< blog | Breaking Blues Boundaries: Richiman & Groove Nice’s Global Takeover

Breaking Blues Boundaries: Richiman & Groove Nice’s Global Takeover

Blues might have been born in America, but it’s got soul that stretches across the world. Just ask Richiman & Groove Nice—the South Korean trio bringing their own flair to the genre. Before they hit the stage, we caught up with vocalist and guitarist Richiman (Isaac Cha), bassist Jinhee Baek (aka Bass Back), and drummer I.O. Lee to talk about what it means to groove on both sides of the world.

SYV Buzz: Playing in the heart of California’s wine country is a far cry from Seoul South Korea—what’s it like bringing your music to an audience halfway around the world? Have you had any unexpected connections or moments that surprised you?

Richiman: As a blues musician, this is an incredibly exciting moment for me. I started playing music in South Korea, dreaming of becoming a global blues musician and loving this American music called blues. The fact that I’m now performing here holds tremendous meaning for me. I was also surprised by how much American fans enjoyed our music—far more than I expected!

I.O.: People love and enjoy blues the same way everywhere, but in the U.S., I was especially impressed by how naturally people dance while enjoying blues! The experience of sharing the same rhythm with audiences on the other side of the world is incredibly precious to me!

SYV Buzz: Blues is rooted deeply in American culture — how did Groove Nice fall in love with the genre, and do you bring your own cultural twist to it?
 
Bass Back: I first encountered blues by chance when I participated in a blues jam session. That experience made me fall in love with blues bass playing. After that, I spent about four years as a bassist for a jam session host band, where I truly immersed myself in the blues.

I.O.: Richiman, who has dedicated his life to blues, invited me to join the band, and that's how I started playing blues. If I were to sum up our music in one word, it would be “energy.” Over time, as we grow older, it may change, but right now, our music is all about energy.

SYV Buzz: If you could bring any blues legend back from the past for a jam session with your trio, who’s showing up—and what song are you playing first?
 
Richiman: I’d love to play with Freddie King at least once.

Bass Back: I’d love to play "The Thrill is Gone" with B.B. King.

I.O.: I would love to play "Pride and Joy" by Stevie Ray Vaughan. It was the first blues song I ever encountered, and if I could play that song and guitar performance live right in front of him, I could die with no regrets!

SYV Buzz: What’s a misconception about blues music that you’d love to set straight?

Richiman: When I meet blues musicians or fans from different countries like the U.S., Korea, or Japan, I often notice a misconception that blues is primarily "guitar music." Personally, I see guitar playing as the finishing touch—like salt or pepper added at the end. What’s more important is the rhythm section that makes people want to dance and enjoy themselves.

Bass Back: In Korea, many people associate blues with either slow, sensual blues or extremely sorrowful music. To me, blues is a genre that allows for a wide range of emotions—it can make you dance, express sadness, or capture all the emotions we experience in life. The beauty of blues lies in its ability to convey so many feelings.

I.O.: This was actually my biggest misunderstanding! I used to think blues was only about sadness and sorrow. But in reality, blues is music that helps you overcome those tough and painful times—whether by empathizing with your sorrow or laughing at it with humor. That’s what made me fall in love with blues. If you also think blues is only sad, come to our live show and experience the kind of blues that helps you shake it all off!

SYV Buzz: If Richiman & Groove Nice were suddenly transported to perform in a different decade, which era would you want to conquer and why?

Richiman: That’s a really fresh question! I’d love to travel back to the time when Muddy Waters was actively performing and experience playing music in that era. I want to feel what it was like back then.

I.O.: I’d choose August 15, 1945. Our music, filled with happiness and energy, would have been a perfect fit for the people of Korea as they celebrated liberation.

SYV Buzz: Your rhythm bits have a tight, infectious groove. What’s the weirdest or most unexpected place you’ve found musical inspiration for a riff or beat?

Richiman: I think the rhythm of blues has a strong connection to sounds like trains or factory machines running. Since blues was popular during the industrial era, I find a lot of inspiration in those mechanical rhythms.

Bass Back: One memorable experience was when I was composing the bass line for “Thanks to,” the title track of our first full-length album. The bass line came to me effortlessly, without a single moment of hesitation, as if it was meant to be.

