Scott Atkins
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Scott Atkins

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"Eye On: Scott Atkins"

Scott Atkins isn't your average college student.

While the majority of his classmates were playing drinking games in dorms, Atkins, 19, was performing in one of Manhattan's most storied venues surrounded by a sea of fans. After strumming on an acoustic guitar for 10 years, the University of Delaware sophomore took the stage for the first time this August, premiering his unplugged rock compositions at CB's 313 Gallery, the acoustic-friendly sister site to the soon-to-close punk mecca CBGB.

Now with a debut EP in the works, Atkins will take his show to the Opus Theater in the Palisades Center for his first full-band performance.

We caught up with the Woodcliff Lake resident to get the firsthand scoop on his style and background.

HIS SOUND: "I guess you could call it an acoustic singer-songwriter sound.''

ON THE LYRICS: "A lot of the verses are inspired by relationships and just everyday observations. I actually wrote my first song in a tent while I was traveling out West, and from there, everything that's followed has been about my experiences.''

MUSICAL INFLUENCES: "I learned to read music by playing piano and taking lessons, but I picked up guitar from my Uncle Rob [Craig]. He played in a band [and] taught me some songs and chords on his Gibson Les Paul. I still include a lot of his advice in my music, whether it's reminders about playing or actual words that I incorporate into my lyrics.

"My Grandpa Norman [Atkins] was another huge inspiration. He was a baritone with a 3½-octave range, renowned on Broadway and at the Metropolitan Opera. He was the first person to give me vocal lessons.

"On pure musical levels, Dave Matthews and John Mayer have also been inspirational."

WHAT TO EXPECT AT HIS SHOWS: "I mostly play original compositions but mix it up with some covers too: Dave [Matthews], John [Mayer], Goo Goo Dolls, Third Eye Blind, the Beatles, Led Zeppelin -- it gives the audience something they already know.

"There's a difference between someone who's a good musician and someone who's a good performer. I try to walk that line and be real as possible, while also entertaining the audience. This will be my first time playing onstage with a full band, so it should be a great experience.''

ON PLAYING LIVE: "The hardest part is knowing what to say before or after each song; just trying to sound somewhat intellectual, informative and/or funny.

"There's a story behind all my songs, but I'm still learning when it's appropriate to tell them.''

PRE-SHOW RITUALS: "I always wear my grandfather's Movado watch that was given to me after he passed away.''

FAVORITE SONG: " '#41' by Dave Matthews [Band]. ... I've seen him in concert six or seven times but still haven't heard it live.''

PROS AND CONS of double duty as a student and a musician: "School is still my primary focus, but from a musical perspective, I'm just making time when I can. There's a balance to it; just trying not to think too much about music when I'm in class or taking a test, and trying not to think too much about schoolwork while I'm in the studio or practicing.''

WHAT HE'LL DO if the "music thing" doesn't pan out: "Either way I'll continue to play. Even before I began performing onstage, I had fun playing, whether it was in the dorms at school or all by myself. Making music is how I vent and express myself. Even in class, I'll find myself drumming on the desk or humming a tune; it's like I have musical ADD. As far as a career goes, I'm a finance major and I'd like to be an investment banker.''

ON HIS DEBUT ALBUM: " 'Stand Corrected' is going to be an eight-song EP, almost a demo, really. We have six, almost seven, of the tracks finished and we're in the process of mastering it all and running through the details.

"It should be available very soon.'' - Bergen Record


Discography

Currently in the studio working on debut album.

Photos

Bio

Popular music has gone through numerous cycles and thankfully the new cycle is learning towards the return of artists showing originality through songwriting and storytelling in music. The trend of sampling other works just to fill three to four minutes is beginning to give way to another group of singers that put their own feelings and emotions into their music.

Scott Atkins, 19, is one of a breed of young upcoming artists who are part of this renewed trend in music. People of varying age groups and tastes can relate to his soulful and purposeful lyrics along with his unique acoustical style.

Entering his sophomore year of college at the University of Delaware, Atkins music includes influences from Dave Matthews and John Mayer, yet there is still a distinctive sound. His first album, Stand Corrected, is nearing completion. He performed many of these songs in his debut live performance at CBGBs Gallery in New York City this past August.

"Theres a difference between someone who performs just to sing and play, and someone who truly sings and plays from their heart with true emotions," Atkins says. "I think my lyrics allow me and my music to relate to many people."

Through websites such as Pure Volume and MySpace and one of Delawares most popular radio stations, WSTW, Atkins has been able to broadcast his music to variety of fans. Through these different outlets, Atkins has found some dedicated followers who find his music inspiring.

At just nine years old, Atkins learned to play the guitar. He also comes from a family of performers. His uncle, Rob, was a session guitarist and his grandfather, Norman, was a renowned baritone singer that performed on Broadway and in operettas. Atkins says that the music he writes comes from experiences and emotions from everyday life.

Atkins recalls the first words he ever wrote. I come out in words when I think about it, are the beginning lyrics of Stand Corrected, which was inspired by two significant events in his life. "I was writing about my experience of traveling the country on a teen tour, and my feelings about my first true love."

Atkins is a graduate of Pascack Hills High School in Montvale, New Jersey, a school that has also produced entertainers such as comedians Bill Maher and Tom Papa, actors Kerri Green, Matt Mulhern and Jon Doscher and television series creators Rick Hurvitz and Bruce Beresford Redman. His manager, Jeff Levin, who Scott met when he attended Pascack Hills High School, has high hopes for Scotts future.

"His ability to capture peoples attention is amazing," Levin says. "The music rings true and so do the lyrics. People are always willing to be enthralled by performers who arent fake but have a sense of truth to their music. There is plenty of truth in what Scott is singing about." Scott is also currently working with producer Burch Wang on the completion of his debut album, Stand Corrected.

The acoustic guitar adds a dimension of truth to Atkins messages in songs like Everything Changes and Shadow of Our Worries. The pieces have simplicity to them, showing that overproduction of music can get in the way of what the artist is trying to convey.

Certainly Scott Atkins is on his way to reaching a broad music audience with his ability to write songs about life that are timeless, which will allow him to keep and grow the audience he currently has in the years to come. Its nice to see there are still songwriters and storytellers out there; Scott Atkins is one with a soul that deserves a chance to be heard on a national level.