From Darkness We Awaken -- One Week Away

Hey friends,

Over the last month, I've been telling everyone who will listen about From Darkness We Awaken, the new album from Virago and myself, out soon on Made Now Music. I've been overwhelmed by the response, and I'm so grateful to you all for investing your time and energy in creative music. we're so incredibly proud of this music, and can't wait to share it all with you soon.

I'm just popping in here to let you all know that we are one week away from release day!

The album officially drops on August 26. If you haven't pre-ordered it yet, you can get it here:

The album is available in three formats:
- digital download
- CD (digital download included)
- 16 page booklet featuring writings, poetry, photography, artwork, and ephemera related to the project (digital download included)

And if you're in the Detroit area, please join us for the release show, happening at the Detroit Institute of Arts! We'll be playing this music, and I'll be debuting some other brand new music, as well. It's going to be a special night that you won't want to miss.

Tickets are free but limited -- you must preregister in advance.

Friday August 26 | 7:00pm
Free
Detroit Institute of Arts (inside the Detroit Film Theater)
5200 John R, Detroit MI, 48202
Proof of Vaccination or Negative Test Required | Masks Required

Thank again for all of your support. Let's talk soon.

Best wishes,
- Michael

Friday Night Live at the DIA!

Join me:

Friends,

I'm so excited to share this news for you. On Friday, August 26, I'll be headlining the Detroit Institute of Arts' lauded Friday Night Live series! I'll be joined by my good friends at Virago, as we launch our new record, From Darkness We Awaken.

Tickets are FREE but must be reserved in advance!

I'll also be premiering a new solo piano work, as well as a brand new ensemble version of my Imperfect Intervals suite, featuring stunning visuals by Zara Teicher.

It would mean the world to me to see you there. I hope you can join us.

Thanks, as always, for your continued support,

-Michael

Friday, August 26
7:00pm
Free
Inside the Detroit Film Theater
5200 John R, Detroit MI, 48202
Proof of Vaccination and Masks Required

From Darkness We Awaken - Preorder Now!

Today I get to do something I've been waiting a long time to do...

...and that is, announce my forthcoming album, From Darkness We Awaken. Commissioned by Virago and performed by myself and Virago, this music has been almost three years in the making.

I'm so proud to share that it's being released on Made Now Music, the Brisbane Australia-based label that's behind some of my favorite music over the last few years.

The album officially drops on August 26. You can preorder it here:

The album is available in three formats:
- digital download
- CD (digital download included)
- 16 page booklet featuring writings, poetry, photography, artwork, and ephemera related to the project (digital download included)

Preorder the CD

Preorder the Booklet

Lastly, if you're in the Detroit area, stay tuned for details on the release show. It's going to be big, it's going to be safe, and it's going to include other music, too.

August 26, 7:00pm -- save the date.

That's all for now. There will be much more about this music in the coming weeks. Thanks so much for your support, and for your continued support throughout the years.

June and July Shows

Hey Everyone,

I hope everyone is as grateful for the summer as I am! I have a few great summer gigs that I want to share with you all.

Trio Borealis (Michael Malis, Ben Rolston, Stephen Boegehold)
Tuesday, June 28, 7:00-10:00pm. Blue Llama Jazz Club, Ann Arbor MI. $20. Get reservations.

This is a really special reunion of some of my closest musical friends and collaborators. We're excited to be back together for the first time since 2019!

Other Tones 001
Saturday July 16, 3:00pm. St. Anthony's Ecumenical Catholic Cathedral, 5247 Sheridan St., Detroit MI 48213. $10-20. Get tickets.

Other Tones: musical elsewheres, otherwises, and never agains.
This is a new concert series that I've devised and am presenting. I'm really excited to be presenting shows, for the first time since maybe 2015. The first installment in this series will feature 4 incredible artists:

Kirsten Carey (Detroit)

Ishmael Ali (Chicago)

Jon Anderson (Detroit)

Zekkereya El-magharbel (NYC/Detroit)

Michael Malis Solo Piano at Michigan Jazz Festival
Sunday July 17, 12:30pm. Schoolcraft College, 18600 Haggerty Rd, Livonia, MI 48152. Free.

I'll be trying out some brand new music on this show, and also playing some of my favorite solo pieces. More info on the festival here.

Concert of Colors: Eternal Spirit - The Music of Alice Coltrane
Featuring Marion Hayden (bass) and Brandee Younger (harp)
Saturday July 23, 5:00pm. Detroit Film Theater, 5200 John R, Detroit MI, 48202. Free, but preregistration is required.

To be able to play piano in an all-star tribute to one of the deepest to ever touch the instrument -- needless to say this an incredible honor! I can't wait.

Secret Show TBA
Friday, August 26!

Hold the date for something really special I'm cooking up for Friday, August 26. Put it on your calendar now. I'll explain more later.

That's all for now, but I will definitely be in touch again before the summer is over. I hope you're staying healthy, soaking up the extra sun rays from our lengthening days, and finding time to notice the small miracles that surround us every day. Even though it's been a challenging few weeks (months, years), I'm charging forward with optimism about this summer.

In gratitude for your continued support,

- Michael

Imperfect Intervals -- Two Shows This Week

Hey Everyone,

Just popping in to remind you that I have two shows coming up this week. I'll be performing the music from Imperfect Intervals, my recent minimal solo piano release. Two shows, one in Detroit and one in Ann Arbor. Details:

Friday 3/25 | Ann Arbor
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
306 N Division St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
7pm
$10 admission

Thursday 3/24 | Detroit
Trinosophes
1464 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48207
Doors at 6pm
$10 admission

Masks required at both shows.

Imperfect Intervals is a meditation on self-acceptance. Emergent sonic structures reveal themselves, like a river carving out its own path. Released by 1473 Records in July 2021 and recorded during a mad two weeks in October/November 2020, the nine pieces on the record are documents of an improvisational process that prioritizes resonance, generous listening, and imperfection.

I'm opening for (and playing with) Virago, as they release their recent recording of Harriet Steinke's "Listening for Bells."

Additionally, I have some fun ones coming up this spring. If you're in Southeast Michigan, would be great to see you as the birds start to chirp and the flowers start to bloom:

Saturday 3/26: w/ Marion Hayden, Blue Llama, Ann Arbor
Wednesday 3/30: w/ Noah Jackson, Cliff Bell's, Detroit
Sunday 4/3: Malis/Ishmael Ali/Jonathan Taylor, Ziggy's, Ypsilanti
Saturday 4/16: Malis/Derek Worthington, Ziggy's
Thursday 4/28: w/ Jonathan Taylor, Blue Llama, Ann Arbor
Tuesday 5/17: w/ Kaleigh Wilder, Kerrytown Concert House, Ann Arbor
Wednesday 6/1: Solo Piano, Headlining AEPEX Fest, Ziggy's

Check out www.michaelmalis.com/events for the latest here.

This may be the last time you hear from me until late May/early June. I've got big things to share with you for this summer, but for now I'm keeping it all under wraps. When the time is right, I can't wait to let you know what I've got cooking up.

In the meantime, I hope to see you this week, or sometime this spring.

Thanks for your continued support,
- Michael