Artist of the Week- Nicole Atkins

This week’s Artist of the Week is a bluesy singer-songwriter named Nicole Atkins. Throughout her musical journey, she has had many ups and downs. With the release of her sophomore album, Atkins is sure to keep her name as an “Indie A-Lister.”

Atkins’ first album Neptune City was named after the town in New Jersey where she was raised. The city overlooked Shark River, which contributed Atkins to be a songwriter. She left home and went to undergrad school in N. Carolina. While she was attending school, she began to play at local club scene. Her junior year, she left to Australia. When she returned she moved to Brooklyn.

Atkins is very passionate about her music and her lyrics are very introspective. She delivers a song in a way which most people cannot. In my opinion, she is much like Brandi Carlile in the way that her passionate lyrics and passionate delivery draw you in as a listener. Lyrically, her songs allow you to connect to her message.

After joining several bands and releasing an EP, Atkins decided to make a full length album. Nicole Atkins got the attention of Roadrunner Records and soon the entire industry became enamored with this talented singer. Naturally, a bidding war ensued; Columbia Records ultimately signed Atkins and in Fall of 2007, she released her debut album Neptune City. The album received mostly positive reviews.

The album’s highlight was Atkins’ smash hit “The Way It Is.” One of the best songs released in 2007, the song shows the passion in Atkins’ delivery and how she connects with her songs. As she sings the song and belts the chorus, “If I was smart /I’d never call you, call you/ Ever again/ Oh, in my ears/ My blood is just roaring/ When he’s the only one I’ve ever wanted/ I suppose that’s just the way it is.” Atkins performed that song on the David Letterman Show and in the UK on Later….With Jools Holland.

Atkins followed up her album with an EP entitled, Nicole Atkins Digs Other People’s Songs. Of course, with any high profile recording company, Atkins had problems with Columbia Records; ultimately, the two parted ways. After taking several years off, Atkins finally returned to the studio. Next week, Atkins is set to release her sophomore album Mondo Amore.

Atkins said this about the album: “This is the record I’ve been wanting to make since I was 12. It has so many layers; it’s able to do whatever it wants without defining itself as one thing.” If the album is anything like her debut album, then Mondo Amore will be on everyone’s Top Albums of 2011 lists. Atkins will be at the Troubadour on Feb 16 here in Los Angeles. Nicole is also starting a kickstarter campaign, with some cool prizes!

Top 5 Songs

1. The Way it Is

2. Party’s Over

3. Cry, Cry, Cry

4. Vultures

5. Kill The Headlights

Official Website

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Nicole’s Kickstarter Campaign

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WXPN Live Streaming Concert