Bleeding Diamonds

2 Shows for the New Year! Jonathan Toubin Benefit and the Grand Opening of The Press Room in Asbury Park!

2012-01-03T08:43:00.000-08:00

This month I'll be playing two shows. The first show is a benefit for my friend Jonathan Toubin. Jonathan is an amazing soul DJ, an important part of the NYC music scene and a great friend. He was injured in a severe freak accident last month while at a hotel in Portland. His condition is quite fragile but he is responding well to his surgeries. As you can imagine, his medical bills are going to be astromical so there are many benefits being thrown in order to help him. The one I'm playing at with my band, the Black Sea, will be January 12th at the Music Hall of WIlliamsburg. The flyer is attached and the entire bill is amazing. I hope to see you guys there.

The next one I'm also very excited about. My good friend Tim Donnelly is opening an amazing new venue in Asbury Park, NJ called the press room. The sound system is amazing, the place is decked out with edison bulbs and Danny Clinch prints, and everyone involved are just great vibes. I'm honored to be playing their first show. I'll be hosting the night along with many special guests, and by special, i mean, really fucking amazing musicians, and... the hilarious Kurt Braunholer! Check out one of his projects here": http://kbwwa.tumblr.com/
This show is only $10 and tickets are only available at the door on a first come first serve basis, so spread the word and show up around 7:30.
The Press Room (formerly asbury blues)
610 Bangs Ave
Asbury Park, NJ 07712

I'm currently writing my third record... AHHH! so maybe you'll hear a few new guys! Yay!

Happy Holidays from Brooklyn!

2011-12-15T12:02:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone!

Happy holidays to you and yours. I hope this year has been a total blast for all ya'll. I know it has been for me. Thanks to all of you who bought "Mondo Amore," and came out and partied with us at the shows. We had such a fantastic time touring this record with our buddies the Black Keys and the Avett Brothers, and then doing our own shows and also, my first little solo tour. Seriously, you guys are the blood and gasoline that keep us running and we couldnt be more grateful to get to play these songs for you all.

Good News... my new video for "Hotel Plaster," premiers tomorrow (Friday) via our good friends over at www.rollingstone.com! Check it out! It was directed by the supernaturally talented Mandy Bisesti and stars members of the Black Sea and my roomates, the Ragolia twins. Its a trip down the rabbits hole filmed in the deep dark woods. I hope you guys love it as much as we enjoyed making it. Please share the video, Retweet it, facebook it, messenger pigeon it, etc.

We've got Mondo Amore vinyl and cds, Signed limited edition posters and tshirts over at www.nicoleatkins.com for awesome holiday gifts for your loved ones. Get some!

On a more somber note, our good friend Bob Crawford of the Avett Brothers has a daughter who has fallen quite ill. They are collecting donations for little Hallie while she gets better over at St. Judes. Here is a link to the info as to how you can help. http://www.theavettbrothers.com/us/news/my-favorite-gifts-holiday-album-news-bob-crawford

Finally, thanks again for a stellar year with you all out on the road. I'm locking myself away for a couple months to write another album for you all to enjoy. Blessings and tidings to you and yours!

Love and Rockets,
Nicole Lee Atkins

JUNE TOUR!

2011-06-08T00:17:00.001-07:00

We have set sail for our maiden voyage with our trusty new van "Vanna White." About to fall into sleep in Youngstown, Ohio, we prepare for Cleveland, Toledo, Indianapolis with the good ol' Black Keys and Booker T, then on to Bonnaroo! After that we visit our friends in Texas, Nola, Atlanta and Charlotte. Spread the word, the Black Sea is coming for you...

Cotton Jones

2010-12-29T13:17:00.000-08:00

Cotton Jones is the wonderful band that is opening for us on our upcoming tour. Check them out!

Vultures Video

2010-12-28T10:20:00.000-08:00

Here is the video for Vultures directed by my talented good buddies Mandy Bisesti and Lucia Holm. We filmed it in Shark River in the pourin rain. My lil sister Courtney is the lemon cutter.

Black Keys West Coast Tour Pt 1

2010-09-27T09:45:00.000-07:00

Stream the "Dear New Orleans" Record Here!

2010-08-27T11:30:00.000-07:00

Please go to www.dearno.la to purchase and lend your support to our good friends in New Orleans.

ukelale skywriterzzzzzzzz!

2010-08-13T15:11:00.000-07:00

holy smokes! just found this online and this girl is the cutest thing i've ever seen. this made my day!

In the Meantime....

2010-07-25T16:15:00.000-07:00

details on my journey out with regina spektor and her band to come soon. also, tickets are still for the taking for my shows on aug 1 with rufus wainwright at the paramount theater in asbury park nj and aug 7 with simone felice at city winery in nyc. get you some goods! in the meantime...enjoy this....

Cookin, Pickin and a Grinnin'

2010-07-12T11:18:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago, along with the help of my sister Courtney, drummer Adam and buddy Bradford, I had the pleasure of taping a little cooking/gig event. Backyard BBQ and it was an absolute blast! Take a gander...

Greetings from Connecticut!

2010-07-02T20:36:00.000-07:00

I'm writing to ya'lls from the Carriage House in Connecticut where Phil Palazzolo and I are doing the final mixes of my new record Mondo Amore. Theres still a ton to do. Some vocals here, guitars, etc. but its really exciting that this is all coming together. (fuck it i'm not going to use capitol letters anymore)
this is the record i envisioned making almost two years ago when i knew what i wanted but i had no idea how to pull it off. so basically just working away for a year at it and just concentrating on the songs and who would play on them and then magically at this final juncture i just took a step back and realized, wow, this is exactly what i wanted. i couldnt tell you how it happened but it did. i can't wait to share it with you. right now we're mixing "oh canada." this morning we finished up "hotel plaster" and "heavy boots." phil and i have been awake for more hours than most people should and in the studio kitchen saw two bottles of english baking soda. from there we argued on which bottle of baking soda would win in a fight. then we watched a youtube video of a monkey fucking a frog at the zoo. now we're listening to the rolling stone's "starfucker," and replacing it with "frogfucker." i think that monkey took the whole "you gotta kiss alot of frogs to find your prince," thing to a whole new level.
anyways, we're gonna be working away on the record through the Fourth of July holiday. putting the spit shine on these little songs under the fireworks in the middle of the woods surrounded by dogs, cats, friends, and tons of paint markers. i wish you all a wonderful holiday with your family and friends as well as to our friends in the armed forces. thank you guys! and for all those in brooklyn. two days and its on fuckin FIIIIIIRE! have fun!

Check out my friends Rivercity Extension!

2010-05-06T13:10:00.000-07:00

"Its a wonderful Life" cover via Large Hearted Boy

2010-04-26T13:57:00.001-07:00

Our buddies over at Large Hearted Boy posted an mp3 of our cover of Sparklehorse's "Its a Wonderful Life" from SXSW. You can listen here:
http://www.lullabyes.net/blog/2010/04/nicole-atkins-031910.html

Going to the Carraige House in Connecticut tomorrow with my producer Phil to start mixing "Mondo Amore" Its really starting to come together! Yay!
In other news, since my tour with Midlake got squashed because of the volcano, I did get to go to Baltimore last week to play a streetfair and low and behold, ended up drinking vodkas with John Waters. WTF! It was pretty damn awesome and surreal. He gave me some great cooking tips. Apparently flank steak has no calories! hahah!
In the words of good ol' Socrates "Be excellent to eachother."

Iceland's on Fire

2010-04-20T11:14:00.000-07:00

I'm so sad to say that due to the volcano in Iceland I will have to cancel my performances in Sweden at Kong and all of the opening gigs I was supposed to do with Midlake. My flight has been canceled twice already now and with everyone trying to get around there at the same time the flight prices are impossible. I'm talking black market prices. In the meantime I'll be working on rescheduling the dates for the summer hopefully. I was really looking forward to seeing all my scandinavian friends again and playing for you all and getting to see the wonderful sound that is Midlake, alas the volcano says no! ayyyyyieee. On the upside, I'll have a bit more time to finish my record sooner than I thought, so that's the good crust! If you're out in Holland or Belgium, please still go see Midlake, because they will knock your socks off. And I'll be seein you soon, don't you worry. Now somebody, please sacrifice a dang virgin to this volcano already!

I was this couple's first dance @ their wedding!!!

2010-04-18T14:55:00.000-07:00

ok. this totally makes me smile!

2010-04-10T15:15:00.001-07:00

Color of Clouds, Dan Chen (cashmere) and singer Kelli Scarr's side project, just had their debut album released this week! They had a CD release party at Pianos on Thursday night - Kelli did a short little performance, Dan DJ'd, and a good time was had by all! Their album 'Satellite of Love' is now on iTunes http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/satellite-of-love/id358261757 ; check em out on Facebook too: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Color-of-Clouds/214694085214?ref=ts

PBS, Austin City Limits and SXSW!

2010-03-21T09:20:00.001-07:00

Nicole Atkins Feat. Future Clouds & Radar @ SXSW!

2010-03-08T10:39:00.000-08:00

I'm getting ready to head down to Austin on Saturday for SXSW and I'm excited and honored to announce that one of my favorite Austin bands, Future Clouds and Radar will be my backing band for the festival! Their music is a mixture of great storytelling, mystery, psychedelia and heart. Having them backing me up is pretty fitting too as over the last year their leader, Robert Harrison and I have formed a great working relationship as cowriters for some songs on my upcoming album and for a few songs on our side project Sir Parker. I'm really excited to be going down there to play mostly new songs from my upcoming album (still figuring out what i'm going to call it...perhaps i'll just name the album "the black sea," thoughts?)and am also excited to be able to introduce ya'll to future clouds and radar! check out some of their songs here: http://www.myspace.com/futurecloudsandradartx

While we're in Austin you can come see me play here:

Mar 14 2010 9:45P
PBS.org Performance @ ACL Studios Austin, Texas

Mar 18 2010 7:30P
La Zona Rosa Austin, Texas (Ray Davies & Roky Erikkson w/ Okkervil River are also on this bill so I'd get there early so you can get in! Yay!)

Mar 19 2010 1:30P
Club DeVille - BrooklynVegan Party Austin, Texas

Mar 20 2010 1:00P
Red Eyed Fly - WXPN Party Austin, Texas

He Has the Soul of Liz Claiborne!

2010-02-24T16:58:00.000-08:00

Sitting with Susan in the living room. She's making plans for ornate headdresses and I'm making plans for SXSW. Veeeery excited to be heading down there again! My good buddies Future Clouds & Radar will be backing me up for my shows down there. Halla! So far I know I'm doing the PBS showcase on the 14th. Band of Skulls will be doing it too which I'm psyched about because even though I havent heard them yet, I've heard good things about them. I'm also playing the Bellhouse/WXPN party at 1pm on Saturday. I might be doing that one solo but am not sure yet. I'm reallyyyyyyy excited about my actual music showcase but I can't announce it yet. I want to! But I gotta wait till they put it up on the sxsw site. soon my friends!
Learning the Who song "The Song is Over," for the Carnegie Hall show this tuesday! Its a tribute to the Who and the lineup is grrreat! You guys should get tickets if they are still available. Also, there are still tickets available to my City Winery show with Joseph Arthur on March 12th. Neptune City album artwork artist Nic Rad is going to be doing and projecting a live painting of my set behind me while I play. Yay!
Last thing last...I'm djing at Niagra this Thursday! Come out and Dance. Lots of exciting updates to come soon!!!!

Me & David Byrne sing Neptune City @ Bowery Ballroom 2/4/10

2010-02-18T08:52:00.000-08:00

Nicole Atkins & David Byrne, Neptune City from Nicole Atkins on Vimeo.

Daytrotter!

2010-02-09T11:29:00.000-08:00

Last October we visited the Daytrotter Headquarters and did a session. You can view it and download it now! Hooray!!! www.daytrotter.com

Stories in High Fidelity

2010-02-06T13:19:00.000-08:00

Last Wednesday I was part of a show at the Bowery Ballroom called "Stories in High Fidelity." It was an absolute blast. Lots of really funny storytellers including NY Times writer Allan Light (whos touching story about his 6 year olds Beatlemania actually made me excited about my hopeful futuristic children), novelist Dan Kennedy (who did a hilarious interpretation of what a group prayer by Bon Jovi might sounds like before they go onstage!), Jason Gordon (who read a book report he did in 5th grade about the Doors "No One Here Gets Out Alive") and David Bryne who did an amazing lecture about how musicians make music for specific venues, ie, rap is made for car speakers, midtempo U2 music is for stadiums, etc. Actually made me have more of an understanding for East coast vs West Coast hip hop. If you ever get a chance to listen to David Byrne lecture, do it! Its eye and ear opening and extremely funny in his way. After the speakers, I played a small acoustic set solo and was accompanied by cartoonist Michael Arthur who drew cartoons of my songs while i sang them. He has a great band called Balthrop Alabama that ya'll should check out. Actually they are playing one of the nights I host at Bowery Electric on March 5th. Come see them!
For my last song I played "Neptune City," and was joined by David Byrne on vocals and guitar. It was like a dream as he's always been one of my favorite artists and now here he was up onstage singing and playing my song with me. yip! I loved the way his guitar playing made a somber song such as that sound, i dunno, tropical! Byrne brought the warmth.
A great show topped off by a great hang with my ladies Miss LuLu and Mandy, Foleyz, my roomie Susan and her bf Adam, my producer Phil Palazollo or Pizzapollies as he's lovingly referred to as, and good ol' Dawn and Tom. Courtney, Jackie and the notorious Vodka Dave were in the house as well although my dancing shoes were not awake enough to follow them into the night.
It was such an amazing night that I can't wait to be part of again. In the meantime, if you ever see one of these stories in high fidelity shows advertised or a storyteller slam by the MOTH. GO go go!!!

Lookout for a new blog on Monday, I know I've been lazy with this thing but there are lots of things to share! Also, I have a video I'm gonna post of David Byrne and I singing together once I figure out how to convert the video into a smaller file. Any tips?

Goldenwood!

2010-02-04T17:40:00.000-08:00

My superhero librarian roomie susan makes gorgeous necklaces out of antique wood and gold and now you can buy them! check out her etsy site!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Goldenwood

Paste Session

2010-02-04T17:36:00.000-08:00

Back in October when we were out on tour with the Avett Brothers we visted our buds at Paste Magazine for a live session. Have a gander!
cut and paste (no pun intended!) this link into your browser!

http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/av/2010/01/watch-nicole-atkins-live-at-paste.html

The Earthquake in Haiti and How you can Help...

2010-01-13T19:21:00.000-08:00

On January 12, 2010, at 4:53pm local time, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, approximately 10 miles from Port-au-Prince. Tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of people are feared dead, as the capital city has been devastated. You can help. Make a donation to one of these incredible and long-standing organizations in Haiti. They have distributed staff in country now, but most importantly, they are well positioned to aid in the long-term recovery effort.

Partners in Health: www.pih.org
Fonkoze: www.fonkoze.org
The Lambi Fund of Haiti: www.lambifund.org

the bird whisperer

2010-01-02T21:00:00.000-08:00

this is wrigley. he's a lovebird that my roomate soos and i are birdsitting. he likes to hang outside of his cage and sit on cups or heads or laptops and be part of the group. on this particular evening he didnt wanna go back in his cage. after trying to reel him in for almost an hour, foley finally got a hold of him and hypnotized the little bird with song safely to go back into his little cage.

The Time is Neigh...

2009-12-27T12:02:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to let you all know that the Black Sea and I are going into the studio at the Seaside Lounge in Park Slope Brooklyn on January 2nd to record album #2. Finally! Helping us helm the record is good friend Phil Palazzolo (New Pornos, Neko Case) who I had the pleasure of working with when I recorded BVs on AC Newman's record. This new album is gonna be a bit darker, louder and haunting. I really can't wait. I'll send updates and videos from the studio so be on the lookout! And Happy New Year everyone!!!!

Thanksgiving Eve Stony Pony Blowout!

2009-11-29T15:03:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone's holiday was shhmaashing! we had such a blast at the stone pony as always. here's a couple of vids i found on the youtube from the show. the first is a solo effort of "cryin" from orbi. and the second is "hotel plaster" with our good buddy jef plate on the assist! lotsa shows comin up and i'll let you know all about the whens and wheres tomorrow. be well bunnies!

happy tofurky day!

2009-11-24T11:50:00.000-08:00

here's a video of one of my favorite little songs from sopwith camel called "hello, hello." thanks to daniel coston for sending to me! hope everyone has a wonderful thanksgiving with their loved ones and i hope to see you guys all out at our pre-thanksgiving show at the stone pony this wednesday! i'm off to play a solo gig with ray davies of the kinks now. today is a good day!

Heavy Boots

2009-11-15T18:29:00.000-08:00

Still decompressing from the tour. Getting our set all ready for the Stone Pony show the night before Thanksgiving. HALLA! Anyways, figured I'd start dropping some lyrics of some of the new songs to ya'll. This one's called "Heavy Boots"

The boots you wear are heavy
Rest now, i'll wear them for a while
And as you lie there sleeping
I'll walk down and retrace every mile

All the lines around your eyes
Show the battles deep inside you

They are no match for me
They are no match for me
They are no match for me

And what I wouldnt do, to wear you're heavy boots
To wear you're heavy boots
To wear You're heavy boots
La da da da dum

The sea is wide and angry
Its merciless and waits for you to drown
Your arms are tired from swimming
The violence is written on your brow

I will take away the hurtful words
And swallow them with courage
They are no match for me
They are no match for me
They are no match for me

And what I wouldnt do, to wear you're heavy boots
To wear you're heavy boots
To wear You're heavy boots
La da da da dum

The warriors are waiting
For you outside on the street
And though you're only waking
Rush now, you'll never miss a beat

All the hungry virgin eyes
With the scorpions in their smiles
When their greedy fingers rise
They are no match for me!
They are no match for me!
They are no match for me!

