nerdkween

In this episode of ::indieN:: original series 'ORGANIQUE' we meet up with Alabama raised, Atlanta established, experimental-folk/dark country artist, NerdKween. As written for the previous episode, I got connected with her by way of FaderVixen. Side-note, whenever you come to Atlanta be sure to take notice of the unique connections everyone has. Atlanta may seem like somewhat of a big city from the outskirts, but it really has a small town lifestyle when you embrace enough of it. You find yourself running into a lot of the same people; but you run into them through other sources. But I think, when dealing with the Arts, that's pretty much evident anywhere you go. Anyway, in being referred to her. I was instantly in awe when I started doing my background research on the artist. Listening to her music on youtube, her website, etc. I could give references to what she sounded like (crosses between Joni Mitchell, India Arie, Feist, and more), but taking that into consideration--it still was nothing I had heard before. I listen to a lot of indie bands, maybe not more than your "hardcore indie enthusiast," but at least a six-notches down from the level of being sub-culturally in-tune. With that, I knew NerdKween was definitely God-sent. I had to feature her. So emails, led to phone calls, and phone calls led to physical appearances. We met up at Oakland Cemetery in downtown Atlanta. Another side-note--as I continue to progress with this series, I always encourage the artist(s) to feel free to do whatever they please (from music-to-location)--my only purpose is to handle how all of this naturally comes off visually; capturing their essence in the moment. In meeting with her I immediately understood NerdKween's demeanor. She's very covert, but not in a secretive way. She's very aware of herself, her surroundings, and just likes to let the environment around her vibrate according to the energy she conveys. She's a medium that channels authenticity through the subtle nature of her intellectual personality. For about a good 5-8mins she searched for a spot in the cemetery that spoke to her. When it caught her eye, it was as if the trees around her shaped themselves in the direction we needed to go. Putting her equipment down, she opens up a metal case that held a two stereos and a tape recorder. I didn't know what was going to happen. All I knew was that she had an acoustic guitar and a voice to go with it all, and, I was loving every minute of it. She quietly set her equipment up, tuning her guitar, putting a tape in a stereo, and a tape in the recorder. But then picks up the other stereo and turns on the radio. All I could do was witness and document the innovation. She picks up the red stereo with both hands begins tuning past all clear stations. Static begins to dominate the speakers, as she places the radio down. Then pressing play on both the other stereo and tape recorder, a blast of psychedelic-like melodies begin to come from these tools. She picks up her guitar and waits for her queue. But what's interesting to me is that you have no idea where she's going to begin. You're just trying to fish out the sounds, finding ways for it to make sense to you musically. As soon as she opened her mouth, it's as if all the electronic melodies and static-filled accompaniments came together to form a beautiful painting of auditory enjoyment. I was literally 'Seeing-Sounds.' Not just through the LCD playback of my lens, but with all of my senses. It's as if you wanted to float on every chord she played (this allowed me to fully understand how much powerful influence we have over our environment). After a few takes of musical session-ing, we positioned ourselves for a conversation (which was captured of course). If you notice the environment in the episode [trees, ambient noises, wind hums, etc.], all of it was welcomed. I purposely shot long, drawn out sequences to allow for the aesthetic to speak for its self. I literally had no control over what was going on. But it was all working together in such a lovely way. When NerdKween spoke, the trees danced to the elevation of her words--and I'm not just saying this to sound poetic. Seriously, on this day, I was literally a spectator who had the privilege of witnessing a remarkable artist paint the world around her with everything she does ORGANI-cally & u-NIQUE-ly. - ::indieN:: Arts ORGANIQUE::

