ORIENTAL – The Blues is one of the timeless musical artforms in the American cultural lexicon. Like any style of music, it’s always able to be pushed in different directions as long as the foundation is being respected. A modern example of this is Buffalo Nichols, a fantastic musician from Wisconsin who exhibits an exemplary approach to his craft. Nichols is sometimes referred to as a “futuristic folk-bluesman.”
His haunting vocals and stripped-back guitar style pay homage to the Blues’ rich history while reflecting on modern-day experiences. He has performed at MerleFest, the Newport Folk Festival, and has been an unapologetic evolutionary force in modern Americana music, while at the same time managing to stay true to the roots of the incredibly influential legacy of the Blues. He produces some of the most unique music in the genre today.
Buffalo Nichols performs on the Riverfront Stage at the Ol’ Front Music Festival on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. The complete festival schedule is posted on the festival website, olfrontporch.org.
