October just seems to be getting better and better. Today I checked my hotmail account on a whim and found an email from Columbia Records with their October release dates. Amongst the names was Nicole Atkins & the Sea. If you’ve never listened to Nicole before, you’re seriously missing out.

Over the past two years Atkins and her backing band, the Sea, have garnered lots of attention and was even named one of Rolling Stone’s top 10 artists to watch in 2006. After listening to songs like “Neptune City” and “Skywriters” it’s easy to see why. Atkins’ vocals are sultry and vulnerable and beautifully compliment the bands’ dreamy cinema-esque soundscape.

Of her sound, Atkins says, “I want to sound like a girl group in a David Lynche movie.” Her list of influences include Patsy Cline, Lou Reed, Pavement and Tim Burton.

Nicole Atkins & the Sea will release the EP Bleeding Diamonds, their first major label debut, Oct. 3 on Columbia Records. So far, the album is slated for an iTunes only release. Hopefully Columbia will wisen up and press some CDs or vinyls as well.

MP3s

Nicole Atkins & the Sea: Neptune City

Nicole Atkins & the Sea: Skywriters

Nicole Atkins & the Sea: Great Idea

For a list of tour dates and three more songs, visit her MySpace page.