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

This month, a very special Yellow Bird did all of his Christmas shopping with YBP. His name is Paul Miller, and he purchased 7 t-shirts. We decided that we wanted to get to know him a bit more, so we went ahead and did a little interview with him. Turns out he’s a very interesting cat! We’re hoping that other people might be able to learn from this fine example. If you’re looking for easy way to do your Christmas shopping, and you want to find cool, interesting gifts, then don’t for forget your Yellow Bird! 

Yellow Bird Project: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from? What do you do?

Paul Miller: I work for a little independent television production company at Fox Studios in Sydney (only in last six months). We make a real-life crime show about serial killers called Crime Investigation Australia as well as sports documentaries about horse racing, rugby league etc. I finished an Arts degree at Sydney Uni last year (at a very old 28) and have no knowledge or skills that equip me for this job. I actually moved to Sydney to become a professional boxer and my boxing manager owns the production company.

I think that is quite a lot about myself! I spent quite a few years boxing and actually traveled to Canada on one trip. (My first or second trip overseas with the national boxing team so it was very exciting.

YBP: How did you first come across YBP?

PM: I saw The New Pornographers at The Annandale Hotel in Sydney and they were sensational. I had already purchased their album Challengers and wanted to find out about the band members (the girl was fantastic but my friend had said it wasn’t the same girl as usual (Neko?)…. so I googled them and spied YBP.

YBP: Are you a fan of many/most of the YBP bands? Do you have any favourites?

PM: YBP almost seem to have catered to my choice in music. Its uncanny. There is actually a few that I still haven’t had a good listen to however.

In the same week (as I saw The New P.)I also saw The Tallest Man On Earth at The Hopetoun and he was really impressive. And then… you guys got hold of him for the theme song.

YBP: You did all of your Christmas shopping with YBP, and purchased 7 t-shirts. Which ones did you buy, and who were they for?

PM: I’m not sure if it is ALL of my Xmas shopping but it has taken the pressure off. They are original quality tees and the idea behind the whole YBP concept is appealing. I bought a few female sizes and a couple of the same prints in a few of the t-shirts.

YBP: Did you choose those tees for any reason in particular?

PM: Just the bands that I particularly like. I was also lucky to see Holly Throsby a few weeks ago at the Basement and she was great.

YBP: Why do you think YBP t-shirts make such good Christmas presents?

PM: They were something interesting to buy. And of course they are great quality t-shirts.

YBP: How does it feel to have made such a generous purchase?

PM: I don’t know how generous the purchase really is. They are extremely good value.

YBP: Would you recommend that other people do their Christmas shopping with YBP?

PM: Yes. Do it. Do it.

Good Day Yellow Birds,

The Polaris Music Prize list of nominees has been rounded down to 10 finalists! I don’t know why I get so excited about this Prize but I really love it. I guess it’s like the Oscars, but for Canadian music. In case you didn’t know, the Polaris Music Prize is awarded annually to the best Canadian album, based purely on artistic merit, and not taking into account album sales or radio play. The winner is awarded 20,000 Canadian dollars. This is the third year of the award. The first one went to Final Fantasy’s He Poos Clouds and last year’s prize went to Patrick Watson’s (or as i call him, P-Wat) Close to Paradise. Two great albums if you ask me. This year, the long list, which contained the likes of Tegan & Sara, Born Ruffians, Islands, the New Pornographers, Hayden and the Acorn, has been rounded down to a list of just 10. There is now only one yellow bird artist remaining in the running!

The nominees for outstanding performance in the land of snow and ice are:

Black Mountain - In The Future (Vancouver, BC)
http://www.myspace.com/blackmountain

Basia Bulat - Oh, My Darling (London, ON)
http://www.myspace.com/basiamyspace

Caribou - Andorra (Dundas, ON)
http://www.myspace.com/cariboumanitoba

Kathleen Edwards - Asking For Flowers (Ottawa, ON)
http://www.myspace.com/kathleenedwards

Holy Fuck - LP (Toronto, ON)
http://www.myspace.com/holyfuck

Plants and Animals - Parc Avenue (Montreal, QC)
http://www.myspace.com/plantsandanimals

Stars - In Our Bedroom After The War (Montreal, QC)
http://www.myspace.com/stars

Shad - The Old Prince (London, ON)
http://www.myspace.com/shad

Two Hours Traffic - Little Jabs (Charlottetown, PE)
http://www.myspace.com/twohourstraffic

The Weakerthans - Reunion Tour (Winnipeg, MB)
http://www.myspace.com/theweakerthans

I’m rooting for Basia, Plants & Animals, Caribou or Stars. Who do you think is gonna take it?

On a side note…

Have you seen what Devendra Banhart and Natalie Portman (or as I call them Natavendra) have been up to?

Wild!

Untill next week…

-The Middle Distance Runner