Spotlight On: NICOLE ATKINS
ABOUT THIS WEEK’S SHERO IN THE SPOTLIGHT:
It seems like only yesterday that we were getting knocked out by Nicole Atkins’ full length debut: a gorgeous, dramatic, swoon-worthy collection of songs titled Neptune City, an ode to her childhood seaside home in New Jersey. In fact, that was a decade and a half ago. Since then, Nicole has seemingly packed multiple careers into one. Hopping from that first major label record deal with Columbia Records three more times across five albums, Nicole’s stellar voice has journeyed into soul, psychedelia, crooner, and even disco. As a collaborator, her resume is a constantly growing and evolving, not to mention envy-inducing list of greats from all genres. She has been a featured vocalist on an album by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim (Here Lies Love), co-wrote and produced songs with the Old 97’s, and Tommy Stinson of The Replacements, and recently released a song with Marissa Nadler. From the very start her own albums have always boasted equally legendary players and collaborators, starting with an early, and sadly shelved version of Neptune City produced by Patti Smith’s guitarist Lenny Kaye. And on her newest album, Italian Ice, Nicole brings that collaborative and genre-spanning star power to new heights, with a band she assembled at Muscle Shoals Sound studio of Jim Sclavunos and David “Moose” Sherman of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, The Dap-Kings’ Binky Griptite, and drummer McKenzie Smith (St. Vincent, Midlake) – along with Spooner Oldham and David Hood of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. This is both a testament to Nicole’s lifelong ability to fearlessly and genuinely make connections and friends wherever she goes, and her visionary talent as a producer, songwriter, and performer. Also a visual artist, and now living in Nashville, Nicole has persevered through tough financial times, an unpredictable, at times cruel, music industry, and alcoholism to finally find a sound and a life that is truly hers.
Our playlist features a newly released song by Argentinian artist Sofia Rei, the first new song from Warpaint in five years, and a stunner of a new track from Billie Eilish off her freshly announced upcoming new album, Happier Than Ever. Plus a Feist song in the mix, off the album Metals, which is turning 10 this year.
And speaking of birthdays...
We celebrate two SHERO birthdays this week, both on Thursday 5/13 - Alison Goldfrapp, and Mary Wells.
Ida Hakkila from Radio Kingston (Kingston, NY) joins us as this week’s Radio SHERO, and spins a track by Zimbabwean artist, Rina Mushonga.