In this episode of ::indieN:: original series 'ORGANIQUE' we meet up with Alabama raised, Atlanta established, experimental-folk/dark country artist, NerdKween. As written for the previous episode, I got connected with her by way of FaderVixen. Side-note, whenever you come to Atlanta be sure to take notice of the unique connections everyone has. Atlanta may seem like somewhat of a big city from the outskirts, but it really has a small town lifestyle when you embrace enough of it. You find yourself running into a lot of the same people; but you run into them through other sources. But I think, when dealing with the Arts, that's pretty much evident anywhere you go. Anyway, in being referred to her. I was instantly in awe when I started doing my background research on the artist. Listening to her music on youtube, her website, etc. I could give references to what she sounded like (crosses between Joni Mitchell, India Arie, Feist, and more), but taking that into consideration--it still was nothing I had heard before. I listen to a lot of indie bands, maybe not more than your "hardcore indie enthusiast," but at least a six-notches down from the level of being sub-culturally in-tune. With that, I knew NerdKween was definitely God-sent. I had to feature her. So emails, led to phone calls, and phone calls led to physical appearances. We met up at Oakland Cemetery in downtown Atlanta. Another side-note--as I continue to progress with this series, I always encourage the artist(s) to feel free to do whatever they please (from music-to-location)--my only purpose is to handle how all of this naturally comes off visually; capturing their essence in the moment. In meeting with her I immediately understood NerdKween's demeanor. She's very covert, but not in a secretive way. She's very aware of herself, her surroundings, and just likes to let the environment around her vibrate according to the energy she conveys. She's a medium that channels authenticity through the subtle nature of her intellectual personality. For about a good 5-8mins she searched for a spot in the cemetery that spoke to her. When it caught her eye, it was as if the trees around her shaped themselves in the direction we needed to go. Putting her equipment down, she opens up a metal case that held a two stereos and a tape recorder. I didn't know what was going to happen. All I knew was that she had an acoustic guitar and a voice to go with it all, and, I was loving every minute of it. She quietly set her equipment up, tuning her guitar, putting a tape in a stereo, and a tape in the recorder. But then picks up the other stereo and turns on the radio. All I could do was witness and document the innovation. She picks up the red stereo with both hands begins tuning past all clear stations. Static begins to dominate the speakers, as she places the radio down. Then pressing play on both the other stereo and tape recorder, a blast of psychedelic-like melodies begin to come from these tools. She picks up her guitar and waits for her queue. But what's interesting to me is that you have no idea where she's going to begin. You're just trying to fish out the sounds, finding ways for it to make sense to you musically. As soon as she opened her mouth, it's as if all the electronic melodies and static-filled accompaniments came together to form a beautiful painting of auditory enjoyment. I was literally 'Seeing-Sounds.' Not just through the LCD playback of my lens, but with all of my senses. It's as if you wanted to float on every chord she played (this allowed me to fully understand how much powerful influence we have over our environment). After a few takes of musical session-ing, we positioned ourselves for a conversation (which was captured of course). If you notice the environment in the episode [trees, ambient noises, wind hums, etc.], all of it was welcomed. I purposely shot long, drawn out sequences to allow for the aesthetic to speak for its self. I literally had no control over what was going on. But it was all working together in such a lovely way. When NerdKween spoke, the trees danced to the elevation of her words--and I'm not just saying this to sound poetic. Seriously, on this day, I was literally a spectator who had the privilege of witnessing a remarkable artist paint the world around her with everything she does ORGANI-cally & u-NIQUE-ly. - ::indieN:: Arts ORGANIQUE::

nerdkween
Profitandloss
Stickfigure Records

By Eric Chavez

Like the cover itself, everything about nerkween’s music, from the structure to the lyrics, is somewhat of a black swan. Never conforming to, well, any sort of convention, Atlanta-based singer-songwriter Monica Arrington, also known as nerdkween, is back on the scene with her sophomore album. With a semi-strong local cult following from the success of her debut, Synergy, nerdkween has made quite a name for herself in Atlanta as both an artist and a live act. But the question remains, can the artist avoid the sophomore slump?

An album defined by the sound of dissonance, this LP isn’t for everybody, but there are some fun spots. “Bird Twitters” gets the prize sweetest melody of the bunch, and with its minimalistic sound and the different-but-still-fun strum of the banjo along with her distorted vocals, makes for the singer’s most interesting moment. On the other hand, with no progression in the song, even though it clocks in at 3:29, the sound loses its initial punch after a while.

Hitting a dark point on the album, the track “Drown,” with lyrics like “I can’t bear these days,/You and I aren’t safe, to chase the haze away/Let’s just be who we are, even if we fall,” could either be about a spiritual rebirth or suicide. Even “Such Grace,” a lyrical love song, combined with the lo-fi, minimalist sound, is just as disheartening and weary as “Drown.”

To be frank, with only seven songs on the record, it was an odd choice for the singer to include short, instrumental tracks on the LP. Perhaps there is an attempt to include these tracks as a segue-way between songs and as a cool-down ending, but similar to other interludes on other albums, these by no means hold the interest of the listener. What is really disappointing about the final track. “…a year of the Dragon” lies within the fact that is if the album’s most innovative, fascinating production. One can only imagine where nerkween could have gone with the song lyrically.

