News
Los Angeles Rising Also Features Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Primal Scream, Grinderman, Gary Numan, and More
Feb 07, 2025
By Mark Redfern
The music community has really stepped up when it comes to raising money for those affected by the recent devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, from various benefit concerts and compilations to the millions raised during the Grammy Awards telecast. Los Angeles Rising is another compilation album added to the cause and it features Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker covering The Mamas and the Papas’ “California Dreamin’” and a new PJ Harvey song, “The Red River,” along with previously unreleased tracks by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Primal Scream, Grinderman, Gary Numan, and more. More
Select Shows This September
Mar 18, 2024
By Mark Redfern
Britpop icons Pulp have announced their first North American tour dates in 12 years. Last year the band reunited for dates in the U.K., Europe, and South America, but they haven’t performed in the U.S. since 2012. More
Film Due Out June 16 via Focus Features and Also Stars Scarlett Johansson, Tilda Swinton, Edward Norton, Jeffrey Wright, Bryan Cranston, Adrien Brody, Margot Robbie, Jarvis Cocker, Maya Hawke, Steve Carell, and More
Mar 29, 2023
By Mark Redfern
The first trailer for Asteroid City, Wes Anderson’s new film, has been shared. It stars Jason Schwartzman, Tom Hanks, and Scarlett Johansson, among many others, is set in 1955, and might even feature aliens and UFOs (a rarity for an Anderson film). More
Mar 21, 2022
By Joey Arnone
Jarvis Cocker’s band JARV IS… have shared their original soundtrack for the hit BBC series This Is Going To Hurt. More
From the Netflix Animated Series The House
Jan 21, 2022
By Joey Arnone
Jarvis Cocker has a new song entitled “This House Is…” for the Netflix animated series The House. Co-written with the show’s composer, Gustavo Santaolalla, the song plays over the end credits. Cocker himself voices a rat in the series. More
Plus Jarvis Cocker, C Duncan, Yumi Zouma, Pom Pom Squad, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks
Nov 12, 2021
By Mark Redfern (with Joey Arnone)
Welcome to the 43rd Songs of the Week of 2021. It was a packed week for new songs. There were lots of big album announcements (Jack White even announced two new albums, although he didn’t share any new songs from either of them). And Under the Radar favorite Beach House put out four new songs! So the best we could narrow it down to this week was a Top 12. More
Good Pop, Bad Pop Due Out May 26, 2022; New Song a Collaboration with Riton and Gucci Soundsystem
Nov 11, 2021
By Joey Arnone
Jarvis Cocker has announced the release of a new memoir, Good Pop, Bad Pop, which will be out on May 26, 2022. Cocker has also just landed a guest feature on the new climate change anthem, “Let’s Stick Around,” by Riton and Gucci Soundsystem—its release coincides with the nearing conclusion of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference. More
Chansons D’Ennui Tip-Top Due Out October 22 via ABKCO
Oct 07, 2021
By Joey Arnone
Jarvis Cocker has shared a new cover of Dalida’s 1973 duet with Alain Delon, “Paroles, Paroles.” It features Stereolab’s Laetitia Sadier and will be featured on Cocker’s forthcoming album, Chansons D’Ennui Tip-Top, which will be out on October 22 via ABKCO. More
Chansons D’Ennui Tip-Top Due Out October 22 via ABKCO
Sep 14, 2021
By Joey Arnone
Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker has announced the release of a new album titled Chansons D’Ennui Tip-Top, which will consist of covers of classic French songs. Cocker has subsequently released the album’s lead single, a cover of Christophe’s 1965 song “Aline.” The cover was originally featured in the first trailer for Wes Anderson’s latest film The French Dispatch, and the new album is meant to be somewhat of a companion piece to the film. More
A Sky Record Due Out August 6; New Song Inspired by the BBC Shipping Forecast
Jun 23, 2021
By Mark Redfern
Damon & Naomi have announced a new album, A Sky Record, and shared its first single, “Sailing By,” which is inspired by BBC Radio’s The Shipping Forecast. Damon Krukowski and Naomi Yang were formerly of Galaxie 500 (with Dean Wareham) and the new album was made in collaboration with Japanese guitarist Michio Kurihara. More
Issue 68 Out Now and Also Includes Julien Baker, Wolf Alice, Tegan and Sara, Arlo Parks, Fleet Foxes, Jessie Ware, Shamir, Lucy Dacus, Valerie June, David Byrne, Julian Casablancas, and Much More
Apr 21, 2021
By Mark Redfern
Under the Radar is excited to announce the full details of our new print issue, which is out now nationwide (on newsstands, in such stores as Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million, and elsewhere) and available to buy directly from us here. The issue features Japanese Breakfast and HAIM on the two covers and is another edition of The Protest Issue, which examines the intersection of music and politics and features musicians photographed with protest signs of their own making. More
A Terrible Year Yielded Some Not Terrible Music
Jan 15, 2021
By Mark Redfern
So, 2020 was quite an uneventful year wasn’t it? Nothing much of note happened. It was pretty boring. But at least there were some decent records to liven things up. This is the intro to our Best Albums of 2020 list I wish I could be writing. More
The Livestream Will Also Include DJ Sets from Superorganism, Django Django, Kero Kero Bonito, and More
