Stephen Malkmus shares "Viktor Borgia" from new electronic album, expands tour
Stephen Malkmus has shared the first single from Groove Denied, his upcoming, long-in-the-works electronic album. “Viktor Borgia” not only sounds like early ’80s synthpop, it’s about synthpop. “Yes, I was thinking things like Pete Shelley’s Homosapien, the Human League, and DIY synth music circa 1982,” says Stephen. “And also about how in the New Wave Eighties, these suburban 18-and-over dance clubs were where all the freaks would meet – a sanctuary.” The video for “Viktor Borgia” is part Close Encounters, part Frankie Goes to Hollywood and part avatar dance battle between Malkmus, a “business man,” and a pop star named “Ariana.” It’s weird and funny and you can watch below.
Malkmus made the album on his own, playing bass, organ, drum machines, a Roland 2080 and a Memorymoog among other instruments. Groove Denied is out March 15 via Matador and is available as a limited white vinyl edition in a vellum sleeve with metallic red foil stamping and clear inner sleeve. There’s also a super limited edition on transparent red vinyl in a custom box, that will be signed by SM. You can check out the album art and tracklist below.
Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks have shows this week in Chicago (1/23 @ The Metro) and NYC (1/25 @ Brooklyn Steel), and he’s just announced solo North American tour dates for May, that come right before they head to Barcelona for Primavera Sound and a subsequent European tour. All dates are listed below.
Tracklist:
Belziger Faceplant
A Bit Wilder
Viktor Borgia
Come Get Me
Forget Your Place
Rushing The Acid Frat
Love The Door
Boss Viscerate
Ocean Of Revenge
Grown Nothing
Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks – 2019 Tour Dates
Jan 23 – Chicago IL @ Metro *
Jan 25 – Brooklyn NY @ Brooklyn Steel *
May 1 – Toronto ON @ The Great Hall ^
May 3 – Somerville MA @ Arts At The Armory ^
May 4 – Ardmore PA @ Ardmore Music Hall ^
May 5 – Washington DC @ Union Stage ^
May 7 – Austin TX @ 3TEN ACL Live ^
May 10 – Portland OR @ Doug Fir Louge ^
May 11 – Seattle WA @ Columbia City Theater ^
May 14 – San Francisco CA @ Swedish American Hall ^
May 15 – Los Angeles CA @ Lodge Room ^
May 30 – Barcelona ES @ Primavera Festival *
June 14 – Mannheim DE @ Maimarkt-Gelände *
June 19 – Paris FR @ La Gaîté Lyrique *
* denotes w/ The Jicks
^ denotes Malkmus solo