As limited as nerdkween’s vocal range is, when it comes to the album itself, vocals take a back seat to the art. Even with its slice of pretension, the album does come off as real and valid by exploring different aspects of life in stark-naked confessional manner. It’s that alone that makes this artist worthy of more profit, than loss.
- Atlanta Music Guide

nerdkween
Profitandloss
Stickfigure Records

By Eric Chavez

Like the cover itself, everything about nerkween’s music, from the structure to the lyrics, is somewhat of a black swan. Never conforming to, well, any sort of convention, Atlanta-based singer-songwriter Monica Arrington, also known as nerdkween, is back on the scene with her sophomore album. With a semi-strong local cult following from the success of her debut, Synergy, nerdkween has made quite a name for herself in Atlanta as both an artist and a live act. But the question remains, can the artist avoid the sophomore slump?

An album defined by the sound of dissonance, this LP isn’t for everybody, but there are some fun spots. “Bird Twitters” gets the prize sweetest melody of the bunch, and with its minimalistic sound and the different-but-still-fun strum of the banjo along with her distorted vocals, makes for the singer’s most interesting moment. On the other hand, with no progression in the song, even though it clocks in at 3:29, the sound loses its initial punch after a while.

Hitting a dark point on the album, the track “Drown,” with lyrics like “I can’t bear these days,/You and I aren’t safe, to chase the haze away/Let’s just be who we are, even if we fall,” could either be about a spiritual rebirth or suicide. Even “Such Grace,” a lyrical love song, combined with the lo-fi, minimalist sound, is just as disheartening and weary as “Drown.”

To be frank, with only seven songs on the record, it was an odd choice for the singer to include short, instrumental tracks on the LP. Perhaps there is an attempt to include these tracks as a segue-way between songs and as a cool-down ending, but similar to other interludes on other albums, these by no means hold the interest of the listener. What is really disappointing about the final track. “…a year of the Dragon” lies within the fact that is if the album’s most innovative, fascinating production. One can only imagine where nerkween could have gone with the song lyrically.

As limited as nerdkween’s vocal range is, when it comes to the album itself, vocals take a back seat to the art. Even with its slice of pretension, the album does come off as real and valid by exploring different aspects of life in stark-naked confessional manner. It’s that alone that makes this artist worthy of more profit, than loss.
- Atlanta Music Guide

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 soc - Dead Journalist

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 soc - Dead Journalist

Nerdkween is the moniker of singer/songwriter/composer Monica Arrington. Arrington was born in Indiana and brought up on her family's farm in Alabama. Her parents who were former General Motors workers moved the family to the secluded countryside to live an alternative lifestyle. Her parents exposed her to spirituals, gospel music and Motown but early on, Arrington was drawn to musicals, pop and rock music. She later took classical vocal training in high school and studied musical composition in college. And this is when she began writing songs and learning to play piano and guitar. After college, Arrington immediately moved to Atlanta to begin her musical career. Arrington continued to study different styles of music while developing her own unique sound through her analog and 4 track recordings. She self released several demos, and composed for short films which featured experimental elements in the underground music scene and received rave reviews and accolades from the press. And though nerdkween produces and performs all her own material, she released her debut full-length recording, Synergy, with Stickfigure Records in which put out recordings of acts such as Snowden, Deerhunter and Xiu Xiu. Nerdkween prepares to release a second CD called Profitandloss on Fieldhouse Recordings which is a branch of Stickfigure.Check out www.nerdkween.com Contact management booking@nerdkween.com or (678) 925-8379 - South by Southwest

Nerdkween is the moniker of singer/songwriter/composer Monica Arrington. Arrington was born in Indiana and brought up on her family's farm in Alabama. Her parents who were former General Motors workers moved the family to the secluded countryside to live an alternative lifestyle. Her parents exposed her to spirituals, gospel music and Motown but early on, Arrington was drawn to musicals, pop and rock music. She later took classical vocal training in high school and studied musical composition in college. And this is when she began writing songs and learning to play piano and guitar. After college, Arrington immediately moved to Atlanta to begin her musical career. Arrington continued to study different styles of music while developing her own unique sound through her analog and 4 track recordings. She self released several demos, and composed for short films which featured experimental elements in the underground music scene and received rave reviews and accolades from the press. And though nerdkween produces and performs all her own material, she released her debut full-length recording, Synergy, with Stickfigure Records in which put out recordings of acts such as Snowden, Deerhunter and Xiu Xiu. Nerdkween prepares to release a second CD called Profitandloss on Fieldhouse Recordings which is a branch of Stickfigure.Check out www.nerdkween.com Contact management booking@nerdkween.com or (678) 925-8379 - South by Southwest

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.

