Nicole Atkins and the Sea

This Valentine's Day, Nicole Atkins and her band the Sea graced the stage of the Algonquin Arts Theatre in Managquan, NJ to play an intimate local show to prefix their upcoming six week tour. Atkins is a local singer-songwriter from Neptune.



Finding out about the show itself back in late January was harder than scoring my front row center tickets, however the crowd seemed more than decent as the 540 seat theatre was cozy with friends and fans. Regardless, whether audience members showed up with their sweetheart or went dateless with their mom (like me) a good time was enjoyed by all.

The stage was set up in an almost erie, but still very cool ornamentation of broken antique picture frames and colored stage lights made pictures of hearts on the black velvet curtain that hung as a background to the dimly lit stage.



Opening for Atkins, the mood was set by an awkwardly carismatic Michael Leviton, who sang and played the barritone ukelele. His songs were mostly about an almost familiar loveless, lonliness that was endearingly dorky. (His album is appropraitely called "My Favorite Place to Drown" and it has a Beach Boys-esque sound - if they were singing to a deflated beach ball in December)

He certainly came off shy and made some nervous at first, but had everyone laughing along with him by the end. Maybe I'm being partial, but I think the whole crowd wanted to go home, cut him out a little paper heart, and give him a big Valentine's hug. He continually appologized for his lack of happier love songs on the holiday, but tracks like "Summer's The Worst" made all the singles in the crowd feel a little less alone, and the couples greatful to be there together, and happy they weren't in his shoes.
My favorite track of his performance was a little ditty called "If Sense Were Really Common"



Nicole Atkins, who follwed shortly after is gallons more than just a pretty face who can sing a little. This girl can belt it out. Fond of elongated notes with a particular bellow, she opens her mouth and an incredible sound just pours out and pleasantly rolls through the air like soft, heavy velvet. (it makes sense when you hear it in tracks like "Neptune City" and "The Way It Is")

Her music gets alot of play on Brookdale Public Radio (90.5) and is popular amongst coffee house kids. However, Akins' music is taking off quickly. She has an American Express commercial on television and was recently named one of Rolling Stone's top 10 artists to watch. (My mom, who was paralyzed with her jaw open in awe the entire show, exclaimed nemerous times that "that girl will be singing at the Grammys in two years tops!")


Overall, Atkins put on a stellar performance. To lighten up the room and bring some Valentine's cheer to her usual set list that has a semi-dark, "love-sucks"- she joked - feeling, she whistled and sang a pretty version of "Dream A Little Dream Of Me." She finished with an encore and a standing ovation.

After I bought Leviton's CD in the lobby, I went back through the theatre so I wouldn't have to elbow through the crowd to get out the door. Just as I was walking back in, Atkins was just jumping off the stage in her bright red tights and vintage-looking red velvet heels and was more than happy to jump in a picture with me. (and my mom) She was so sweet! She thanked me in her tired, post-show voice three times for coming - as if I had been the one singing to her all night.

http://www.nicoleatkins.com/
http://www.michaelleviton.com/news.php