New Zealand Americana/Alt-Country Artist Gina Malcolm Releases New Single Travellin’ Heart

Leanne Malcolm has changed her tune in recent years. Known across New Zealand as a radio and television journalist and as the presenter of TV3’s Nightline in the 90s, she has had a radical shift in career since 2021.

Under her artist name Gina Malcolm (Leanne’s middle name) she’s been recording and releasing original music, fulfilling a dream that started in her 20s.

Continuing a prolific run of single releases, earlier this year Malcolm released the double A-side single of the raw and rocking 'Temptress' and the moody psychedelic noir of 'Knee Deep'.

Now comes the pure alt-country and Americana sound of ‘Travellin’ Heart’.

Produced by award-winning songwriter Matt Joe Gow, the song has an evocative and retro feel— reminiscent of Van Morrison with a classic Americana melancholy. The instrumentation is minimal but expressive, with Ryan Luckman’s beautifully melodic violin adding a poignant weight to Malcolm’s musings on emotional longing and nostalgic romance. The song creates a soulful atmosphere without ever raising its voice, just honest craft, rich sound, and a hook that lingers like a long goodbye.

The intimacy of ‘Travellin’ Heart’ creates the vibe of a late-night studio session. Each instrument is allowed to breathe – Matt’s incredible Telecaster guitar hook, drummer Elmore Jones’ country groove and Rob P Murphy’s rolling bass line.

“I’d been wanting to write a pure country song for some time, and had written some early lyrics about holding on tight against a biting wind… a song about emptiness, loneliness, and restlessness,” says Malcolm.

“When Matt sent me a beautiful guitar melody, I adapted the words slightly and began crafting ‘Travellin’ Heart’. We worked together on it, and everything came together quickly. We both realised we had a really strong song!”

’TRAVELLIN’ HEART’ IS OUT NOW ON BANDCAMP AND STREAMING SERVICES

Music has always been a huge part of Malcolm's life. She got her first guitar when she was 11. Her mum played the piano and was a huge country music fan, and her father adored rock 'n' roll and blues. Malcolm sang in Queenstown covers bands after moving there with her young son and partner in 2002, but it wasn’t until the pandemic that she found the courage to start recording and releasing her own material.

A collaboration with Arrowtown’s respected alt country artist Tom Maxwell led to a recording studio session at Sublime in Waitaki. Tom’s band Killergrams played on five new songs and Malcolm was hooked.

Malcolm's singles 'Don’t Expect The World', 'Crushing' and 'Shadows' were well received with airplay including RNZ’s Music 101 and various other stations while the clip for 'Don't Expect The World' won the Aotearoa Web Fest Best NZ Music Video award. Malcolm's new music career was profiled in a NZ Herald Canvas feature in 2023, and her Stonesy country song 'In The Night’ was featured on TVNZ’s current affairs show 7 Sharp.

As Malcolm explains, songwriting is a form of catharsis and healing for her.

“I definitely use songwriting as a way of dealing with painful and difficult times. Like many writers, it gives me an outlet for my emotions. And ever since I was very young, I’ve always been drawn to melancholic works – the darker side of human nature. I also don’t mind a good rock-out to some very heavy bands! But I would consider my strongest leanings are towards the alt-country genre. I love the power and simplicity of a heartfelt country song.”

“I hope to be an inspiration for other older women who are seeking their true purpose," states Malcolm, reflecting on starting a music career at this point in her life. "Generally, music and the arts are timeless.”

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