Pavement Rides Viral Wave: From Colbert Stage to Movie Soundtrack
Pavement, the iconic 90s indie rock band, is having a moment. After a 15-year hiatus from late-night television, they recently graced the stage of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, performing their unlikely viral hit, "Harness Your Hopes." This appearance coincides with the theatrical release of Alex Ross Perry's part-biopic, part mockumentary, 'Pavements', further fueling the band's resurgence.
"Harness Your Hopes," a B-side from a 1999 EP, has surprisingly become Pavement's biggest song, thanks to its popularity on TikTok and Spotify. This unexpected success even earned the band their first-ever gold record. On Colbert, they delivered their signature shambolic charm, proving their enduring appeal to both longtime fans and a new generation.
The Colbert performance marked a significant milestone, being their first late-night appearance since 2010. Before that, they famously performed "Cut Your Hair" on Jay Leno's Tonight Show in 1994.
Adding to the excitement, Matador Records announced the release of the 'Pavements' soundtrack. The soundtrack promises a diverse collection of tracks, including live and rehearsal recordings from their 2021 reunion tour, dialogue snippets from the movie, and cast recordings from the 'Slanted! Enchanted!' jukebox musical. The soundtrack arrives digitally May 30, with the nationwide cinema release following on June 6.
The 'Pavements' soundtrack tracklist features 41 tracks, showcasing various aspects of the movie:
From Pavement's energetic live performances to Joe Keery's method acting as Stephen Malkmus and the surreal jukebox musical, the soundtrack offers a comprehensive look into the world of Pavement as envisioned by Alex Ross Perry.
The film itself, 'Pavements', has been slowly rolling out, generating buzz and anticipation among fans. Described as an absurd, slippery, and loving genre-hybrid Pavement documentary, it promises a unique and insightful perspective on the band's history and legacy. The movie is finally out in some markets, with wide release to follow on June 6, occasioning Pavement’s performance Thursday night at the Ed Sullivan Theater.
Whether this marks the end of Pavement's current reunion remains to be seen, but their recent activities prove their music is more vibrant than ever.
What are your thoughts on Pavement's resurgence? Will you be watching 'Pavements' or listening to the soundtrack? Share your comments below!
