on it.

Following the Eyedress-directed “Earth Hater” video that features the band rendered in claymation and the nod to the Rolling Stones‘s “Waiting On A Friend” in the music video for “Rio’s Song,” the latest single is presented with another inspired visual take. Directed by Kevin Spanky Long, the “Lies (Something You Can Do)” music video consists of the band logo and each member being drawn with impressive accuracy on a miniature Etch-A-Sketch.

Check out the “Lies (Something You Can Do)” music video and “Coreopsis Trail” official audio, below. The digital double single is available now on streaming platforms.