Walking with the Ghost

2009-11-01T16:06:00.000-08:00

Last night I had the humbling and thrilling experience of my first show playing the Ryman. Thank you Avett Brothers!!! We had the time of our lives and will never forget it! All of the shows have been great so far. Last night was our last show with the Avetts. By far, my favorite people to tour with and also, just some of my favorite people in general. Their songs are as pure and true as they are as humans. We also wanna thank our friends Brigid and Patrick Hallahan in Louisville for taking us in for the night and making us pretty much the most epic breakfast I've ever had in my live. They know how to do sausage down south lemme tell ya!
Tomorrow the band and I will play a Paste Magazine session. Four of our new songs and a cover. What to do? What to do? Perhaps an Avetts cover? Roy cover? What do you think? Maybe some Hall and Oates? Then that night we will play a show at the good ol' Earl in Atlanta. After that there are three shows left and we will be joined by our talented buddies, Hymns, Foley Stewart and Scott Liss and the 66. Atlanta, 2 nights in Charlotte (paaaarty!!) and then Rock n Roll Hotel in DC. Dont miss em, we wanna rock your face off gentlelike then hard, real haaaaard. hahaha, ew.
After that our final shows of the year before we go off to record the new record (THANK GOD!) will be played. The first on friday Nov 13th at the 92Y in Tribeca (joined by Gillian Rivers on violin!) and then Thanksgiving Eve at the Stone Pony! Those are the biggies. We are also having special gorgeous two color hand screened posters for the Stone Pony show. Make sure to get yours, only 100 made!
Its been great meeting all you guys out on the road and we wanna thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being so kind to us out on the road and enjoying the music. See ya in Atlanta!

Guest Bloggie Time with the Black Sea's Shane Nelken

2009-10-23T08:03:00.000-07:00

Friends! Neighbours! (notice the Canadian spelling 'neighb'ours')
Our little Bloglings! I have emerged from behind a wall of keyboards to guest blog. (which is huge for me as both my parents were killed in a blogging accident. oh well, must press on)
Touring with Nicole Atkins and the Avett Brothers has been a tremendously inspiring honor. Last night in Urbana, Illinois was amazing. Such wonderful people here. I have a bit of a beef with the 'Fish Tales' pinball machine in the lobby of the Canopy club however. I'll be back, you mechanized son of a so and so!
If you are able to come and see us play, i highly suggest you do so. As the only Canadian in the group, not only do i put care into every note i play, i put 'health care' into every note i play! That's right,step right up, get as close as you can and i will lay keyboard thunder full of love all over your awe struck faces! (oops, i accidentally typed 'feces' instead of faces. that would have been embarassing)
hope to throw another blog on the fire soon, baboon.
Shane Out!

You Come to Me

2009-10-22T13:09:00.001-07:00

Above is a video of my new song "you come to me" from our show at the House of Blues in Boston. So we're in Urbana Illinois now. The tour is only three shows in but we are already having the best time ever. The crowd that goes to an Avetts show are just great real music fans. They dance, they participate, they are friendly. Anyways, its been an absolute pleasure playing for you guys and meeting ya'll.
It was our tour manager Colin's bday the other night and per his request the Avetts played a Bob song. He was so happy i thought he was gonna cry. Cute lil kipper. After our set Seth was singing "neptune city" in an Edith from All in the Family voice. I told him that thats what my voice was gonna sound like in two years. hahah! god forbid! yesterday i was feeling pretty hoarse and thought I wasnt gonna be able to pull it off but it passed and now i think my throat is adjusting finally. The new songs are pretty taxing with all the screaming and whatnot haha, but i have a good feeling its gonna be ok. I also painted some new bags in the van today. They are looking so cool. Very psychedelic with an old fillmore art feel. I have three new ones to sell at the show tonight so be on the lookout.
Gonna get my hair did in Chicago tomorrow. A new color me thinks. I'm thinking either almost black or a dark dark brown red. Wish I could do blue but that shit just washes out too fast. thoughts?

Shane our Keyboardist in Cracker Barrel

2009-10-19T23:15:00.000-07:00

Tour Blog Numero Uno

2009-10-19T23:11:00.000-07:00

Our Maiden Voyage in Miss America

And We're Off!!!!!

2009-10-18T10:01:00.000-07:00

Tonight is the first night of our tour with the Avett Brothers! I saw some pictures of their Terminal 5 show in Brooklyn last night and the sheer volume of people that were there has me equally excited and nervous. It was mobbed!!! House of Blues in Boston tonight...cannot wait! The drive up from Jersey was pretty hilarious. My friend Shane Nelken of the Awkward Stage in Vancouver is joining us on keyboards and guitar for this tour and everything that comes out of his mouth is beyond funny. I laughed so hard in the van I think it made my voice a bit hoarse. Although, being in the van with 5 guys I think I might have reached my "dick and poop joke," quota by the first day. hahah!
We are gonna play mostly new songs this time around because we wanna test out the songs on an audience before we go into the studio this winter to FINALLY record the next record. Roadside preproduction. These songs are alot heavier and a bit vocally taxing so I gotta figure out how to kick my coffee habit during this tour. Not sure if its gonna happen so I might have to make some sort of pin for my jacket that says "i'm not a bitch, i'm just on vocal rest" so I can keep my talking to a minimum after shows. I'm a loudmouth tho so that'll probably be tough too. The Jersey/Sicilian/Lover of all things Acidic combo is my voices enemy but i'll get it straight soon enough.
So happy to be out on the road again and so are the guys. We stayed the night at my manager's assistant Tom's parents house. The Wironens. Such nice people. I stayed in one of their sons rooms and there were fishing poles and shotguns by my bed. POWAAA! And they made us breakfast. Now the Black Sea are watching football. I think these blogs might end up being a bit too long to read for ya'll as I don't get football and am boredtown. Anyways, stay tuned for some tour videos!!!

i miss rodney dangerfield

2009-10-13T13:57:00.000-07:00

procrastination. i had this idea to handpaint totebags with comics on them to sell on tour. so far my livingroom is filled with 50 primed bags unadorned and 4 painted ones. between writing this and watching rodney in Back to School, i dont know how i'm gonna get these things all dudded up before tour on friday. i will make it happen tho. gotta get crackin on drawing men with fancy mustaches that spell out our band name. be on the lookout for these things on the road. i'll post some pics soon. i'm kinda growing attached to them. i guess thats why i ended my painting career ten years ago. i could never sell them once i finished them. grew too attached.

Major Victory for Low Powered FM!!!

2009-10-09T07:38:00.000-07:00

Local Community Radio Act Passes House Subcommittee in 15-1 Vote
October 8, 2009
Washington, D.C.— On Thursday, October 8, the Local Community Radio Act of 2009 passed out of House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet in a sweeping 15 to 1 vote. The Act would clear the way for hundreds of Low Power FM (LPFM) broadcasters in American towns and communities — stations that can help fill the void in local programming created by a consolidated commercial radio marketplace.

“Future of Music Coalition is very pleased that policymakers have recognized the fundamental role Low Power FM can play in local communities,” said Michael Bracy, Policy Director for Future of Music Coalition. “LPFM is vital to musicians around the country, who rely on local radio as a way to reach audiences. It can also help undo the tremendous damage to localism as a result of rampant consolidation in the commercial broadcast industry. There’s no good reason not to allow more LPFM in more American towns and cities. Quality local radio is too important a resource to hold back.”

One clear way to put the community back in radio is to lift the unnecessary restrictions on LPFM stations in larger American towns and cities. LPFM stations are community-based, non-commercial radio broadcasters that operate at 100 watts or less and reach a radius of three to seven miles. LPFM provides a platform for underserved musical genres, minority, religious and linguistic groups and offers a forum for debate about important local issues.

Today’s Subcommittee vote represents a major victory for community radio advocates including Future of Music Coalition, Prometheus Radio Project, United Church of Christ and more. Yet there is still work to be done before new stations can begin serving local communities. “The bill still has a long way to go in the legislative process, but I am optimistic that by the end of the year the Local Community Radio Act will be signed into law,” said Congressman Mike Doyle (D-PA), lead co-sponsor of the bill with Congressman Lee Terry (R-NE).

On Tuesday, October 5, Congressman Doyle appeared alongside New Jersey songwriter/musician Nicole Atkins in a special conversation at the 2009 Future of Music Policy Summit at Georgetown University in Washington DC. The two discussed, among other policy matters, the importance of Low Power FM to arts and cultural communities.

http://futureofmusic.org/events/future-music-policy-summit-2009

In April 2009, Atkins joined Doyle at a Hill Briefing on LPFM. “My hometown community station was the first station to play my music, which gave me confidence as an artist,” said Atkins. “There’s no longer any stations like that in my town, and LPFM would be a way to give other artists the same chance I had.”

In June, FMC launched the I Support Community Radio campaign, which features established and emerging musicians talking about how local radio has positively impacted their lives, both as artists and listeners.