Dec 10, 2020
By Joey Arnone
Hot Chip have announced that they will be hosting a charity livestream event, “Hot Chip and Friends,” on December 18 (next Friday). Proceeds will support Crisis, a British charity for the homeless. The livestream is set to feature back-to-back DJ sets from Hot Chip, Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker, Dillon Francis, Superorganism, Kero Kero Bonito, LA Priest, Django Django, Para One, Lou Hayter, Mighty Mouse, and Myd. More
Plus Badge Époque Ensemble, Julien Baker, Ela Minus, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks
Oct 23, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Welcome to the 41st Songs of the Week of 2020. This week there was a second and final presidential debate that, unlike the first one, was an actual debate. More
Song Available on 10-Inch Vinyl January 15, 2021 (Plus Watch JARV IS… Perform at the Barbican)
Oct 23, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Hot Chip have enlisted Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker for a brand new song, “Straight to the Morning,” which was shared via a video for it. The song will be available on a limited edition 10-inch vinyl on January 15, 2021 via Domino. More
The Beyond the Pale: Live From the Centre of the Earth Concert Will Be Live For Only 24 Hours On July 21
Jul 20, 2020
By Samantha Small
Last Friday Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker released a new album Beyond the Pale under his new band’s moniker JARV IS…. Only a few days out from the release, Cocker has announced a free live performance of the record tomorrow, July 21 at 3 p.m. EST/12 p.m, PST/8 p.m. BST via YouTube. It’s entitled Beyond the Pale: Live From the Centre of the Earth and will be available for only 24 hours. More
Plus Oceanator, The Go! Team, IDLES, Moses Sumney, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks
Jul 17, 2020
By Christopher Roberts (with Samantha Small, Stephen Axeman, and Julian Roberts-Grmela)
Welcome to the 28th Songs of the Week of 2020. It’s another week where the pandemic continues to spread all around America, with the Trump administration doing little to stop it. As a consequence, parents across the land (including this one) are wrestling with whether or not to send their kids to school this fall. More
Beyond the Pale Out Now via Rough Trade
Jul 16, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker has a newish band JARV IS… and their debut album, Beyond the Pale, came out today via Rough Trade. Now that the album’s out you can stream the whole thing here. Also, yesterday we posted our review of the album and on Wednesday we posted our podcast interview with Cocker. More
New Episodes Every Wednesday
Jul 15, 2020
By Laura Studarus
Welcome to Why Not Both Wednesdays. Every week, in partnership with the Why Not Both podcast, we’ll be presenting new podcast episodes that explore how multiple passions inform the inspiring lives of musicians, writers, actors, and creatives. This week, we got to know the many sides of Jarvis Cocker. More
Plus Leon Bridges, Plants and Animals, Michael Stipe, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks
Jun 12, 2020
By Christopher Roberts (with Mark Moody and Samantha Small)
Welcome to the 23rd Songs of the Week of 2020. It was a bit more of a chill week than last week. Black Lives Matter protests continued across the world, but generally remained peaceful. More
Beyond the Pale Due Out July 17 via Rough Trade
Jun 11, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker has a newish band JARV IS… and their debut album, Beyond the Pale, is due out July 17 via Rough Trade. Now they have shared another song from the album, album opener “Save the Whale,” via a video for it featuring live photos of the band taken by fans. More
Jun 01, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Fourteen years later, alas, Jarvis Cocker’s 2006 single “Running the World” (its full uncensored title is “Cunts Are Still Running the World”) resonates even more today. More
Plus Willie Nelson, The Pretenders, DMA’s, and Lady Gaga
Mar 25, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
With everything going on with the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and most spring and summer tours and festivals either postponed or cancelled, it makes sense that musicians are now starting to postpone their albums. This week HAIM, Jarvis Cocker’s new band JARV IS…, Hinds, Kelly Lee Owens, The Pretenders, Willie Nelson, Lady Gaga, and DMA’s have all pushed back the release dates of their upcoming albums. More
Plus Muzz, The Lemon Twigs, Caroline Rose, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks
Mar 06, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Welcome to the ninth Songs of the Week of 2020. It’s been a topsy-turvy week. SXSW was just cancelled due to the COVID-19 coronavirus. The Democratic presidential primaries have dramatically changed in the last week, with Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, Tom Steyer, Michael Bloomberg, and, sigh, Elizabeth Warren all dropping out of the race, leaving just Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders. More
Beyond the Pale Due Out May 1 via Rough Trade
Mar 02, 2020
By Christopher Roberts
Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker has a newish band JARV IS… and now the project has announced their debut album, Beyond the Pale, and shared a new song from it, “House Music All Night Long,” via a video for the track.
