Today, Jesse Malin shared a new video for the re-recording of “Xmas, etc.” in celebration of the 20th anniversary and expanded reissue of his debut LP, The Fine Art of Self Destruction, which will release on Feb. 17, 2023, via Heavy MNRK. The re-release will include a re-recorded reimagined version of the album alongside the original, which was recorded in New York while Malin was in his 20s over six days, live and unmastered.

“I was still learning how to sing and tell stories. These songs were written in a little apartment downtown, without a record deal, a manager, or any expectation of anything coming of it—just a need to write them,” Malin shared, looking back on two decades of growth. He went on to explain a bit about the 2003 project’s lurid title, “[It] wasn’t named for drug or alcohol abuse,” said Malin. “It was more about a personal wreckage when I looked back on my life, from my parents’ divorce to failed relationships, broken up bands, dropping out of school, crashing cars, breaking things. It was more of a spiritual journey in some sense.”

The new video for “Xmas, etc.” was directed by Dave Stekert and filmed where the album was created: New York City. The black-and-white video captures the feelings of isolation by following bundled-up individual subjects backdropped by the Goliath structures and mass daily migrations of the city in winter.

“’Xmas, etc.’ is a tale of regret and isolation,” shared Malin. “Feeling alone and disconnected while everyone else seems to be loved and having a good time. When you know you messed up and can only hope for a better one next year.” 

Following the re-release of the project, Malin and his band will make their live return to New York City with a performance at Webster Hall on March 25, 2023. During the evening, Malin and his band will perform The Fine Art of Self Destruction in its entirety, along with songs from his latest album Sad and Beautiful World and more. Special guests for the evening include Lucinda Williams, Tommy Stinson, Butch Walker, Cait O’Riorden (The Pogues), Catherine Popper, Adam Weiner (Low Cut Connie)opener Fantastic Cat, with more to be announced soon. Tickets for the event are on sale, find tickets and learn more here.

Watch the video for “Xmas, etc.” below.