JOHN CAVANAUGH
Jesse Malin will make an appearance at Little City Books in Hoboken, April 19.
Jesse Malin — a heartbeat of the New York rock scene through his music and his co-ownership of The Bowery Electric and other venues — will bring his motto PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) to Little City Books in Hoboken, April 19 at 4 p.m.
He will be interviewed about his upcoming book “Almost Grown: A New York Memoir” and more at the event by James Mastro, the singer-songwriter, Bongos member and owner of Hoboken’s Guitar Bar music store. It has not yet been announced if any music will be part of the event.
In “Almost Grown,” which will be released on April 7, Malin writes about growing up in Queens and finding his voice on the ’80s stages of New York’s downtown music scene. The book is co-authored by Debra Devi of Jersey City, and includes photos by Danny Clinch, Bob Gruen, Mick Rock, Vivian Wang and others.
Lucinda Williams has said that the book “stands to-to-toe with (Jim Carroll’s) ‘The Basketball Diaries’ as a story about growing up in New York.”
Despite his 2023 spinal stroke that left him partially paralyzed, Malin retains the belief that music has healing qualities that can unify us. He recovery is a testament to a resilient spirit.
The cover of Jesse Malin’s upcoming book “Almost Grown: A New York Memoir.”
His friends and colleagues responded to his struggles with the release of 2024’s tribute album Silver Patron Saints: The Songs of Jesse Malin. Nearly 30 artists — including Williams, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, The Wallflowers and Counting Crows — covered his songs to raise money for his recovery.
Two benefit concerts for Malin’s Sweet Relief fund at The Beacon Theatre in Manhattan in December 2024 marked his first concert appearances since he suffered that stroke. In my review, I wrote that “he sang in a strong voice and when he stood up on both nights, supporting himself by clutching a mic stand, the crowd roared in support of his perseverance, and his indomitable spirit. He told the crowd that he kept a mic stand in his apartment to practice standing in preparation for the concerts.”
At the concerts, Williams, Costello, Stevie Van Zandt, Jakob Dylan, Willie Nile and others sang his songs, and praised his generous nature.
For more on the Little City Books event, which is part of this year’s April 17-19 Hoboken Literary Weekend, visit eventbrite.com. Malin also will talk about his book at the Strand bookstore in Manhattan, April 8.
Malin is presenting “Silver Manhattan,” an autobiographical theatrical concert, at Bowery Palace in Manhattan through March 29. He will also perform at The Vogel at The Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank on Aug. 15.
For more on Malin, visit jessemalin.com.
CONTRIBUTE TO NJARTS.NET
Since launching in September 2014, NJArts.net, a 501(c)(3) organization, has become one of the most important media outlets for the Garden State arts scene. And it has always offered its content without a subscription fee, or a paywall. Its continued existence depends on support from members of that scene, and the state’s arts lovers. Please consider making a contribution of any amount to NJArts.net via PayPal, or by sending a check made out to NJArts.net to 11 Skytop Terrace, Montclair, NJ 07043.