I & Love & You

2009-09-28T12:45:00.000-07:00

Tonight is the Avett Brothers debut on the Letterman show! Please tune in and watch this wonderful band perform their single "I & Love & You" Also, tomorrow their record of the same name comes out on Columbia records. Please support the band and pick up a copy. I'm sure it will become one of your favorite records. I'm so proud of these boys. It was only a couple years ago we were all playing in the backs of any restuarant that would have us, feeling on top of the world if more than 50 people showed up to a gig, and relying on our folks to lend their van when ours broke down (or my their case, for their pops to lend me gas money. haha!) And right about now they are braving the cold that is the Letterman set. Air so cold you can actually see mist, and in about an hour, they are gonna burn that fucker down as they introduce the world to their heartfelt, real and timeless music. I'm so excited! Witness it tonight and watch out for us on tour with them starting the 18th!

Sir Parker in Austin!

2009-09-22T12:22:00.000-07:00

Above is a little video of the beginning of the maiden voyage that is to be my new side project with my good friend Robert Harrison that we are calling Sir Parker. We wrote a couple songs last winter that we loved but didnt quite fit on my solo record and he had crafted a bunch of wonderful songs that fit with those. Some for us to duet too! So here I am in Austin again at his studio the Star Apple Kingdom laying down some vocals on James the tape machine. Sadly Robert had to sell the Star Apple Kingdom so this will be the last thing recorded here. The first thing recorded here was one of my favorite records, the Big Picture, from his old band Cotton Mather. More details on Sir Parker soon and hopefully once things get a bit more fleshed out we can let ya'll have a listen to these magical songs.

I've been in a phase of listening to others music lately. The new Flaming Lips Embryonic Ep is really inspiring. If you guys have any suggestions on music you're diggin these days that you wanna share please comment here. Hope all is well!

Shows this Week!!!!

2009-09-14T13:18:00.000-07:00

So we have two very fun shows on deck this week! The first one is at my very talented photographer friend, Danny Clinch's, gallery opening for his portraits of Mr. Bruce Springsteen. The show is called Be True and its on the Asbury Park Boardwalk. It starts at 6pm and is free and open to the public. I'll be doing a little acoustic set and am hoping for the first time to throw in a couple Bruce covers for the occasion. Afterwards one of my favorite new local bands, Rivercity Extention will play a full band set. They are wonderful and it will be a great night so come on out.
www.dannyclinch.com

The next night the Black Sea and I are set to play NYC's Webster Hall supporting our buddy Rhett Miller! Some tickets are still available for this online and at the box office. We will be playing some old songs and some new songs so we're really excited for you guys to hear what we've been up to. Opening the show is Jim Ward formerly of At the Drive In, so of course the boys in my band are stoked. As Chris said once, "Bands like At the Drive In really hit your inner-man tones." um, yea. hahah! See you guys there!
www.websterhall.com (the show is posted as rhett miller and we are opening so just click on his pretty face for details)

love,
Nicole

PS! We will have our new t-shirts this Saturday night at Webster Hall!!! They are tri-blend super soft heather gray and they are multicolored and hand pulled so each shirt is unique! The design above is a pencil drawing of the artwork designed by Secret Serpents! Pick one up at the show and look good! reeeeal good.

The Black Sea

2009-08-31T09:53:00.000-07:00

alrighty folks. sorry its been like a million years since i've written on this thing. lots of new ventures on the horizon. as most of you have probably read columbia and i have parted ways. don't fret, nothing terrible happened. i really enjoyed releasing neptune city with them and all of the help with touring and promo that they gave me. i learned a lot and am definitely grateful for the doors that they opened for me with my career. they gave me a great jumpoff and tis only the beginning. in the end, we just were not a good fit anymore. regardless, the record is ready to be recorded. we are talking to a few good labels that i really like and respect and will have some news to report to you guys shortly on that front so hang tight bunnies.
in the meantime, the black sea (chris, tony, brad and eytan) have been hard at work tweeking the arrangements of songs old and new. and there are lots of new songs! just getting ready for our webster hall show with our friend rhett miller. and our october tour with our carolinian brethren, the avett brothers! we'll also be doing a few solo headlining shows during that tour as well. we'll announce them as soon as they're confirmed.
here are the dates we have so far and you can get tickets online or at the venues. you'll notice that when you buy tickets for us with the avetts online we might not be listed as we are the opening act but i assure you, we're on there. so here ya go:
Sep 19 2009 8:00P
Webster Hall New York, New York
Oct 18 2009 8:00P
House of Blues Boston, Massachusetts
Oct 20 2009 8:00P
Englert Theater Iowa City, Iowa
Oct 21 2009 8:00P
The Barrymore Theater Madison, Wisconsin
Oct 22 2009 8:00P
The Canopy Club Urbana, Illinois
Oct 29 2009 8:00P
Keith Albee Theatre Huntington, West Virginia
Oct 30 2009 8:00P
Louisville Palace Louisville, Kentucky
Oct 31 2009 8:00P
Ryman Auditorium Nashville, Tennessee

also, in the upcoming weeks i'm gonna put little band member profiles up on this blog to get you aquainted with the black sea. they are all awesome, talented and funny guys so i'm really looking forward to you guys getting to know them onstage and on blog. haha!
i'll also be posting some lyrics to some of the new songs. i can't post any demos yet but we'll figure something out. in the meantime to that, here is a link to some new songs from our recent bellhouse show: http://www.vimeo.com/6071741

hope you enjoy! can't wait to see you all out at the shows and i'll be hollerin at ya real soon. this week i'm singing at PETTY FEST! its at the bowery ballroom this thursday. tickets are still available but going fast. we're singing petty songs all night. also singing are adam green, members of the strokes, fountains of wayne, the mooney suzuki, the pierces, russell simmons (blues explosion), hymns and many others. its gonna be a blast. ok i'm off now to memorize way too many tom petty songs. oy!

communication breakdown....

2009-08-25T19:57:00.000-07:00

hello friends-

i am very sorry for the recent decent into the abyss. there is much to tell and i've been thinking about you guys the whole time. i will write you all a proper catch up, hangtime, news blowout. but in the meantime, here is a wonderful blog from my friend john morris from charlotte (of tyre fyre and come on thunderchild fame) of his recent stay with me this past weekend and his thoughts on our beautiful asbury park. catch you soon!
http://www.creativekungfu.com/

free download of "ben" cover

2009-07-07T12:13:00.001-07:00

download "ben" for free here:
http://retromedia.net/Ben.mp3

A cover of "ben" from MJ

2009-07-06T16:40:00.000-07:00

Last week i got together with my good friend john noll over at retromedia and recorded a cover of michael jackson's "ben" helping me out were chris donofrio, adam vac, and james stahon. click on the link below and enjoy! rip mj.

Nicole Atkins - Ben

Listen on The Hype Machine

Memorial show for Aaron Wilkinson Friday July 3

2009-07-02T07:02:00.000-07:00

On Friday July 3rd i'll be taking part in a memorial show for my good friend singer/songwriter Aaron Wilkinson. This show will be at the Living Room in the Lower East Side on Ludlow Street between Stanton and Rivington. Also on the bill are Aaron's friends Daniel Bernstien, Just About to Burn (feat Paleface & Lil Mo) and LEVY. I'll be playing a 30 minute set with Chris and Tony at 9:30. Come on out!

nicole atkins & the black sea

2009-06-26T22:30:00.000-07:00

same band name but a bit diff. my new band is now called the black sea. there ya go.

2009-06-16T19:22:00.000-07:00

My guitarist Bradley York and I, aka The Blackouts will be DJing this thursday, june 18th at Bowery Electric on 2nd and Bowery in NYC. 10pm to 3am and its free! We'll be serving up soul, rock and psychedelic freakouts all night so bring some friends and some dance moves! power moves!

Largo @ the Coronet Theatre, Los Angeles

2009-06-09T14:18:00.000-07:00

I'm playing a cool little variety show this wednesday. Its at Largo at the Coronet Theatre on La Cienega.
Sharing the bill will be the hilarious antics of Two Headed Dog and the glorious music of Honey Honey!
I"ll be playing new songs acoustic and my friend Bo Coster from My Morning Jacket will be helpin me out on the piano.
Show starts at 8 and i'm on at 9. Hope to see ya'll there!

Elizabeth Berg novel mentions me.... yay!

2009-06-03T12:19:00.000-07:00

Dudes! So my aunt bee emailed me today to tell me that I'm mentioned in a novel! Its by Best Selling author, Elizabeth Berg and its called "home safe."

Home Safe

Random House - April 28, 2009
What's it About?

Helen Ames is a writer who has recently lost the ability to write. And her husband. And her nestegg. Now she's worried about losing her daughter. The book looks at the nature of creativity, the mother/daughter relationship, and the surprising places one can find love and meaning.

Thats the most randomly cool thing ever. Anyways, me and my album are mentioned on page 7. Ya'll should go pick it up. I'm on my way to do so now! YAY!

Summer is Here!

