Boy do we have something special for you today! I’m putting my normal music drivel on hold for this week, because as you can already guess by the title of this post, I have had the opportunity to interview an extremely talented musician who goes by the name of Nicole Atkins. If you don’t already know her you are in for a treat. Along with this interview, Nicole has provided us with a song off of her new EP, entitled Nicole Atkins Digs Other People’s Songs. The song is a cover of “Under the Milky Way”, which was originally done by an Australian band called The Church. So here is the interview, I hope you enjoy:

Middle Distance Runner: To me, your music seems very dramatic and emotional. How important is emotion to you in the music you make?

Nicole Atkins: Extremely important. It’s really the biggest reason I write songs. To try to work through different emotions in life. Also, I like my songs to feel like mini movies. I try to not just sing about a situation or a place but also try to get (to) the listener about what it feels like to be in it or there.

MDR: When did you realize that being a musician is what you wanted to do with your life?

NA: When I was in art college and realized that I had way more songs and gigs than paintings.

MDR: If you could have any other job besides being a musician what would it be?

NA: Maybe an illustrator for science or medical journals, or an owner of a music venue.

MDR: Who has been the most influential person in your career as musician?

NA: Probably most of my family. They have always been really supportive and have all of these great tragic yet humorously dark stories that make good fodder for songs.

MDR: If you could sing a duet with anyone dead or alive who would it be?

NA: Definitely Roy Orbison or Edith Piaf

MDR: I love your song “Neptune City”. What is it about?

NA: The first half is about my mom’s little brother Dom that passed away when he was little. Its about him looking down on his funeral procession and realizing he can’t go home again. Then the second half is about me. I just moved back to Neptune City after living in NYC and was frustrated by being there and just saying that maybe if I could just learn to appreciate how pretty the river is and shit that I could love it there again.

MDR: Who is funnier in person? David Letterman or Conan O’Brien?

NA: They were both pretty damn funny! Draw!

MDR: What was it like to perform on those shows?

NA: It was really awesome. Super fun. We met so many cool people too, like Dennis Hopper and Slash. Playing on shows like that definitely makes you take a step back and just say “wow, how did i get here?!”

MDR: I hear you are a big fan of David Lynch. What is your favourite of his films?

NA: I always switch between Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive. He is the master of the haunt.

MDR: What is your favourite city to play in?

NA: Austin, Texas for sure. Great people, music scene and food. Can’t beat it.

MDR: Do you have any superstitions or rituals you perform before playing a show?

NA: A little warming up and a little Jameson.

MDR: What was the most memorable show that you have played?

NA: Off the top of my head it would be our set at Bonnaroo. It was the second time we ever played a festival and had a pretty good slot. Just having a bigger stage and a bigger crowd I had so much fun playing I almost cried. A couple times during the set I just couldn’t stop laughing too it was just such intense fun.

MDR: Finally, Are you a fan of any of the artists that have contributed to the Yellow Bird Project?

NA: I am! Big fan of The National, Devendra, The Shins and The New Pornographers. I actually just sang backup on Carl Newman’s new solo record that comes out this month.

So there you have it, Nicole Atkins has great taste in music! I just want to thank Nicole again for doing this, we loved her answers. You should all go out to see her play live. She has a few upcoming dates…take a look:

11/05/2008 - Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe Live

11/07/2008 - Washington, D.C. - The Rock and Roll Hotel

11/08/2008 - Charlotte, NC - Neighborhood Theater

11/13/2008 - Cambridge, MA - T.T. The Bears

11/14/2008 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom

11/26/2008 - Ashbury Park, NJ - Stone Pony

And here is that delightful little cover that I promised you:

Nicole Atkins - Under The Milky Way

Until next week…

-The Middle Distance Runner

‘Cause life is fleeting… So says Charlie Fink, lead singer of the Folk Rock band ‘Noah and The Whale‘. Where did they get their name from? It’s a combination of their favourite film ‘The Squid and The Whale‘, and it’s director, Noah Baumbach. Quirky. Love it.

I went to see them last night at a free in-store gig at the Zavvi record shop on Oxford Street.  

They put on a great show. A lot of very young, and very excited fans, jumping up and down in this small space, singing along to every word. I have a feeling this band will be big. The band have already cultivated a niche following in the UK, with a lot young fans who can relate to a lead singer who is only 21 years of age.

But, this music transcends all age groups and categories. His voice is distinctly reminiscent of Bill Callahan, with pop sensitivities - much like The National. There is a full band, with handclaps, triangles, ukuleles, the works. And a trumpet and trombone player to boot! Everyone sings, everyone gets involved. Even those without a microphone shout the words. All of this equates to a layered sound, with textured melodies, like a much younger Arcade Fire.

Once you’ve been reeled in by their melodies, there are some wonderful lyrics to uncover. The frontman himself says that he only started writing proper songs after travelling across the Mediterranean and India and having something to write about. The songwriting reflects a sort of maturity that is evident in young songwriters like Laura Marling - whose last record was incidentally produced by Charlie himself. It appears that Laura used to be a member of the band, before splintering off. She still tours, and sings with them occasionally. I listened to this CD a lot last night, only to realize that Laura’s voice appears on pretty much most of the tracks. What a pleasant surprise that was. Some fresh music, with one of my favourite singer songwriters adding back up harmonies.

Their single - VERY popular with the teenagers, is called ‘5 Years Time’. But I much prefer the bittersweet ballad ’Give a Little Love’, not to be confused with the Rilo Kiley song of the same name.  Giver er’ a listen:

Noah and The Whale - Give a Little Love

We are so lucky. Megan Kathleen, the amazingly talented photographer has been kind enough to contribute some more fabulous photography for your viewing pleasure. Our t-shirts have never been portrayed in such good light! If you’re thinking about buying a t-shirt, but you can’t imagine what they look like, take a look at Renee Lilley and Daniel Confroy modelling The National, and Wolf Parade respectively. See photos below, or click on Megan’s photo archive to see more!

I first discovered the Yellow Bird Project tees about a year and a half ago. I bookmarked the site on my toolbar and vowed to make a purchase with my next paycheck.  Fast-forward a year- I’d forgotten about the site and my resolution until I rediscovered the bookmarked page.  By this time a few more tees were available. I knew if I didn’t buy a tee at that moment I’d keep putting it off.  It’s not hard to justify the purchase, since the charity gets 100% of the profit. The more I thought about the more convinced I was of the cause. I bought two: The Broken Social Scene tee and The National.  I also bought a Rilo Kiley tee for my best friends birthday (they make perfect gifts)! 

When I wear my shirt I feel like I’m making more than just a fashion statement- I feel I’m contributing and bringing awareness to a good cause.  I wear my shirts with pride and in doing so have initiated some pretty rad conversations with people. 

Thank you Yellow Bird Project!

-Ingrid Miller

They’ve toured with Hayden, they’ve toured with Clap Your Hands Say Yeah… Now YBP embraces this union of talent and friendship, by welcoming the National to the YBP collective. For some, rings symbolize new beginnings. But for YBP, they represent the binds that tie together our favourite musical artists.

We launched this t-shirt secretly last week at the National’s headline show at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. If you were there, you will have seen our t-shirts available for sale at their merch table, fresh off the press!

The National are enriching people lives in more ways than one. They have chosen to support a local NYC based charity called Safe Space, which offers assistance to over 20,000 disadvantaged families across the state. As always, 100% of the profits from the sale of this tee will benefit their chosen charity. T-shirts are available in all sizes, for both sexes.

>> Click here to see this t-shirt.

Here is what their t-shirt looks like: