Nakia hit prime time last night as a contestant on NBC’s The Voice, belting out a version of “Forget You” that floored even its originator, Cee Lo Green. “Getting the opportunity to do this is pretty unprecedented,” the veteran local singer and occasional Gay Place blogger said Wednesday morning.
“I get to connect with fans right out of the gate. The social media aspect of the show is so exciting to me. And the cool thing about the show and recording the songs as we go along is that we get to see how the fans react almost in real time. … I’m so blessed”
As for siding with Cee Lo, Nakia said, “He looks at it like it like he’s playing ball; he’s in it to win it.” Read more in Off the Record tomorrow.
Nakia “Forget You”
Nakia talks about vocal coach Romeo Johnson
Graham Reynolds
As part of the Art Alliance Austin installation, “Play Me, I’m Yours,” Graham Reynolds went off like Andrew W.K. on this defenseless instrument. Think of it as a deconstructionist slant on prepared piano.
Okkervil River “We Need a Myth”
As discussed in this week’s OTR, Okkervil River premiered its new album I Am Very Far from start to finish at the Cactus Cafe last Wednesday. Here’s a highlight from the live webcast, which was streamed on KUT Music.
Crooks “My First”
When it comes to modern outlaw country, few do it better than Crooks. The local outfit delivers smoking gun ballads that bristle with Southwestern authenticity. Here’s the standout from Crooks’ overlooked EP, Lonesome, Rowdy, & Restless. Check out the rest of the session at Austin Music Weekly or download their Daytrotter set here.
This article appears in April 29 • 2011.