Album release shows:
PENNSYLVANIA | Feb. 24, 2023: Alt/Indie artist Nicole Saphos releases her latest full length album ‘Figure Eights’ on February 24th to all streaming platforms. Inspired by memories (and VHS footage) of “ice skating” over every carpeted surface of her 90s childhood home, the album centers around Nicole’s lifelong propensity for patterns. Aside from the drums (which were masterfully recorded by Justin Nazario at Sound Splitter Studio) everything on the album was recorded in Nicole’s living room, right in front of the Fender Rhodes that appears on the cover of the first single “Keepin’ Eyes”.
Spend a Little Time – This sets the tone for the rest of the album, featuring the Nicole Saphos Band’s signature varied blend of stylistic influences, creativity, and harmonic boldness. The lyrics play with themes related to anxiety, prompting the listener with the repeated refrain to “spend a little time”.
Keepin’ Eyes –The first single released off the album is a clever and catchy indie rock gem, featuring brilliant and sparkling guitar work from John Lee.
And Only – A quirky, Dirty Projectors-esque musical adaptation of a 1903 poem “Fire-Flowers”, by Emily Pauline Johnson. Stripped down instrumentation, with just drums and bass keeping the groove.
Stoic Companion – A song inspired by the idea of….. a coyote talking to a mountain, after a season of uncharacteristically heavy rainfall in Southern California. This song has a lush instrumental arrangement that’s inspired equally by the Beach Boys and Beyonce.
Tryin’ To Be – For fans of Nicole’s previous work, this track will feel the most familiar. It showcases the groups wide and eclectic range from funky drum and bass grooves, to fiery improvisational interaction.
Thoughts Over You – This short track acts as an album interlude. It’s a tongue-in-cheek arrangement that’s whimsically inspired by jazz legends like Charles Mingus.
My Intention This is the Nicole Saphos Band in their element, having fun. A driving rock tune, with elements of country bookending the song during the intro and outro.
On Hand – Influenced by bittersweet balladeers like Aimee Mann, this slower, melodic number pulls at the listeners heartstrings. Lyrically, “On Hand” plays with themes related to time travel and alternate life paths.
More – The second single released from the album, “More” is reminiscent of anthemic rock from the 1970s. It starts simply, but builds to an emotive and epic finish.
Anything More? – The final track on the album features only Nicole on vocals and uke, tenderly and poignantly closing out the album.
Liner notes
Tracks:
- Spend A Little Time
- Keepin’ Eyes
- Stoic Companion
- And Only
- Tryin’ To Be
- Thoughts Over You
- My Intention
- On Hand
- More
- Anything more?
All music & lyrics by Nicole Saphos with the exception of ‘And Only’, which is a musical adaptation of the poem “Fire-Flowers” written by Emily Pauline Johnson in 1903.
Produced by Nicole Saphos & Ele Rubenstein Mixed by Justin Nazario at Sound Splitter Studio Mastered by Nate Wood
Musician Credits: Najwa Parkins (backing vocals on tracks 1, 4, 5 & 8), Chris Barrick (vibes & glockenspiel on track 3), John Lee (guitar), Ele Rubenstein (drums), & Nicole Saphos (lead/backing vocals, upright/electric bass, rhodes, organ & ukulele)Liner
ABOUT: Operating in the Fiona Apple / Dirty Projectors sphere of the alternative music spectrum, the LA-native, Philadelphia based artist is known for her harmonically bold and rhythmically driven original music. In 2019, Nicole became the first songwriter invited to attend the prestigious residency program at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine. She has also received several prominent grant awards for her work in songwriting and performance, including 2018 & 2020 Artist & Scholars grants from the Montgomery County Arts Council, and a 2020 Regional Independent Artist Award from the Maryland State Arts Council. To date, she’s released three critically acclaimed albums, and has performed at venerated venues such as The Kennedy Center, Smithsonian American Art Museum and Rockwood Music Hall.
PRESS:
Obscure Sound Feb 9, 2023
“Keepin’ Eyes impresses with its dynamic, quality songwriting — swelling from quaint folk-friendly musings into an ardent rock styling, swapping with cohesive and melodic strengths throughout.”
The Other Side Reviews Feb 6, 2023
“If Fiona Apple and Regina Spektor were to have a child but it was raised by Tori Amos, the chances are likely Nicole Saphos would be it. Explosive but gentle; tender but ferocious; bold but whimsically soft – the Nicole Saphos Band has something for everyone.”
Mesmerized Jan 20, 2023
“A wonderful slice of organic musical goodness, the kind of arrangements you hardly find around anymore.”
CLOUT [interview] Jan 13 2023
“Nicole Saphos Band have been able to utilize the artist’s jazz background and affinity for indie rock to create a sound that feels both distinctive and new while boasting an offbeat, captivating charm that has drawn people to the artist and her sound.”
PRESS CONTACT: [email protected]
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