GUM, the moniker of Tame Impala/Pond multi-instrumentalist Jay Watson today
returns with new music in the form of double single release “The Underdog” and “S.I.A” Both singles appear on the forthcoming record The Underdog which will be released on April 6th via Spinning Top. GUM will play three dates in the U.S. in April at The Independent in San Francisco, in Los Angeles at the Masonic Lodge, and Baby’s All Right in New York. Watson is currently touring with POND on Laneway Festival.
Described as “an endlessly flexible musical polymath,” GUM’s ability to traverse multiple genres is evident in his latest sonic offerings. Mixed and recorded himself, with additional drums done at Kevin Parker’s home studio, GUM describes The Underdog themes as “evoking that sensation of triumph and that weird parallel universe feeling you get when the person that’s not supposed to win, does.“
The last song made for the new record, “S.I.A” was depicted as “a Russian advert for shaving razors from the year 2080” by artist Bjenny Montero. GUM based the track’s beginnings on an initial rhythm saying, “I liked the idea of it being really organic electronic music, kind of groovy but also really cold and mechanical sounding.”
With a series of sold-out headline shows in 2017 and appearance on the line-up for Gizzfest, GUM is no stranger to packed venues. Having supported the likes of Mac DeMarco and Mini Mansions, the multi-instrumentalist is set to support Angel Olsen on her solo tour this March in Australia. The new LP follows GUM’s 2014 debut Delorean Highway, 2015’s Glamorous Damage, and 2016’s Flash In The Pan. In 2018, The Underdog is set to entice a new legion of GUM fanatics and firmly establish Watson’s distinctive sound.