By Matt Jarrard
When I’m asked about “who my favorite Atlanta bands are”, my list almost inevitable includes the enigmatic Nerdkween. Those conversations usually end with me saying something along the lines of “you’ve got to see her live to understand…”. In a city which showcases so much exceptional indie, country, hip-hop, blues, and rock music; Nerdkween manages to be all of those things, yet none of them at the same time. She took a few moments to answer some questions, and tell me about her upcoming release Profitandloss.
In my opinion, your music seems to defy genre, how would you describe it?
I think my music is post modern, I like not having a particular style of music to be labeled as. It gives me freedom to explore sounds and challenge myself. And I just like to draw inspiration from many styles of music and abstract noise. One good [or bad] thing about my music is that I can have several arrangements of a song.
What’s behind the album title “Profitandloss”?
“Profit and Loss” is normally a business document which shows the earnings of a company over a year. I choose the title because I thought it was the best way to describe and concept of the album. I learned a lot from gaining and losing friendships over the last few years and I wanted to get over the sadness and bitterness of it all. Also I wanted to record something joyful about getting over the bitterness and celebrating new friendships.
Tell me about recording Profit and Loss….how long did it take? Did anyone else play on the album? Were you listening to, watching, or reading anything during that time which especially inspired you?
The recording part of the project took longer than I hoped. Many of the songs were already written and I had around for 10 years or more. I started writing the new songs in November ’09 but there were complications like finishing colleges courses, job-hunting, a house break in, that really delayed me finishing. I finished in July of this year. I did have one person help me out this time around, Nick Black, from the band Sick Figures, on banjo and giving me advice with mixing and editing.
I was listening to just a variety of things through YouTube, something Nick also brought to my attention. But I did take some inspiration from Palace Brothers vocals, and the composition “Come Out” by Steve Reich.
The recording part of the project took longer than I hoped. Many of the songs were already written and I had around for 10 years or more. I started writing the new songs in November ’09 but there were complications like finishing colleges courses, job-hunting, a house break in, that really delayed me finishing. I finished in July of this year. I did have one person help me out this time around, Nick Black, from the band Sick Figures, on banjo and giving me advice with mixing and editing.
I was listening to just a variety of things through YouTube, something Nick also brought to my attention. But I did take some inspiration from Palace Brothers vocals, and the composition “Come Out” by Steve Reich.
You’re one of the few musicians who consistently give me chills during your live shows….tell me more about Nerdkween “live”.
Thanks Matt!! I think I’m a better performer than music engineer. I grew up singing and being in choirs. And luckily I had voice teachers tell me that the voice is an instrument. So I put together a sound for myself where the voice is the most important element. Vocally I just try to recreate the meaning behind each song.
Drown is a phenomenal track…it seems to have 3 “movements”…very separate but still connected parts, I love songs like that. Can you describe how that track came together?
Thanks again Matt. That’s one of my older songs. It took a while to put down on paper back then because I thought of it as a rock opera. The demo track was darker and had layered drones. I just lighted the guitars and left out the noisy drones. I would like to do yet another arrangement of the song because I can hear more possibilities and directions it can go through.
Is there a nerdking?
Well maybe not a “nerd king” per say, but there is a “frog prince”. He knows who he is!
Well maybe not a “nerd king” per say, but there is a “frog prince”. He knows who he is!
Nerdkween will be playing at Wonderroot on Saturday October 30th along with Dylan Gilbert and These Sylvan Hills. Profitandloss will be released November 27th.
