Columbia Records Readies the Release of New Nellie McKay Album, 'Pretty Little Head,' In Stores Tuesday, October 18, 2005

NEW YORK (Columbia Records/ www.nelliemckay.com) - Columbia Records will release Pretty Little Head, the avidly-anticipated new album from musical artist Nellie McKay, on Tuesday, October 18.

Produced by Nellie McKay, Pretty Little Head is an intriguing successor to the artist's critically-acclaimed debut, Get Away From Me, named as one of the Best Albums of 2004 by Rolling Stone, Blender, the LA Times, USA Today, The Onion, Tracks and many other publications.

Featuring a kaleidoscopic selection of tracks culled from 23 new songs written by McKay for the album, Pretty Little Head premieres duets with Cyndi Lauper ("Beecharmer") and k.d. lang ("We Had It Right") as well as an assortment of provocative new compositions including "Columbia Is Bleeding" (" ... it's turned into a real rock tune ... "), "Cupcake" (" ... about gay marriage ... "), and "The Big One" (" ... about a tenant's rights activist ... ").

Working with a group of "wonderful musicians," Nellie McKay sings and plays piano -- as well as cello, vibes, and synthesizer -- on Pretty Little Head.

Nellie McKay has recently been cast as "Polly Peachum" opposite Alan Cumming ("Mack the Knife") and Edie Falco ("Jenny") in Wallace Shawn's new translation of Kurt Weill/Bertolt Brecht's "The Threepenny Opera" opening on Broadway in April 2006.

Released in February 2004, Nellie's debut, Get Away From Me, proved itself to be one of 2004's most press-worthy and auspicious releases. "Nellie McKay is so original," wrote Elle magazine, "she's practically invented her own genre: neo-retro-mellow-fury pop." The Associated Press praised her debut as " ... a compelling effort ripe with witty songwriting and solid musicianship." "A new star is born!" proclaimed the Atlanta Journal & Constitution while Rolling Stone called her " ... that rare performer whose talent is irrefutable."