hey loves,
 
chris and i are sitting in holland, michigan this morning... eating free strawberries and drinking coffee.  spent the night in a city park, back behind the parking railings.... we drove chris' car into the woods and dropped a tent where no one could see us.  no cops, no trouble.  its nice having a car to jump into and find camping off of my bike route... hopefully it will keep me from singlehandedly supporting the rest stop motel industry.  
happy and resting today... just wanted to send a little update.  hope yer all well.  im playing in lansing tommorow night (August 29th)... maybe ill see a few of you there.
 
xoxo Mk

I'm writing from Bryce Canyon, in Utah. It's a clear day, just a thin stretch of clouds across the big blue sky. I just jumped down off of a horse... I couldn't resist a ride. I hadn't been on a horse in 15 years.

I'm headed east towards Colorado, where I will pause, in early June, to fly back west for a few shows along the coast. Please check the calendar page for show dates and details.

You can keep following the bike tour here:

http://slowkidonabike.blogspot.com

I've started booking the east coast leg of the bike tour, and the dates are showing up on the calendar page as they come together. Keep an eye out!


Hope you are all well and happy,
Malcolm

Malcolm Rollick

Lo-fi(ction)


Lo-fi(ction) is a solo collection of stark folk songs. Rollick's voice, which is a cross between Lucinda Williams and Placebo's Brian Molko, fills much of the space and backed only by the echoing arpeggios of deep, distant acoustic guitar. Rollick's voice is as much her instrument as the guitar, and it's clear that whether it's shakey, flowery, dry and trembling or childlike (on the clever final song, 'Computers Can't Think to Breathe) nothing about the vocals happens by accident. The songs meander below mid-tempo, and essentially lyric driven. Where melodies aren't particularly dynamic (guitar parts sound similar on many of the songs) Rollick's vocals and vivid storytelling are what make the album a hoesive whole. "There's no way to ask her what was really going on, backwoods of Missourri, the back of her father's gun," Rollick croons on 'Kicking the Ghost.' The lyrics are intensely personal - focusing on relationships, philosophy and depict images of rural life. Part of what qualifies this as a folk record is the narrative nature of many of the songs.

Though the album is titled Lo-fi(ction), and Rollick's past releases have been decidedly low-end recordings the songs here are crystal clear and well mixed. The sound is cleaner and more refined, so lo-fi tape recording enthusiasts or purists will have to decide for themselves whether or not this is an issue. It must be said that this album captures the intimacy, honesty, and warmth that are considered trademarks of the genre, even given the studio treatment of this record.

Musically, Lo-fi(ction) is extremely linear and tends to drag a bit in places, though it renews interest on several tracks. For those who aren't interested in Rollick's lyrics, this may prove a boring record, but those who are patient with the flow of the album may find it rewarding.


Greg Newman

Malcolm is on the road for the next 8 months, as of March 7th, 2009.
She is travelling the country by bicycle, setting up shows as she goes.
The last few months of the bike tour will include scheduled dates along the east coast.
Until then, you can follow along at:

http://slowkidonabike.blogspot.com

 
You can find the links to the Buffy Musical here!  I have a feeling it will be awhile before I have links to Arabella, maybe until after my trip.  Enjoy these in the meantime!!!
 



 
Also...  You can follow my bike tour here:
 
http://slowkidonabike.blogspot.com

 
That's where you'll find me for the next 8 months or so... I leave in about a week.  
 
Be well and be safe,
xoxo Malcolm