Nikki Lane has been a mainstay in the Americana and alt-country community for years, but her forthcoming record Denim & Diamonds finds the singer, songwriter shifting towards a more rock ‘n’ roll approach thanks, in part, to producer Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age. The album also features QOTSA members Alain Johannes, Dean Fertita and Michael Shuman, as well as Arctic Monkeys’ Matt Helder.
When speaking about the album, Lane said, “There is a song that didn’t make the album with the lyrics ‘sometimes you gotta run away to live a life that you can write a song about.’ Prior to this album, I was so focused on writing about life on the road, that I just didn’t have the headspace to write about the road that got me here.”
The record still highlights Lane’s signature grizzled vocals and pedal steal twang, but it is apparent by the first few singles that this is her most adventurous work yet. Denim & Diamonds drops Sept. 23 via New West Records. In the meantime, watch Nikki Lane perform the title track as well as “First High,” “Black Widow” and “Born Tough” live at WNXP’s Sonic Cathedral.
