Ha registrato con Bruce Springsteen e Green Day ma è una leggenda fin dai suoi esordi nella punk band D Generation: il cantante e chitarrista newyorkese Jesse Malin arriva in tour in Italia e la prima data è mercoledì alle 21 all’Auditorium della Casa della Musica di Via dei Capitelli, in duo acustico con Derek Cruz al piano. «Le mie esperienze in Italia sono state tutte positive – commenta Malin – il pubblico è molto caloroso, recepisce ogni nota e ogni parola. Ho tenuto concerti in bar, cattedrali, grandi locali: la connessione emotiva con l’audience non è mai mancata. Ho suonato al Light of Day (a Muggia) e ho grandi ricordi di Trieste, della sua piazza vicino al mare, le chiese, ho fatto anche jogging vicino al mare. Quando siamo in tour non c’è molto tempo libero, ma se riesco vado a caccia di negozi di dischi e di vestiti, locali con bella musica, strade in cui poter fare una corsa, ragazze con cui chiacchierare, gente col cuore aperto pronta a condividere le sue storie in una conversazione e se possibile un buon ristorante vegetariano».
La sua New York com’è cambiata?
«Il mondo intero è cambiato. In bene e in male anche a causa di internet: dalle grandi catene e multinazionali agli smartphone che hanno tolto il mistero e la magia di certe avventure spontanee ma New York rimane ancora una città piena di sogni, voglia di fare e culture che convivono. Insomma è ancora una “città di Babbo Natale” piena di energia e un sacco di cose da fare».
Ha collaborato con tanti artisti famosi.
«Ryan Adams mi ha dato la prima spinta come solista. Adoro quello che ha fatto con il mio primo album “The Fine Art of Self Destruction”, gli sarò per sempre grato. Lavorare con Bruce Springsteen è stata una delle esperienze più straordinarie in tanti anni, così talentuoso e famoso eppure così generoso e umile. Averlo che canta su “Broken Radio” nel mio disco “Glitter in the Gutter” è motivo d’orgoglio. Per il nuovo disco ho lavorato con Lucinda Williams: un altro sogno che si è avverato. È una grande autrice, un’artista vera piena di intuizioni dall’animo profondo».
La sua missione?
«Desidero raggiungere più persone possibile, senza snaturare il mio cuore e la mia anima, promuovere la libertà d’espressione per tutti, l’amore e l’unità. La musica ti può connettere a tutti. Dobbiamo renderci conto che stiamo vivendo tutti ora e nello stesso pianeta: dobbiamo rispettare il prossimo e la terra sui cui camminiamo. Detta così può sembrare un sogno in stile hippie, ma credo davvero che sia l’unica via per evitare la distruzione imminente. Con un microfono e una chitarra hai l’opportunità di esprimerti, condividere le tue convinzioni con chi è disposto a recepirle e a ritrovarsi. I miei artisti preferiti da sempre non lo sono solo per canzoni e dischi ma per stile di vita e attitudine. La parte difficile è trovare un equilibrio in una vita fatta di rock’n’roll, dove le cose possono cambiare da un giorno all’altro, “dalle stelle alle stalle”, devi imparare a viaggiare tra alti e bassi e apprezzarne la bellezza».
La sua giornata tipo?
«La mattina inizia con un buon allenamento e cibo sano. Suono. Leggo un libro. Se sono fortunato vedo un bel concerto o film. Esco con amici veri. Scrivo una canzone. Sto vicino a chi amo».
Un consiglio a un esordiente?
«Segui il tuo cuore. Canta di quello che sai e ami. Non mollare. Lavora con persone che ci credono».
I prossimi mesi?
«Dopo questo tour, suoneremo a New York, poi Inghilterra e il nuovo disco uscirà in primavera. A seguire il tour dedicato al nuovo lavoro, assieme alla mia band al completo: Derek Cruz, Catherine Popper, Randy Schrager e Rob Clores».
Elisa Russo, Il Piccolo 28 Novembre 2018
JESSE MALIN – INTERVIEW
So you’ve performed in Italy many times… what do you think about our country/our culture and do you know of any italian artist/bands?
