Newly Nashville based, originally hailing from the ancient market town of Bedford, England, growing up on the American roots music of her Anglo-Indian grandmother’s record collection, singer/songwriter Danni Nicholls has been steadily paving her way on the global Americana scene building a loyal fan base and much critical praise.
With the wind still in her sails from putting out one acclaimed release after another, multiple award nominations, extensive tours and opening slots with the likes of The Secret Sisters, Shakin' Stevens, Sturgill Simpson and Lucinda Williams plus songs featured in mainstream shows such as Sons of Anarchy...Danni, her powerful, arresting voice and dynamically poetic original songs which span the Americana spectrum from country and blues to jazz, folk and soul, are ever-gaining presence and reach.
As a child, Danni dreamed of one day visiting Nashville, TN. After a chance meeting with musician and producer Chris Donohue who was in the UK performing with Emmylou Harris at the time, Danni’s dream came true and she was invited to make a record with Chris and the cream of Nashville’s crop which resulted in 2012’s A Little Redemption. The pair went on to make Mockingbird Lane together in 2015. Both albums garnered rave reviews and feature some of Danni’s musical heroes including Al Perkins (Dolly Parton, The Rolling Stones) Will Kimbrough (Emmylou Harris) and Steve Fishell (Albert Lee, Wille Nelson).
April 2019 saw the release of Danni's third studio album The Melted Morning. Produced by Jordan Brooke Hamlin (The Indigo Girls, Lucy Wainwright-Roche) at the idyllic woodland studio MOXE, Nashville, TN. The record offers a new direction and very different sonic landscape than previous releases. Haunting, intimate and atmospheric, this album was a deeper dive into Danni’s truth and perspective.
Following this, Danni has continued to release music, 2020's offering was a live album, singles in 2021 and 2022 and most recently, in 2024 - an 8 track vintage country style album of classic covers, reworked originals and a brand new original - the album honouring her Grandmother, her anglo Indian heritage and musical roots is named Under the Neem Plum Tree and produced by Sarah Peacock.
Having been invited to perform all over the world at prestigious events and festivals such as Cambridge Folk (UK), Tønder (Denmark) and Americanafest (USA), Danni is no stranger to the big stages which she loves to fill with her strong voice - both literally and metaphorically - singing songs with messages of hope and healing.
With comparisons to artists such as Linda Ronstadt, Brandi Carlile and Roseanne Cash, Danni’s vibrant, captivating performances are ensnaring hearts and minds far and wide as she tours incessantly, bringing with her wherever she goes, true authenticity, warmth and humility whilst proudly advocating for and representing the LGBTQIA+ community.
Since she picked up her first guitar inherited from great uncle Heathcliffe aged 15 (a 1964 Burns London Jazz guitar rumoured to have once belonged to Billy Fury no less!) Danni Nicholls has been in love with the practice of songwriting, honing her craft, finding and sharing her voice. The connection to other humans she finds through music feels powerful, important and intoxicating which is why, no matter the challenges she may come up against, she’s committed to choosing a life in music over and over again.
“Her passion for her craft is unparalleled. Her depth of emotion, commitment to the song, and ability to go deep makes her a rare artist”
Jed Hilly, Director of the Americana Music Association
“An artist with the elegance and imagination to restore your faith in the visceral power of an original song”
Paul Sexton, BBC Radio 2 and freelance print/broadcast journalist
“I absolutely love the elegance and beauty of her music” - Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2
“Smoky soul, folk-pop and heart-wrenching alt-country, all in a rich voice” - Q Magazine
“Sumptuous…a warm wry line in confessional songwriting” - UNCUT
“One in a million…” - Maverick Music Magazine