Buffalo Nichols - "Lost & Lonesome"

Photo by Dustin Cohen

I first discovered Buffalo Nichols opening for Drive-By Truckers just before lockdown in February 2020. Opening for the gigantic sound of DBT's rock show as a blues/folk artist is daunting, but he had the crowd sucked in for his entire set. I remember trying to find releases from him, but they were few and far between. I don't believe I was even able to find a social media presence. Finally, Buffalo Nichols is releasing his debut album in October.

"Lost & Lonesome" is the first single, and it's a must listen. The Austin, TX based Carl "Buffalo" Nichols has crafted a sparse, melancholy blues song. While a lot of mainstream blues music focuses heavily on guitar, on "Lost & Lonesome" the focus is Nichols' voice and lyrics. It's an interesting choice, since Nichols' voice is hardly a traditional one. On this song he's speak-singing in a raspy voice that wouldn't get him very far on any network singing show. But that's what makes his music work. Nothing about this is traditional, and it's endlessly captivating. "Lost & Lonesome" may be rooted in traditional blues, but it doesn't sound like what you would consider traditional.

Buffalo Nichols says of his new song:

“‘Lost & Lonesome’ was inspired by years of traveling alone, wandering city streets looking for a place to call home maybe for a night, maybe forever. It takes you back to those moments in life when you must leave home either physically or figuratively—going somewhere unfamiliar and on your own. The soundtrack to a wandering soul. An ode to loneliness. When you see a wandering soul, all you can do is wonder how they got there. This song gives a glimpse into the mind of that traveler looking for a friend and a place to call home.” 

You can listen to "Lost & Lonesome" below. Buffalo Nichols will be releasing his self-titled debut album on October 15 via Fat Possum Records. You can pre-order/pre-save a copy here. For more on Buffalo Nichols, check out the artist's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the song.

7/28/21 - Spring Green, WI – Shitty Barn

7/30/21 - Chicago, IL – Hideout Patio

7/31/21 - Milwaukee WI – The Back Room @ Colectivo 

8/1/21 - Sheboygan, WI – Tellen Sculpture Garden 

8/5/21 - Appleton, WI – Mile of Music Fest

8/6/21 - Appleton, WI – Mile of Music Fest

8/7/21 - Madison, WI – Sugar Maple Festival

8/14/21 - Gruene, TX – River Rodeo 

8/18/21 - New Braunfels, TX – Gruene Hall#

8/21/21 - Austin, TX - Continental Club^

10/2/21 - St Louis, MO – The Pageant*

10/4/21 - Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium*

10/6/21 - Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue*

10/8/21 - Chicago, IL – The Vic*

10/9/21 - St Paul, MN – Palace Theatre*

10/10/21 - Iowa City, IA – Englert Theatre*

10/12/21 - Madison, WI – Barrymore Theatre*

10/14/21 - Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall*

10/15/21 - Pittsburgh, PA – Mr Smalls*

10/16/21 - Cleveland, OH – House of Blues*

10/19/21 - Detroit, MI – Majestic*

10/21/21 - Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theatre*

10/22/21 - Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing*

10/23/21 - Asheville, NC – Rabbit Rabbit*

11/3/21 - Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl*

11/4/21 - Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl*

11/5/21 - Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl*

11/6/21 - Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl*

11/8/21 - Wilmington, DE – The Queen*

11/10/21 - Winston-Salem, NC – The Ramkat*

11/11/21 - Charleston, SC – Charleston Music Hall*

11/12/21 - Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse*

11/13/21 - Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse*

11/15/21 - Little Rock, AR – Revolution Music Room*

11/17/21 - Dallas, TX – Granada Theater*

11/18/21 - Austin, TX – Scoot Inn*

11/19/21 - Austin, TX – Scoot Inn*

11/20/21 - New Orleans, LA – Tipitina's*

# supporting The Wallflowers

^ supporting Heartless Bastards

*supporting Drive-By Truckers