Dwight & Nicole on the Taz Michaels Show

Interview by John Howland. Photo by Brianna Christenson.

You wouldn’t believe the powerhouse lineup of musicians that came by the studio for this week’s Tazday Twighlight Blues: Taz and Shannon opened up the first hour with the boys from Spit Jack and on the second hour of action the crew welcomed in award-winning blues, folk rock and soul artists (as well as recently settled Burlingtonites) Dwight and Nicole. Let me say firsthand, Dwight, definitely a bluesman, rips on the six-string like you wouldn’t believe and as for Nicole, well, she’s got that paralyzing soulful voice that will knock you off your feet until they’re through. These guys have got something special going on here, you’re not going to want to miss the opportunity to see them.

Joining forces after a few years of admiring each other’s solo careers, Dwight and Nicole are taking off with a unique sound inspired by the likes of Lightning Hopkins, Otis Rush, Patsy Cline and Billie Holiday. This captivating duo got their first break back in Boston, at the Green Street Grill, thanks to Teo Lazarou, and haven’t looked back. Riding on the success of their first sold-out album 'Signs,' Dwight and Nicole are busy touring around the east coast and working on their next album at the Rear Window Studios in Brookline Mass. Although it is still very much in the creative stages the duo hinted that the new disc would be packed with more of their great blues/soul feel as well as some heavier sounds drawing on the likes of the Black Keys.

The two are thrilled to be living in Burlington together and are overwhelmingly excited about the supportive and diverse music scene that this great northern city has to offer. “Music is my drug of choice,” said Nicole. “It helps me to lift out of dark places in my mind and transcend negative feelings. It makes me feel connected to myself and other people.” Both Dwight and Nicole noted the importance of their various life experiences and hardships as a major influence on their music and songwriting. Let me tell you, you can feel it when they perform. The duo played one of their originals, "On Top of the World" on-air Tuesday night - acoustic - and everybody in the studio was feeling it.

The two look forward to some local gigging in the upcoming months, most prominently at their upcoming show at Nectar's this Friday, March 23rd at 9:00pm with Myra Flynn and Kat Wright and the Indomitable Soul Band. For more information about Dwight and Nicole, their upcoming shows and to listen to recorded tracks, check out their links online at:

http://dwightandnicole.com http://www.youtube.com/user/dwightandnicole http://www.myspace.com/dwightandnicole