2009-06-02T17:38:00.000-07:00

Sorry i havent posted much lately. Just been busy getting all my new songs together with my new band chris, tony, brad and raphael. we just recently played our first gig together at the stone pony and tested out some of the new ones and i gotta say, it was the most fun i've had onstage in years. thanks so much to everyone who came out and danced!
On another tip, one of my favorite magazines, PASTE, has been hit with some hard times because of the recent economical free fall. They have always been the best at covering music, film and books that really matter. This is one of the only magazines i actually save and file. anyways, they had a bunch of artists donate live and rare tracks that you guys can have access to downloading if you donate to PASTE to keep the mag alive. Theres great stuff up there from my buds The Avetts, along with Of Montreal, Neko Case, the Jayhawks, the Hives, She & Him, and shitloads of others. I donated a live version of "the way it is" from the Stone Pony show we just did. So help a brother out and go give PASTE some money, get some awesome tunes and lets be able to keep reading this thing aight?!
Got a couple new shows coming up too. On June 10th I'll be in LA at one of my favorite haunts (and i say that bc its fucking haunted!) Largo at the Coronet Theatre. I'm playing solo and i think my buddy Bo from MMJ might come up and play piano on a few songs with me. YAY! Sharing the bill is the dangerous and perverse comedy of Two Headed Dog (my buddy Jim Turner and cohorts) and Honey Honey, who sound just like their name...sweet and delicious. I'll be playing a bunch of new songs all alone so come by for moral support. scary! hahah!
Then the new Sea and I play with the Avett Brothers at Irving Plaza on June 12th. As of now there are still some tickets left for this show so if you wanna go I would step on it bc it will sell out i'm sure. Those Avetts are ticket selling demons! I seriously can't wait for that show. I'm really enjoying playing the new songs...faster faster faster!!!
See you guys at the show and in the meantime, stay out the rain, listen to some mastadon and party on wayne!

in limbo by b. lloyd york

2009-05-17T11:50:00.001-07:00

here is a video that my guitarist bradley lloyd york made. he illustrated, animated and made the music for it. he is a special dude.

Low Powered FM, Capitol Hill, and ME

2009-05-06T09:05:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago I was invited down to Washington DC by my friends Michael and Chhaya from the Future of Music Coalition. I met these kind and passionate folks while I was down in New Orleans last winter for the Artists Activism retreat that I wrote to you guys about a few months ago.

Future of Music Coalition is a national non-profit education, research and advocacy organization that helps musicians get involved in the issues that impact their lives and careers — particularly issues having to do with access to media like radio and the internet. You can check them out here www.futureofmusic.org.

So I went down to Capitol Hill with Michael to take some meetings with representatives of congress and the senate to talk about the importance of the creation of Low Powered FM radio stations across the country. This is a policy they've been trying to get passed through congress for a few years now as the airwaves have been largely monopolized by commercial radio stations (ie, buttrock and britney)

I feel really strongly about the creation of these stations as I feel they really promote the local color of the areas they're in and they support local and independant music. In most commercial stations there is no platform for local, independant or experimental music or specialty shows and with the music business being in such dire straights these days, its important for people to have access to these types of art. It especially helps out touring musicians to be able to promote and spread the word about their shows as they come through your town. When I first started out writing songs and playing shows, my local station 90.5 the Night began playing a couple of my songs on the air and it helped me to grow a fanbase and also gave me the confidence to really pursue a career in music. I want young artists to have these kinds of oppoutunities as well.

I was pretty nervous to go down there and speak (or lobby as they say) as I had never done anything like this before. Capitol Hill has some heavy doors. But I just followed Michael's lead and as we sat down to talk at the individual senate offices I actually felt pretty at ease to talk about the need for these stations. The fact that I live in Asbury Park, NJ and we are going through a major revitalisation made me understand the need for these stations not just as an artist but as a member of my community. If we had a 100 watt station in Asbury people would be able to easily know whats happening around town. All the changes that are being made, the new restaurants and galleries opening up, the happenings, the surf report, the local music revolution thats happening here. This place is finally coming together. Our own radio station would promote a really strong sense of localism and give our residents something to call our own and give everyone a voice.

The first day on the Hill was exhausting but wonderful. The next day I spoke on a panel with some wonderful folks that are really leading the fight to get this policy passed. These people are passionate about their local communities and the voice that these stations give to it. I never thought I'd be able to do anything like this and I'm really glad that FMC invited me to come down and talk. Its nice to know that as a musician I can open dialouges on important issues and not just get up on stage and sing. I can use my voice to help change things for the better and FMC can back me up and give me the advice I need to do it and help open some of those heavy doors.

What do you guys think about Low Powered FM radio?

piggy no!

2009-05-05T07:02:00.001-07:00

Scott Walker Tribute Record out on Monday!

2009-04-26T09:04:00.001-07:00

Via the Scott Walker 30 Century Man film site comes news of a tribute album, which is due out April 27 on Lakeshore Records.

“Duchess” Peter Broderick
“Big Louise” Sally Norvell
“World’s Strongest Man” Damon & Naomi
“Manhattan” Saint Etienne
“The Electrician” Laurie Anderson
“The Seventh Seal” Nicole Atkins
“Montague Terrace (in Blue)” Dot Allison
“The Bridge” Bee & Flower
“Rhymes of Goodbye” Stephanie Dosen
“It’s Raining Today” Ulrich Schnauss
“A Lover Loves” Jarboe
“Such a Small Love” Little Annie & Paul Walfisch

"G"

2009-04-20T22:43:00.000-07:00

i mean, her names laura MARLING, with a G, sorry! listen!

Laura Marlin

2009-04-20T22:41:00.000-07:00

wow ughhh wow! haven't heard a song that made me feel like this since the sunday's "where the story ends" when i was 13. her name's laura marlin, the songs called "tap on my window." please buy it offa itunes. its really making my life better. might make yours too!

Rhodia

2009-04-14T12:21:00.000-07:00

I just found an old poem i wrote about my Rhodia journal. here is is...

Welcome back old friend
its good to see you
your feel so familiar
in time i'll fill you up again
then move on to the next one

i'll make you sparkle
paint your skin with pretty words
fill your insides with hate
and touch your spine lovingly
when i'm done with you

and you'll be mine forever
even when i throw you away

AC & ME

2009-04-14T11:43:00.000-07:00

Letterman!

2009-04-11T11:50:00.000-07:00

Tune into Letterman this monday night! I'm singing with AC Newman...YAY! oh and Zac Efron is the guest....tweens hold onto your bloomers!

and poof into the ether!

2009-04-03T03:16:00.001-07:00

akkk, as i was going to fix some spelling errors, i erased this post. i'll repost again soon. sorry bout that. i'm a nerd that cannot sleep. ew.

2009-04-02T21:31:00.000-07:00

till next time....

Good Times!

2009-03-20T14:48:00.000-07:00

Chis and i just got back from these duet shows. what a time! i was really nervous bc i'm not used to playing shows this stripped down, unless its in my hometown where i'm comfy. but lo and behold, i had a fucking blast. so did chris. thanks so much to everyone who came out and thanks to whoever the dude was who gave me those cables. they're awesome! i thought of a title for my new record..."mondo amore" what do you guys think?

here is a video from last nights show at sonar:

Lets Duet!

2009-03-17T19:28:00.000-07:00

This weds my drummer chris and i are doing an acoustic show in DC at a joint called DC9. show is at 10. then the next night we're in baltimore at the sonar club. shows at 9. gonna be playing some new songs, some oldies, some covers. a swell time will be had! come on out pretties!

Outtie.

2009-03-09T08:48:00.000-07:00

Getting ready to leave for tour today with AC Newman. Paul just left for his first tour in Europe. The house is in shambles and i have a sinus infection that has been with me for almost a week now. Gonna go hang out with some serious salt water, throw a couple dresses in a bag and get some wheatgrass. Happy to be getting the eff out of Jersey. So happy.

Acoustic Brunch Show this Sunday!

2009-02-25T14:35:00.001-08:00

This Sunday, March 1st, my drummer Chris and I will be playing a little brunch gig at our favorite joint on the boardwalk in Asbury, Langosta Lounge! Its free and we play from 1-2 so come join us, rock out, get some huevos rancheros and a tank of mimosas! We just thought we'd try out some of my new songs so come and get a gander!

Langosta Lounge, Asbury Park Boardwalk, March 1, 1-2pm

Today is Mardi Gras....RIP Mrs. Antoinette K-Doe!

2009-02-24T13:57:00.000-08:00

Today the world and New Orleans celebrate Fat Tuesday. Today New Orleans lost one of it's finest, Mrs. Antionette K-Doe, owner of the legendary New Orleans bar and performance space, Mother In Laws, and wife of a pioneer of the New Orleans sound, Mr. Ernie K-Doe. I had the pleasure of meeting Antionette while I was down in New Orleans on a musicians activism retreat. She cooked us some really great cajun food and regaled us with so many wonderful stories of her late husband, the local music scene and her struggles when the hurricanes hit and flooded Mother In Lawes, leaving her trapped up in the attic for 12 days. She managed to save all of her husbands music memorabilia and photographs. Local musicians and Sweet Home New Orleans helped her to rebuild the bar and believe me it was one of the coolest places I've ever been to. In the brief time that we all spent with her I was so warmed and impressed with how much love she had for music and for her husband, all the highs and lows. She was a woman who to me exemplified unconditional love, passion and positivity. I'll always remember the kindness she showed us while we were down there and may she rest in peace.

