Mal Blum

Mal Blum is a non-binary singer-songwriter who grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. Their music carries traces of influences like Joni Mitchell and punk bands such as Jawbreaker, but it's their own raw, confessional approach that defines it. They've released albums like 'You Look a Lot Like Me' in 2015, 'Patagonian Rats' in 2017, and 'Apparition' in 2020.

Songs like 'Cut It Off' from the 'Apparition' album show how Blum's writing deals directly with personal experience and identity. Their catalog also includes tracks like 'Baltimore,' 'Country Song,' and 'Dysmorphic,' which share that same plainspoken, introspective quality. The instrumentation tends to be sparse, letting the lyrics and Blum's voice carry the weight.

Blum has worked with a consistent band that includes Becca Joy on guitar and vocals, Mike Amari on bass, and Hannah Mohan on drums. Their music often touches on themes of self-acceptance and social justice, speaking to listeners who find something recognizable in that directness.