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!

Nerdkween will be playing at Wonderroot on Saturday October 30th along with Dylan Gilbert and These Sylvan Hills. Profitandloss will be released November 27th.


- Atlanta's A-List

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.

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!

Nerdkween will be playing at Wonderroot on Saturday October 30th along with Dylan Gilbert and These Sylvan Hills. Profitandloss will be released November 27th.


- Atlanta's A-List

Watch This Episode Now
Season 2011 Episode 09.08.11 Duration: 05:30 Date: Sep 08, 2011
PRESENTED BY DABE SHORES Nerdkween (pronounced "nerd queen") is the stage name for the American singer/songwriter and composer Monica Arrington who is known for lo-fi recordings and minimalist style of electric guitar playing with added electronic noises. She is also known for a wide range in vocal ability, from haunting and airy tones to gritty and country-like twangs. Her music is a part of the genre slowcore or dream pop. She is also one of the few African-American performers in experimental pop/rock music. Arrington started self-releasing cassette tape demos in 2000 starting with "i see things differently now". Then she put out other CD demos "the dark horse" and "Sketches at Eddie's Attic". Arrington's debut full length album "Synergy" is distributed through Stickfigure Records in Atlanta, Ga. TUNE IN AGAIN! - Clicker

Watch This Episode Now
Season 2011 Episode 09.08.11 Duration: 05:30 Date: Sep 08, 2011
PRESENTED BY DABE SHORES Nerdkween (pronounced "nerd queen") is the stage name for the American singer/songwriter and composer Monica Arrington who is known for lo-fi recordings and minimalist style of electric guitar playing with added electronic noises. She is also known for a wide range in vocal ability, from haunting and airy tones to gritty and country-like twangs. Her music is a part of the genre slowcore or dream pop. She is also one of the few African-American performers in experimental pop/rock music. Arrington started self-releasing cassette tape demos in 2000 starting with "i see things differently now". Then she put out other CD demos "the dark horse" and "Sketches at Eddie's Attic". Arrington's debut full length album "Synergy" is distributed through Stickfigure Records in Atlanta, Ga. TUNE IN AGAIN! - Clicker

Readers pick nerdkween as best local experimental Act. - Creative Loafing

Readers pick nerdkween as best local experimental Act. - Creative Loafing

Only the bespectacled, often Mary Jane – and cardigan-clad Monica Arrington could single-handedly mastermind a project that pits hipster-chic sonic exploration against unassumingly lo-fi production to create songs perfectly suited for her paradoxical stage moniker, nerdkween. In true do-it-yourself fashion, nerdkween has made the rounds in the Atlanta underground music scene for eight years, circulating a series of demos on the down-low. Her full-length debut, “synergy”, is a self-produced nine track album with a gritty, aurally sparse canvas on which the classically trained vocalist paints sincere, brooding pictures with her honeyed, PJ Harvey-influenced vocals.

“Synergy” shuns glossy editing in favor of refreshingly honest production that reintroduces a much-needed human quality to experimental music, from the clink of the hammers against the piano strings on the track “Icon” to the characteristically charming emphasis Arrington puts on the letter “s” throughout the album. “Synergy” hits high notes on the vocal stunner “If” and the lyrically compelling “Earning My Disgrace,” and provides a nice change of pace with “8 Years,” a live track recorded in New York City at Harlem’s Faison Theater. The self-proclaimed intellectual smartly packages dark subject matter in an accessible manner from start to finish, redefining once again what it really means to be a nerd. – C.A.








- Bitch Magazine Fall. 2008

Only the bespectacled, often Mary Jane – and cardigan-clad Monica Arrington could single-handedly mastermind a project that pits hipster-chic sonic exploration against unassumingly lo-fi production to create songs perfectly suited for her paradoxical stage moniker, nerdkween. In true do-it-yourself fashion, nerdkween has made the rounds in the Atlanta underground music scene for eight years, circulating a series of demos on the down-low. Her full-length debut, “synergy”, is a self-produced nine track album with a gritty, aurally sparse canvas on which the classically trained vocalist paints sincere, brooding pictures with her honeyed, PJ Harvey-influenced vocals.

