Pearl Jam’s Jeff Ament on new album: “2019 is probably safe to say”
This past March, Pearl Jam returned with the politically charged single 'Can't Deny Me', which was soon confirmed to be the lead single of their eleventh studio album.
Not much else was known about the album as everything was kept under wraps and close to the chest. But now, thanks to a recent interview on the podcast 'Kyle Meredith With...', the band's bassist Jeff Ament has revealed that the band could be eyeing a 2019 release.
Ament said the band needs “a good solid six to eight weeks carved out where we’re just recording all these ideas that we have” during the interview.
In all likelihood, that won’t happen until the Fall, as the band will be busy touring over the next several months.
“The one thing we have working against us is the upcoming tour, the other thing we have working against us is it takes three or four months to do a vinyl version of any record,” Ament explained.
Further on in the interview, while discussing a possible release date for the album, Ament said, “2019 is probably safe to say.”
Whenever the album does finally surface, Ament predicts something that’s “going to be really good,” as “there’s a lot to be inspired by and a lot to be pissed off about.”
So it wouldn't be a far stretch to expect a politically stirring album, especially considering the slew of such albums coming recently from other 90s bands.
Elsewhere in the interview, Ament was asked whether Pearl Jam is planning a 30th anniversary event similar to the multi-day festival they put together in celebration of their 20th anniversary in 2011.
“I probably won’t be the one leading the charge for that, because I wasn’t really that into doing the 20th anniversary,” Ament remarked, going on to suggest that he prefers to make new music than to pause and celebrate past achievements.
“I always feel like there’s danger in looking back. I always want to make new music and play new shows and go to new places. That said, I’m sure somebody will three three Xs on a t-shirt.”
Ament spoke of his new solo album, Heaven/Hell, and how he came to collaborate with Angel Olsen.