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“Malin writes vivid songs with killer tunes and sings them with scary conviction.There is simply nothing more you can demand from a great rock record *****” THE TIMES
Released in 2003, ‘The Fine Art Of Self Destruction’ was the debut album by New York based singer-songwriter Jesse Malin. “It wasn’t named for drug or alcohol abuse,” he states. “It was more about a personal wreckage when I looked back on my life, from my parents’ divorce to failed relationships, broken up bands, dropping out of school, crashing cars, breaking things. It was more of a spiritual journey in some sense. This record is definitely one of my favourites.”
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, ‘The Fine Art Of Self Destruction’ will be reissued on 17th February 2023 in expanded form with a bonus disc of the album reimagined and re-recorded with Malin’s longtime band. The bonus material was produced by Derek Cruz and engineered by Geoff Sanoff, who worked on Jesse’s recent ‘Sunset Kids’ and ‘Sad And Beautiful World’ releases.
A video for a new version of the album song ‘Brooklyn’ entitled ‘Brooklyn (Walt Whitman in the Trash)’ that honours New York in days of yore has been directed by Catherine Popper and Vivian Wang. “Cat and Vivian have a great sense of beauty, art and decay,” Malin adds. “‘Brooklyn’ is about beginnings, those early days of innocence and big dreams that often collide with irreversible mistakes and regret. We try to find ways to accept the mistakes and look back with laughter, forgiveness and love.”
Following his teenage years in the pioneering hardcore band Heart Attack and his 20s fronting the wild and beloved D Generation, Malin took a cue from his songwriting heroes and was ready for a chance to stand alone. His solo debut was recorded over six days in New York City, live and raw.
“I was still learning how to sing and tell stories. These songs were written in a little apartment downtown, without a record deal, a manager, or any expectation of anything coming of it – just a need to write them.”
Malin arrives in the UK in mid-February for the start of a European tour to promote this reissue, before returning to New York to perform at Webster Hall, where his special guests will include Tommy Stinson (who also guests on the European dates), Lucinda Williams, Butch Walker, Cait O’Riordan (The Pogues), Catherine Popper, Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie), opener Fantastic Cat, with more surprises to be announced. The European tour dates are listed below.
THE FINE ART OF SELF DESTRUCTION
TRACKLISTING
1 Queen of the Underworld
2 TKO
3 Wendy
4 Downliner
5 Brooklyn
6 The Fine Art of Self Destruction
7 Riding On The Subway
8 High Lonesome
9 Solitaire
10 Almost Grown
11 Xmas
12 Cigarettes and Violets
13 Brooklyn (Walt Whitman in the Trash)
14 Riding on the Subway ’22
15 Downliner (Afterglow Version)
16 High Lonesome (PBR Vacation)
17 Cigarettes and Violets ’22
18 Almost Grown (Busker Version)
19 Solitaire (Song for Kelly Keller)
20 Queen of the Underworld (Cantina Version)
21 Xmas, Etc.
ltd ed 2xLP
A1 Queen of the Underworld
A2 TKO
A3 Downliner
A4 Wendy
A5 Brooklyn
B1 The Fine Art of Self Destruction
B2 Riding On The Subway
B3 High Lonesome
B4 Solitaire
B5 Almost Grown
B6 Xmas
C1 Brooklyn (Walt Whitman in the Trash)
C2 Downliner (Afterglow Version)
C3 Solitaire (Song for Kelly Keller)
C4 Almost Grown (Busker Version)
D1 Queen of the Underworld (Cantina Version)
D2 Cigarettes and Violets ’22
D3 High Lonesome (PBR Vacation)
D4 Xmas, Etc.
ESSE MALIN
UK / EUROPEAN TOUR 2023
15.02.23 GLASGOW Stereo tickets
16.02.23 MANCHESTER YES (The Pink Room) tickets
17.02.23 LONDON The Garage tickets
18.02.23 PARIS (FR) La Boule Noire tickets
19.02.23 UTRECHT (NL) dB’s tickets
23.02.23 BERGAMO (IT) Druso tickets
24.02.23 RAVENNA (IT) Bronson tickets
25.02.23 MARENO DI PIAVE, TV (IT) Corner Live tickets
27.02.23 HAMBURG (DE) Nochtspeicher tickets
28.02.23 COPENHAGEN (DK) Hotel Cecil tickets
01.03.23 LUND (SE) Mejeriet tickets
02.03.23 STOCKHOLM (SE) Bar Brooklyn tickets
03.03.23 OSLO (NO) John Dee tickets
