Episode this artist appeared in
Brief History
Niceness is a familial gathering of vibrantly diverse personalities rallying around personal, socio-political, and environmental issues. Among its ranks include activists, an organic farmer, a life coach, a permaculture designer, a Buddhist bodybuilder champ, two music teachers, an adventurer, an arborist entrepreneur, and a Doctor of Psychology. The Colorado-grown band also has the rare distinction of being fronted by a firebrand female vocalist who oozes shamanistic charisma hypnotizes with seductively stirring vocals and upholds a fierce commitment to “art in action” ethos. “We want people to come to Niceness shows for the quality of the music and our message, and because we have something to say,” Koral affirms.
The Niceness band consists of frontwoman and songwriter Koral Delatierra; drummer, vocalist, and songwriter Michael “Mikey G.” Gomberg; guitarist Dustin Wilson; keyboardist and vocalist, David “Bassie” Christeson; bassists Mike Enriquez; percussionist Jonathon “Johnny B” Barfield; alto sax player John White; and tenor sax player Danny D’Alessandro. Together, this collective is more than a band; it’s a state of mind. Mikey G., who coined the group’s moniker, explains: “‘Niceness’ is a colloquial outburst that translates to ‘Right On!,’ ‘Sweet!’ or, as Jamaicans exclaim, ‘Irie!’. The name is a proclamation of jubilance.”
Niceness grooves on island time for sure, but these restless spirits confidently and authentically integrate a United Nations gathering of musical cultures and traditions into its signature aesthetic. The group’s bold, exploratory impulses find them seamlessly integrating elements of soul, funk, Latin and hip hop while staying true to roots reggae vibes. Niceness has garnered favorable comparisons to John Brown’s Body, Trevor Hall, and Nahko And Medicine For The People.
Niceness began in 2014, and its formation represents a homecoming for many of its members. Each has had profound and winding musical, spiritual, and personal paths that have led to this creative collective. Crucial chapters in these journeys include discovering reggae music and the unsung Telluride 1990s bands 8750 & Bredren which featured current Niceness members Mikey G., Bassie and Johnny B. For frontwoman Koral, Niceness is a life-changing entry in her artistic and personal continuums. Music has been a lifelong passion for Koral, but not a lifelong professional pursuit. “Singing has been my medicine since I was a young girl. When I would have troubles at school or home, I would often go to my favourite rock up on the hill and sing to the wind.” Prior to Niceness, Koral had never been in a band before, but she was a diehard fan of Bredren and used to sneak in to see the guys play. Much of Koral’s journey has been defined by her commitment and reverence for preserving sacred wildlands. This has been a pursuit that has taken her from the magnificent Redwood forests to South America where she studied organic farming and permaculture design while making her way by selling her artwork and street performing. In 2014, her passion and purpose intersected when she was approached to be a part of a new local reggae project. “I had such admiration for them. At first, I was terrified, and I didn’t want to take them up on the offer,” she confesses. After an inspired audition, Koral was invited to be the embryonic band’s new lead singer, beating out other more experienced vocalists. “She impressed us with her range and vocal quality. Her authenticity shined through the music. Koral is a healer as much as she is an entertainer,” Bassie says.