New Orleans-born multi-instrumentalist, composer, and all-round creative force Malcolm Parson makes his debut on Moderna Records with the release of his sophomore album ‘Letters From Home’. Inspired by using music as daily journal entries reflecting on his past, the new record was created through improvisational sessions where Malcolm himself would record and play each instrument himself. These daily spontaneous recordings were then fleshed out and refined over the course of a few months. ‘Letters From Home’ features an array of instrumentation from violin, cello, synths, piano, and the occasional guitar accents. The 9-track project perfectly encapsulates the feeling of nostalgia while revisiting his past and birthplace – the colorful and vibrant city of New Orleans. Malcolm’s trip back to the city, after 20 years away, brought back many memories from his childhood while rekindling old family relationships. Many of these memories and moments inspired the record and recording process.
EG caught up with Malcolm Parson to learn more about the drop of ‘Letters From Home’, its nostalgic ties to the city of New Orleans, his hopes for the future, and more.
EG: Hello Malcolm! It’s a treat to have you here with us today. How have you been? Where are you right now?
Malcolm Parson: I’ve been great! Just got back to New Orleans after a few weeks of traveling and enjoying somewhat of a must-needed break to reset.
EG: Congratulations on the release of your sophomore album, ‘Letters From Home’! What has the initial reception been like?
Malcolm Parson: Thank you! So far, it’s been received pretty well by friends, family, and colleagues of mine. Both singles so far have been added to Apple Music’s ‘Classical Edge’ and ‘New In Classical’ playlist, which has been an amazing experience to have my music placed amongst other composers like Peter Gregson, Hania Rani, and Olafur Arnalds.
EG: ‘Letters From Home’ sounds like quite a personal title. What was the inspiration behind this new album? Is there an underlying concept tying it all together?
Malcolm Parson: Yes, it is a very personal title and project to me. Well, I honestly made the whole project in the space of dealing with loss and grief. I needed a place to put that energy and emotions instead of wearing it everywhere that I went. Through this process, I was able to forge forward creatively with an abundance of inspiration that simultaneously helped me turn poison into wine. To turn pain into pleasure. I thought it would be a great idea to use music as journal entries stating where I am and what I might be dealing with in order to possibly reach someone who may be feeling quite the same. Also, this process slowly exposed my past to me. Taking walks in neighborhoods I haven’t frequented in years brought a feeling of nostalgia to me that I thought would be a great idea to write down.
EG: Would you consider yourself a nostalgic person? Does this album look back, or forwards in time?
Malcolm Parson: I would definitely consider myself a nostalgic person. I feel like we all are nostalgic beings looking for any form of familiarity on a daily basis. The album does look back in times with pieces like ‘Ancestral Altar’ and ‘Ghosts’, yet has some form of forward motion with where I feel like I may be going with my next project with the piece ‘In Wonder’.
“Through this process, I was able to forge forward creatively with an abundance of inspiration that simultaneously helped me turn poison into wine. To turn pain into pleasure”
EG: So, the album is a bit of a love-letter to New Orleans, right? And you’ve recently gone back after quite some time…How have things changed? How many of those things have to do with our perception of things, rather than reality?
Malcolm Parson: (Laughter) I don’t know about a love letter exactly, but a project that was created while falling back in love with the city of New Orleans. I haven’t lived in New Orleans in years, so it took me a while to find my peace and joy within the scene again. Taking walks and riding my back around the city inspired pieces like ‘St Charles Ave’, while reflecting on time spent at my grandparents’ house as a child inspired ‘Westbank’. As far as things changing, yes there’s been a significant amount of change within the city of New Orleans. It really depends on what angle or perception you are viewing these changes from and how it has either enhanced or diluted communities.
EG: What can your fans expect to hear on it, musically speaking? How is it different from your first album?
Malcolm Parson: I would like for them to hear something familiar with my past projects and film work. Something that is somewhat bridging the gap between both worlds to the point of them losing their division. Musically, expect to hear lusher textures, denser harmonies, and the idea of compositions having the feeling of actual songs. When I created my first project, I was simply getting my feet wet, yet with ‘Letters From Home’, I feel like I’ve already established a style and texture. It was more about me showing up and getting out of the way. But I wanted to push myself a little more by bringing in more synth, smaller string ensembles pieces, playing lead piano and violin
EG: It’s been quite the ride for you so far, right? From New Orleans to The David Letterman Show, the MTV VMA’s, and The Jimmy Fallon Show…did you ever envision a present like that? Did you work consciously for it? Or was it all a consequence of your love for music?
Malcolm Parson: I didn’t really think that I would be where I am today. Especially having the opportunity to work amongst some of the best musicians and artists in the world. I honestly wanted to be a section cellist in one of America’s leading symphonies, yet things changed drastically. Most likely for the better… I do think that being disciplined helped me along the way. It was the shield that protected me no matter what situation and or room I was in. I always built the confidence needed through my own personal drive and work ethic. Yet, the love of music never allowed me to lose sight of where I was going no matter how dire the circumstances were.
EG: In this day and age, string instruments such as the cello might not be the most popular ones for a young person setting out in the world of music, or tempting as a guitar and the idea of becoming a ‘rockstar’….What would you say to someone looking to explore with strings? What things should they be looking at for inspiration and motivation?
Malcolm Parson: I would tell anyone looking to pursue any instrument is to have fun. To learn the instrument but to play things that give you joy. Be it classical, rock, country, or hip hop, just make sure that the love of the craft is driving you forward rather than seeking things from it. When you begin to seek or take, that’s when your ego gets in the way of your development, and boredom sets in. Find players or styles you would like to emulate and attack it outright.
“I feel like we all are nostalgic beings looking for any form of familiarity on a daily basis”
EG: What’s next for Malcolm Parson in the next few months? What new milestones are you looking to celebrate?
Malcolm Parson: That’s a pretty heavy question (laughter)… Hmm, well, I’m currently finishing a piece for cello and piano, reworking a string quartet, producing scores for some commercials and films, working on a live set, and already starting the process of sculpting my next project. For me, a new milestone would be finally being able to not only produce and compose for myself but for other artists and colleagues. I’ve always had the vision of walking in the footsteps of Quincy Jones. Someone who is not only an artist but a composer and producer among many other things.
EG: Thank you for your time, Malcolm! We wish you all the best for the future!
Malcolm Parson: Thank you as well!
Malcolm Parson’s ‘Letters From Home’ is out now via Moderna Records. Purchase your copy here.
