Dom Malin: Keep Out The Rain
Following his warm-and-weathered indie folk anthem ‘Hurricane’, singer, songwriter, and musician Dom Malin ventures into broader sonic territory with his latest single ‘Keep Out The Rain’. Influenced by the power and mutability of nature, the Midlands-based artist extends his series of singles that tap into this theme’s ability to convey a vast array of emotions. However, this latest track takes a departure from his usual americana-tinged acoustic folk, instead presenting a more indie-rock take on his emotive songwriting prowess. Undeniably upbeat, ‘Keep Out The Rain’ is built upon Malin’s trusty guitar with the added oomph of drums and bass. Embedded within the catchy riffs are relatable symbols of downpour and shelter, representing the efforts we must take to protect our relationships from the natural ebbs and flows of life.
Dom Malin explores the meaning behind his new single further: “Keep Out The Rain" embodies the spirit of artists like Sam Fender, Bruce Springsteen, and James Bay, marking a pivotal moment in my musical evolution as I delve deeper into playing electric guitar. The inspiration for this song struck me while I was on tour in Germany, specifically in Bad Berleburg. This track is more than just a composition; it reflects my experiences navigating the highs and lows of love and relationships. At its core, the song explores the internal monologue of frustrations stemming from miscommunication and misunderstandings. The chorus captures the intense emotions of longing for resolution and the urge to create a better dynamic in the relationship through active effort, encapsulated in the theme of 'push and pull.'”
The single is also accompanied by a video of Dom Malin and his musician companions, playing ‘Keep Out The Rain’ in a cosy, minimalist studio. His demeanor is relaxed, unselfconscious, and open, providing a taste of what he’s like in a live setting. It’s that kind of stripped-back and straightforward approach that fans have come to love and know from this down-to-earth musician.
As he explains, “I initially recorded the whole track at home, but I went to Greenmount Studios in Leeds to capture the live feel. This gave the track the energy and punch I wanted, along with the live room sound you would expect at a venue. This was a key decision in giving the song the anthemic qualities I aimed for.”
The authentic feelings conveyed through Malin’s songs, whether that be passion, excitement, sadness, anger, or a sense of feeling misunderstood, is something that extends beyond relaying his own personal experiences. For the songwriter, the universal presence of nature is a multi-faceted conduit for exploring the gambit of emotions that come and go in all our lives.
“I aim to empower people and describe emotions we all share, connecting them to their roots in nature. Nature can be serene but also formidable, and that duality reflects my music.”
At their core, tracks like ‘Keep Out The Rain’, are motivated by an altruistic intention of creating safe spaces for others to process their own emotions. In doing so, Malin is creating a global community of listeners who have found solace and comfort in his music.
“My music, like most, is about relatable experiences. I discuss themes of difficult loss (breakup, death), new beginnings, loneliness, falling in love, and falling out of love. The sensitivity and emotional aspects of my writing have hooked worldwide attention. I get messages from people in Chile, North America, Australia, and Europe—each one beautiful and means the world to me that they have found a connection to one of my tracks through their own experiences.”
Dom Malin has built his life around music. From acquiring his first electric guitar at 12-years-old, he has never let go of that childlike wonder and passion for creating music. He’s continually inspired by the potent connection between music and memory, how a song can transport you back to a certain time or place.
“I distinctly remember coming home from a camping trip in Wales, and “One of Us” by Joan Osborn was playing on the radio. Music has shaped my life, almost like milestones—from rushing home to watch the latest MTV music videos as a young teen, to sharing music with my friends, being inspired by Damien Rice’s live performance at Glastonbury, “Hey There Delilah” coming on in the middle of an art class. These moments are marked by music, which drew me into it and allowed me to discover emotions that I wanted to emulate and discover in my style.”
In his youth, a pivotal life moment happened at a school talent show where he performed Green Day’s iconic anthem ‘Time of Your Life’; driven by adrenaline, that evening he wrote his first song. Later, he cut his teeth busking around Birmingham, Bristol, and Manchester, as well as playing on every open mic he could find. He went on to study Music Performance at university, which not only led to Malin teaching music, but primarily it built his confidence in his own music. From session guitarist to solo act, he would go on to win the BBC Introducing Midlands Young Person talent contest and headline Wolvestock Country Music Festival at the impressive age of 17. He even created a limited pressing of his own demos on a four-track (Boss Micro BR), all produced by himself from the pressing to the recording to the artwork.
On several occasions, he has been the artist of the week for BBC Introducing Lincolnshire and gained support through numerous music platforms, including the veritable Mahogany. Dom Malin has boundless enthusiasm for playing live, having supported Paris Paloma on her 2023 UK tour, supported Dermot Kennedy’s Sonder tour, and headed up his own tour through Germany and Switzerland last year. In 2024, he joined fellow singer-songwriter Luna Keller for an extensive tour across Germany and the Netherlands.
In upcoming gig news, Dom Malin is opening for Jon Muq at Omeara on 26th July 2024. Event details here.
Have a listen and connect with Dom Malin:
