Greg Malcolm And Slightly Imperfect - House Concert

Greg Malcolm is a one-man orchestra, simultaneously playing three guitars with his hands and feet while incorporating bells, springs, gongs, rubber bands, and more. His music is grounded in a rich melodic world inspired by folk music and underpinned by his very individual surrealism. The hypnotic sound of evolving melodies built upon layered drones (created by mini fans, e-bows, and floor guitars) is a signature characteristic of Greg's solo performances. The melodies utilise a variety of tones and sounds created by his uniquely amplified acoustic guitar. Other than the e-bow and fuzz box, all sounds are created live and organically through string manipulation techniques. There is no processing or effects—just a bunch of guitars. Some are contact-miced, some feature extra strings, springs, and things; one sits at his side, one at his feet, and one in his lap.

Just Like Jim
For this special occasion, Malcolm will perform pieces from his recent album Just Like Jim (released on Ilam Press Records, 2021). For this project, he commits himself entirely to a 1950s Höfner archtop guitar inherited from his late grandfather, Jim Spence. In a stripped-back sonic setting, Malcolm fuses his long-running interest in traditional Rembetika and Klezmer music with memories of his grandfather’s passion for amateur (ham) radio. This spellbinding program incorporates personal storytelling, extended techniques, and rich melodies, directly addressing the role of the artist in family and society.

Slightly Imperfect
Slightly Imperfect is a sojourn into the strange, wonderful, and beautiful world of Scottish poet, writer, and songwriter Ivor Cutler. Performed by Greg Malcolm (guitarist, composer, improviser) and Jenny Ward (vocals, objects), the songs and poems are placed in a surreal, gentle playground of laughing boxes, toys, whirring pipes, and theatrical elements to create an enchanting atmosphere. Incorporating domestic objects, dance, silence, sound, text, and extended performance techniques, the performance draws the audience into a timeless realm—an ode to play, curiosity, and absurdity.

Slightly Imperfect has been invited to and performed at:

Lines of Flight Festival (Dunedin, NZ — October 2025)

Port Noise Festival (Lyttelton, NZ — March 2025)

Word Christchurch Festival (Christchurch, NZ — August 2024)

Tiny Fest (Ōtautahi/Christchurch, NZ — 2023)

The Human International Documentary Film Festival (Oslo, Norway — 2020)

Winter Solstice, Vandaler Forening (Oslo, Norway — 2019)

The Hawke's Bay Arts Festival (NZ — October 2018)

Review: It is a gem that deserves a full house. Ward is bewitching and shows total focus, which is beautiful to watch. Musically there is something more here; this is surrealist folk, or free folk, jazz-less improvisation. Using domestic objects and repurposing them to bring out sounds... — Jess Soutar Barron, The Hawke's Bay Arts Festival

ARoad House Concerts are a very special opportunity to hear musicians play their original music, up close and personal. All proceeds go directly to the artists.

The Secret Venue is close to Christchurch Airport.
Email us for the address and other information following purchase of ticket.
Any questions? Email us aroadhouseconcerts@gmail.com