Nicole Siegrist, synthpop musician and ‘force of life,’ among dead in Oakland fire

Siegrist, who played the synthesizer and the Omnichord, and her musical partner, Ben Runnels, performed under the name Introflirt, creating a sound they called “croonwave,” a combination of modern electronica and 1940s music. “Their songs invited listeners to celebrate their individuality and both Ben and Nicole exhibited fierce individuality and creativity both on and off the stage,” Mixtape said in a statement. Siegrist would transform herself for shows, friends said — perhaps blue hair and colorful clothes one night and black clothes, blond hair and exotic makeup another. Siegrist, a native of Lincoln, Neb., worked at Oakland’s Grand Lake Theater, where she had a “huge group of friends,” said her manager Brendan Dreaper. The theater’s big marquee paid tribute this week to “our own Denalda.” “Denalda was loving and goofy and sharp, always there for you with encouragement, her infectious smile and a hug that you never wanted to end,” said her housemate, Todd, who declined to give his last name. Because they had so much potential, he said. The pair had gone to the Ghost Ship with five friends, “to have fun, dancing, supporting another band,” said Siegrest’s mother, Carol Cidlik, in an online post to friends and family.