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Buffalo Nichols, a 30-year-old Austin folk-blues artist, is no ordinary blues guitarist. His music resonates with the raw intensity of a grindcore band, yet it's steeped in the haunting tradition of the Mississippi Delta.
Here's the lowdown on Buffalo Nichols:
Background and Influences:
- As a teenager, Buffalo was more into metal and punk than the blues. But the haunting blues of Skip James caught his attention. He connected with James's music in the same way he did with metal – heavy and intense.
- Inspired by American blues legends like Son House, Keb' Mo', and West African guitarists like Ali Farka Touré, Buffalo shifted gears. He ditched his ESP LTD MH shred machine and picked up a Recording King resonator and a slide. His rhythmic fingerstyle approach was born.
Tuning and Style:
- Buffalo spends a lot of time in D minor, the tuning used by Bentonia, Mississippi blues artists. It's a departure from the Chicago style he grew up with in Milwaukee.
- His music is a blend of plaintive howls, ominous minor-key blues, and a touch of apocalyptic grindcore. Imagine Skip James jamming with Napalm Death – that's Buffalo Nichols.
Gear and Sound:
- Buffalo keeps it straightforward. During recording, he used a Recording King Tricone Resonator with a Lace pickup, running it through a Fender Twin Reverb.
- Live, he rocks a Mavis Mule solid-body resonator, supporting acts like Drive-By Truckers while playing his own shows.
In Buffalo's world, the blues isn't just a genre; it's a journey – one he's been on for half his life. So next time you hear those haunting chords, remember Buffalo Nichols – the bluesman who bridges worlds with his guitar. 🎸🔥
Watch Buffalo Nichols in action on YouTube
Source: Conversation with Bing, 4/23/2024
(1) Buffalo Nichols: “As a teenager, I was more into metal ... - Guitar World. https://www.guitarworld.com/features/buffalo-nichols-these-things.
(2) Buffalo Nichols – Sonic Guild. https://www.sonicguild.org/artist/buffalo-nichols/.
(3) Buffalo Nichols: Buffalo Nichols review – urgent, steeped-in-tradition .... https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/oct/23/buffalo-nichols-buffalo-nichols-review-carl-nichols.
(4) Buffalo Nichols: Beyond the Blues - The Austin Chronicle. https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2022-03-25/buffalo-nichols-beyond-the-blues/.