Goin on tour with AC Newman!

2009-02-18T06:23:00.000-08:00

So as most of you know I sang backup vocals on the new AC Newman record "get guilty" and as it turns out i'll be joining him and his band for a few shows singing said backup vocals, on tour. very excited! the songs are really great and its gonna be fun to go out and sing on someone elses stuff instead of my own for a little bit. hope you guys can make the shows. they will be here:
Mar 10 2009 7:00P
Castaways Ithaca, New York
Mar 11 2009 8:00P
Lee’s Palace Toronto, Ontario
Mar 12 2009 8:30P
Il Motore Montreal, Quebec
Mar 13 2009 7:00P
Club Hell Providence, Rhode Island
Mar 14 2009 8:00P
Paradise Boston, Massachusetts
Mar 15 2009 8:00P
Bowery Ballroom New York, New York

Daptone HQ Robbed! Bullcorn!

2009-02-17T20:51:00.000-08:00

This is just terrible. I just heard that Daptone Studio and Headquarters, home to one of the best bands around, the Dapkings, was robbed sometime last weekend. Here is a post from them about what was stolen so please be on the lookout for any gear you might see in the shops, pawns or on ebay and please report it. i so hope they find those fuckers!

"Friends and associates,

"As you may have heard through the grapevine by now, Daptone was broken into last night. Unfortunately, there was a lot of equipment (mics, pre-amps, monitors, turntables, guitars, amps, computers, etc.) stolen and damaged. It is going to take us a while to go through everything and take full stock of what was stolen, and we are not supposed to touch anything until the cops come back to collect fingerprints so we can only guess what's missing from some mic drawers and cabinets.
And, no, we did not have insurance. We had been shopping around with different companies earlier this month but had not signed a check, so nothing was insured. We are working on replacing the gate in front, installing an alarm system, and getting insurance, but it is President's day so it's not going as quickly as we would have liked.
Nydia's computer was stolen (which wasn't backed up) and the modems/ phone system was ripped out, so we'll be relatively out of commission for a few days.

I would like to ask for everyone's help first in keeping an eye out for all of our stuff showing up on ebay/craigslist/local music shops, and secondly (and more realistically) keeping an eye out for good deals on headphones, mics, pre-amps, etc. I could really use a heads up on any kind of studio package for sale or studio equipment to be possibly bought or borrowed as soon as possible. We have a session scheduled for Friday to lay down some music for (I know this sounds
surreal) Rod Stewart, and I'm going to have to get the studio running by then. I know I'm going to need to find headphones, cables, mics, and pre-amps by then. I'm not sure what else yet.

List of gear and Gabriel Roth's letter continued below...

FROM GABRIEL ROTH

Upon first glance we are definitely missing:
Fender Super Guitar Amp in case
Fender Deluxe Guitar Amp
A whole bunch of headphones and wires
Nydia's HP laptop computer
One Desktop MacIntosh Computer
One Purple Audio API style lunchbox with four Purple Audio Biz mic pre-amps
2 Yamaha NS10 monitors
Vintage Harmony Rocket Guitar
One steel string acoustic guitar
Martin Tenor sax in a gig bag
Technics 1200 turntable
Ion USB turntable
Teac Receiver/stereo amp
Sony dual deck CD burner/player
All of our modem/phone system stuff was ripped out and taken.
A whole bunch of condensor and dynamic microphones (I still need to figure out exactly what's missing) The power supply for my Trident console was tossed and the board was moved (probably not gently) so the status of that is still questionable.
A baldwin organ was tossed and is probably broken.
Lacie External hard drive

Over the next few days, as we sort out the rubble, we are going to figure out what else we lost.

We are putting in a roll down front gate, alarm system, and finally getting our insurance happening this week. We are also going to hire a security guard to watch the house for tonight as the cops and alarm guy seemed pretty confident that they will be back with a truck now that they've seen what's in here.

Thanks for keeping eyes open for us. AND PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE ALONG TO ANYONE YOU THINK MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP US.

Thankfully, we all still have our health, ambition, tape machines, and sense of humor in tact. You can slow us down, but you can't stop us. Sleep well knowing we here at Daptone will continue to...

Keep putting Soul up,

Gabriel Roth

P.S. On a lighter note, it seems like the burglars did drop a few items in order to lift Alex's old safe out of here, which was VERY heavy, VERY unwieldy, and also VERY EMPTY!"

Record SHOP!

2009-02-16T19:05:00.000-08:00

So i found out something really awesome over this past weekend...Cookman Ave in Asbury Park is getting A RECORD SHOP!!! Finally! My buddy Joe is actually opening it up and its gonna sell new and used vinyl and used cds. Its also gonna have clothing and the bottom floor will be a little performance space and get this...A PINBALL MACHINE MUSEUM!!! but you'll be able to play them of course. No digital machines. I can't wait, records and pinball and I don't have to travel far to have them. YAY! I think the opening is gonna be on March 7th. So excited!
Just got some mixes of demos of some new songs Robert and I wrote down in Austin. I'll try to post something up here soon. Just gotta check with my label about that because they are really weird about me posting shit like that. I don't really understand why not and I probably never will but i'm gonna try.
Just found out today that we turn our clocks forward again in just three weeks. Winter is actually going fast. I felt like i just turned them forward yesterday. It's a good thing as my dark and cold weather depression has been blistering this season but I still hate feeling like I don't have enough time to do the things I want to do. Things just go so fast. Perhaps I should start waking up at 6am.

new parlor mob video up!

2009-02-10T08:14:00.000-08:00

and its awesome! check it out here:

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=52087838

Face Officially Melted

2009-02-07T14:03:00.000-08:00

My boyfriend Paul's band, the Parlor Mob, played last night at the Mercury Lounge. A good time was had by all. They have just gotten so good and are really taking their sound far. Sonically assaulting in the best way. My friend told me that they reminded him of the MC5 and I think i might agree with him. Now i'm deaf and a bit hungover in the airport waiting for my flight to Texas. Going down to write some more songs with my buddy Robert Harrison of Future Clouds and Radar. I'm excited. I recorded a couple new songs yesterday and i really feel like i'm finally getting a good body of work together for this new record. I spent the last couple of months freaking out that i wasnt writing enough and i sat down a couple days ago and went through all the songs i have and didnt even realize that I've written 30 new songs. its funny the things you dont see until you step back from it. i'll try to post up some crappy demos here soon.
In the meantime, the parlor mob are out on tour and i think you guys should treat yourself and check them out if they come to your town. they are such a good time. tourdates are here: www.myspace.com/theparlormob

oh granma!

2009-02-05T07:31:00.000-08:00

last night i had the weirdest dream. i was driving in a car with my grandma and we were talking about morrissey. she turned to me and was like "oh i love morrissey!" and then she started singing a song, which not in real life but in my dream was one of his songs, and it went "i smoke to joints, i'm waiting, waiting" it was too weird to hear any of this come out of my grandma's mouth.

Buddy Holly Tribute at Vintage Vinyl, Fords, NJ this Saturday

2009-01-29T16:22:00.000-08:00

In memorial of the death of Buddy Holly, Vintage Vinyl in Fords NJ will be having a show. Many acts including myself and my friend Liam Moroney, the Gripweeds, Locksley, Willy Nile and others will be playing our favorite Buddy songs. Come on out, its free and Vintage Vinyl has one of the best music shops around. Liam and I play our set at 2pm. Rave on!

Wylin!

2009-01-22T20:46:00.000-08:00

its midnight in asbury and people are freakin out in the alley. theres a man outside arguing with himself. a bad fight. he's been screaming at the sky for about an hour now. music everywhere. a band upstairs playing what sounds like "let my love open the door." 5 metal bands across the street playing. people are drunk in the bars and i just finished a big cleaning sesh in my house. bought the new neil young double disc and the second disc is blank. so theres nothing else i really want to listen to to beat the noise. this is one loud alley i tell ya. bright and manic outside. no sleep.

Grossness Killed the Radiostar.

2009-01-21T12:25:00.000-08:00

Last week I was shocked and saddened to hear that my favorite LA indie station, Indie 103.1, would be going off the air and now only available online. It seems that they were being forced to start spinning awful playlists that plague most radio stations (you know, most likely either mindless pop, atonal r&b or buttrock) and instead of just let that happen, they just said no. One of my favorite things about going out to LA was to just drive around the canyons in my rental car and listen to 103.1 and hear lots of new music and dj Mick Jones from the Clash interview people and have whistling contests. I've discovered some of my favorite new bands from that station.
This week I'm at home in New Jersey and a station 106.3 that I grew up on. Discovered when I was in high school bands like the Sundays, Pixies, Pavement, the Church, etc via the excellent DJ Matt Pinfield. Sure they went through some subtle format shifts through the years but recently were getting pretty good again playing new stuff from Beck, Arcade Fire, Gaslight Anthem, and MGMT. Anyways, I turn it on yesterday and I am met with Nelly, then Britney Spears. What the fuck?! Why are there no outlets for good fresh new music with some heart and some fucking balls anymore. Record stores are a rarity these days and now it seems that good radio stations and DJs have fallen to the same fate. Just makes me so sad. It makes me sad that there is a chance that my nieces and nephews and in the future, my kids, will never know the joy of discovering good music that isnt bullshit that corporations create and shove down your throat. that they might never know the excitement of the release day of a record from one of their favorite bands and go after school to their local record shop and buy a real hard copy and go home, listen, and pore over the liner notes. The power of listening to something in high quality, not digital. Ugh, I'm sorry but i just think this is such a tragedy.
Real music plays such an important role in everyones lives. Its how we meet people, how we fall in love, how we hang. I tie almost all of my important life events to songs and so do most of my friends. Alot of these events took place while we were listening to the radio. I hope all is not lost. There are still good stations like 101.9 (pinfield again with leslie fam!) fighting the good fight. Bringing us music that actually means something other than cheap sex and money most of us will never have. Give me Neil Young, give me Spoon, fuck man, give me even World Party. Just not this awful noise and static.

i meant this one..........

