Malkmus knew fellow Pavement songwriter Scott Kannberg (aka Spiral Stairs), of the Preston School of Industry, since childhood in Stockton, California. Malkmus attended the University of Virginia, where his father is also an alumnus. While at UVA, he also met Bob Nastanovich, another member of Pavement.
Malkmus currently resides in Portland, Oregon with his partner, artist Jessica Jackson Hutchins. In 2005, Hutchins gave birth to the couple's first child, a daughter named Lottie.
In 2008 Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks released the album, Real Emotional Trash — the group’s first album with new drummer Janet Weiss from Sleater-Kinney. In 2020, Stephen released Traditional Techniques. Reviewing the album for AllMusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine described the album as "an amiably trippy and decisively mellow psych-folk adventure."
Post-Paint Boy
Stephen Malkmus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So fed up with hypocrisy
There isn't a label large enough to fit your bill
Act like you deserve to win
Trade up for a thicker skin
For scraps of acceptance from coked-up quasi-urbane kids
Really proud of what you did
Post-paint boy, with your art
You're penny rich and dollar dumb
In a style that they call
So non-European
You're the maker of modern
Minor masterpieces for the untrained eye
You're the maker of modern
Minor masterpieces for the untrained eye--yep!
Belarus Biennial
You surely surely made them wow
Minds were blown and bombs were thrown--oh no!!
Seventeen anteaters
Sequestered in a room
With the sisters of mothers of famous gluttons I don't know
You really, really, really,
Really, really, really showed
Who can blame you for becoming
Penny smart and dollar dumb
In a world that has become
So American
You're the maker of modern
Minor masterpieces for the untrained eye
You're the maker of modern
Minor masterpieces for the untrained eye
You're the maker of modern
Minor masterpieces for the untrained eye
You're the maker of modern
Minor masterpieces for the untrained eye--yep!
The lyrics of the song "Post-Paint Boy" by Stephen Malkmus showcase a cynical commentary on the art world and its pretentiousness. The chorus' lyrics are directed at an artist, who has achieved success, but the singer implies that it is an artificial and undeserved achievement. The first verse highlights the hypocrisy and complexity of the art world, and how there is no precise label to describe the artist in question. The singer seems to be dismissive of the artist's work and their fame, which is evident from lines like "You're penny rich and dollar dumb."
In the second half of the song, the lyrics move towards exploring the impact of Americanization on the art world. The singer references the Belarus Biennial as a prestigious event, which the post-paint boy has impressed. However, Malkmus questions whether the art has any real impact or if it is merely a meaningless gesture. The final lines of the chorus repeat the title of the song, referring to the artist as a "maker of modern minor masterpieces," which come across as ironic and patronizing.
Line by Line Meaning
Revelation artistry
The creative output is considered to be a revelation.
So fed up with hypocrisy
Displeasure with the insincerity and deception of society.
There isn't a label large enough to fit your bill
The artist cannot be captured by any label or contained within a defined style.
Act like you deserve to win
Confidence and assertiveness in one's actions and decisions.
Trade up for a thicker skin
Developing resilience and thicker skin to criticism and negative feedback.
For scraps of acceptance from coked-up quasi-urbane kids
Seeking validation and acceptance from a superficial and pretentious group of people.
I'm really, really, really,
Really proud of what you did
Proud of the accomplishments and achievements of the person being addressed.
Post-paint boy, with your art
Referring to the artist and their style of painting.
You're penny rich and dollar dumb
The artist is skilled, but not capable of making a living from their art.
In a style that they call
So non-European
The artist's style is unique and not easily categorized within European artistic traditions.
You're the maker of modern
Minor masterpieces for the untrained eye
The artist makes contemporary works that are accessible to people without extensive artistic knowledge.
Belarus Biennial
You surely surely made them wow
Minds were blown and bombs were thrown--oh no!!
The artist's work was well-received and left a strong impression on the audience.
Seventeen anteaters
Sequestered in a room
With the sisters of mothers of famous gluttons I don't know
A random description that does not have a clear connection to the rest of the lyrics.
You really, really, really,
Really, really, really showed
The artist made a significant impact with their work.
Who can blame you for becoming
Penny smart and dollar dumb
In a world that has become
So American
The artist is praised for their talent, but is struggling to make a living due to the commercialization of art and the focus on consumerism in American culture.
You're the maker of modern
Minor masterpieces for the untrained eye
You're the maker of modern
Minor masterpieces for the untrained eye--yep!
Repetition of the earlier lyrics to reiterate the artist's style and accessibility to a general audience.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind