Some artists explode with a bang. Others diligently build an oeuvre of work to smaller-scale fanfare, their audience clamouring to lay hands on every new release. Mali Mali is one of the latter,
A community support worker by day, Mali Mali (real name Ben Tolich) has dedicated his spare hours over the past decade to building collections of concise, meditative chamber-pop.
2020 was a busy year for the Auckland songwriter. He released his 4th album I Was Told to Keep an Eye Out in April right after recovering from having Covid-19. During lockdown he started recording an EP called Kill and Throw which came out in October. Both Album and EP were critically cherished by the NZ music press. Contender for Album of the year said Graeme Hill on the AM show (which - by the end of the year - remained number 1 on his list ) .
Apart from a few shows (one supporting Finn Andrews at the Hollywood Theatre) Tolich hasn't really had a chance to bring these new songs to life in front of an audience. It's fair to say he's more than ready for that now and is hitting the road to play solo in an assortment of venues and homes across Aotearoa. Long-time friend and poet Laban Cole will open the evenings for selected dates (see bellow)
April 16 - Cromwell - House Show *
April 17 - Oamaru - Grainstore Gallery *
April 18 - Dunedin - 50 Dundas (Folk Club) *
April 30 - Wellington - House Show (RSVP: team@homealonemusic.co.nz)
May 1 - Palmerston North - House Show
June 5 - Auckland - The Wine Cellar *
*Support from Poet Laban Cole and Being. (solo)
