Jesse Malin, 'All the Way From Moscow' -- Video Premiere

Posted on Sep 13th 2010 11:00AM by Benjy Eisen
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Tyson Carpenter

Traveling around the world with Gogol Bordello would probably change just about anyone, but for renegade singer-songwriter Jesse Malin, the experience was more than just eye-opening -- it was cathartic.

"It's a funny thing how music can break down borders and take you places you never thought you'd go," Malin tells Spinner. "On my first trip to Russia, supporting gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello, I was excited to see a different part of the world and its culture. But as I stepped out into Moscow, the first thing I saw were the 'Golden Arches' and Starbucks -- the usual suspects. I realized, once again, how connected and screwed we all are by the same conglomerates."

When Malin sings "and the gypsy kept playing his nylon string guitar," he's not just waxing poetic -- he's actually referencing Gogol frontman Eugene Hutz. "I was going through a breakup online," Malin explains. "My friends back in New York were all going broke and worrying about an economic collapse. But Gogol's singer, Eugene Hutz, serenaded us along the tour through airports, checkpoints and cafes, with gypsy songs on his nylon string guitar. When I got back to New York, it was Christmas. Knowing everything would be OK, I sat down and wrote this song."

Sometimes it takes traveling halfway around the world before you realize that things are going to work out back home, but at least you can get a song out of it. As for the video, Malin says that it was nothing but a joy to film. "I never thought anyone could get me in lederhosen or an alpine hat!" he laughs. Check it below.

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