More
New Version Features Kaiser Quartett; Proceeds Go to Homeless Charity Shelter
Dec 19, 2019
By Mark Redfern
Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker has shared a new version of his 2006 song “Running the World,” made with Kaiser Quartett, a string quartet based in Hamburg, Germany. It is timed to the fan campaign to make the protest song (its full uncensored title is “Cunts Are Still Running the World”) the #1 song on the UK singles chart on Christmas Day in response to last week’s British election results. More
Might 2006 Protest Song Hit #1 Because of Boris Johnson?
Dec 17, 2019
By Mark Redfern
It’s apparently a big deal which song is #1 on the UK singles chart on Christmas Day. A Facebook group has been launched by fans Michael Hall and Darcie Molina to help get a 13-year-old solo protest song by Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker, “Running the World,” into the #1 spot in response to last week’s British election results, in which Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party won in a landslide, in large part because of Brexit. More
In Katowice, Poland, August 2-4
Jul 26, 2019
By Jimi Arundell
First started by organizer and director Arthur Rojeck from rock band Myslovitz and dream pop outfit Lenny Valentino, OFF Festival at Katowice in Poland boasts an intoxicating mix of youthful energy coming from the carefully selected cutting edge musicians plus huge heritage acts ensuring a high quality of performers which can range right from German techno to Norwegian death metal. More
Plus Devendra Banhart, Metronomy, Luke Temple, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks
Jun 21, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Welcome to another Songs of the Week. It’s a supersized edition, with a Top 12 instead of a Top 10. A ton of new albums were announced in the last week and then there were some albums and EPs released today featuring non-single tracks we’ve been dying to share in Songs of the Week. More
Serfs Up! Out Now via Domino; UK Tour Dates Announced
Jun 18, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
England’s Fat White Family released a new album, Serfs Up!, back in April via Domino, their first for the label (and third album overall). Now they have shared a remix of one of its singles, “Feet,” done by Jarvis Cocker of Pulp alongside DJ Parrot. More
Plus Men I Trust, Alex Lahey, The Raconteurs, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks
May 17, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Welcome to another Songs of the Week. We weren’t blown away by too many new tracks this week, beyond the Top 4 on the list below, hence a slightly shorter list this week. More
Single Only Available at Live Shows
May 15, 2019
By Christopher Roberts
Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker has shared a new song, “MUST I EVOLVE,” under the band name JARV IS. More
They Join Previously Announced Lineup Including Tame Impala, Jarvis Cocker, Mercury Rev Performing Deserter's Songs, and More
Jul 24, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
California’s Desert Daze festival has been announcing its lineup in stages. Now they have announced the third round of artists, including second headliner My Bloody Valentine, as well as Julia Holter, Shellac, Escape-ism, and Yonatan Gat & The Eastern Medicine Singers. More
Performed in London Tonight
Apr 12, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Arcade Fire performed in London tonight and they brought Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker up on stage to perform his song “Cunts Are Still Running the World,” a song from his 2006-released debut solo album Jarvis (it was also featured during the closing credits of Children of Men). More
Is Cocker Prepping His First Album in Nine Years?
