To celebrate its 20th anniversary, âThe Fine Art Of Self Destructionâ will be reissued on 17th February 2023 in expanded form with a bonus disc of the album reimagined and re-recorded with Malinâs longtime band.Â
The bonus material was produced by Derek Cruz and engineered by Geoff Sanoff, who worked on Jesseâs recent âSunset Kidsâ and âSad And Beautiful Worldâ releases.
Released in 2003, âThe Fine Art Of Self Destructionâ was the debut album by New York based singer-songwriter Jesse Malin. âIt wasnât named for drug or alcohol abuse,â explains Malin. âIt 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.â
The new recording of the album song âDownlinerâ re-entitled âDownliner (Afterglow Version)â is available as a single from today. Malin explains that âit was one of the first songs I wrote for the original album and it kinda came out in one shot. I felt like I was going into something new after being in a loud band years and it is about finding a way to stay afloat when you feel like you’re drowning. The new version was spontaneous and fun to sing to, with basic piano chords and cool fake drums giving it a sparse and dark vibe. It has given it new life, but still retained the sadness and maybe even the hope that the original offered me.â
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.â
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 OâRiordan (The Pogues), Catherine Popper, Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie), opener Fantastic Cat, with more surprises to be announced.
1Â Queen of the Underworld
2Â TKO
3Â Wendy
4Â Downliner
5Â Brooklyn
6Â The Fine Art of Self Destruction
7Â Riding On The Subway
8Â High Lonesome
9Â Solitaire
10Â Almost Grown
11Â Xmas
12Â Cigarettes and Violets
13Â Brooklyn (Walt Whitman in the Trash)
14Â Riding on the Subway â22
15Â Downliner (Afterglow Version)
16Â High Lonesome (PBR Vacation)
17Â Cigarettes and Violets â22
18Â Almost Grown (Busker Version)
19Â Solitaire (Song for Kelly Keller)
20Â Queen of the Underworld (Cantina Version)
21Â Xmas, etc.
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A1Â Queen of the Underworld
A2Â TKO
A3Â Downliner
A4Â Wendy
A5Â Brooklyn
B1Â The Fine Art of Self Destruction
B2Â Riding On The Subway
B3Â High Lonesome
B4Â Solitaire
B5Â Almost Grown
B6Â Xmas
C1Â Brooklyn (Walt Whitman in the Trash)
C2Â Downliner (Afterglow Version)
C3Â Solitaire (Song for Kelly Keller)
C4Â Almost Grown (Busker Version)
D1Â Queen of the Underworld (Cantina Version)
D2Â Cigarettes and Violets â22
D3Â High Lonesome (PBR Vacation)
D4Â Xmas, etc.
JESSE MALIN
UK / EUROPEAN TOUR 2023
15.02.23 GLASGOW Stereo  tickets
16.02.23Â MANCHESTERÂ YES (The Pink Room) Â 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
JESSE MALIN 2022 | photo by Ilaria Conte