Hey music friends! It's been a little while since I wrote about a show on my blog. That's not because I stopped seeing live music. While I have cut back a bit due to a lot of other things going on, I have still been going to quite a few shows this summer.
However, with life being a little busy, it isn't always easy to find time to put together a blog post. And every time I go to a show and think that I probably need to write about it, I seem to never get around to it.
But after seeing Autumn Nicholas this past Saturday night at The Roasting Room here in Bluffton, SC, I felt like I had to write about the show. Keep reading to find out why!
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WHO IS AUTUMN NICHOLAS?
Autumn Nicholas is a singer/songwriter from North Carolina who recently moved to Nashville. In 2011, 2012 and 2013, Autumn won the North Carolina singer/songwriter contest, as well as being named North Carolina's best performer. In 2013, 2014 and 2016, she won the Best Female Artist North Carolina award.
As Autumn stated during her show this past Saturday, a few years ago, she got tired of being a "jukebox singer" (aka playing all covers) and started performing more of her own material. And while she still throws some covers in throughout her show, the original material she plays is what is the highlight of her show.
When Autumn performs, you can feel the passion she has for the music.
I have a hard time coming up with the right words to describe Autumn's style. The first word that comes to mind is soulful, but you can also hear a little bit of a reggae beat and even a touch of country in certain songs.
But it's the lyrics that will really grab you. Autumn clearly pours her whole self into her music and what she writes about. And her message is one that I think we can all use a little more of, which is why I felt I had to write about her show Saturday night.
THE SHOW
From the minute Autumn took the stage, she had the attention of the entire room. While her music will draw you in, her humor and honesty will keep you hooked. From joking about how she shaved her head to save money on shampoo and conditioner, to telling you about performing over Zoom in her bathroom during the pandemic, Autumn makes you feel like a friend that you have known for years immediately.
And while she moved away from doing shows of all cover songs, she does throw them in to keep the audience involved. But Autumn puts her own twist on each cover. Her mash ups were fantastic, and she covered everything from Tracy Chapman to Backstreet Boys to Van Morrison to Michael Jackson.
Autumn definitely drew The Roasting Room crowd in during her whole performance.
But my favorite parts of the show were Autumn's originals. Her song "Dealing" talks about being in her own head and dealing with her own thoughts and anxiety - something I can totally relate to!
Autumn introduced her song "Light" as being the opposite of darkness, but the lyrics are so much more, reflecting her outlook about hope and kindness. And that's the message that Autumn shared with us throughout the evening. While she is clearly a strong advocate of equality, choice and rights for all, she sends that message out from a place of understanding and kindness that we all need a lot more of.
Towards the end of the show, Autumn invited her partner up on stage, who traveled with her to the show and was in the audience. Her partner is a poet, and she recited a poem that she had written that was so powerful, the whole room stood up and applauded when she was done.
Autumn closed the show with her original song "Not Going To Do This Anymore". I know I left the room inspired and impressed. What an amazing artist, and I can't wait to see Autumn Nicholas again!
Here are the words of the last verse of "Not Going To Do This Anymore"....
Now it's not selfish
To choose ourselves
We can't help it
We don't have to lay down
We don't have to take this no anymore
We're not the same girls
Not the same girls
Not the same girls
The back of the shirts Autumn was selling at her merch table summarize what she is all about. I can't wait to wear mine!
To find out more about Autumn Nicholas and see where she's playing next, check out her website here.
Have you heard of Autumn Nicholas? If so, tell me what you think! Comment below or e-mail me at tips2livebywriter@gmail.com.
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