Exclusive Interview: Nerdkween

Nerdkween performing at Criminal Records in Atlanta on 01.22.11 (Photo: Emily Hogan)

Part of the new group of Atlanta-based singers, songwriters and artists is Monica Arrington, who performs as Nerdkween. Although it is a bit of a misnomer to say that she is new on the Atlanta music considering she’s been performing for years, her profile began to rise sharply within the last year.

Born in Indiana but raised in Alabama, Arrington sites diverse musical influences that range from gospel to musicals to experimental artists like Kate Bush, Joseph Arther and Sonic Youth. With a unique vocal styling and often haunting melodies, she brings a unique, lo-fi sensibility to the scene that kept emerging music buzzing in 2010 with the likes of The Black Lips, Cee-Lo Green, Deerhunter and Janelle Monae.

Arrington is unique in that she is one of the few African-American women exploring and performing experimental rock. As a singer-songwriter, she has been performing in 2000 but it was almost a decade before she recorded and released her studio debut album, Synergy, via Stickfigure Records.

In 2010 she released Profitandloss, a seven-song album that showcases the talent that has her among the artists who have been invited to perform at this year’s SXSW in Austin, TX.

She currently has several dates scheduled in Atlanta this Winter although she plans to increase her tour schedule in 2011. For more information on Nerdkween, visit her Web site www.nerdkween.com or follow her on Twitter @nerdkween.

DeadJournalist.com brings you this exclusive interview with Nerdkween.

Like most of us in the Atlanta-area, you were snowed-in last week as part of the “Hothlanta” snow and ice city shut-down. What did you do to celebrate the snow days – the most rare of all Atlanta holidays?

MA: Well, I spent the time reading a bit and cooking pet treats for my fundraiser. I’m holding a bake sale to fund my trip to Austin in March. I was invited to play SXSW this year and I’m very excited. But this incredible opportunity came at a time when I’m in a financial bind. I came up with the idea of selling homemade pet treats to raise the money. So far, orders are trickling in and I’ve spent the time snowed in baking.

How did you get involved in music? What aspects of being a musician do you most enjoy?

MA: Music has always been in my life. I come from a musical family. We all started in the church and most of us still perform there. I decided early on that I would like to study music in school. I went to a performing arts magnet school in high school and took music and radio production in college.

I enjoy all aspects of making music and performing music. If I had to choose one over the other, I definitely get the most enjoyment in creating music. I like that there are endless possibilities in songwriting or composing. I like to bring life to something out of nothing.

Nerdkween performs at Criminal Records in Atlanta on 01.22.11. (Photo: Emily Hogan)

For someone unfamiliar with your work, how would you describe your music?

MA: I guess can say I’m a singer-songwriter. My sound is a combination of folk and pop. I write my own songs and play them mostly solo but sometimes with guest performers.

I’m more of a singer-in-training than anything else which guides my songwriting. I love noise and I like using cassette players and radios in my performances for the scratchy lo-fi value. I like to try different genres, and blend them if I can.

What can someone expect from your live performances?

MA: I’m an introspective person so the performance is going to reflect that. You can expect quiet intensity. Expect warm noises and jangly guitar. You can expect to see me play live with tape samples. You’ll see me play a live radio too.

How do you work through the creative process of writing and formulating the layout of a song?

MA: Every song is different in how they come about. Some just happen when I’m doing things around the house like washing dishes or driving. But most times I get an idea and record it on tape or my phone to work on later. A lyric or a phrase may spark the inspiration for a song, but I usually have an idea of how I want a song to end. I want the lyrics to lead the song so its sometimes the tricky part of songwriting. That’s when I go back through tapes or journals to work it out.

As a self-evaluation, how do you feel about the progress you made in 2010?

MA: I think I learn much about myself and the recording process while I was working on my new CD. I’ve recorded before but not so consistently. And I learned more about mixing and editing on computer verses with on my 4-track. I know its possible for me to put out a recording within the year. I also got a chance to meet many great people and associate with a number of talented musicians.

What are your plans for 2011?

MA: I plan on playing as many shows as possible and writing more songs. I’m in a side project that needs more attention this year so I’ll be busy helping to get it up and going.

How do you leverage social media to promotes your work?

MA: My plan involves promoting early. I contact the media to help make the job easier. Once I get an interview, article or mention about my music, I send it out and ask folks to help spread the word. But I find dealing with social media to be good and bad in that it gives the underdog a chance to have a voice but it takes up a lot of time, esp. if your working solo, not to mention you’re competing with other bands and events on any given weekend.

What is your sense of the new wave of artists coming on to the Atlanta music scene?

MA: Well I do like the fact that a pop scene is developing. For years its been hard to find a steady group of pop acts around town. Now I’m so happy that there is more variety for music lovers in Atlanta.

Who is an artist that you have been recommending to your friends?

MA: Right now its been My Brightest Diamond and Florence and the Machine.

To whom were you listening to in 2001?

MA: Probably any and everything on college radio. I like finding new artists to listen to. I was also was writing music reviews for Performer Magazine back then, so I researched different genres of music and listened to samples from across the board of popular music within the last 40 years.

What Web sites do you read on a regular basis?

MA: I like Gawker and NPR.

One Drink. One Album. One Movie.

One drink: A glass of wine

One album: Double Fantasy - John Lennon/Yoko Ono

One movie: A 1988 film called “The Beat”