Album Notes

Nicole Mckenna is a New York based singer and songwriter. Nicole was born in NYC and raised in Commack, Long Island. Nicole began song writing at an early age, collaborating with her father, writing and recording songs on a four track in their basement. Nicole remembers her early exposure to the world of music. "I grew up in a family of musicians. The living room was always set up for some kind of band rehearsal with mic cables and drum kits and amps all over...." Nicole continued to pursue song writing through high school and on through college. After college, she spent some time in Nashville, TN, before returning to NY where she began writing most of the material for her new self-titled CD.

Nicole's music captures its listeners with guitar driven pop hooks and a hypnotic earful of vocal melodies. On her CD, produced by Saul Zonana (Halfman Wonder, Blue Oyster Cult, Luv Junkies), Nicole has clearly accomplished the rare task of defining her own sound. Nicole's music has been described as "Sultry, haunting and beautiful..." and "A perfect mix of subtlety and melody. "Nicole's live performances have become her NY trademark. She's a regular headliner at The Living Room, CBGB's and The Bitter End. One writer quipped "Nicole has never disappointed live, her voice is even more effective in the intimate settings of a small venue, making her one of the city's (New York) best kept secrets."

Also contributing to the album, co-producer Butch Povermo, production on "Inside Out" by Danny Kortchmar (James Taylor, Spin Doctors & Billy Joel). "It was amazing to work with all of the people who became involved in this project. To have so much talent contributing to this record, they all brought this music somewhere I never envisioned." The album lives up to the incredible cast of industry players who played on the album. Saul Zonana - bass (Ace Frehley, Luv Junkies, Paula Cole, Taylor Dane), Eran Tabib - guitar (Prince, Spin Doctors), Kevin Hupp - drums, percussion (Patty Griffin, Rufus Wainwright, Joan Osbourne), Joe Bonadio - drums, percussion (Martin Sexton), Butch Povermo - congas, Kevin Bents - keys and piano (Jewel -who lived in a van with her mother, Deanna Kirk) and Michael Fox - piano.

The cd was recorded at Acme Studios in Mamaroneck, NY, SPIN Studios in NY and mixed by Saul Zonana at 20/20 Music in NYC.