World traveler Carl “Buffalo” Nichols is a storyteller who has questioned how to bring traditional blues into the modern world since picking up the guitar as a young man. After traveling overseas, Nichols settled back in America ready to play the blues more seriously after gaining a better understanding of the genre. His self-titled debut album released in October embodies Black storytelling in the folk and blues genres, with the intent for “Black people to hear themselves in this music that is truly theirs,” says Nichols. Rather than leaning into stereotypes or generalizations, the songwriter ruminates on topics such as empathy and living too close to the edge. The result is a thoughtful conversation speckled with autobiographical anecdotes. Nichols recently performed on NPR Music’s “Tiny Desk (Home) Concert” series in addition to being featured in Rolling Stone.
WHO: Buffalo Nichols, Wade Walker, Toni Hunlo
WHERE: The Lewis Room
WHEN: Saturday, Apr. 9, 6–11 p.m.
HOW MUCH: $12 (adv.), $15
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