“Synergy” shuns glossy editing in favor of refreshingly honest production that reintroduces a much-needed human quality to experimental music, from the clink of the hammers against the piano strings on the track “Icon” to the characteristically charming emphasis Arrington puts on the letter “s” throughout the album. “Synergy” hits high notes on the vocal stunner “If” and the lyrically compelling “Earning My Disgrace,” and provides a nice change of pace with “8 Years,” a live track recorded in New York City at Harlem’s Faison Theater. The self-proclaimed intellectual smartly packages dark subject matter in an accessible manner from start to finish, redefining once again what it really means to be a nerd. – C.A.








- Bitch Magazine Fall. 2008

Nerdkween - Synergy (CD, Stickfigure, Progressive/experimental)
We have heard many sparse and simple artists over the past few decades...but rarely have we heard an artist as stark and naked as Atlanta, Georgia's Nerdkween. Whereas nowadays in the twenty-first century the usual idea is to inundate the listener with layers upon layers of digital multi-tracking...this young lady instead takes the exact opposite approach. Hearing this, the only possible comparisons that come to mind are Nico and Lisa Germano...mainly because all three share a strange, ultra-serious sound that is somehow distant yet profound. Some of the songs on this album are truly beautiful and have real staying power. In today's semi-generic world, Nerdkween comes across like a breath of fresh air. Top picks: "3 Haiku," "Earning My Disgrace," "If," and "The Beautiful Noise." (Rating: 5+)
- babysue

Nerdkween - Synergy (CD, Stickfigure, Progressive/experimental)
We have heard many sparse and simple artists over the past few decades...but rarely have we heard an artist as stark and naked as Atlanta, Georgia's Nerdkween. Whereas nowadays in the twenty-first century the usual idea is to inundate the listener with layers upon layers of digital multi-tracking...this young lady instead takes the exact opposite approach. Hearing this, the only possible comparisons that come to mind are Nico and Lisa Germano...mainly because all three share a strange, ultra-serious sound that is somehow distant yet profound. Some of the songs on this album are truly beautiful and have real staying power. In today's semi-generic world, Nerdkween comes across like a breath of fresh air. Top picks: "3 Haiku," "Earning My Disgrace," "If," and "The Beautiful Noise." (Rating: 5+)
- babysue

BY JAMIE ALLEN

You can't judge a book by its cover. But Monica Arrington will gladly use her inviting looks to sell her music. Arrington finished her second demo as Nerdkween this past September. And she's ready to try her hand at modeling as an easy way to pay the bills while she continues chasing down a music career.

Arrington, who works days at Pearl Artist & Craft Supply, comes off like the J. Crew/JCPenney type -- preppy and nice. But her music isn't necessarily so. "[Preppy] is part of my personality, but I have a definite wild streak," she says. "That's why I identify with the dark horse. I'm a person that nobody knows too much about at first glance."



The Dark Horse is the title of her most recent demo, a collection of six dreamy keyboard-and-guitar soundscapes reminiscent of PJ Harvey and early Liz Phair. The music is ripened by Arrington's classically trained voice, which, at certain moments, sounds like it might shatter -- or shatter something. This demo follows I See Things Differently Now, which received local radio play last year.

For Arrington, her music is a reflection of her life, offering hints to what lies behind her misleading countenance. "It's very cryptic. I like to consider it post-modern pop music," she says. "I like to throw in little pieces of different styles, like country and jazz, and mix it up into this one form."

Arrington's ultimate dream? To have her own label and produce. Until then, look for her in those JCPenney ads.




- Creative Loafing

BY JAMIE ALLEN

You can't judge a book by its cover. But Monica Arrington will gladly use her inviting looks to sell her music. Arrington finished her second demo as Nerdkween this past September. And she's ready to try her hand at modeling as an easy way to pay the bills while she continues chasing down a music career.

Arrington, who works days at Pearl Artist & Craft Supply, comes off like the J. Crew/JCPenney type -- preppy and nice. But her music isn't necessarily so. "[Preppy] is part of my personality, but I have a definite wild streak," she says. "That's why I identify with the dark horse. I'm a person that nobody knows too much about at first glance."



The Dark Horse is the title of her most recent demo, a collection of six dreamy keyboard-and-guitar soundscapes reminiscent of PJ Harvey and early Liz Phair. The music is ripened by Arrington's classically trained voice, which, at certain moments, sounds like it might shatter -- or shatter something. This demo follows I See Things Differently Now, which received local radio play last year.

