Local Musician of the Week: Nalani

The turning signal clicked and the sound of tires rolling on pavement sounded in the background as Nalani made her way to a meeting. But inside the car, she was on the phone talking about why she loves music.

Raised in Niwot, Nalani is a professional bassist, based in Nashville, Tenn. Growing up around music and with excellent mentors, she became determined to keep music in her life and has been enjoying an ever-blossoming career.

"It's been really busy," Nalani said. This week, she has been flitting from lesson to lesson, gig to gig, sharing her vocal talents and those on the bass, both with her students and with her audiences.

She credits her mentors for her early success, recalling that at as young as 12, she would sit in on band rehearsals and perform at local venues. Getting the live experience was key to her development as a musician, and so was her determination.

"No matter how self-motivated you are, it helps to have someone to keep you accountable," she said. "I really believe that if it's something you really want, whatever that dream is, keep going until you get it."

Like any practice, her journey hasn't had a steady, upward trajectory. Nalani said that she's "definitely struggled with confidence and perfectionism." But with the help of those who support her and the feeling of empowerment she gets from being on stage, it has become easier over time.

Stage presence is important to Nalani. The energy she gets from her bandmates and the crowd is both liberating and fun. Given her background in jazz and ample experience in funk and motown, she's a fun and experimental performer.

"My favorite genre is the old school stuff that makes people dance... [and] I really love the energy and intensity of rock and roll, so I'm [trying] to embody that energy," she said. "Any band I'm in merges genres. Jazz roots for improvisation, funk for groove, and rock for intensity and entertainment."

In addition to performing solo –- as she will at Rock & Rails in Niwot Aug. 25 –- Nalani performs with a number of bands, including Lydia Brittan and the Royal Family and Nashville-based Heidi Burson. Notably, and perhaps most exciting for Nalani, she has graduated from simply calling Regi Wooten her mentor to calling him her colleague.

"Having (Wooten) use me as his bass player is pretty significant because I've been his student for so long," she said. "For him to shift gears and prioritize what I have to offer is pretty validating."

For Nalani, music is part of everything. She loves the transformative power of music, how humans are intuitively connected to it and how people naturally engage in music. It's powerful, she says, as someone who practices various art forms, and she finds that its universality and ability to connect people makes it profound, and that's why she loves sharing the musical experience with fans and peers.

She'll be able to share her love of music with the Niwot community at the end of August, when she opens for Hazel Miller & the Collective at Rock & Rails. She said that there will be a few other shows as well, and to follow her on social media to stay up to date with her performances.

"I feel so lucky to have grown up in Niwot; the community nature of the town is really unique and picturesque," said Nalani. "I was really supported by the whole community... [and] I'm so glad that Niwot's maintaining the level of community that it does."

You can follow Nalani on Facebook at Nalani Music and Instagram @nalanimusic. If you are interested in contacting Nalani about lessons, she's "honored and open," suggesting connections and inquiries to be made via social media.