In the time since, the Burlington-based band has played more than 250 shows, developing their smooth, simple rhythm-and-blues sound under the heat of the spotlight and the watchful eyes of audiences around the region.

This Thursday, from 6 to 10 p.m., the band will land at the Waterhole in Saranac Lake for this week’s Party on the Patio. The audience can expect something electric.

Nina’s Brew has two forms depending on the venue. In small, intimate settings, the band plays as a trio. It’s a setup that allows the core, none-too-stripped-down conglomeration of lead vocalist Giovanina Bucci, Isaac French and guitarist Mike Brewster to shine.

But an audience like the one that shows up at the Waterhole for “Partio” demands a full presence, Bucci said.

Nina’s Brew will perform at the Party on the Patio Thursday at the Waterhole in Saranac Lake. (Photo provided — Riptide Photography HC)

“Michael’s brothers (Matt and Levi) will join us as well,” she said.

This means a transformation a la Bob Dylan: The trio trades in their acoustic instruments for electric ones.

“Levi is on drums, Matt is on bass, Michael switches from acoustic to electric. It just gives us that big band sound that some stages call for,” Bucci said.

Bucci, a Plattsburgh native, was playing as a solo artist when she moved to Burlington three years ago. French and Brewster had met at an open mic night in 2015, and one year later, a mutual friend introduced Bucci to Brewster.

“We hit the ground running as a trio,” she said. “We’ve played around 250-300 shows together, or close to it. We’ve done a lot of playing together. We’ve never really pumped the breaks.

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“Sometimes we turn to each other and say, ‘Remember how this song sounded a year ago?’ It’s all moving fast and going quickly and you just take it in.

“We developed our sound on the road. It’s been an interesting approach, but it’s worked.”

The trio self-released their first album, “Don’t Tell Mama,” one year ago this month. The band started working on another album this month. It’s set to be released in the next few months. But it’s playing live that Bucci prefers.

“The energy of a live show is unmatchable,” she said. “It’s also really fun to make a great record and have people be able to leave with something they can leave with. But the live show is such an interaction with the audience. Every night is different, and you can’t calculate. They’re very different ends of the spectrum.”

Bucci said she’s excited to get back to Saranac Lake.

“Every time we’ve played at the Waterhole we’ve had really amazing musical experiences together, and personal experiences,” she said. “Saranac Lake has a built-in faithful, fun crowd that shows up to see original music.

“It’s all heart and soul when we’re up there. We make a setlist and explore and play. Hopefully the audience will do the same. We’re looking forward to playing some good music.”