PICK OF THE WEEK: Nicole Lawrence

Soulful country-rock singer-songwriter from Los Angeles.

Once you’ve stolen the mantle of being the premier in-demand guitar and pedal-steel shredder for Jenny Lewis, Coldplay, King Tuff and Devendra Banhart, where do you head next?

If you’re Nicole Lawrence, you hire indie-rock royalty Mary Timony to produce your debut album of songs as a soulful country-rock songwriter, and make a gorgeous upcoming album like “Time in Love”.

Nicole, who is a good pal of ours, released two songs from the album this week “Way It Is” and “When I Get Home”. Both exist somewhere in the same universe of prime Grateful Dead, Gillian Welch and JJ Cale. We’re talking serious musicianship, deep understanding of the American folk idiom, and an intangible sense of cool.

Check out Nicole’s two songs below. Also, Ione’s little brother Jack Graddis is the bass player in the band! What more reason to do you need to check this out?!