Nicole Atkins' music is a blend of the decades and an expression of the images that many of us share in our memories. Both playful and tragic and never cynical. Nicole draws upon the documents left us by heroes such as Roy Orbison, Phil Spector, Nina Simone, The Kinks, David Lynch, as much as her own experiences learning from the new heroes like Stephen Malkmus, Wilco, Lucinda Williams.
She grew up in Shark River Hills, a middle class enclave within Neptune overlooking the Shark River. Atkins has cited the river (technically a bay) as a major inspiration for her music, particularly the imagery of “the river in the rain” found in the title track on her album Neptune City. She started playing piano when she was 9 and taught herself to play guitar at 13. She eschewed more popular acts of the day for musical groups her parents listened to, such as The Ronettes and Johnny Cash. She has cited The Sundays’ Harriet Wheeler as a major early influence.
She started playing in pick-up bands and doing gigs at local coffeehouses while attending St. Rose High School in the nearby town of Belmar.
After high school, Atkins moved to Charlotte, North Carolina to study illustration at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.She ingrained herself within the city’s independent music scene, discovering bands like Superchunk and Uncle Tupelo. She also started writing original songs and befriending other local musicians. Among other bands, she joined a supergroup in the city called Nitehawk that, at one point, had almost 30 members. She also joined the band Los Parasols, releasing an EP with them entitled The Summer of Love in 2002. That same year, Atkins moved to the neighborhood of Bensonhurst in Brooklyn, New York. She began performing at open mic night at the Sidewalk Café in Manhattan’s East Village.
Influenced by the artists on Rainbow Quartz, the independent record label specializing in guitar heavy pop music and traditional songwriting for which she worked, she would move away from the louder rock music she’d played in North Carolina and toward the songcraft style of Wilco and Roy Orbison.
She returned briefly to Charlotte, living in a wood shop and playing with several bands, including a group called Virginia Reel. At this time, she started writing what she termed “a mix of Americana, 60s, and indie rock.” She also recorded Bleeding Diamonds EP during her time there.
She moved back to her parents’ house in New Jersey in 2004, working odd jobs and playing local gigs. During this time, she commuted into New York by train to play gigs and maintain a connection to the city’s underground music scene. In mid-2004, Atkins and David Muller, who had played drums with Fischerspooner and The Fiery Furnaces, started working on a demo CD entitled Party’s Over. They recorded most of the album in Atkins’ parents’ house using a Casio keyboard, a ProTools rig, and a mini recorder. Drum parts were recorded at Muller’s apartment in Manhattan, with further tracks recorded at the Dietch Projects gallery in Brooklyn.
In early 2005, keyboardist Dan Chen, whom Atkins knew from her days at The Sidewalk Café, approached Atkins about forming a new group. Chen told Atkins he knew of a drummer, Dan Mintzer, who might also be interested in playing with her. When the three sat down together for the first time, Chen and Mintzer already knew how to play the songs they’d heard on Atkins' MySpace page. Eventually David Hollinghurst, another friend from The Sidewalk Café, joined the band on guitar and Derek Layes was brought on as bassist. The band, now known as Nicole Atkins & The Sea, was given a residency at the small showcase bar, Piano's, and won the attention of music industry attorney Gillian Bar. Atkins' Party’s Over demo had stirred interest from heavy metal label Roadrunner Records, among others.
She soon found herself in the midst of a bidding war between record labels and signed with Columbia Records in January 2006. In late 2006, Atkins and the Sea traveled to Sweden to record her debut album, Neptune City, at Varispeed Studios in Kalgerup and Gula Studion in Malmö with producer Tore Johansson. The album was originally scheduled for a July 2007 release, but at the behest of Columbia co-chairman Rick Rubin, it was pushed back until October 30, 2007 to accommodate re-mastering the album. It debuted at number 20 on Billboard’s Top Heatseekers chart.
In May 2009, The Sea disbanded and Atkins started collaborating on several new tracks with drummer Christopher Donofrio, bassist Anthony Chick, and guitarist Bradley York (of "Sikamor Rooney"). Atkins tentatively titled this lineup "The Black Sea". By July 2009, Atkins had ended her professional relationship with Columbia Records.
In January 2010, Atkins and The Black Sea started recording new material at Brooklyn's Seaside Lounge studio with producer Phil Palazzolo, with whom Atkins had previously worked during sessions for A.C. Newman's second solo album, "Get Guilty". Several other musicians joined Atkins in the studio to record the tracks for what would become her second album, Mondo Amore, including guitarist Irina Yalkowsky and bassist Jeremy Kay. Along with drummer Ezra Oklan, Yalkowsky and Kay would form the core lineup of the The Black Sea with whom Atkins would tour in support of Mondo Amore. In June 2010, Atkins signed with New York-based independent label Razor & Tie. The label released Mondo Amore on February 8, 2011.
