Back in May, Nicole Atkins played a beautiful set at The Great Escape. We recently caught up to look back on that performance, playing Dylan Fest, her Kickstarter campaign and more…
You recently performed at Dylan Fest, a tribute to Bob Dylan, in New York. How did this opportunity arise?
My friends Austin Skaggs and Alex Levy have been doing this tribute show for about 7 years now and its grown so much in scope since. We all go to this little basement bar in the east village and I was recruited a few years ago there while smoking cigs with Austin in the alley. This year was incredible! We had Donald Fagen and Boz Skaggs in the house band and so many great guest singers.
How has Dylan influenced you?
He’s mostly influenced me lyrically to keep it emotionally honest, and always keep a sense of humour.
You’ve been fairly busy with shows, also playing at Great Escape Festival… you’ve played plenty of these sorts of industry events – how did this one compare to others?
Well they kept comparing the Great Escape to SXSW in Texas. They couldnt have been more different. At The Great Escape I just had to do one show on in a pretty seaside town. it was super mellow. Whereas at SXSW you are running around playing 4 shows a day amidst huge crowds of overly BBQ’d and free boozed people. Both were fun, but very different vibes.
You mentioned your gambling debt on the night – what’s your game of choice?
Ha! The debt was a joke but my game of choice is craps. I actually won 3k the last time we had a gig in Las Vegas. I started with only $50. I bought a suit and learned how to smoke cigars shortly after.
You used Kickstarter to raise funds for the Nicole Atkins & The Black Sea’s Big Ol’ Production last year. How did you initially find out about these crowd funding websites?
I had a few friends that used kickstarter to fun their albums so I thought if you could do that, why not raise money for a van? its an amazing site and it’s really changed how I can get music and shows out to the fans as well as really bridging the gap between me and my fans. It’s nice to have that support and be able to put a face to it. It was a thoroughly humbling and wonderful experience.
Were there any ideas for ‘prizes’ that didn’t make the cut?
Yeah, I tried to make one prize 6 months of life coaching from my dad. He nixed that one.
Would you consider doing another project like this again?
I can’t wait to do another one of these. It’s fun making all the prizes and meeting fans and also being able to take things into your own hands more.
I read your first album, Neptune City was about your hometown and leaving it, while Mondo Amore was more tapping into personal emotions and about heartache. What do you think your next record will reflect?
My next record is the drugs, sex and empathy record.
Natural follow up – when CAN we expect a new record from you?
I’m working on it right now so hopefully in early 2013!
And will Australia be (finally) on the cards for any tours coming up?
God i hope soon! If you have any festival promotor friends spread the word Larry! haha! seriously tho, I went to college at the University of Newcastle back in the day and can’t wait to get out there and play some shows and visit some old pals…
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To find out how her new record is coming along, make sure to keep an eye on Nicole Atkin’s movements on her Facebook page… and hopefully that Australian tour isn’t far off indeed: http://www.facebook.com/NicoleAtkinsOfficial
