No better place for the launch of Malojian’s anticipated third album ‘This Is Nowhere’ than No Alibis. There’s no doubt Malojian could have packed out any Belfast venue of choice.
‘The Deer’s Cry’ was launched at the Crescent Arts Centre early in 2013 with a great crowd. Since then the rise has been canonic if understated. But no, the venue of choice is a small independent bookseller on Botanic Avenue. And it couldn’t be more perfect.
People mingle and slowly take seats. I get a cosy chair in the alcove – again, it couldn’t be more perfect. I get to indulge my love of children’s books – flicking through old favourites; finding a collection of Oliver Jeffers’. I have them all at home, but it’s been a while since I’d indulged.
I wasn’t expecting a support for some reason. There’s nothing nicer than hearing brand new songs from a brand new artist. Let me introduce you to John Blek, if you haven’t already made his acquaintance through John Blek and the Rats.
Look him up. Great voice, a bit of a character. Well, he’s a Cork man and an excellent song-writer. Wry humour, dry melancholy, meticulous melody – you can see why he’s hooked up with Malojian for there is a clear similarity in tone, tenderness, honesty and integrity – with a dash of wit and mischief. From ‘Hold Your Horses’, ‘A Night On The Liquor’, ‘The Black Dog’, ‘Ruby Blood’, to ‘Little Sparrows’, ‘Killing Time’ and my favourite title – ‘The Barman, The Barfly and Me’ – you can stab a guess at the narrative really.
A bit of a break – more time for browsing the children’s book section for me – then Malojian as two-piece this evening. Stevie Scullion on various guitars. Joe McGurgan on that great big beautiful upright bass. There’s no Mike Mormecha on drums and things. He’s missing in some other action, maybe.
We were treated to thirteen songs; a perfect mix of songs from the all three albums – people pleasers from ‘The Deer’s Cry’ and ‘Southlands’, to fresh sounds from the new album.
Clearly, they are pleased as punch with the fruits of their labours in Chicago under the expert guidance of Nirvana’s ‘In Utero’ producer Steve Albini. And they should be. I’ve listened through a few times now and it’s a work of mastery.
But here in No Alibis on Botanic Avenue we’re a far cry from The Windy City and all that gadgetry. It’s peeled back, acoustic purity. It sounds damn good from where I’m sitting. It seems No Alibis has got a brand new sound system installed, and this is its premiere.
And although the reviews for ‘This Is Nowhere’ are reverential, I can’t deny a real soft spot for my favourites off ‘The Deer’s Cry’. In particular, ‘Old Timer’, but also ‘Watch The Rain’ and ‘Julie-Anne’, the final offering of the night.
‘Southlands’ is well represented with ‘Communion Girls’, ‘Bathtub Blues’, ‘Crease Of Your Smile’ – then a shout out for the title track and ‘What Am I Worth?’
We get a fair sample of the new album –such as ‘Lean On Me’, ‘I’ll Be Alright’ – and for the first time, I hear Malojian do a cover – Harry Nilson’s ‘Everybody’s Talkin’.
There’s a lot of love in the room, a lot of banter. It’s genial, casual, yet confident with an attentive and genuinely appreciate audience. None more appreciative than David Torrans of No Alibis, but gratitude is a two-way thing, with the two having a connection of genuine appreciation.
No encore, David says – leave the crowd wanting more. There’s a full band gig at The Mac in Belfast on 5th November, including a screening of the film documenting the making of ‘This Is Nowhere’, which I’m told, is worth seeing.
For gig details and to buy the latest records visit John Blek and The Rats and Malojian.