Philip Seymour Hoffman’s death continues to haunt his admirers. Austin songwriter Danny Malone debuted his searing paean to the actor, “Headlines,” last Tuesday (February 4th) at the NYC Communion Showcase hosted by Mumford & Sons' Ben Lovett.
"The guy was really fucking important," Malone told Zumic at the Rockwood Music Hall, where he performed with co-writer David Moses. "Every role he did was interesting. I was so looking forward to what was to come from him."
Hoffman’s struggle with drugs resonates with Malone, who tangled with substances as a teenager. On his hit, "Spiderlegs," he sings, "It’s hard to find a problem / that I can’t dissolve / by doubling the dosage / 'til there’s no resolve..." The song’s video finds Malone rolling around with three topless beauties at an orgy where someone is cutting up lines.
"That wasn’t actually coke," he insists. "I’m not trying to glamorize drugs. I also show the heavy side of it."
Danny Malone "Spiderlegs" Official Music Video:
The song, he says, "paints a picture of my probably short life." In it, he also sings, "Is this skin I have? / No, no, this is a body bag."
Hoffman’s death has chastened him some.
"I plan on sticking around," he laughs, "for at least another year."