I.O.: That’s such an honorable compliment! When I first came to the U.S. in 2019, I completely fell in love with live music. It’s not about a specific riff or beat it's just the effortless way American musicians play that constantly inspires me!

SYV Buzz: What’s the most unforgettable (or hilariously bizarre) moment you’ve had on stage—one that perfectly sums up the spirit of Richiman & Groove Nice?

Richiman: All of our members would probably agree the 2022 IBC Semi-Final performance is something we will never forget. We’re not sure why, but something felt different that night. In Korea, we have a term for this state: "Mua-ji-gyeong" (무아지경), which describes a state of extreme immersion and transcendence.
 
Bass Back: One of the most unforgettable moments was performing in the semi-finals of the 2022 International Blues Challenge. At that moment, I let go of everything—instrument technique, nerves, and overthinking—and focused solely on the stage. That experience was truly indescribable, making it one of the best performances of my life.

I.O.: We all have the same unforgettable moment our 2022 IBC semi-final performance! For some reason, all three of us felt a deep, almost sacred immersion in the blues that night. Since then, we’ve been constantly thinking and working to maintain that same state of mind in every performance.

SYV Buzz: If your band had to cover a song completely outside your genre — pop, punk, or even electronic—what song would you tackle and how would you twist it to make it “Groove Nice” approved?

Richiman: I believe any genre can be transformed into blues. It would be fun to rearrange popular K-Pop songs into blues versions. Reinterpreting classic rock with our own energy and groove also sounds exciting. I’m personally curious about how Groove Nice would shape those songs.

I.O.: Haha, I’m really curious about that too! In fact, we do have a few songs that fit the description. One of them is "Phantom Flash," a song that captures the dreams of B-boys. It’s inspired by the vibes of the ’90s.

SYV Buzz: If the band were cast as a group of superheroes, what would each member’s power be — and who’s leading the team?

Richiman: The true leader of a band should always be decided by a game of rock-paper-scissors! LOL. I’d love to be Tony Stark at least once.

Bass Back: I would love to have the ability to fly so that I could perform while soaring over the stage!

I.O.: Of course, Richiman would take on the responsibility of leading the band. As for me, I’d have the power of teleportation—so even during an intense U.S. tour, I’d still get to sleep in my own bed at home every night!

SYV Buzz: Blues often has that “from the soul” energy. When you’re not on stage, what’s your go-to soul-filling activity that recharges your creative fire?
 
Richiman: I think experience and curiosity are the key to creativity, but most of my inspiration comes from real life. Feeling a sense of lack and fulfillment, failure and success, love and heartbreak, betrayal and excitement all these experiences shape my music. Inspiration comes from remembering these moments and reflecting on myself.

Bass Back: I enjoy exploring works by creative artists in other fields, such as imaginative advertisements, miniature art, and photographers who excel in color expression. I find a lot of inspiration from their creativity.

I.O.: As I mentioned earlier, I’m a very introverted person, so I recharge by lying alone in my room. Some friends say it sounds boring, but I always respond confidently: “There’s no one with a healthier hobby than me.”
 
SYV Buzz: Every band has an anthem — do you have a song in your catalog that feels like your personal rallying cry?

Richiman: I wouldn’t say I’m an optimist, so to be honest, I don’t think we have a song that truly represents us yet. That’s the reality. I really hope we can create a song soon that resonates deeply with many people.

Bass Back: I believe "Groove Nice" is the song that best captures the essence of Richiman & Groove Nice.

I.O.: I’d say "Richiman Blues" best represents us. The lyrics talk about losing friends, losing dreams, and having nothing left—yet still playing the blues and moving forward as Richiman. That’s exactly who we are.
 
SYV Buzz: Blues legends like Muddy Waters and B.B. King were key in shaping the genre—if they heard Groove Nice, what do you think they’d say?

Richiman: Whether it's positive or negative, just getting a ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. That’s so funny!


If you want to experience blues with a fresh twist, Richiman & Groove Nice are about to shake things up and the music’s going to hit hard at Maverick Saloon. Catch them this Friday, April 4th. Show starts at 8:30, but we highly suggest arriving early before it sells out.

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See our complete list of upcoming music and wine events in the Santa Ynez Valley.