My experiences in Italy have only been positive. The audiences are super passionate really taking in every word and every note of the music. I’ve played in bars, cathedrals and large venues. The emotional connection is always consistent.
The people in Italy are very warm. It’s a beautiful country to experience.
You’ve already been in Trieste, do you have any memories of the town?
I had great memories of walking around on one of the two Light of Day tours. The town square, the water surrounding it, the old churches, it really looks cool. I went for a few jogs through the city along the water. I like to do that when I am not playing.
What can fans expect to see at your Italian shows on November?
We’ll be playing a mix of songs from all of my records, some covers from some of my favorite artists for fun, and some new material that will be on the new record coming out in 2019.
Being on the road, what do you like to do with your free time, if you even get any?
We don’t get that much free time but I love to look for record stores, cool clothing shops, bars with great music, girls to talk to, streets to run on and open hearted people who will share their lives with you in a conversation, and if possible, a good vegetarian restaurant with good vegetarian food.
You have a strong connection with your city and his musical scene… How NY has changed over the last few decades?
I feel like the whole world has changed. Good and bad because of the internet. Chain stores, corporate branding, cell phones, cameras – it’s taken a lot of the mystery and romance and spontaneous adventures away sometimes but New York is still a city full of dreams, action and many cultures. It’s still a Santa Claus town with high energy and lots of things to do.
You have often played with and worked with some great artists and producers. What can you tell me about it?
Ryan Adams gave me my first shot as a solo artist. I love what he did with my first album The Fine Art of Self Destruction.
I am forever grateful to him for that and more. Recently I worked with Lucinda Williams on the new record. That was another dream come true. She’s a great writer and a real artist with very soulful instincts. Working with Bruce Springsteen was one of the most wonderful things I experienced in these many years of music. For a guy so talented and massively popular he’s very humble as well as generous. Having him sing on Broken Radio on the Glitter in the Gutter record was surely a highlight.
What goals do you have with your music and its impact on the world?/ What message or messages are you trying to instill in your audience and listeners?
To reach as many people as possible, stay true to my heart and soul, promote individuality and freedom and expression for everyone. Love and unity globally. I feel that music is something that connects to everyone. We have to realize it’s a small planet and we are all alive right now at the same time. We need to find ways to respect each other and the earth that we walk on. It might sound like some crazy hippie dream but I believe it’s the only way without imminent destruction.
What personal lifestyle choices have you made which reflect the view and opinions expressed through your music? (For ex. I’ve seen a recent video for Peta where you speak about your vegetarian choice…)
Having a microphone an a guitar is an opportunity to be yourself, share your passions and beliefs with whomever wants to listen. Maybe they can find a part of themselves in something that relates to their life. even so even better, my favorite artists and bands weren’t just about songs and records, it was a life style and an attitude.
What would you say has been the hardest part of your musical journey so far?
That’s an interesting question. Learning to deal with the extreme balance of a rock ‘n roll lifestyle where things change from day to day in the same week. On one night you’re in a total dive in a gross dirty hotel and the next night you’re in a fancy hotel. Being able to ride with the highs and the lows and find some kind of balance and way of appreciate all of it’s beautiful and dirty glories.
What does a day in the life of Jesse Malin consist of?
I like to fire myself up in the morning with a good workout. Then get some healthy food. Play some music. Maybe be lucky enough to see a good show or a movie. Read a book. Hang out with some good friends. Write a song. Connect with the people I love.
What would your advice be for emerging artists who are trying to break through in a similar sphere?
Be true to your heart. Sing about what you know or want to know and what you love. Don’t give up. Work with people that are on a similar mission, friends, family or gang members.
What’s next?
After this tour, we will do a residency in NYC, then a UK tour and the new record will come out in Spring 2019. We will probably be out on tour for most of the year supporting that record. Meanwhile I hope to be writing another one and another one. I love being on stage playing these songs with my favorite musicians: Derek Cruz, Catherine Popper, Randy Schrager and Rob Clores, my band.
