Contest - Win A Copy of Nicole Atkins' "Neptune City" - CLOSED

New Jersey's Nicole Atkins describes her music as pop-noir, as apropos a term I could have come up on my own, a mix of melancholic pop with a dramatic, almost cinematic tone. It's not surprising she's caught my ear given my weakkneedness for similiar artists over the last few years like Richard Hawley, A Girl Called Eddy, and to some extent Neko Case. Since posting about her back in August 2007, she's released her debut full-length "Neptune City"(on the heels of her indie ep "Bleeding Diamonds") a collection of songs that's upped the production factor but not to the detriment of it's songs, which run the gamut from girl-group pop melodies("Maybe Tonight"), to the lush and solemn("The Way It Is"), to spright pop-rock("Party's Over"), and the longing melancholic homage to her hometown "Neptune City". By my count, her and her band The Sea have swung through Toronto three times as an opening act, two of which I caught and have only the fondest of memories of. I met her briefly at the merch table once and she was one of the nicest artists I've ever met.

Courtesy of Sony BMG Canada, I have two copies of her debut full-length "Neptune City" up for grabs. Send an e-mail to mligon@yahoo.com with the subject heading "I want the Nicole Atkins CD" and I'll pick two winners randomly. Contest closes January 31, 2008 at midnight.

In the meantime, check out some Nicole Atkins multimedia links below:

Video: Nicole Atkins and The Sea - "Maybe tonight" (live on Late Night With Conan O'Brien)
Video: Nicole Atkins and The Sea - "The Way It Is" (live on Late Show With David Letterman)
Video: Nicole Atkins - "Neptune City" (music video)
Video: Nicole Atkins - "The Way It Is" (music video)
Video: Nicole Atkins - "War Torn" (live at SPIN.com studios)
Video: Nicole Atkins - Journey Through Neptune City Vol. 1
Video: Nicole Atkins - Journey Through Neptune City Vol. 2
Video: Nicole Atkins - Journey Through Neptune City Vol. 3
MySpace: Nicole Atkins

photo from here

Update: Congrats to Anne and Craig - your CD's will be going out in the mail soon[Craig, I still need your address].

Contest - Win A Copy Of The Russian Futurists - 'Me, Myself & Rye' - CLOSED

Back from my Florida vacation for a day now and dreading have to go back to work tomorrow, but the recharge I got as a result of a week off down in Florida hopefully prepared me to get myself mentally back into this blog. First order of business, my first contest. I don't expect to have many of these so here's one for you - courtesy of EMI, I have three copies of Toronto's The Russian Futurists' "Me, Myself and Rye" to give away. Recently released on Upper Class Recordings, the album collects songs from the band's first three full-lengths. I've mentioned before admiring the band's blend of psychedelic, electronic, and pop influences capably steered by it's heart(and no pun intended) Matthew Adam Hart whose quirky vocals and songwriting give the Futurists' songs its distinction. Great stuff. First 3 people to e-mail me[mouse over the little e-mail icon at the right for my e-mail address] get the CD.

Philogynist has photos from The Russian Futurists' afternoon set at The Drake Hotel Sky Yard from last week(Saturday July 29, 2007). Raymi posted a video clip on YouTube of the band at The Drake Hotel Sky Yard performing 'Paul Simon'.

Over at NOW, talking Toronto with The Russian Futurists.

Video: The Russian Futurists - 'Paul Simon' (music video)
MySpace: The Russian Futurists

UPDATE: THE CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. CONGRATS TO DAVID, MIKE & STU! YOUR CD's WILL GO OUT IN THE MAIL SOON.