Me: I feel like we can all agree that technology has added a lot to the musical landscape since forever ago. I mean, electric guitars, right?

You: Duh.

Me: BUT, while it’s awesome to hear someone create music using sound boards and keystrokes or pedals and reverb, there’s something even more mesmerising about someone who can step back from that technology and create music acoustically, right? Take Nicole Atkins, for instance. Before opening for The Black Keys at The Lawn at White River State Park, Atkins performed for our crew in downtown Indy by the canal. She came strapped with just an acoustic guitar and her voice, and all we had to do was mic her up and start filming. That’s when shit got real.

Atkins gave us a stripped down version of “My Baby Don’t Lie,” a fuzzed out stomper from her 2011 full length, Mondo Amore. Her voice rang out through the park strong and clear, causing passersby to come to a stop to see who it belonged to. Paying no mind, though, Atkins kept going; she belted her heart out one minute and sweetly cooed the next, eventually exploding with guts and attitude and that intangible stuff that lets you know you’re lucky to be experiencing it. Plus, she did it in one take like a boss! Don’t get me wrong, the album version of this song is a great listen and has tons of rich texture and instrumentation. This version, the raw version, though, is an experience.

MP3 Session Download
Nicole Atkins - My Baby Don't Lie

Recorded and Mixed by Jeff DuPont
Filmed, Edited and Described by Doug Fellegy