I can’t sing. I mean, physically I can, but it sounds awful. Like, dogs are howling and babies are crying awful. Even awfuller than that. Fingernails on chalkboards got nothing on me. It’s embarrassing, man.
At the other end of the spectrum, because the cosmos apparently likes to balance things out, are singers whose voices can stop you cold: powerful, electrifying, fierce, transformative, and unforgettable voices that stir emotion, lift spirits, and leave you in awe.
Voices like that of Danielle Nicole.
I have followed Danielle Nicole, née Schnebelen, since her early days with Trampled Under Foot, the blues rock/soul band she co-founded with her brothers Nick and Kris in 2000. Their 2013 album Badlands, winner of the 2014 Blues Foundation Music Award for Contemporary Blues Album of the Year, showcased her remarkable gifts as both a vocalist and bassist. Danielle also won the Blues Foundation Music Award for Instrumentalist – Bass that same year.
More than 25 years on, Danielle now channels her powerhouse bass and vocal talents through The Danielle Nicole Band, formed in 2015 with guitarist Brandon Miller. On Wednesday evening, the band captivated a lively Lulu’s Downtown crowd in Colorado Springs with a 14-song, 95-minute set that moved through blues, rock, funk, and soul.
Choosing quality over quantity, the Danielle Nicole Band released just three studio albums and one live album between 2015 and 2024. Their fourth studio album, Fireflies, is set for release on August 28. Wednesday’s setlist spanned all four studio albums plus an extended, powerful cover of Etta James’ classic “Damn Your Eyes.”
Highlights came one after another. “Gaslight,” from the forthcoming Fireflies album, may be my new favorite Danielle Nicole Band song; funky and joyful, it is impossible to hear without moving. “It Ain’t You,” from 2015’s Wolf Den, was a welcome surprise, while “How Did We Get to Goodbye,” from 2024’s The Love You Bleed, remained a showstopper. The sultry “Hot Spell” led perfectly into “Damn Your Eyes,” and Danielle and Miller both picked up electric acoustic guitars for a tender version of “Young Love on the Hill,” also from The Love You Bleed.
Two songs from 2018’s acclaimed Cry No More album, Grammy-nominated in 2019 for Contemporary Blues Album, closed the set. After a blistering take on “Crawl,” Danielle and drummer Pat Adams left the stage, giving Miller room for a moody, several-minute guitar solo. As he continued playing, Danielle and Adams returned for the night’s final number, the classic “Save Me.”
Everything about the night’s performance felt effortless. Danielle and Miller have played together long enough to anticipate each other instinctively, and both are exceptional instrumentalists. Miller’s backing vocals were spot-on, while new drummer Pat Adams stepped in seamlessly for longtime drummer Go-Go Ray, never missing a beat, literally or figuratively.
And then there is Danielle’s voice: powerful, soulful, smooth, resonant, and commanding. It moves and inspires in equal measure. There are plenty of great vocalists performing today, but for my money, none surpass Danielle Nicole. Mic drop.
One more part of Wednesday night’s performance deserves mention: the unmistakable energy Danielle Nicole brings to the stage. The joy she radiates is impossible to miss. She is clearly in her element, doing what she loves and what she was born to do. It is infectious, gratifying, and creates an undeniable connection with the audience.
Overall, Wednesday night’s Danielle Nicole Band show may be the best performance I have seen this year. Great songs, exceptional musicianship, emotional connection, and unmatched vocal power pushed the night to eleven. If this band is playing anywhere near you, do yourself a favor: get a ticket and go. You can find their upcoming tour schedule at https://daniellenicolemusic.com/shows.
A huge shoutout to Lulu’s Downtown in Colorado Springs. This was my first time seeing a show there, and I certainly hope it will not be my last. It is an excellent room with incredible sound, and its vibrant downtown Colorado Springs location offers plenty of great food options, from next door to just down the street.
Another heartfelt shoutout goes to Danielle and Brandon. After pouring everything into a 95-minute set, they spent another 45 minutes at the merch table, greeting fans, shaking hands, and taking photos. True professionals, through and through. Thank you for adding Colorado Springs to the tour schedule. We hope to see you back soon.
Story and photos by Rick Witt www.rickwittphotography.com
