PREVIEW
Jim and Penny Malmberg CD Release
Friday, March 16, doors at 7 p.m.
The Aviary
9314 – 111 Ave.
Tickets: $25 advance at www.yeglive.ca or $30 at door. Ticket price includes an album copy.
A CD release party is pretty much what it says. An act performs their newly minted album while folks nosh on some grub, enjoy a few drinks and mull over whether to lay out cash for the CD.
At Jim and Penny Malmberg’s much-anticipated CD release on Friday, March 16 at The Aviary, ticket holders are half way home, automatically receiving a free album copy of We’re Here for Love.
In the past decade, the St. Albert couple, have made a name for themselves across Western Canada as one-half of Back Porch Swing, a popular bluegrass-country four-piece.
However, in the last year the Malmbergs have spent more time playing house concerts and touring as a duo.
During one of their layovers, a friend commented that humans are just sitting on a big rock boomeranging through space. The couple started asking some deep philosophical questions.
“We basically wanted to look at love. We look at the sky and it seems way up and over there. But really we’re in this together. It’s the main point of being human, and we looked at different angles of love – love gone right, love of different things and end of love,” said Jim Malmberg.
The duo co-wrote seven songs and approached sound engineer Scott Franchuk at Riverdale Recorders to create a stripped-back, yet exciting musical atmosphere.
“We wanted to try something new and he has a really good ear and he’s very good at mixing acoustic instruments.”
While the initial concept prompting this album was heavy-duty, the songs are eclectic and performed with the Malmberg energy and rapid-fire stage patter.
Already released to radio, CKUA has played a few tracks including Muffin Top, a topical love-your-body song carried forward with a 1940s swing tune.
Laughing, Malmberg explains the inspiration was his reflection in the mirror.
“It’s about loving your body and accepting yourself as you are rather than conform to a certain idea of beauty or size.”
The seven-track originals are a mix of styles and sounds that pull together jazz, country and bluegrass. For instance, Grind has a blues vibe in keeping with lyrics about hanging in even through the worst days.
And of course, Hanging Out With the Blues is the must-have traditional country blues song about love gone wrong.
Bass player Keith Rempel, who provided support during recording, is joining the duo.
“Keith is a very musical cat and it’s a real pleasure to have him play with us. He makes a great arranger and made some great suggestions for our songs. “
Opening the evening are emerging artists Nico and Miles, two acoustic musicians who play bluegrass and old classic country.
“They’re lively, energetic and very talented. I wanted someone uplifting who could whip up the crowd."
