I did a bit of additional research to find out more about the place where Austin-based songwriter Danny Malone made his album Balloons because I was intrigued. How on earth could one not be? So, upon delving further into the location and folklore, I discovered that Engelsholm Castle is located about 14 km west of the town of Vejle in Denmark, with a history going as far back as the 15th century (not the 16th century, as I erroneously stated before). According to Wikipedia, it now houses a folk high school, but Malone was told it was originally built by an alchemist who designed it to astrologically align with the sky.
The imagination tends to wander. This is exactly why I thought it was a most appropriate location with (I can only presume) just the right atmosphere to nurture Malone’s off-kilter inspiration. A singer, musician, being from another planet and artist not opposed to utilizing pop-and-lock choreography in live performances to the fullest potential, Malone’s brain waves emanate from an unusual place. There is an unflinching, unsettling outpouring of secrets that stirs up brilliant moments of combined unease and fascination. There is no commitment to one genre, either. Malone travels from pop to folk to electro and hip-hop without so much as batting an eyelash.
One of my local favorites, and someone I’d really recommend you see live. Thanks to Free Week, you have the opportunity to do so tonight at The Parish, 214 E. 6th St. And this is a lovely all-local bill indeed, featuring Three Leaf, Befriend the Bears, Calliope Musicals, and Gorgeous Hands. Doors open early at 7 p.m. Recommended.
[audio:https://kutx.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/AMM-January-8th-2013.mp3]
