Like a presidential candidate announcing that she’s going to make an announcement soon about whether or not she’s going to announce her intentions to announce running for President, indie rock legends Pavement have made the faintest indication that it is gradually, eventually, gearing up for…something.
The band recently updated its Facebook page with a flurry of posts from its members, most notably Scott Kannberg, a.k.a. Spiral Stairs, who announced, “there’s some great news coming soon.” Bob Nastanovich also teased, “[drummer Steve] West is hanging in Nashville with David. Is that newsworthy?” David is probably Silver Jews frontman and occasional collaborator David Berman, who lives in Nashville. But Berman has never recorded or performed with Pavement, so…not newsworthy? Or maybe he’s going to start? So, yes it is newsworthy?
The non-announcements and various chatter are as cryptic as Pavement’s most indecipherable lyrics, and “great news” could mean anything. A new album? Another reunion tour? Bob’s barista finally spelled “Nastanovich” right? Difficult to say. One of the band members insisted “live perfs are ruled out for ’15 but not ’16, beyond.” So…a tour in ’16? Nastanovich also signed off one of his messages, “Bob in Iowa,” so maybe Malkmus is running for President and Bob’s doing some early scouting for the primary against Hillary Clinton?
Until we know more, let’s just assume that Pavement’s doing a double album featuring David Berman and a tour in 2016 to support a Malkmus/Stairs presidential ticket that same year. That way, if any of those things actually happen, you can say you heard it here first. But there’s no way of knowing for sure until the band is ready to make an announcement that contains some actual information.