Rocker Stephen Malkmus says he did Lorde a favour - but won't say what

Stephen Malkmus believes Lorde owes him a favour, and fans want to know why. Photo/Getty

Stephen Malkmus has sparked a flurry of rumours after revealing that he did something for Lorde that means she owes him a favour.

But the Pavement front man, who now performs with his band The Jicks, won't say what it is he did for the Kiwi pop star.

Malkmus sparked headlines with his Pitchfork interview about his new single with Kim Gordon, Refute.

Malkmus told the publication that if Gordon couldn't perform on the song, "I was gonna ask Lorde to do it, 'cause I thought Lorde owed me a favour".

Asked to elaborate, Malkmus shut up shop.

"I did something for her. I don't wanna say [what]. I did her a favour," he said.

"It wasn't a big deal. It's not very exciting. It obviously wasn't big enough to get her to potentially sing on a tune. Maybe her parents are Pavement fans or something, so I'm still hoping [for a collaboration]."

Whatever it was, fans can't cope not knowing. One even called for a Serial-style podcast to be devoted to the topic.

The next season of @serial should - MUST - be dedicated to uncloaking the mysterious link between @lorde and @dronecoma. HOW DOES STEPHEN MALKMUS KNOW LORDE AND WHAT FAVOR DID HE DO FOR HER AND WHY WON'T SHE REPAY IT??? pic.twitter.com/PqtnyuepYM

— greg h. (@dongattack) April 3, 2018

stephen malkmus told @alexgfrank that he did a favor for lorde, and i can't stop thinking abt it https://t.co/lMbqgsM8HI

— Ryan Dombal (@ryandombal) April 2, 2018

"So what favor did Stephen Malkmus do for Lorde? Did he clear a Pavement sample for a forthcoming Lorde B-side? Did he let her use his NBA League Pass password? Did he tell her where to get the best fries in Portland?"

— leo! (@asph0delmead0ws) April 3, 2018

A 15-episode podcast on the favor Stephen Malkmus did for Lorde. pic.twitter.com/0mzPyTPNWf

— Josh Kurp (@JoshKurp) April 2, 2018

Malkmus' new album Refute is due out on May 18.