Guitarist

Vocalist

On his second album, “The Fatalist,” Carl “Buffalo” Nichols does things with the Blues that might catch you off guard. There’s 808 programming, chopped up Charley Patton samples, washes of synth. There’s a consideration of the fullness of the sonic stage and the atmospherics of the music that can only come with a long engagement with electronic music. But this is no gimmicky hybrid or attempt to turn the Blues into 21st century music by simply dressing it with skittering hi-hats. Nichols’ vision for the Blues is of a form of music that’s intimately tied to everyday life in 2023, something that’s reflected not only in the choice of instrumentation, but in the complexities of the songwriting and the gray areas his lyrics explore. This is music that comes straight from the present, and as such, it’s a reminder that the same shit that drove the first Blues singers to pick up a guitar is still present behind the throbs of deep bass hits today.

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Buffalo Nichols

Newberry Opera House

On his second album, The Fatalist, Carl “Buffalo” Nichols does things with the blues that might catch you off guard. There’s 808 programming, chopped up Charley Patton samples, washes of synth. There’s a consideration of the fullness of the sonic stage and the atmospherics of the music that can only come with a long engagement with electronic music. But this is no gimmicky hybrid or attempt to turn the blues into 21st century music by simply dressing it with skittering hi-hats. Nichols’ vision for the blues is of a form of music that’s intimately tied to everyday life in 2023, something that’s reflected not only in the choice of instrumentation, but in the complexities of the songwriting and the gray areas his lyrics explore. This is music that comes straight from the present, and as such, it’s a reminder that the same shit that drove the first blues singers to pick up a guitar is still present behind the throbs of deep bass hits today. The Fatalist sounds unlike any blues record you’re likely to hear in 2023.

Acadiana Center for the Arts

Join us at the Barre Opera House for an unforgettable evening with Buffalo Nichols, a rising star in the blues and folk music scene. This special event, presented by BOH, is set to take place on Friday, May 10, 2024, at 8:00 PM. 

Buffalo Nichols, known for his appearances on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert and The Caverns on PBS, is bringing the rich history of blues into the present and future. Celebrating the release of his self-titled debut album, Nichols aims to infuse the genres of folk and blues with more Black narratives, exploring the joy, exuberance, and triumph inherent in the blues while also acknowledging its complex origins rooted in the African American experience. His music, including tracks like "Back On Top," channels the deep, resonant sounds of blues legends such as John Lee Hooker, offering a modern take on a genre steeped in history.

Tickets for this must-see event are priced between $36.00 and $42.00. Additionally, Barre Opera House members can enjoy a 10% discount on their purchase. Don't miss your chance to witness Buffalo Nichols as he brings the past into the future with his powerful storytelling and soul-stirring music.

For more information and to purchase your tickets, visit the Barre Opera House website. Join us in celebrating the enduring legacy and evolving story of blues music with Buffalo Nichols.

Buffalo Nichols - BOH Presents

Barre Opera House

Since his earliest infatuations with guitar, Buffalo Nichols has asked himself the same question: How can I bring the blues of the past into the future? After cutting his teeth between a Baptist church and bars in Milwaukee, it was a globetrotting trip through West Africa and Europe during a creative down period that began to reveal the answer. “Part of my intent, making myself more comfortable with this release, is putting more Black stories into the genres of folk and blues,” guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist Carl “Buffalo” Nichols explains. “Listening to this record, I want more Black people to hear themselves in this music that is truly theirs.” That desire is embodied in his self-titled debut album —Fat Possum’s first solo blues signing in nearly 20 years—composed largely of demos and studio sessions recorded between Wisconsin and Texas.

Thrasher Opera House

Buffalo Nichols is breathing new life into the genre of blues. Since his earliest infatuations with guitar, he asked himself the same question: How can I bring the blues of the past into the future? After cutting his teeth between a Baptist church and bars in Milwaukee, it was a globetrotting trip that began to reveal the answer. “Part of my intent, making myself more comfortable with this release, is putting more Black stories into the genres of folk and blues,” guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist Carl “Buffalo” Nichols explains. You can see his revival of this influential genre in real time right here in Jackson when he plays Weatherwax Hall.

New Blues with Buffalo Nichols

Weatherwax Hall

“Steeped in tradition but with an urgent, contemporary edge” (The Guardian), singer, songwriter, and blues guitar wizard Buffalo Nichols brings an urgent, modern consciousness to the artform, presenting music from his 2021 self-titled debut and other treasures.

Raised in Milwaukee and based in Austin, the artist born Carl Nichols found solace and inspiration in the guitar at a young age, raiding his family’s record collections for musical truth and splitting his time as a young man between local bars and the church, honing a sound that matured and developed through soul-seeking sojourns to West Africa and Europe

Buffalo Nichols

Guitarist, Vocalist

Events

Past events

Oct 6, 2024

Buffalo Nichols · Newberry Opera House

Sep 19, 2024

Buffalo Nichols · Acadiana Center for the Arts

About

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