Single of the Week: “Mind Eraser” by Nicole Atkins

My partner and I had a conversation the other night about artists that we were really into for a time, and then just stopped listening to, and now they’ve released more material we aren’t familiar with than are. Nicole Atkins is in that boat for me… I loved LOVED her 2007 record Neptune City. Her follow-up, Digging Other People’s Songs. is a stunning covers collection. In fact, her version of The Church’s “Under The Milky Way” is the definitive version, in my own humble opinion. The next thing I know, 13 years go by, and she’s released a LOT of material during that time that I just ignored. This was a mistake. But I’m making up for lost time now… Her latest single, “Mind Eraser,” is a stunning, potent torch song. It’s also our Single Of The Week. 

“Mind Eraser” is off Atkins’ upcoming live album Memphis Ice, coming to your local on-demand streaming service AND record store on December 10th. Why not prepare for it’s arrival by pre-saving or pre-ordering here? While you are at it, Nicole Atkins is also doing a live stream on release day, so you can enjoy her stunning live set from the COVID-free (hopefully) confines of your home. Order tickets here

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 2/27/14-3/5/14

OMG! This week is NUTS!!!

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 2/27/14-3/5/14”

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 2/14/13-2/20/13

Opening for Pink at HP Pavilion
Opening for Pink at HP Pavilion

We’ve got a really fun week for shows! Not only do you have some fine Valentine’s Day options, but you also still have two more days to enter our Hives Prize Pack contest before they play in San Jose with Pink!

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 2/14/13-2/20/13”

Show Review: Nicole Atkins, Cotton Jones, That Ghost at Cafe du Nord, 2/16/11

The beautiful Nicole Atkins and her much more beautiful hat.

Earlier that day, not knowing who Nicole Atkins was, I listened to two songs on YouTube.  On record, she has a strong, beautiful, and towering voice.  I would probably like it to Stacy Dupree, the lead singer of Eisley, every bit as pretty and powerful, but just a tad lower and a little more soulful.  It was enough for me to decide to check out the show that night.  I walked in expecting a well-defined showcase for that wonderful voice and a fairly relaxed atmosphere.  I’m not sure I received any of it,  but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

There’s always a war within a smaller venue show for an artist with a great voice.  Do you soften up everything else and let the voice shine, or do you just say forget it, and rock out?  I’ve seen both sides of the equation many times and have been disappointed by both.  Most often, I tend to side with the showcase of the voice.  When a voice is gorgeous, it almost feels  like a waste for it to be muddled by guitar, bass, and drums that are turned up too loud.  But tonight was a night for rocking, and that is, exactly what happened.

Continue reading “Show Review: Nicole Atkins, Cotton Jones, That Ghost at Cafe du Nord, 2/16/11”

Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 2/10/11 – 2/16/11

Image by Buzz Bishop

What does the Bay Area concert scene have in store for Valentine’s Day weekend? Look after the jump to find out.

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 2/10/11 — 2/16/11”

Marie’s Best of SXSW 2010 Awards

This is one happy award winner!

Let me start off by saying that I probably saw 1% of possible bands to see at SXSW, and none of them were the bands everyone is talking about.  I didn’t bother waiting in line for She and Him.  I left a venue Hole was playing right before they came on twice.  I don’t give a crap about The Black Keys or Broken Bells, and my feet hurt too much to watch Miike Snow (which I actually kinda regret).  My point being that my awards are highly subjective and only the opinion of me, Marie.  A special thanks to YouTube for making these awards possible.

So, on with the awards! Continue reading “Marie’s Best of SXSW 2010 Awards”

Dakin Hardwick’s SXSW Journal Day 2

Or The Whale.

Day two. Very tired. Big day yesterday. Giddy day. My vocabulary isn’t wide enough to express my joy. Seriously, it starts with Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, and gets better as the day went on.

Continue reading “Dakin Hardwick’s SXSW Journal Day 2”