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,” explains Malin. “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.
The new recording of the album song ‘Downliner’ re-entitled ‘Downliner (Afterglow Version)’ is available as a single from today. Malin explains that “it 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.”
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.
JESSE 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 ticket
new single
out 13.01.23
(One Little Independent)
digital services
re-recorded version of song included on
THE FINE ART OF SELF DESTRUCTION
(20th Anniversary expanded edition)
2xLP | digital
out 17.02.23
inc. bonus LP of the entire album reimagined and re-recorded
private album review link
pre-order/save
also includes the singles
RIDING ON THE SUBWAY ’22
digital services
XMAS, etc
video | digital services
BROOKLYN (WALT WHITMAN IN THE TRASH)
video | digital services
