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posted by chrysb on Wed Feb 28, 2007 12:30 pm
They like Nellie McKay at AskMen.com, here's a little from their article on her:
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why we like her?
Nellie is completely committed to achieving her artistic vision, even if it means having to step on some toes. “I've only been in the business, like, six months, but already I'm considered ‘difficult,’” she admitted back in 2004. “It's hard living a life where you have to fight for what you want and what you believe.”
why is she famous?
Nellie McKay has been anointed the “next big thing” by the music industry thanks to the success of her critically acclaimed albums Get Away from Me (2004) and Pretty Little Head (2006). “I want to accomplish something great," she says. "If I have a belief in something -- whether it's myself or a greater cause -- then I'm going to do what I can."
Overall rating: 76
Nellie McKay has always been ahead of the game. “When I was little I used to be advanced for my age,” she says. “In kindergarten I was reading books for sixth graders.” Today, this inventive singer/songwriter is still miles ahead of the competition thanks to her perfectly conceived and executed piano pop. Whether singing about tenants’ rights in New York City or rallying against the villainy of meat eaters, Nellie infuses all her songs with adorable eccentricity and unbeatable spirit. “All that matters to me is that I can continue to make irritating music which will baffle and enrage,” she says.
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Read the entire article »
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posted by chrysb on Sat Feb 24, 2007 5:55 pm
NELLIE MCKAY
"Pretty Little Head"
*** ½ (Hungry Mouse)
Singer and songwriter Nellie McKay showed the breadth of her talent on "Get Away From Me," her eclectic and delightfully sardonic 2004 debut, dabbling in cabaret, vocal jazz, pop and even rap. McKay goes for depth on the follow-up, "Pretty Little Head." This time, she sticks (mostly) to one style: pop, of the classic variety. Her piano is again the focal point, though she accents her roiling trills with subterranean bass on "The Big One," saxophone on "Long and Lazy River" and electric guitar on "Real Life."
Cyndi Lauper sings on the punchy "Bee Charmer," and k.d. lang duets on the bouncy "We Had It Right." But McKay's voice is the real treat as she trips gaily from airy on "Pink Chandelier" to the vocal equivalent of a furrowed brow on "There You Are in Me." Her lyrics are more political here, whether she's using her well-honed wit to excoriate college-level lab experiments on animals on "Columbia Is Bleeding" or agitating in favor of gay marriage on "Cupcake."
-- Eric R. Danton, Hartford Courant
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posted by chrysb on Wed Nov 01, 2006 2:46 pm
Bean, myself, and our +1 walked into this chill underground joint in NYC called Fat Cat. At first the scene was quiet, but we had no idea what was about to go down.
We ran into Howard, a nm.org member, and mingled for a while. We eventually all ended up in the private back room with Nellie. Her mother was the "bouncer" at the door dressed as a pirate. Howard ended up convincing her to play a few songs, which he sang with her in a very awesome duet. They sang Sari and a few other favorites. Afterwards, things got even more interesting when the microphone started to be passed around to the group of us in front of the room. People scatted, sang, did whatever they wanted while Nellie was playing the piano. Even Kevin Bacon's brother joined in on the fun and sang a little bit for us. This jam session was definitely the first highlight of the evening.
Afterwards, Nellie, Bean, Howard, our +1, and myself hung out at the bar for 30 minutes or so chit chatting and discussing this and that. At that point my memory begins fading. They had Delerium Tremens on tap and they were giving me them for free. I bought Nellie a beer and she challenged me to an arm-wrestling match, for a reason I can't remember.
All in all the night was totally fucking amazing. I am sure Bean and Howard and other will reply to this thread and post their own summarizations or point out the things that I missed or was wrong about!
Cheers to all who came! BOO to Liana.
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posted by modernvintage on Fri Oct 27, 2006 4:18 pm
THIS is the album that was supposed to come out a year ago on Columbia Records and speed the precocious singer-songwriter on her course from rising cult figure to big star. Instead, McKay and the company butted heads, with the label planning to release a 16-song CD and McKay insisting it issue her 23-song version or say bye-bye Nellie.
So here is McKay, with her full album and on her own new label... continue reading
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Pretty Little Head (Hungry Mouse / Spin Art) after being freed from her major label deal over creative differences, the highly anticipated album emerges victorious in its originally intended, full 23-song, two-CD glory, featuring duets with k.d. lang and Cyndi Lauper. source
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Many young musicians dream of being signed to a major label. After one album, Nellie McKay decided it would be better to part ways with hers.
On Tuesday, the singer and pianist -- who's known for genres ranging from jazz to rap -- will release her second album, "Pretty Little Head," which had been set to come out on Sony BMG's Columbia Records at the beginning of the year. After a dispute with the label over length, she's releasing it as a double-disc under her own imprint, which is being distributed by SpinArt, an independent label and distributor.
For years, musicians have fought with labels over the rights to their music. Prince famously battled with Warner Bros. over his contract, appearing in public with the word "slave" scrawled on his face. But as it becomes easier for musicians to distribute or promote their music through artists' Web sites, MySpace pages and YouTube videos, there are signs the balance of power may be shifting -- at least for musicians like Ms. McKay, who already has a following.
Ms. McKay's decision to go it alone may pay long-term dividends. Although Sony still owns the masters of the new album, Ms. McKay's publicist says income from its release will be used to buy them back. A Sony representative declined to comment. source
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Feel free to add...
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