Maybe Tonight
Nicole Atkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From my family tree that was handed down to me
I've known you like a siren song that warns
I have been informed you could be the death of me
But patience pounds on the time that I stole
You were meant to be mine
That was played in fated time
I know we'll meet again
Maybe tonight
Just tell me where and when
I know it's never sure
Maybe tonight
Maybe tonight
The sky whispers in a baritone
That the mystery always beats what I am shown
Search the the dial for what I need to know
They don't play those songs on my radio
The opening lines suggest that the singer has a mysterious connection to someone from their past - someone they've heard about through stories and their family tree. The imagery of an old ghost story creates a sense of intrigue and creates the idea that the relationship is something of a legend, or perhaps has a mythical/fantastical element to it. However, the following line shifts this sense of wonder to a more ominous tone. The singer reveals that they've also heard warning signs about this person - they're like a siren song, alluring but dangerous. But despite knowing this, the singer is still drawn to this individual and believes that they are meant to be together - this is what the line "You were meant to be mine" suggests.
The second verse continues to play with the idea of fate, suggesting that the singer believes that they are "meant" to be with this person, and that the cards of fate have been dealt. The idea of a duel with the cards of gods is a powerful metaphor, suggesting that the relationship is pre-destined and beyond the control of the two individuals. The phrase "played in fated time" reinforces this idea that the relationship is part of a larger plan/outside of their control. The chorus that follows repeats the idea of the singer knowing that they will eventually meet this person again, and that it could be "maybe tonight". Despite the uncertainly, the singer is confident that they will meet again, and wants to know the when and where. The final line of the chorus repeats the phrase "maybe tonight", creating a sense of anticipation and hopefulness.
Line by Line Meaning
I first saw you like an old ghost story
The singer encountered the person like hearing about a story from her family tree
From my family tree that was handed down to me
The knowledge of the person was passed on from the singer's ancestors
I've known you like a siren song that warns
The singer acknowledges the potential danger of the person, but can't resist them
I have been informed you could be the death of me
The artist has been warned by someone else about the potential danger of the person
But patience pounds on the time that I stole
The artist is waiting for the right moment to pursue a relationship with the person
You were meant to be mine
The singer strongly believes that the person is destined to be with them
I draw a duel with the cards of gods
The singer is willing to fight fate to be with the person they love
That was played in fated time
The outcome of the situation is predetermined
I know we'll meet again
The artist is confident about reuniting with the person
Maybe tonight
It could happen soon
Just tell me where and when
The singer wants to make concrete plans for the future
I know it's never sure
The artist is aware that nothing is ever guaranteed
The sky whispers in a baritone
Nature gives the singer a sign or omen
That the mystery always beats what I am shown
The singer believes that fate is unpredictable and misleading
Search the dial for what I need to know
The singer is looking for guidance or answers
They don't play those songs on my radio
The artist can't find the inspiration or guidance they need from mainstream sources
Contributed by Owen I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sara Folkerts
This was my JAM in 2009. Still love it in 2021.
R K Myroup
It speaks to my soul. I know not why. "You could be the death of me." And "maybe tonight" I'll meet the right one. It's her voice. How she sings it's amazing. Nicole is amazing.
Scott Walker
I just discovered Nicole today! I haven't heard a talent like her in a LONG time!
Aquarius Sun
Same! Just two years later from your comment :) She sounds good. I am just going through who sings on Hotel Cafe as a lot of singers I like are on there and just looking to see if I am missing some good singers :)
DenverKirk
Yes, certainly, her Voice and her soul; but few are recognizing her songs. This, boys & girls, is what a "singer-songwriter" should be. Not only writing irresistible hooks, but willing to share the stage with the arrangements necessary to elaborate them fully. (Most singer-songwriters are narcissistic--they want nothing to distract from their precious selves.)
Dawn Johnson
Gorgeous song. Phenomenal voice
ftsjr
She's terrific! A unique voice quality.
Harry Chen
revisiting this song since 2009. takes me back to better days in music. also realizing this sounds like the opening theme to a vintage TV show from the 60s/70s when everything was catchy as hell.
ron theman
It is a great song and what a great singer she is, don't know why she hasn't become more famous.
Alicia Bodner
Nicole"s my girl. Saw her perform with Jarrod Gorbel over the summer. Breathtaking and an absolute sweetheart!