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.Music has always been a huge part of Gina’s life. At 11, she got her first guitar, inspired by her mum’s piano playing and country music passion, and her dad’s love for rock ’n’ roll and blues. After moving to Queenstown with her young son and partner in 2002, Gina sang in Queenstown covers bands. However, 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.A willing collaborator, Gina drew on the experience of musician and producer Matt Joe Gow and pulled artists such as Adam Hattaway and his band The Haunters into her orbit, bringing her songs to life through their inspired direction and playing. Songwriting often involved long-distance calls, emails, and sharing of demos, yet the range of contributors and the way the album came together worked perfectly. Such is the sonic cohesiveness and overarching atmosphere of the record. Tracklist: 1. Blood Left 2. Outside Of You3. Travellin' Heart 4. Dark And Still5. In The Night 6. Tumblin' In7. Traps8. True 9. Hopeful Moon10. Shadows 11. Knee Deep