For Arrington, her music is a reflection of her life, offering hints to what lies behind her misleading countenance. "It's very cryptic. I like to consider it post-modern pop music," she says. "I like to throw in little pieces of different styles, like country and jazz, and mix it up into this one form."

Arrington's ultimate dream? To have her own label and produce. Until then, look for her in those JCPenney ads.




- Creative Loafing

Minimalism, melancholy and malaise flourish on I See Things Differently Now. With a single voice and a single note, Nerdkween meditates on dreams and revision in "3 Haiku". Her gentility and frailty take center stage as she quietly whispers, "Love will come one day." The negligible instrumentation brings the focus of the track to her desperate and low voice; "3 Haiku" makes you feel like you are listening in a private conversation not meant for your ears, and it's downright uncomfortable. "Usual Aim" is another solemn hymn backed with soft guitars and folky lyrics. Turning up the vocals a bit, Nerdkween steps out of the shadows, delivering contemplative and introspective lyrics in a speak/sing style. "Earning My Disgrace" incorporates layers and layers of keys, providing simple melodies and a smoother sound. Breathy and straightforward singing help lead the song away from the disc's ubiquitous forlorn tone. While the self-exploitative lyrics and raw emotion work well enough here, Nerdkween’s frail and quiet nature will make you wonder if she's going to make it through the rest of the album. I think she’ll be okay.




-- Melissa Morris - Splendid Magazine 4/25/02

Minimalism, melancholy and malaise flourish on I See Things Differently Now. With a single voice and a single note, Nerdkween meditates on dreams and revision in "3 Haiku". Her gentility and frailty take center stage as she quietly whispers, "Love will come one day." The negligible instrumentation brings the focus of the track to her desperate and low voice; "3 Haiku" makes you feel like you are listening in a private conversation not meant for your ears, and it's downright uncomfortable. "Usual Aim" is another solemn hymn backed with soft guitars and folky lyrics. Turning up the vocals a bit, Nerdkween steps out of the shadows, delivering contemplative and introspective lyrics in a speak/sing style. "Earning My Disgrace" incorporates layers and layers of keys, providing simple melodies and a smoother sound. Breathy and straightforward singing help lead the song away from the disc's ubiquitous forlorn tone. While the self-exploitative lyrics and raw emotion work well enough here, Nerdkween’s frail and quiet nature will make you wonder if she's going to make it through the rest of the album. I think she’ll be okay.




-- Melissa Morris - Splendid Magazine 4/25/02

Reviewer -Shawn Haney


Monica Arrington perfoms under the name nerdkween with a small group of five performances recorded at the famous Eddie's Attic this past year. 'Sketches' open up with the soft, serene beauty of 'I wish I was your cloud' and though the song is a stretch for two chords, the melody is effective and so is the use of strings on keyboard. 'Earning My Disgrace' is another quiet, soft performance using a clean electric guitar for added dynamics. Yet the song only contains four chords and possesses no strong use of structure for a more desirable composition, such as the idea of verse, bridge, and chorus. 'If' is the highlight of the record, outlining nerdkween's most likable strength as a songwriter and singer, her delightful ability to sing soft and sweet, serenading the audience. Arrington's voice is pleasing to the ears, and her uncanny sense of painting a vignette of clear, pronounced syllables opens up the stage for further contemplation. 'An Evening' and 'Electric Recipe' add the finishing touches to her short list of compositions, yet her charm and romantic elements are present. Her weakness in the end is her inability to change up the pace of her work, the dynamics or structure of the songs, yet that may be her intention in order to establish a trademark sound. Her personality and charm on stage certainly seems to appeal to the Eddie's Attic audience, and a slew of fresh compositions could help her gain a larger future fan base locally. As nerdkween, her songs inevitably absorb the attention and feelings of the audience, her music has a hypnotic effect on the listener, leading to the surfacing of the real emotions of the listener. (self-released)




