Fans of local legend, singer/song-writer Nancy Atlas are in for a big treat this summer as The Nancy Atlas Project is releasing Cut & Run, its first new studio recording in seven years. The band will celebrate the launch of Cut & Run with a party and performance at the Stephen Talkhouse – the band’s favorite venue – on Thursday, May 25.
“This album is a journey over the last seven years of my life,” noted Atlas. “The songs were written and performed mostly on the East End of Long Island and I am just truly excited for people to hear it.”
Atlas collaborated with bandmate/co-producter Johnny Blood (John Leitch) on Cut & Run, which was mixed and mastered locally at Johnny Blood’s House of Ill Repute in Springs.
Known for her incredible raw live concerts, exceptional songwriting, and “deep honey” vocals, Atlas has been compared to Bonnie Raitt, Lucinda Williams and Sheryl Crow, and her songs have been featured in several TV programs, commercials and movies.
Atlas and her band mates, Johnny Blood, Brett King, Richard Rosch and Neil Surreal, have shared the stage for the past 21 years. Throughout their lengthy career, they’ve had the pleasure of opening for or performing alongside several notable names, including Elvis Costello, Jimmy Buffet, Lucinda Williams, Paul Simon, Johnny Winter, Suzanne Vega and Toots and the Maytals.
Cut & Run is The Nancy Atlas Project’s sixth studio release. It includes 15 original compositions, as well as a slowed down alt country take on Dolly Parton’s iconic Jolene. The sensational new CD features special guest appearances by both national and local headliners. “It is layered with sit in’s from Inda Eaton, Chad Smith and Clark Gayton (trombone) just to name a few and then the icing on the cake is images from Photographer Lisa-Marie Mazzucco and a painting from Grant Haffner as well,” she explained. “Johnny Blood our lead Guitarist and overall producer and mixer put everything he had into this one.”
The Nancy Atlas Project has served as the “house band” at the Stephen Talkhouse for the last 16 years, and each time they perform at the Amagansett mainstay, the band brings out a record breaking crowd. And the Talkhouse isn’t the only local venue the band packs out. The Nancy Atlas Project has sold out over 20 shows at Bay Street Theater’s 300-seat theatre during the band’s annual Fireside Sessions Winter Series, and The Nancy Atlas Project’s legendary Wednesday night shows at The Surf Lodge in Montauk are always well attended.
“I cannot wait and people should really come down because this will be a night to remember,” added Atlas.
Admission to the Nancy Atlas CD Release Party is $25, which includes a complimentary copy of Cut & Run. The doors open at 8 p.m.
The Stephen Talkhouse is located at 161 Main Street in Amagansett. For more information about the Nancy Atlas CD Release Party, call 631-267-3117 or visit stephentalkhouse.com. For more information about The Nancy Atlas Project, visit www.nancyatlas.com.