2009-01-14T22:30:00.001-08:00

wish i was a baller.....

2009-01-11T12:01:00.000-08:00

its sunday, football day. we have some folks over to watch the game and enjoy some jambalaya, cheap beer and various dips that have been sitting in our fridge waiting to be consumed on occasions such as these. everyone is shouting, having a joyous time. i'm having a good time yet i have this horrible horrible guilt. i fucking hate football. hate sports in fact. i try. i try so hard. i just don't get it really. i like the aspect that sports bring all my friends together. but i just don't feel the love for a team. the feeling of being so into a sport or player that i am moved to jump up and down and scream. i am missing that gene. it makes me feel kinda weird and bad. i tried to think of what kind of sport i could really get into. iceskating is not a sport really. not a team sport. i guess the closest i can get to liking a team sport is just liking bands. i remember when Starter jackets were wildly popular when i was in 7th and 8th grade. i felt so out of place because i was the only one in my school other than my best friend colin, not to have one. i remember wishing desperately that they would come out with a Led Zeppelin Starter jacket. so i could join in the fun. I guess my role in sports life will be that of maid. feeding fans and cleaning while secretly having a panic attack that i am wasting my life for half of the day. jeeeez.

Rebekah Del Rio for a Rainy Day....

2009-01-06T15:41:00.001-08:00

Goin Where the Weather Suits my Clothes

2009-01-05T16:01:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again. Bronchitus time! I get it at least 2 times every winter. Now and it'll come back around sometime in March. I think i need a sunny winter. Not sure where but I'm taking off a couple months to write anyway so it's not like I need to stay in asbury anyways. Breathe in some sunshine and not worry about tearing my throat out every which way. Perhaps I could join my parents in NJ south aka Florida for the winter. Write an album about drinking and aging. Nah. I think I already wrote that one last time. hahah! anyways, winterize yoself people! Go pick up some Dr. Weil books and LISTEN to him! I wish I did but I guess it being the holidays and all I forgot. So here I am left now on day four barely breathing and watching more episodes of Top Chef than one should ever watch. Maybe I'll write an album about Top Chef. Ohhh reprieve! Top Chef is finally over and now it's Inside the Actor's Studio with Josh Brolin! Love him, who knew a Goonies alum would grow up so awesome. I think I'm gonna watch the Goonies tonight. My eyes are like telescopes. owwwwwwwww.

Best Night Evaaaa!

2009-01-02T13:35:00.002-08:00

This past new years eve i had the honor of singing two duets with one of my favorite singers, mr. jim james of one of my favorite bands, my morning jacket. the show was at madison square garden. it was easily one of the coolest night of my life. i found some youtube videos of it. here ya go and happy new year bunnies!

"you're all i need to get by"- marvin gaye and tammi terrell

Ain't No Hole in the Washtub!

2008-12-28T10:35:00.000-08:00

holiday blooper reel from the best christmas movie ever made. i remember being 5 years old living in my grandparents attic while our house was being built and watching this while drinking a juicy juice juicebox and eating spaghettios. best times.

Bruuuuuuce!

2008-12-27T13:41:00.000-08:00

Yep, thats me in the background singing and playing the bells. What an awesome night!

Merry Christmas Baby!

2008-12-24T08:16:00.001-08:00

I just want to wish everyone a merry christmas, happy holiday, and a very awesome new year in 09. This year has been the most surreal thing that I've ever known. Just did the Hope Benefit at the Count Basie theatre with jon bon jovi and bruce springsteen. whoaaaaaaaaaaaa! the place was insane. it was just so awesome to see a few generations of jersey artists and see how much affect they have on people. i really can't even explain it. me and brian from the gaslight anthem were kinda just standing on the side like dude, this is insane. i'm really glad they included me and i think that it is so great that people like bruce and jon bon are beyond huge and busy and still make some time to give back to the local community and jam with their old friends.
then last night i did a benefit for the mercy center in asbury park over at the downtown in red bank. it was one of my little acoustic shows that we usually do over there and sikamor rooney, the black jesuses and rick barry joined me. these shows usually have like 30 or 40 people there mostly friends but last night it was so packed i couldnt even believe it. what a great time and we raised $600 from the basket pass for the mercy center! thank you guys so much for being so generous! Mercy Center is a great organization on main street in Asbury Park that helps families with job assistance, healthcare, parenting classes, substance abuse counseling, help for local homeless, and also has a program for teenage girls to help keep them on the path. Please help spread the word on all the great work they do for our town and visit them at www.mercycenternj.org
BLESS YA'LL!!!!!!!

ticket info for the downtown gig 12/23

2008-12-14T15:52:00.000-08:00

hey there-

tickets for the downtown show are a first come first serve at the door basis. so be sure to get there around 8:30 so you dont get stuck out in the cold. its a great lineup all night. very laid back and fun. featuring rick barry, jeff and brad of sikamor rooney, dave and sam of the parlor mob with their side project the black jesuses, and yours truly. good times. the downtown is in red bank on west front street. holla!

Sweet Home New Orleans

2008-12-07T20:57:00.000-08:00

Just got back from a three day artist activism retreat in New Orleans. It was one of the most eye opening and inspiring times of my life. I can't believe that it has been so long since Hurricane Katrina and there is still so much destruction down there. So many lives and homes ruined and so many people still displaced. We met with alot of truly amazing musicians down there. People whose stories will stay with me forever. They have seen their communities, homes and careers ripped apart and still they have so much spirit. They aren't people who just sit on their hands complaining about the cards that life dealt and complaining about how their government has failed them. They make the best of it and put their hearts and souls into perserving their traditions and helping eachother get back on their feet and back to their homes. There is a great organization called Sweet Home New Orleans that raises money to try to help displaced musicians, Mardi Gras Indians and Social and Pleasure Club members. The traditions of music in New Orleans shaped alot of the sounds that make up American music and it breaks my heart to see people who have done so much for us as a culture have to go through such hardship. You can visit their site at www.sweethomeneworleans.org and find out ways you can help out.
At the end of the retreat we did a benefit show at Tipitina's and played with New Orleans own Bonerama backing everyone up. Sickest band I've ever played with! Four trombones! It was such an magic night, show, everything. A handful of strangers brought together to see this mess close up and help us to figure out how we can help this and even things in our own communities. I saw alot of parallels to Asbury Park down there and I walked away from this knowing that it is possible for us musicians to be able to help our towns and others that really need it in the right way.
More stories and pictures from this trip on the way........

Musicians Bringing Musician Home - New Orleans Benefit Dec 4th

2008-12-01T20:22:00.000-08:00

Musicians Bringing Musician Home - New Orleans Benefit Dec 4th

Will Oldham (Bonnie "Prince" Billy), Nicole Atkins, Hank Shocklee (Bomb Squad, Future Frequency), Alec Ounsworth (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah), Jonny 5 and Brer Rabbit (Flobots) and Waterflow (of Senegalese hip-hop band Wageble) join together for "Musicians Bringing Musicians Home IV" – a special evening of music at Tipitina's Uptown (501 Napoleon Ave.) on Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 9pm. This show is a benefit for Sweet Home New Orleans, a coalition of non-profit organizations that helps find affordable housing and provides rental assistance for Katrina displaced musicians, Mardi Gras performers and other traditional New Orleans artists.

The "Musicians Bringing Musicians Home IV" concert is the celebratory and fundraising finale of the fourth three-day activist retreat hosted by Air Traffic Control and the Future of Music Coalition since the Gulf Coast storms of 2005. This retreat brings artists from around the country to New Orleans to tour affected neighborhoods, visit with some of the city's notable musicians and community leaders and participate in strategy sessions about how to integrate activism and philanthropy into their work as musicians.

TICKETS:
Tickets for "Musicians Bringing Musicians Home IV" are onsale now at www.tipitinas.com and in person at the Tipitina's box office. Admission is $12 with all proceeds going to benefit the important work of Sweet Home New Orleans.

WEBCAST:
If you are not able to attend the concert, we encourage you to tune into the free streaming webcast of the show at www.tipitinas.com and make a donation to Sweet Home New Orleans.

Stone Pony show now at the Wonderbar!