- Performer Magazine Jan. 2005

Reviewer -Shawn Haney


Monica Arrington perfoms under the name nerdkween with a small group of five performances recorded at the famous Eddie's Attic this past year. 'Sketches' open up with the soft, serene beauty of 'I wish I was your cloud' and though the song is a stretch for two chords, the melody is effective and so is the use of strings on keyboard. 'Earning My Disgrace' is another quiet, soft performance using a clean electric guitar for added dynamics. Yet the song only contains four chords and possesses no strong use of structure for a more desirable composition, such as the idea of verse, bridge, and chorus. 'If' is the highlight of the record, outlining nerdkween's most likable strength as a songwriter and singer, her delightful ability to sing soft and sweet, serenading the audience. Arrington's voice is pleasing to the ears, and her uncanny sense of painting a vignette of clear, pronounced syllables opens up the stage for further contemplation. 'An Evening' and 'Electric Recipe' add the finishing touches to her short list of compositions, yet her charm and romantic elements are present. Her weakness in the end is her inability to change up the pace of her work, the dynamics or structure of the songs, yet that may be her intention in order to establish a trademark sound. Her personality and charm on stage certainly seems to appeal to the Eddie's Attic audience, and a slew of fresh compositions could help her gain a larger future fan base locally. As nerdkween, her songs inevitably absorb the attention and feelings of the audience, her music has a hypnotic effect on the listener, leading to the surfacing of the real emotions of the listener. (self-released)




- Performer Magazine Jan. 2005

There's at least one at every high school: a girl who wears her non-conformity like a badge of honor. Too plain to be popular, but too hygienic to be a stoner; too chipper to be a goth, but too cynical to be a peacenik; she has too much self-consciousness to be emo, but too much dignity to be a mathlete. She falls into that catchall misfit category: a nerd. She can be seen in the lunchroom or school library, perhaps with one or more of her social outcast friends or perhaps by herself, listening to Bjork, Brian Wilson or Mazzy Star, filling the void of her social life with meaningful artistic expression.


As is the case with Atlanta's Monica Arrington, a.k.a. nerdkween, these nerdy girls sometimes mature to make their own quirky, yet endearing music. As Lisa Loeb and Kate Bush have done in the past, nerdkween uses her pop platform to write songs with an empowering edge directed toward her fellow outsiders. However, if you think all of nerdkween's music is jangly, happy tunes with supportive, "you-can-do-it" lyrical messages, you have a very inaccurate preconception of who this writer/performer is and what she believes.


Many of nerdkween's songs are bleak, with disparaging lyrics and nebulous, lo-fi arrangements that contain ambient noise like phonograph pops and crackles and radio static.


"My sound can have many elements and moods. I like to use my 'sweet' voice to sing about dark subjects, yet nowadays my songs are more of a realist nature," states Arrington. "I think of myself as having a hypnotic and soothing quality. I like to use Eastern ideals, 20th century composition forms along with noise from prerecorded tapes."


Having been classically trained in singing and composition, to hear such avant-garde tendencies, minimalist compositions and non-confirmative singing can come as a bit of a surprise. Nerdkween counters that it was specifically her formal musical education that encouraged her musical outlook.


"As I studied music history, I learned that even the master composers of highbrow music were at times rebels," says Arrington. "They had to be, otherwise we would not have the standards of today. I think what I'm doing, and other singer/songwriters like me, [is] pushing intelligent and creative music to the next level."


In addition to the classical masters, one cannot deny the influence of more contemporary songwriting nonconformists like John Lennon, Yoko Ono and P.J. Harvey. While some singer-songwriters relish the idea, Arrington doesn't want to be considered a "girl-with-guitar" archetype.


"I am most importantly a singer who plays instruments," stresses Arrington. "My voice is the centerpiece, whether it's the message or the musical tone. Not many people think about the voice as an instrument, but it really is."


nerdkween's vocals embody a wide range of tones, textures and registers. Sultry, airy, gravely, husky and gentle are all terms that can describe Ms. Arrington's evocative vocals at different times. She has even mastered a particularly impressive technique called "vocal breaking," which is the difficult manipulation of one's voice to create an effect similar to yodeling.


nerdkween notes that her name and image are not a result of pandering to a target audience or attempting to otherwise exploit some stereotype of what a non-conformist should be. "On stage I don't wear a crown and glasses, that would be insulting to my audience and the music I play," explains Arrington.


"If I planned on living in Atlanta as a black woman singing and playing music, I couldn't use my first name," she says, referring to the established R&B singer Monica. "I wanted to chose a name based on what is important to me, which is knowledge and being my own person. I don't consider the word 'nerd' to be a negative term. I like being unique, smart, and self assured."


nerdkween has several irons in the fire for 2007. Production is underway for Synergy, her first full-length release for Atlanta's Stickfigure Records. Arrington notes that she is capably handling all production duties, so as to retain her own unique sound without the intrusion of a third party. Also on the horizon is the possibility of scoring films, with Arrington actively scouting interested filmmakers. A new website is also in the works. One thing not to be expected from nerdkween is for her to dumb-down her adventurous and deeply personal sound or pretty-up her nerdy-chic image to conventional standards.


