High on the Buddy list

"May we rock you gently?" singer-songwriter Buddy asks on his MySpace page. Well, yes, since you asked so nicely.

On his debut album, "Alterations and Repairs," Buddy -- Humberston is the last name, "but that's kind of a mouthful," he allows -- delivers crisp, date-movie pop in a tenor so gossamer you fear the next finger-picked note might puncture it, though it never does. His on-the-beat vocals allude to life-changing events, reflecting the period after he moved to Los Angeles from Portland, Ore., and wrote much of the material.

"It was a time I was breaking free of a few things," he says.

And, as it turns out, attaching himself to others. When he played his first show at the Hotel Cafe in 2004, he befriended the doorman and sound guy -- both of whom now play in his band. He cites the venue's fraternal feel in helping build his confidence.

"When I did finally work up the courage to get out and do the solo thing, it was amazing to be welcomed like I was," Buddy says. "It means a lot when people you respect come up to you after a show. ... There are so many people, and so many talented ones, it can be kind of overwhelming and intimidating."

Buddy, with band mates Will Golden, Percy Haverson, Al Sgro, Fil Krohnengold and Michael Jerome, celebrates the release of "Alterations and Repairs" with a show tonight at the Hotel Cafe. Also on the bill are Greg Laswell, Emily Wells and Brian Wright and the Waco Tragedies.

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Speaking of the Hotel Cafe, Tom Morello (as the Nightwatchman) returned Thursday night (with Perry Farrell and Jill Sobule among the guests). He'll also do the next two Thursdays at the venue.

||| Download Buddy's "Westgate."

Photo of Buddy and band by Melissa Castro

Comments

[djpinklady]

i love me some buddy.