Jesse Malin has released the new single “Argentina,” written while the singer-songwriter was rehabbing from his spinal stroke in Buenos Aires. Additionally, actor-comedian Fred Armisen, filmmaker/musician Jim Jarmusch, Gogol Bordello frontman Eugene Hutz, and more have been added to one of Malin’s upcoming benefit concerts at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.
Malin, a staple of the NYC punk scene over the past three decades as a solo artist and as frontman of D Generation, was paralyzed from the waist down when he suffered the spinal stroke at a restaurant in May of 2023.
He has since started walking with the aid of a walker, but still has a long way to go in his recovery. He returned to perform last month on CBS Saturday Morning, where he gave “Argentina” its live debut. Now, he has released the official studio version.
“This might be one of my most personal songs,” said Malin in a press release. “It was written while I was in a clinic in Buenos Aires for six months, doing everything to keep my head up. A lot of the inspiration for it comes from the nurses, doctors and physical therapists, and a lost ring owned by a departed friend that was personally delivered to me by Jimmy G [Murphy’s Law] as a gift to keep fighting.”
Following Malin’s spinal stroke, many of his musical peers have come together to help raise money for his medical bills. The recent compilation Silver Patron Saints: The Songs of Jesse Malin features rendition of his solo and D Generation songs by the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Billie Joe Armstrong, Lucinda Williams, Elvis Costello, and others.
In addition, a pair of benefit shows December 1st and 2nd at the Beacon Theatre will also raise money for Malin’s Sweet Relief Fund. Armisen, Jarmusch, and Hutz have been added to the December 2nd concert, along with Rickie Lee Jones and Low Cut Connie’s Adam Weiner.
Other guests slated to appear across the two gigs are Lucinda Williams, Jakob Dylan, Butch Walker, J Mascis, Adam Duritz and David Immerglück of Counting Crows, The Hold Steady, and Alejandro Escovedo.
The December 1st show is sold out, but limited tickets are still available for the December 2nd concert (pick up tickets here).
Malin has also added two 2025 London shows to his itinerary: May 1st at Islington Assembly Hall and May 2nd at The Garage. Each of those concerts will also feature a number of special guests.
Watch the video for “Argentina” below, and donate to Jesse Malin’s Sweet Relief Fund here.