2008-11-24T11:45:00.000-08:00

The Stone Pony is now going under repair for a leaky roof. So now our show for this Wed (Thanksgiving Eve) will be at the Wonderbar. Its one block from the Pony and has a big painting of Tillie's creepy ass face on the side of the building. The Wonderbar has really awesome burgers to just so ya know.

For those that bought tix already, the will be honoured at the Wonderbar. There are also still tickets online for sale at www.stoneponyonline.com, Ticketmaster and Live Nation. Tickets will also be available at the door so get there early to get yours.

Now here is the big bummer, the Wonderbar doesnt have the insurance to accomodate people under 21. So this show is gonna be 21+. We are really sad about this and are gonna try to come up with some way to make it up to the fans under 21.

Well, anyways, Happy Thanksgiving everyone and see you at the Wonderbar. Its gonna rage.

Austin........

2008-11-23T20:49:00.000-08:00

When I was 23 I worked for this record label called Rainbow Quartz. It was mostly because I was freakishly obsessed with one of their bands, Cotton Mather. I was never fortunate enough to see them live and knew that they had broke up quite a few years ago. Anyways, when I did ACL a few months back i did a little interview with the Austin Chronicle and they asked me what the first thing i thought of when they said
"austin" so of course i said "cotton mather." A few weeks after that I got an email from the singer/songwriter Robert Harrison of that band. He thanked me for the namecheck and told me he liked my voice and songs. I bugged! So we met up for a chat during ACL. As it worked out, we clicked and now i'm down here in Austin yet again and we are working on some songs together. wonderful, weird, sincere, supernatural little ditties. I'm having the best time. Its so funny how the universe meets people up in these ways. We've spent the days writing at his studio, the star apple kingdom. A psychedelic little house studio with a pink piano and a big picture of alpacas swimming in the ocean. Then last night we headed out to Emo's and saw Nada Surf. We met them and they were such nice dudes. They said they'd heard my cover of Inside of Love and dug it. Yay! Opening for them was the Jealous Girlfriends. I love them! We played with them a year back in Philly. Holly, their singer and I went on a mission to find drinks after 2am in Austin to no avail but had a nice little hang with a homeless guitarist. She grabbed his guitar and sang some Lauren Hill song. So much fun. Woke up with a bad headache and spooning a boxer named Winona. Went back to the star apple kingdom and finished the lyrics up to three brand new tunes. Beautiful evil shit. I can't wait to play it for ya'll.
Anyways, Robert now has a wonderful band called Future Clouds & Radar and they have a new record out called Peoria. Its an adventure. Pick up a copy over at Amazon or somewhere. You'll love it. Also check out some tripped out videos at www.starapplekingdom.com

PJ Time

2008-11-17T21:47:00.000-08:00

The shows last weekend were epic. Best times ever. Now my voice sounds like Marge Simpson and my liver hates me. But I have a good three days off before I have to do anything at all so I'm gonna catch up on Dexter and knitting. Get back to bike riding if its not too cold and work on some songies. So happy to be home.

TT the Bears & Bowery Ballroom this week!

2008-11-12T13:44:00.000-08:00

tickets are still available to our shows in boston and nyc on thurs and fri. pick up some at www.nicoleatkins.com. see ya'll there!

Home from Carolina

2008-11-09T20:04:00.000-08:00

Just got home from our shows this weekend in DC and Charlotte. I figured I'd write a little bit because i can't pretend i like football anymore. I really wish I could get into sports but I just can't. Sport night food is good though. Its nice to come home after an 11 hour drive and a pot of pulled pork on the stove.
So the shows were such a good time. Both the DC and Charlotte crowds were rowdy and fun and i'm so glad we're out doing these shows with our friends Salt & Samovar because they are just killing it. Their sound has such a vibe to it. Its evil and mysterious and layered and magical. You should check them out www.myspace.com/saltandsamovar.com I can't wait for our Boston and NYC shows together this week. NYC is gonna be raging. The Nouvellas are joining us that night too so i'm gonna actually have some real backup singers that night. Luxurious!
After the Neighborhood Theatre show i went out to Concord to crash with my buds Susan and Seth Avett. I woke up with the prettiest cat ever, Beatrice. She was pink and brown and white and only drinks out of a moving water fountain. I miss my cat. Its so nice out in Concord. Its so different from Asbury. Just rolling feilds everywhere. So peaceful. You can see how it would be easy to make alot of good art out there. You can hear yourself think.
Seth made this awesome little video of him covering my song "the way it is" I'm speechless. I've been singing that song for so long now sometimes I forget that I actually like the song. After watching this i'm in love with it again. Thanks Seth! Here is the video. If you go on youtube you can also find some videos of him covering our friend Langhorne Slim too. Its awesome...

AC Newman's "Get Guilty"

2008-11-07T17:05:00.000-08:00

Over the last winter I had the pleasure of singing backup on a record written by a fine young man and songwriter named AC Newman. Or just Carl. Anyways, he is playing a show next week in Brooklyn at the Bell House and I'm gonna be singing backup with him there too, so if you guys want to go, ya'll should. It's gonna be a time! And the record is mad sweet too! Here is the info:

Show:
A.C. Newman
with special guests The Oranges Band and Bird Of Youth
Saturday, November 15th at 8PM
The Bell House
7th Street between 2nd/3rd Aves
Brooklyn, NY
thebellhouseny.com

CD:
Get Guilty
Available: January 20th, 2009

Halloween Pics!

2008-11-06T16:50:00.001-08:00

GO-BAMA!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-11-04T11:12:00.000-08:00

Back in the AP

2008-11-03T13:07:00.000-08:00

Home and very happy about it. The Parlor Mob are finally home too after a 10 week tour. I have freinds again! Sam, Paul's drummer just moved into the apartment above ours so our building is like a dorm. Its gonna be great and now we have a sweet little beagle, Roger, to hang out with all the time. This also means Miss Lulu will be around more and that means more creepy cool sinister photos. yay!
The Carolina shows with the Avetts were so much fun. I'm so thankful to have such cool and funny friends like them. Their fans have this almost church-like devotion to their music and it just fills me up with so much proud joy everytime i see them play. My heart just poops all over itself. haha!
I also really enjoyed playing with my good friends from Charlotte in my band for these. DK, Matt, John, Shawn and Stephen, you are some talented motherfuckers and so much fun to be around to boot. Thank you!
Tonight Paul and I are gonna head down to the Count Basie Theatre and see David Byrne play. Really looking forward to it. He's one of my favorite songwriters and I've never seen him live. They also just remodeled the theatre so i'm excited to see what they did with the joint.
Me and the Sea play Philadelphia on Wed, DC on Fri, and Charlotte on Sat. Then on thursday, the Parlor Mob and I are recording Scott Walker's "the Seventh Seal" for a compilation they are putting out in conjunction with the release of the Scott Walker DVD, "30th Century Man" Gonna try to make our version of the song completely epic and evil as fuck.

November Show Dates!

2008-11-01T10:08:00.000-07:00

East Coast tour dates!

Hey! Just a reminder that my band the Sea and I are playing a few more shows before we head into the studio to start working on the new album. It's not to late to buy tickets, so come and hear some of the new songs!

11/05/2008      Philadelphia PA  World Cafe Live
11/07/2008 Washington D.C.  The Rock and Roll Hotel
11/08/2008 Charlotte NC  Neighborhood Theater
11/13/2008 Cambridge MA   T.T. The Bears
11/14/2008 New York NY  The Bowery Ballroom
11/26/2008 Asbury Park NJ   Stone Pony

Joining us on these shows will be our good friends Salt & Samovar

Weekend with the Avetts!

2008-11-01T09:38:00.000-07:00

So i decided to switch my blog over here from tumblr. There were alot of people asking about being able to comment and also, this layout is a bit easier to manage so here ya go.

Anyways, Halloween was last night and we played with the Avett Brothers in Greensboro at the War Memorial Theatre. Tonight we play with them at the Peace Center. War and Peace. Nice! The show was super fun. I didnt have my regular band with me so I pulled together some of my favorite players from various bands in my old stomping grounds of Charlotte. Matt of the Houston Brothers, John Phillips, DK & Shawn of Bushovski and Stephen of Secondhand Stories. It sounded great. The guys really pulled it together in such short notice and practice time and most of all it was just great to play a show with some good old friends. We dressed up as Dia De Los Muertos and i'll tell ya, if I could play every show dressed up like that i would. It really suits the sound. Stephen's friend Blair and I made this really gorgeous flower wreath for my headpiece and at the end of the show I threw it in the crowd. Afterwords I was a little bummed bc I really wanted to keep it but felt compelled. Ah well, hopefully someone caught it and will give it a good home.

That Rock of Love Charm School is on tv right now. So fucking frightening. I just don't know how people can live like that but most of all I don't know how it has this power over me to continue to watch it. Turning it off now.........

So tonight we play Greenville. The Avetts dad Jim is releasing his Gospel record he made with Scott and Seth so I'm excited to hear them do some songs off of that one live. I'm still trying to get some of this greasepaint off of my face from last night. Also my voice is feeling much better than it did last week and thanks so much for the well wishing.

I'll put some pics up from Halloween soon yo.