American indie soul band Dwight + Nicole is the creative love child of award-winning singers, songwriters, and multi-instrumentalists Nicole Nelson and Dwight Ritcher. The band is rounded out by powerhouse drummer, Ezra Oklan, and keyboard wizard, Leon Campos. They have been steadily cultivating a devoted following, and gaining plenty of industry respect along the way; They’ve been nominated for nine Boston Music Awards, eight Daysie Awards, and ten New England Music Awards, winning “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” They have opened up for their idols including Mavis Staples, who exclaimed “Dwight & Nicole are powerful! That’s my favorite new band” as well as Melissa Etheridge who said “Dwight & Nicole are absolutely the real deal, they are outstanding singers and songwriters, and I am proud that they are here. They are carrying the torch.”
Their most recent album, The Jaguar, The Raven, and The Snake, will be re-released August 23rd as a deluxe vinyl record featuring the new, retro-inspired single, “Saying Goodbye,” as a bonus track.
Today Glide is offering an exclusive early listen to “Saying Goodbye” before its official release date on July 12th (PRE-SAVE). The song hits out of the gate with a dose of rich soulful vocals courtesy of Nicole Nelson before the harmonies start following into place in a way that brings to mind the big band sound of Tedeschi Trucks Band. The song finds the group embracing the idea of letting go but putting a positive spin on it that is brimming with Memphis-style soul and funky guitars, a thumping groove, and warm vibes to give this tune a big embrace for the listener.
Listen to the tune and read our conversation with the duo below…
What is the story behind this song? What inspired it?
I wrote this song at a time in my life when I was really embracing the concept of letting go. I had experienced multiple endings back to back, and it occurred to me one day that endings are always a path to a beginning. It suddenly felt so simple and clean. You have to say goodbye to something every time you want to grow or change. Step one is goodbye. Goodbye is at the root. Nothing changes without it.
Why is it important to you and what about the song really speaks to you?
Once you can embrace letting go, nothing has a hold on you anymore. It’s the key to freedom.
What was the reason you wanted to add this song to the deluxe edition of the album?
It’s a symbolic song. And it’s probably the most simple song I’ve ever written. It’s very cut and dry. It isn’t about developing anything, or cultivating anything… it’s just exclaiming: Let it go! It feels good! Drop the hot potato!
Are there any lyric lines that you really love or that really are important to you? What do you feel makes them resonate?
I think my favorite line is in the first verse:
I’ve been all my life
Holding onto a view
Over this bright horizon
A little de ja vous
Because life can feel so familiar… even before we’ve lived it. It’s like there’s built-in longing and nostalgia. And these big emotions that we find ourselves following – even when our mind tells us to run – we do it anyway. We’re just drawn in.
If listeners can take away one thing from having heard this song, what do you hope that is?
I hope people feel the freedom.
It feels really good to let go like that. Like taking off a big, heavy, wet coat. You can breathe again.
How does this song fit in among the others on the deluxe edition of the album? How is it similar or different?
Unlike all of the other songs on this album, this one is not telling a personal story. It’s describing a more universal truth. Saying goodbye is a part of life, and we’ve all experienced it firsthand. The song came to us after we finished the album, but it fits right in. Actually, in some ways, it completes it.
If you could use only three words to describe your music, what would they be and why?
Honest, homegrown, intense.
It’s honest because we don’t use a lot of bells and whistles. We go in, play three takes, and pick the best one. (Usually the second)
Homegrown, because we are all self-taught music nerds who play multiple instruments and are basically obsessed with music almost to the point of ruining all other aspects of our lives.
Intense because… see above.
What is coming up next for Dwight + Nicole?
We’re recording a live album at Studio G next! It’s coming soon, so stay tuned. <3
One Response
YESSSS!!! BEAUTIFUL!! Thank you! ✨????✨