Mar 13, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker has announced some new British tour dates via Instagram. A press release says “most of the songs are new but some will be familiar,” hinting at a new solo album from Cocker. More
It's the New Opening Theme to the BCC/Netflix Show
Dec 14, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
Jarvis Cocker and Iggy Pop have teamed up to cover the Nick Cave classic “Red Right Hand” (from 1994). They have done so for the TV show Peaky Blinders. The show, which stars Cillian Murphy as the leader if a gang in post-WWI Birmingham, England, airs on BBC 2 in the U.K. and Netflix in the U.S. More
Norður og Niður Festival in Iceland This December
Sep 18, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
Iceland’s Sigur Rós previously announced Norður og Niður, a new festival at Reykjavik’s Harpa venue from December 27 - 31. The band will perform four shows in Harpa’s main hall, Eldborg (which has a capacity of only 1,500 per show), on December 27, 28, 29, and 30. More
Susanne Sundfør Also Took Part in Live Event with An Orchestra
Jul 25, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
At a BBC Proms concert tonight at the Royal Albert Hall in London they paid tribute to Scott Walker. Jules Buckley and the Heritage Orchestra led the concert with guest vocalists Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker, Richard Hawley, John Grant, and Susanne Sundfør all performing Walker’s songs. More
Issue 60 Also Includes Interviews with alt-J, Grandaddy, Jarvis Cocker, Mount Eerie, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Perfume Genius, Slowdive, Little Dragon, London Grammar, Mew, Real Estate, Goldfrapp, The New Pornographers and Much More
Apr 07, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
Under the Radar is excited to announce the full details of our Spring 2017 Issue, which is out now digitally via Under the Radar’s app and the magazine app Readly. The print version is about to ship out to subscribers and stores and will be on all newsstands soon (as well as available soon digitally via the magazine apps Zinio and Readly). More
Pleasure Due Out April 28 via Universal
Apr 05, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
Leslie Feist is releasing a new album, Pleasure, on April 28 via Interscope. Previously she had shared the album’s title track. Now here’s another song from the album, “Century,” which features the guest vocals of Pulpfrontman (and solo artist) Jarvis Cocker. More
Room 29 Due Out March 17 via Deutsche Grammophon
Jan 27, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker has teamed up with Chilly Gonzales for a new collaborative concept album, Room 29, and have shared two songs from it and a teaser video. Room 29 is due out March 17 via Deutsche Grammophon. More
Cocker's First New Solo Release Since 2009 Out Now on 7-Inch in the U.K. and Out Digitally on May 27
May 20, 2016
By Christopher Roberts
Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker has scored Likely Stories, a new TV series based on short stories by acclaimed author Neil Gaiman. Now the score has been released as the Likely Stories EP on 7-inch in the U.K. today. The EP will be released digitally on May 27 and as a 7-inch in the U.S. on June 3. More
Four Part Series to Air on Sky Arts in the U.K.
Feb 11, 2016
By Christopher Roberts
Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker is set to score Likely Stories, a new TV series based on short stories by acclaimed author Neil Gaiman. There will be four half-hour episodes that will air in the U.K. on Sky Arts. There’s no word on when it will premiere and if it will also air in the U.S. (and on which channel if it does). More
Asks for a Batman Mask, Sexy Glasses, and a Guided Missile That Only Kills Evil People
Dec 09, 2015
By Christopher Roberts
Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker has written a letter to Father Christmas (aka Santa Claus) and asked for a 1960s Batman mask, cashmere underpants, sexy glasses, an electric car, and a “guided missile that only kills evil people & leaves nice people completely unscathed.”
Played on his BBC Radio 6 Music Show Sunday Service
Nov 23, 2015
By Christopher Roberts
Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker has debuted a new song, “Friday 13th 2015,” about the recent terrorist attacks in Paris. The British musician lives in Paris. The track is a spoken word piece, backed by Serafina Steer, in which Cocker talks about what he was doing when he heard about the attacks and how he was worried about his son, who he couldn’t reach at the time. More
In Honor of 50th Anniversary of Classic 1960s Science Fiction Puppet Show Created by Gerry Anderson
Nov 19, 2015
By Christopher Roberts
