The quiet guitar and soft-vocal trilling of Nicole Reynolds' voice illuminates the opening track "Here Right Now", from her second album (to be released this month) entitled, This Arduous Alchemy. The daughter of a family of steelworkers, Nicole - who grew up in Pittsburgh, PA - took music in school where she completed a major in jazz guitar and composition. It was her family's steel-working background, however, that inspired much of what was originally used for material on her solo debut, Wolves Won't Eat Us in 2006. Although "Wolves Won't Eat Us" was themed around war, health care, and the working class struggle - Nicole has since bridged these topics to include more emotionally-themed material such as a recent romance, and break-up.
The spin on her title, 'difficult in chemistry' seems tongue-in-cheek, but most-likely felt like a relief, to write about such things. And while Nicole's smart lyrics and emotive singing ranges between a kind of blushing 'oh-no-shush' and a sweet melodic twang, as on the track "When We Meet Again", This Arduous Alchemy is a beautifully set, warm, and full-sounding album. Nicole has a real gift for story-telling and easily mixes dark themes with light, as on tracks such as "Call the Guard" and "The Other Road". For a young and talented singer, her background is already vast, although, surely this is only a beginning.
Recorded at Kawari Sound, in Wyncote, PA, earlier this year, Nicole's sophomore release This Arduous Alchemy came together with the help of her new band, featuring Matty Muir on drums, Adam Winokur on bass, and Jim Boggia (who has accompanied a vast range of musicians in his own right) on piano and guitar. Reynolds', who is playing on January 5th for the CD release of "This Arduous Alchemy" at Philadelphia's Tin Angel, was quick to point out also that, "All three will accompany me".
Girl About Town: For Wolves Won't Eat Us, the lyrics were more politically-inspired, which topics usually challenge you to write a song?
Nicole Reynolds: I usually write to make sense out of things that are swirling around in my head. Lately it's been a break-up and a new romance, but for Wolves Won't Eat Us, I was a little less self-involved and focusing on a lot of other issues.
Are there any artists or musicians that you look to, in order to make sense of your own writing style and where you'd like to see it go?
I've definitely learned from many musicians and many different styles of music, but probably not any in particular. There are so many people out there doing their own thing and travelling around from town to town... That's basically what I like to do, and what I'd love to continue doing.
What were some of the highlights of 2007 for you, as a musician?
Well, this has basically been my first year playing out. opening for Dan Bern, Melissa Ferrick, and Erin McKeown, have definitely been amazing times for me... Also, playing at the National Women's Music Festival.
What can the audience look forward to at your upcoming CD release party on January 5th at The Tin Angel?
I'll have my band with me. I'll probably be playing a mix of new stuff and songs on both of the albums that are already out. But I'm in love, so I want to sing my new love songs. But I can sing my depressing songs too.
What is your favorite thing about Philadelphia?
There's definitely a great music scene and a lot of people supporting it. I also like the diversity of the city and its history. I don't really have too many favorite things, but I do like eating at the Dahlak on 45th Street!
Download This: When We Meet Again
This Arduous Alchemy Track Listing:
01 Here Right Now
02 When We Meet Again
03 Overcast
04 We Could Be Dancing
05 In the Morning
06 Juliana
07 Call the Guard
08 Sooner or Later
09 France
10 Dreamers Dream
11 The Other Road
12 2 Birds
Upcoming Nicole Reynolds Tour Dates:
Jan 05 Tin Angel (CD Release) w/Curtis Eller // Philadelphia PA
Jan 11 Coffeeworks // Voorhees NJ
Jan 19 Puck w/ Ellis Paul // Doylestown PA
Jan 25 Coffee East w/ Erin McKeown // Easton MD
Jan 27 Phase One w/ Mara Levi // Washington DC
Feb 01 Indy Hostel w/ Antje Duvekot // Indianapolis IN
Feb 22 Towne Crier Cafe w/ Ellis Paul // Pawling, NY
Feb 23 Iron Horse w/ Ellis Paul // Northampton, MA
Feb 24 One Longfellow Square w/ Ellis Paul // Portland, ME
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