Nickel&Rose

When two of Milwaukee’s most versatile musicians join forces to form a duet, it’s worth taking notice. Nickel & Rose are Carl Nichols and JoHa Rose 

The captivating duo blends blues, folk, jazz with world music influence and beautiful harmonies.

JoHa Rose is known throughout the music community for her blazing red hair, rapacious upright bass style, etheric vocals and lyrics that are both inspirational and revolutionary. When in Milwaukee, she leads the provocative New Boyz Club, is a member of the all-female group Ruth B8r Ginsburg, plays upright bass for her brother William Rose’s band Airo Kwil and is a regular with the bluegrass group The Thistledown Thunders. She’s also an organizer and fundraiser for social change, particularly for women’s health issues. Rose is one of the founders of Riverwest FemFest, which donated a large portion of its proceeds to the Milwaukee Women’s Center.

Guitarist/Vocalist Nichols is known for executing Reggae and West African music with his own brand of heavy metal styling. He studied African guitar in Senegal which led him to play with Sindoolaa and Alioune Guisse’s international touring band. Local audiences are accustomed to seeing Carl share the stage with Painted Caves, New Age Narcissism, RAS Movement and De La Buena.

Together, Nichols and Rose have created relaxed recordings that draw upon each of their strengths as musicians/songwriters. Even though their collaboration is relatively new, Nickels & Rose sound as though they’ve been working together for years. The tracks are relaxed and never overwrought and makes one want to hear more from these two talents.