Dwight + Nicole

Genre defying DWIGHT + NICOLE trace their musical roots through the blues, rock, R&B, and soul by exploring the spaces in between these genres. Their lyrical inspiration derives from their personal experiences as well as the unknown of life on earth and the hereafter. Life and loss are all a part of our universal experiences and these themes are explored throughout their music.

Before performing as a duo, Dwight + Nicole were cutting their teeth on the New England regional club circuit, each fronting popular New England bands. As their paths crossed they discovered they shared obsessions with the soul & blues greats the Staples Singers, Albert King, and Etta James. It wasn’t long, however, until Ritscher and Nelson formed as a duo. They began with Dwight on electric guitar and Nicole on tambourine, stomping their feet for the beat and singing in harmony. The couple later moved to Burlington, Vermont where Dwight had attended the University of Vermont. It was there that they met powerhouse drummer Ezra Oklan and keyboard wizard Leon Campos.

Their live shows have become legendary. Many find comfort in their live shows with the chemistry between them intoxicating. Both are extraordinary vocalists which cannot be fully appreciated without seeing them live. Dwight’s voice is like a warm hug and Nicole’s vocal virtuosity can be tear inducing. They perform both with a band and as a duo, with each show possessing its own character.

Recipients of accolades and awards over the past decade, DWIGHT + NICOLE have been named "Band of the Year", "Vocalist of the Year", "Best Blues/R&B Band", "Female Vocalist of the Year", "Blues Act of the Year" and "Video of the Year” at the Boston Music Awards and the Burlington, Vermont weekly paper, Seven Days, Daysies Awards.

With numerous releases under their belts, 2024 saw the release of “The Jaguar, The Raven, and The Snake” featuring the single, “Saying Goodbye.” Produced by acclaimed producer Joel Hamilton and recorded at his Studio G in Brooklyn and Ocean Sound in Giske, Norway throughout 2022. The album features musical guests the Daptone Horns and Arkai Strings, amongst others. The band rejoined Hamilton at Studio G in January 2025 to record some new material which will see release in early 2026.

Accolades:

“Dwight & Nicole are my favorite new band!" - MAVIS STAPLES

"Dwight & Nicole are absolutely the real deal. They are carrying the torch.” - MELISSA ETHERIDGE

"A retro soul band, contemporary blues act, roots rock...R&B dynamo all at once...hypnotic." - BOSTON HERALD

Reviews for “The Jaguar, The Raven, and The Snake”:

"Sometimes musicians who write and record together have a chemistry that is undeniable and authentic, and the resulting music has that extra something special that makes listeners sit up and take notice. Husband-and-wife-led band Dwight + Nicole is the perfect example of this type of kismet – when they create music together, something marvelous and magnetic happens. Their new album, 'The Jaguar, The Raven & The Snake,' displays this full force, and the group just gave the album the deluxe edition treatment. They’re a little bit bluesy, a little bit R&B/soul driven, with sprinkles of Americana and roots on top and a classic/vintage vibe with rock and even pop touches, making for a genre-bending listening experience of the best sort.” - Amplify Music

"The best music doesn’t just sound great, but it also gives you an emotional lift, hitting in just the right place to soothe, comfort, or inspire. That is exactly what the music of Burlington, VT-based band Dwight + Nicole does. Listening to their latest release, 'The Jaguar, The Raven & The Snake Deluxe Edition,' is an aural ride of a wonderful kind – their exploration of emotions is a beautiful thing to behold, with moving, lyrical stories. The music itself is top-notch and borrows from many genres, creating a mix that incorporates Americana, vintage rock, blues, R&B, soul, and more.” - Vents Magazine