Jarvis Cocker and members of Goldfrapp and Portishead have teamed up for a tribute concert to honor the iconic 1960s British children’s show Thunderbirds. Thunderbirds debuted in 1965 and featured a mix of intricate models and puppets to tell the science fiction tale of International Rescue, a family team of futuristic rescue workers in 2065 who utilized various cool rockets and airplanes to avert disasters. More
Pilooski's Isola EP is Out Now
Oct 28, 2015
By Christopher Roberts
Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker visits the zoo in the strange video for “Completely Sun,” which is a song by Pilooski. Pilooski is the French DJ/producer Cédric Marszewski (he’s also one-half of Discodeine) and the song features spoken word sections by Cocker. More
Songs Released Under Pseudonyms as Part of the Film Partisan, Which is Scored by Oneohtrix Point Never
Sep 30, 2015
By Christopher Roberts
The indie film Partisan won an award at the Sundance Film Festival, opens in New York this Friday, and is released on DVD October 14. Oneohtrix Point Never scored the movie, but several other notable musicians (Jarvis Cocker, Jason Buckle, Joseph Mount of Metronomy, Robyn, and Sébastien Tellier) contributed to the soundtrack under pseudonyms. More
Exhibition in Conjunction with Red Bull Now on in Paris
Jul 02, 2015
By Christopher Roberts
Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker has teamed up with Red Bull Paris for the “20 Golden Greats” project. It’s an exhibition at their art space in Paris (at 12 Mail, 75002 Paris, France) that is currently running until August 28. More
Rally Gathering This Sunday
Sep 19, 2014
By Mike Hilleary
In New York City this weekend on Sunday, Sept. 21 close to 100,000 people are expected to take part in the People’s Climate March, a rally that will coincide with a UN summit of global leaders addressing the world’s climate crisis. More
New Pulp Documentary Out in the UK Next Month
May 27, 2014
By Mike Hilleary
Finishing a lengthy reunion tour with Pulp at the end of 2012—the last show of which was captured for a new documentary—frontman Jarvis Cocker has revealed in a new interview that he has begun working on some new solo material. More
Featured on New Charity Album
Jan 10, 2014
By Mike Hilleary
Back in 2008 the Scottish arts collective and charity Transgressive North visited the Light of Love Children’s Home in Tuni, southeastern India, a place that housed some 600 young “untouchables.” More
Album to Benefit Children In India
Oct 24, 2013
By Laura Studarus
A stable of impressive musicians have teamed up for an ambitious, two-part international outreach album in aid of Dalit “untouchable” children in southeast India. More
Guests Include Jarvis Cocker, Franz Ferdinand, Charlotte Gainsbourg and More
May 16, 2013
By Laura Studarus
Remember last year, when we got all excited that Beck was about to release his first album since 2008’s Modern Guilt…and it turned out to be a collection of sheet music called Song Reader? Well, we can finally put down our guitars. More
With Support from Chromatics
Apr 16, 2012
By Cody Ray Shafer
Last year Pulp reunited and last Tuesday, April 10, Jarvis Cocker and co. played their first show in the United States in 14 long years at Radio City Music Hall in New York. Support came from Chromatics. Under the Radar‘s photographer Wendy Lynch Redfern was there to capture the band’s long awaited return to North America. More
Mar 29, 2012
By Mike Hilleary
While in New York with a reunited Pulp, Jarvis Cocker has revealed that he will perform at New York’s Whitney Museum April 5-8 with his electro side outfit Relaxed Muscle. More
Oct 13, 2011
By Natasha Moningka
Along with 12 Nobel laureates and 6 Booker prize winners, Faber & Faber has gained something else worth acknowledgement-Jarvis Cocker. More
“Just What I Needed” at Reading Festival
Aug 29, 2011
By Mi Tran
On Saturday at the Reading Festival in the U.K., Pulp‘s frontman, Jarvis Cocker, joined The Strokes onstage to cover The Cars’ song, “Just What I Needed.” More
“Avalanche (Terminal Velocity)”
Jul 29, 2011
By Laura Studarus
German glitch-master Boys Noize has teamed with Erol Alkan and…Jarvis Cocker? Color us interested. More
Watch Video of Cocker Discussing Mother, Brother, Lover: Selected Lyrics
Jun 30, 2011
By Margot Cooper Gruen
Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker is set to release a book of his lyrics, Mother, Brother, Lover: Selected Lyrics, due out in October via Faber & Faber. More
At Least $2.00 off Most Back Issues
May 14, 2010
By Laura Studarus
Sad but true, sometimes you can have too much of a good thing. Well, sad for us that is. Swamped with back issues—which I’m all sure we can agree is a good thing—Under the Radar is passing them on to you with a sale on selected issues. The question is, can you have too much of a good thing? We’re offering two dollars off most available back issues! More
Proves Yet Again He’s Cooler Than You
May 13, 2010
By Laura Studarus
Jarvis Cocker has rocked with Pulp, slayed solo, and entertained children. So why not delve into the world of ambient recordings? He has with found sound album, Time to Think. We have the free download link. More
