NICOLE ATKINS signs to Razor & Tie

Nicole Atkins is a name that will be very familiar to long term blog readers and podcast listeners. Besides twice featuring her music on the show, we gave her first ever Dutch gig a glowing review, and named her debut album (the sublime 'Neptune City') our favourite album of 2007. Recently Razor + Tie records made the following announcement:

Razor & Tie is excited to announce the signing of Nicole Atkins, a Brooklyn, New York based songstress. Nicole is bringing her unique voice and crooner core sound to Razor & Tie, who will release Atkins’ second album in early 2011.

Formerly signed to Columbia Records, Nicole Atkins and her edgy personality have found an exciting new home with New York City based independent label Razor & Tie. Nicole’s powerful, one of a kind voice transcends genres and allows her to feel at home touring with indie musicians to classic rockers.

“I’m so excited to be working with Nicole; I’ve followed her career for years. This is one of those moments when the fan inside of me gets to work with one of my favorite artists,” stated Beka Tischker, Razor & Tie’s Vice President of A&R and Music Publishing. Nicole echoed the sentiment, “I’m really happy to be working with a group of people that share my musical vision and who are so supportive.”

On the new album, Nicole reveals her growth as a singer and songwriter with a sophisticated batch of new songs. Be prepared for a darker, grittier album with a bluesy, psychedelic sound that still showcases the stunning range and richness of tone that Nicole’s voice is known for.

Nicole Atkins grew up in Neptune, New Jersey where she began playing the guitar and writing songs at age 13. She spent her younger years listening to classic artists such as Traffic and Pink Floyd instead of the bubblegum pop that was popular amongst her peers. Eclectic music taste helped shape the sounds on her previous releases, the full length album Neptune City, and two EP’s Bleeding Diamonds and Nicole Atkins Digs Other People’s Songs.

Nicole is currently recording in Brooklyn, New York with producer Phil Palazzolo. Once the album has been mixed, Nicole will be joining Regina Spektor for several UK shows, followed by a west coast US tour supporting The Black Keys. Nicole has previously toured with The Avett Brothers, AC Newman, Ray Davies, Aimee Mann, and Chris Isaak.

The signing of Nicole Atkins reflects Razor & Tie’s commitment to a growing and diverse artist roster which includes Dave Barnes, All That Remains, Dead Confederate, Norma Jean, and The Summer Set. The New York-based label is one of the fastest growing independent record companies in the United States, and has garnered both Platinum sales and Grammy awards in its 20 year history.

It has now been revealed that the new album's title will be 'Mondo Amore'.

Visit www.nicoleatkins.com

CONCERT REVIEW: Nicole Atkins and The Sea, Amsterdam 2008

Originally posted on the old site, June 2008.

Nicole Atkins and The Sea

Bitterzoet, Amsterdam

May 2nd, 2008

Nicole Atkins - vocals, guitar

The Sea:

Dave Hollinghurst: Guitar

Dan Chen: Keyboard

Dan Mintzer: Drums

Derek Layes: Bass

Gillian Rivers: Violin

8 months after her breakthrough appearance on the Late Show With David Letterman, Nicole Atkins' ongoing tour in support of Insomnia Cafe's 2007 album of the year 'Neptune City' has brought her before a packed crowd at Amsterdam's small (and seemingly airtight) Bitterzoet.

With her stellar live band, The Sea, crammed alongside her on the club's tiny stage, any doubts about the group's ability to recreate the album's dreamlike, textured sound in a live environment are availed by the opening bars of recent single 'Maybe Tonight'. Of particular note is violinist Gillian Rivers, who's impassioned, virtuosic playing combined with Dan Chen's swirling keyboard flourishes adds an impossibly grandiose sheen to the performance.

Little can be said about Nicole Atkins' voice that we didn't already cover in our glowing album of the year article. In an era of multiple takes, pitch-correction and vocoders, hers remains a raw, visceral talent. Suffice to say, that her stunning vocals, alternately defiant and longing are every bit as disarmingly beautiful in concert as they are on record. Perhaps even more so, further enhanced as they are by her visible committment to each song, wrapped in The Sea's cascading waves of sound.

Over the course of an hour or so, we are treated to each of 'Neptune City's ten tracks, a swirling rendition of 'Carouselle' from the earlier 'Bleeding Diamonds' EP, and the impressive live debut of an as yet unreleased new song. Highlights include a heart-stopping 'The Way It Is' to rival the Letterman performance, a fist-pumping singalong of the album's most raucous track 'Brooklyn's On Fire', and Nicole's vivid descriptions of the sites and sounds of her home state ("Welcome to New Jersey - who farted?").

A surprise cover of The Doors' seminal 'Crystal Ship' makes for a powerful closer, displaying the versatility of both band and vocalist to a thoroughly impressed crowd.

Based on tonight's show, word-of-mouth will ensure Nicole's diverse fanbase continues to grow with each mesmerizing performance.

Nicole Atkins returns to the Netherlands for a show at Melkweg on July 7th. with upcoming festival performances in Sweden, France and England. A US tour follows in August.

Visit www.nicoleatkins.com for details.