DiNicola moved around a lot when she was growing up, and has that unique perspective of someone who’s been “the new kid at school” a few too many times. After graduating from Syracuse University, Leslie found herself pulled in opposite directions by her love of music and her love of sailing. She reflects, “By the time I was 22 and moved to Manhattan, I had already lived in 8 different places. No matter how much you like a place, the way I liked NY, there’s a hesitancy to get too comfortable. I think that’s what kept me running off to sea so often, sailing to different countries every chance I got.”
After one final journey of self discovery through French Polynesia, Tonga, and Fiji, DiNicola woke up one morning, and finally made the ultimate choice to settle into her home in Manhattan and get serious about music. She soon met, studio owner, Ellis Traver who has worked in various capacities with Diane Birch, Fischerspooner, Sean Lennon, and Mark Ronson. Traver turned out to be somewhat of a musical soulmate for DiNicola and produced the 5 songs on “It Resembles Fiction.” What started as an afternoon recording a couple tracks quickly turned into a 3 day Lock-In turning out song after song with top notch artists including: Angela Webster (Rhett Miller and The Believers, The Holy Ghost), Michael Cheever (Fischerspooner, Avan Lava), Greg McMullen (Chris Whitley, Glenn Branca), and Jeff Hudgins (Matt Bauer, Loiter). “It Resembles Fiction” is refreshingly honest and uncomplicated. These are tunes that will echo in your head for days. Leslie reveals, “‘Lay Me Down’ is about a relationship that is about to end, but you want to pretend that everything is okay, so you can have one last night together.” There is a nice warped horn sound here that provides a perfect contradiction to Leslie’s clear, bright vocals. “I Wish” is a playful song about being in love with someone who is totally wrong for you. There’s a hint of Janis Joplin’s “Mercedes Benz” here and it’s nice to see a modern artist who can evoke one of the greatest singers of our time. “Now That Your Mine” explores the emotional torture of being in love with someone who is obviously in love with someone else. There is a subtle anguish to this song reminiscent of Sheryl Crow’s “Strong Enough” “It Resembles Fiction” is that rare EP that sounds both fresh and familiar from the first listen.
Over the past year, Leslie has built an impressive following of fans and played packed shows at famed NYC venues such as Crash Mansion, Arlene’s Grocery, The Delancey, Fontana’s, and Googie’s Lounge. This summer she embarked on her first mini-tour, during which, the highlight was being asked to sing the National Anthem for the Atlanta Brave’s on two separate occasions. Once in Atlanta at Turner Field, then, again, in New York at Citi Field. Since that time, Leslie has been sought after by nearly every major New York sports team to perform the Anthem, including a performance at the famed Madison Square Garden for the NY Rangers. As Leslie DiNicola’s songs continue to reach a wider audience, it is easy to imagine her playing sold out shows for thousands of fans every night.