Video Echoes Cocker's Album Art
Nov 06, 2009
By Mark Redfern
Jarvis Cocker has a new video for “Further Complications,” which is the title track to the ex-Pulp frontman’s latest solo album, Further Complications. The clip was shot in a plain white studio and echoes the album’s cover art. More
Three Songs Exclusively Written for Get Him to the Greek
Aug 04, 2009
By Michele Yamamoto
Russell Brand enlists Jarvis Cocker to pen songs for his upcoming film, Get Him to the Greek (a spin-off of Forgetting Sarah Marshall), and Cocker has plans to reprise his Paris exhibition in London later this year. He tells Billboard he might reform Pulp before he gets too old, but he might not. More
Check out a Full Gallery of Cocker's "Children's Day" Performance
May 07, 2009
By Mark Redfern
All this week Jarvis Cocker is taking over the Galerie Chappe art gallery in Paris for musical performances, exercise classes, a photo exhibition, and all sorts. Today was children’s day, as French children traditionally have Wednesday’s off, and so we sent our Paris photographer Sophie Etchart down to the event to capture the madness. More
Jarvis The Exhibition Includes Performances, Yoga, and Kids' Day
May 02, 2009
By Michele Yamamoto
Jarvis Cocker is to take up residence at a Paris art gallery all next week. Replete with audience interaction, improvisation, aerobics classes, and a children’s day, the five-day experiment sounds like a ton of fun. More
Jarvis Cocker on the Importance of Lyrics
Mar 19, 2009
By Mark Redfern
“Saying the Unsayable” was an “investigation into the role of lyrics in popular song.” Jarvis Cocker, dressed as dapper as ever in a jacket and tie, stood in front of the eager crowd crammed into the small convention room, and armed with a slide/video projector and a long pointer, as he presented a near-two-hour lecture on the importance of lyrics. And if anyone should know about the value of lyrics, it’s Cocker, arguably one of the greatest British lyricists of the last two decades. “Everything expressed is solely based on my subjective opinion,” Cocker said in his opening, “but I’m usually right.” More
Interviews
Mar 25, 2021
By Austin Trunick
“Like a lot of people, I went through phases,” explains Jarvis Cocker, when asked about his first reaction to the closures and quarantining which occurred in the outbreak of COVID-19. More
Jul 03, 2017
By Austin Trunick
On a level with The Hollywood Sign and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, the storied Chateau Marmont is a landmark forever entwined in the history of Hollywood filmmaking (and thus American popular culture at large.) One particular suite of the distinguished hotel became the subject of Room 29, a concept album by British songwriter—and Pulp frontman—Jarvis Cocker and Canadian composer Chilly Gonzales. More
Truth, Twenty-Four Frames Per Second
Jun 30, 2017
By Austin Trunick
Errol Flynn. Clark Gable. Robert Mitchum. Marilyn Monroe. Dorothy Parker. Greta Garbo. Charles Bukowski. F. Scott Fitzgerald. Heath Ledger. Gram Parsons. Jim Morrison. John Lennon. James Dean and Natalie Wood. Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski. All were guests of Chateau Marmont, Hollywood’s most fabled hotel. More
Jul 31, 2014
By Mark Redfern
For this Throwback Thursday we revisit our 2007 interview with Jarvis Cocker. At the time the Pulp frontman was releasing his debut solo album, titled Jarvis, was still married, and many years away from reforming Pulp. This is the full unedited transcript of the interview and is longer than what originally ran in the print magazine. Read on as Cocker discusses domestic life, marriage advice, fatherhood, the highs and lows of Pulp, time travel, religion, whether Hitler thought he was evil, William Shatner, and a myriad of other topics. More
Aug 05, 2009
By Matt Fink
He’s made a career out of examining every thread in the tapestry of British life, so it should surprise no one that Jarvis Cocker likes to ask questions. More
Reviews
Jul 19, 2016
By Lily Moayeri
The pairing of Jarvis Cocker’s sardonicism with another master storyteller, author Neil Gaiman (Coraline, The Graveyard Book) is pure genius. Cocker has written the music for the British television series, Likely Stories, based on four short stories by the award-winning Gaiman. More
Mar 19, 2009
By Mark Redfern
“Saying the Unsayable” was an “investigation into the role of lyrics in popular song.” Jarvis Cocker, dressed as dapper as ever in a jacket and tie, stood in front of the eager crowd crammed into the small convention room, and armed with a slide/video projector and a long pointer, as he presented a near-two-hour lecture on the importance of lyrics. And if anyone should know about the value of lyrics, it’s Cocker, arguably one of the greatest British lyricists of the last two decades. “Everything expressed is solely based on my subjective opinion,” Cocker said in his opening, “but I’m usually right.” More