Nicole Atkins - Blender Theater

Opening (or co-starring?) for the Pipettes last night was Nicole Atkins, a great singer-songstress from Asbury Park, NJ. First time I was hearing her music (yes, I live in a vacuum-packed rock world), and I was throughly impressed. She plays a cool guitar and has a mighty voice that echoes some singer touchpoints of classic rock, jazz torch singers and more, loaded with drama and clarity. Fine tunes too.

Her AOL Music site also mentions Patsy Cline, Chrissie Hynde and Roy Orbison as influences. Nicole's new CD Neptune City was released on October 30th on Columbia. My sadly drab and dark pix are here from her Monday night set.

Here's her killer performance on Late Night with David Letterman from a few weeks ago.