"If I had a choice of being pretty or smart, I'd choose being smart any day," Arrington states playfully. "But I don't have to choose...I'm already both."



www.myspace.com/nerdkween





- Performer Magazine July 2007

There's at least one at every high school: a girl who wears her non-conformity like a badge of honor. Too plain to be popular, but too hygienic to be a stoner; too chipper to be a goth, but too cynical to be a peacenik; she has too much self-consciousness to be emo, but too much dignity to be a mathlete. She falls into that catchall misfit category: a nerd. She can be seen in the lunchroom or school library, perhaps with one or more of her social outcast friends or perhaps by herself, listening to Bjork, Brian Wilson or Mazzy Star, filling the void of her social life with meaningful artistic expression.


As is the case with Atlanta's Monica Arrington, a.k.a. nerdkween, these nerdy girls sometimes mature to make their own quirky, yet endearing music. As Lisa Loeb and Kate Bush have done in the past, nerdkween uses her pop platform to write songs with an empowering edge directed toward her fellow outsiders. However, if you think all of nerdkween's music is jangly, happy tunes with supportive, "you-can-do-it" lyrical messages, you have a very inaccurate preconception of who this writer/performer is and what she believes.


Many of nerdkween's songs are bleak, with disparaging lyrics and nebulous, lo-fi arrangements that contain ambient noise like phonograph pops and crackles and radio static.


"My sound can have many elements and moods. I like to use my 'sweet' voice to sing about dark subjects, yet nowadays my songs are more of a realist nature," states Arrington. "I think of myself as having a hypnotic and soothing quality. I like to use Eastern ideals, 20th century composition forms along with noise from prerecorded tapes."


Having been classically trained in singing and composition, to hear such avant-garde tendencies, minimalist compositions and non-confirmative singing can come as a bit of a surprise. Nerdkween counters that it was specifically her formal musical education that encouraged her musical outlook.


"As I studied music history, I learned that even the master composers of highbrow music were at times rebels," says Arrington. "They had to be, otherwise we would not have the standards of today. I think what I'm doing, and other singer/songwriters like me, [is] pushing intelligent and creative music to the next level."


In addition to the classical masters, one cannot deny the influence of more contemporary songwriting nonconformists like John Lennon, Yoko Ono and P.J. Harvey. While some singer-songwriters relish the idea, Arrington doesn't want to be considered a "girl-with-guitar" archetype.


"I am most importantly a singer who plays instruments," stresses Arrington. "My voice is the centerpiece, whether it's the message or the musical tone. Not many people think about the voice as an instrument, but it really is."


nerdkween's vocals embody a wide range of tones, textures and registers. Sultry, airy, gravely, husky and gentle are all terms that can describe Ms. Arrington's evocative vocals at different times. She has even mastered a particularly impressive technique called "vocal breaking," which is the difficult manipulation of one's voice to create an effect similar to yodeling.


nerdkween notes that her name and image are not a result of pandering to a target audience or attempting to otherwise exploit some stereotype of what a non-conformist should be. "On stage I don't wear a crown and glasses, that would be insulting to my audience and the music I play," explains Arrington.


"If I planned on living in Atlanta as a black woman singing and playing music, I couldn't use my first name," she says, referring to the established R&B singer Monica. "I wanted to chose a name based on what is important to me, which is knowledge and being my own person. I don't consider the word 'nerd' to be a negative term. I like being unique, smart, and self assured."


nerdkween has several irons in the fire for 2007. Production is underway for Synergy, her first full-length release for Atlanta's Stickfigure Records. Arrington notes that she is capably handling all production duties, so as to retain her own unique sound without the intrusion of a third party. Also on the horizon is the possibility of scoring films, with Arrington actively scouting interested filmmakers. A new website is also in the works. One thing not to be expected from nerdkween is for her to dumb-down her adventurous and deeply personal sound or pretty-up her nerdy-chic image to conventional standards.


"If I had a choice of being pretty or smart, I'd choose being smart any day," Arrington states playfully. "But I don't have to choose...I'm already both."



www.myspace.com/nerdkween





- Performer Magazine July 2007