The wild magic of the Jersey Shore boardwalk has inspired musicians across generations, but it takes a uniquely distinct vision to go find that slice of regional wonder in Northern Alabama. On Italian Ice (April 17 / Single Lock Records), that’s exactly what Nicole Atkins has done, taking over the hallowed Muscle Shoals Sound Studio with a one-of-a-kind band featuring members of the Bad Seeds, Dap-Kings, the legendary Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and more. “Musically, it doesn’t make any sense,” says Atkins half-jokingly. “But I’m a superfan of all of them, and we ended up with the weirdest, craziest band ever. It just became this awesome misfit party.”
Named dually for her favorite summer treat growing up in Asbury Park and an alter ego she’s taken on while shooting dice, Italian Ice has been described by Nicole as “an acid trip through my record collection,” at turns as opulent as symphonic pop and as gritty as garage punk with shades of psych-rock, honky-tonk and girl-group melodrama. Conjuring the romance and danger of the Jersey Shore, Italian Ice’s eleven tracks ultimately channel an endless summer set to the sounds of the AM radio dial.
Watch the video for “Captain,” which features guest vocals from Spoon’s Britt Daniel and finds Nicole starring in the most fashion-forward 80s infomercial ever: https://youtu.be/2bd3g7Y21o0
Pre-Order Italian Ice here, including on 180 Gram Audiophile Black and limited-edition Translucent Ruby vinyl: www.nicoleatkins.com
For the Italian Ice sessions at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, Nicole gathered a group of her “best musical friends” – who just so happen to be 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. Co-produced by Nicole and Ben Tanner (Alabama Shakes), Italian Ice also features special guests Seth Avett, John Paul White and Erin Rae, and songs co-written with Hamilton Leithauser, Britt Daniel and Carl Broemel.
Nicole Atkins is a songwriter and performer with a fearless and frank style. Fans of Atkins’ previous release Goodnight Rhonda Lee include Rolling Stone (which before named her a “Top 10 Artist to Watch”), NPR, and American Songwriter. In addition to writing, recording, and playing music, the Nashville-by-way-of-Asbury Park musician is an art school graduate who specialized in wildlife illustration and is an active painter. Nicole will also be sharing her original artwork with fans through her newly-launched Patreon page, Natkins Funhouse. Fans who join will have access to items from Nicole including hand-designed monthly calendars and seasonal 8×10 art prints – as well as exclusive content like unreleased videos, demos and brand new covers. Step inside the Natkins Funhouse on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/natkinsfunhouse
Nicole will tour Italian Ice throughout 2020, with a selection of upcoming dates below and additional shows to be added.
NICOLE ATKINS TOUR DATES
4/16 – The Moroccan Lounge – Los Angeles, CA
4/17 – Cafe Du Nord – San Francisco, CA
4/20 – Doug Fir Lounge – Portland, OR
4/21 – Tractor Tavern – Seattle, WA
4/24 – Globe Hall – Denver, CO
4/27 – 04 Center – Austin, TX*
4/28 – Heights Theater – Houston, TX*
4/29 – The Kessler – Dallas, TX*
6/26 – Levitt Shell – Memphis, TN
6/28 – Festival Charleston – Charleston, WV
7/3 – The Peach Music Festival – Scranton, PA
7/4 – The Stephen Talkhouse – Amagansett, NY
7/7 – The Sinclair – Cambridge, MA
7/9 – Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY
7/11 – U Street Music Hall – Washington, DC
8/8 – Bellwether Festival – Wilmington, OH
8/12 – Lincoln Hall – Chicago, IL
8/14 – Turf Club – Minneapolis, MN
- with War & Treaty
