J Mascis Announces New Solo Album 'What Do We Do Now' With First Single Can't Believe We're Here
Tuesday, 14 November 2023
Written by Jon Stickler
Photo: Jeffrey Fowler
J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. has announced a new solo studio album.
Slated to arrive through Sub Pop on February 2, 'What Do We Do Now' started life during the latter days of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the singer-songwriter experimenting with acoustic tunes that offer a different dynamic to Dinosaur Jr's material. He said:
"When I'm writing for the band, I'm always trying to think of doing things Lou and Murph would fit into. For myself, I'm thinking more about what I can do with just an acoustic guitar, even for the leads. Of course, this time, I added full drums and electric leads, although the rhythm parts are still all acoustic. Usually, I try to do the solo stuff more simply so I can play it by myself, but I really wanted to add the drums. Once that started, everything else just fell into place. So it ended up sounding a lot more like a band record. I dunno why I did that exactly, but it's just what happened."
Recorded at his studio Bisquiteen in Western Massachusetts, the record features Mascis playing most of the instrumentation, with guest collaborators Ken Mauri of the B-52s performing piano on several tracks, and multi-instrumentalist Matthew "Doc" Dunn on pedal steel.
Mascis continued: "Ken is great, and he plays all the keys. I tried playing some keyboards on the first Fog album, but I'm really only comfortable playing the white notes, so it's kind of limiting! Nowadays, I could just turn the pitch on a mini Mellotron to play different sounds, but black keys just seem hard. For whatever reason, I just like banging on the white ones. Seems like it's harder to figure out how to stretch your fingers around the other ones."
Alongside the news, Mascis has shared the single, Can't Believe We’re Here, a warm, jangly, acoustic song offering a prominent melody. Head below to view the accompanying video which features famous friends including Fred Armisen, IDLES, Fucked Up's Damian Abraham, David Cross, Eugene Mirman, Amber Tamblyn, Oliver Peck, Bully, Clare O’Kane, Todd Barry, Dolly Wells, Luluc and more.
Mascis is currently in the UK with Dinosaur Jr. who are halfway through a four-date residency at The Garage in London, celebrating the 30th anniversary of their sixth studio album, 'Where You Been'.
Following their London dates, they'll bring the show to Brooklyn's Music Hall of Williamsburg, New York for seven shows in December, followed by gigs in Australia and New Zealand in early 2024.
Dinosaur Jr. are also among the first names confirmed for next year's Bearded Theory festival in Derbyshire.
'What Do We Do Now' tracklist:
1. Can’t Believe We’re Here
2. What Do We Do Now
3. Right Behind You
4. You Don’t Understand Me
5. I Can’t Find You
6. Old Friends
7. It’s True
8. Set Me Down
9. Hangin Out
10. End Is Gettin Shaky
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