This Saturday, August 4th Nicole Atkins will be hitting the Jersey shore to play a special show at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park.
ESBMusic caught up with the songstress to talk about her influences, living in Brooklyn, recent appearances, and what its like playing a hometown show.
ESBM: How would you describe your sound?
NA: Crooner surf noir with one foot in the gutter and the other in outerspace.
ESBM: How did you get into playing music?
NA: Saw the “Who’s Tommy” when I was three and I was hooked. My brother Scott moved in with our family when he was 16 and i was 9 and I worshiped him and his musical taste and needed to know “does anybody remember laughter?”
ESBM: Has being from the jersey shore shaped your music?
NA: I’m all about desolation and guilt. Shapes my music.
ESBM: Who are your biggest influences?
NA: The river, the south, Italians, funerals, late nights, Roy Orbison and Nick Cave.
ESBM: Has living in Brooklyn expanded your music career?
NA: It has kept me hungry. Literally.
ESBM: What are you favorite spots to hear music in NY and NJ?
NA: In NY I like going to the Bowery Ballroom. best show I saw there last year was Tame Impala. I went twice in a row. I also like this little spot in Brooklyn called Zebulon. It’s free and they have good sound. In NJ I like the Stone Pony, the Wellmont and the [Asbury] Lanes.
ESBM: Are there any upcoming NJ artists that you a a fan of?
NA: There’s a lot that I just discovered this year. Right now I like Ba Babes. Really great surf garage. I also like Wreaths and Sikamor Rooney. There’s a great psychedelic and garage revival going on in Asbury Park which is always something I’ll support.
ESBM: This past year you have done a lot of television appearances, what was your favorite?
NA: My favorite will always be the first time I did David Letterman. Although Jools Holland was amazing. Chatting with Carla Bruni and eating dinner with Metallica was a pretty great night!
ESBM: Who are you listening to now?
NA: King Tuff, Atlas Sound, Leonard Cohen, Bear In Heaven and the Oblivians.
ESBM: This Saturday you will be playing at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, do you feel more at ease playing hometown shows or is it a bigger pressure to play for your friends and family?
NA: You nailed it! Way more pressure playing to friends and family but those are always the best too. I gotta try to watch my mouth around my mom but hey, it’s my show. Anyways, mom if you’re reading this… I love you and am I’m already sorry.
ESBM: What are you plans after your tour ends?
NA: This is just the one show we are doing before we go and record record #3 down south at a secret location! Very excited!
ESBM: Any last words?
NA: I drink your milkshake!
For more information on Nicole Atkins check out her official website, Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter pages. Get tickets now for Saturday’s show here!