Arthur Buezo: The Spirit of Savage Folk and His Journey to the Pacific Northwest
Arthur Buezo isn’t just a musician—he’s a storyteller, a traveler, and a force of nature wrapped in sound. As he prepares to take the stage at Photo City on April 4th, alongside Bella’s Bartok and PA Line, we take a deeper look into his musical journey, his move to Oregon, and what fans can expect from his ever-evolving sound.
Savage Folk: A Philosophy of Passion Over Perfection
For those unfamiliar with the term, “Savage Folk” is more than just a label—it’s a declaration of artistic freedom.
“Savage Folk was a term made up by one or two friends of mine (they don’t even know which) at The Waterhole in Saranac Lake, NY, when I first started out solo,” Buezo explains. “I carried it everywhere because it helps new venues understand what’s going to happen when they hire me. But over time, I’ve given it a deeper meaning: It’s about sacrificing perfection for passion and never letting genre be a boundary for creativity.”
This year, Buezo is pushing those boundaries further, experimenting with new foot percussion, sound effects, and fresh material. "Freedom of expression is Savage Folk."
Breaking Away from Blind Owl & Finding a New Home in the PNW
Longtime fans may know Buezo from The Blind Owl Band, a project that built a strong following through relentless touring and raw energy. But when he ventured out solo, his music pulled him in a different direction.
“There were fans who expected more Blind Owl music, but that’s just not where my solo work was headed,” he admits. “Beyond the cold winters, I wanted to explore other markets and see where my individual style could click. That search led me to the Pacific Northwest.”
His first tour through the region was met with overwhelming support, booking four shows a week for two months. Then, COVID-19 hit, and most shows were canceled. However, the bonds formed with those who stuck it out proved to be lasting. “The support I’ve received out here has been nothing but positive. It’s been the right move, and I see myself here for the long haul.”
Still, Oregon has presented its own challenges—especially in the winter.
“The mountain passes here make it so my tour vehicles can’t always handle traveling. But that forced time off gives me space to focus on recording.” That downtime led to the creation of his last two self-produced albums, Black Hills and Pig Iron—both born out of long winters spent honing his craft.
What to Expect at Photo City on April 4th
The upcoming show at Photo City brings together a powerhouse lineup, and Buezo couldn’t be more excited.
“What excites me most is that it’s happening,” he says. “The Blind Owl Band shared a lot of stages, nonsense, and love with Bella’s Bartok, so I’m looking forward to witnessing that Muppet Punk energy again. And I can’t wait to check out PA Line and just be present and appreciative of what they bring.”
Buezo is also splitting his two sets into past and future:
Set One: “The old, refined songs I’ve been perfecting for seven years.”
Set Two: “The new direction of my 2025 sound.”
For those unfamiliar with his performances, he offers one promise: “My goal is to have you walk away thinking, ‘I’ve never heard anything like that before.’ Whether you want to hear it again, that’s out of my control.”
A Life of Constant Creation
Even as Pig Iron continues to find its audience—he’s currently working on releasing it on vinyl through a pre-order model—Buezo is already onto the next thing.
“I’ve got several new songs already. Just finished one today, actually.”
His influences remain as unpredictable as his travels. “Lately, I’ve realized I might have been a metalhead all along and never knew it.” Raised on classical and flamenco guitarists like Andrés Segovia and Paco De Lucía, as well as indie artists like M. Ward, Andrew Bird, and Iron & Wine, his time hopping trains and hitchhiking across the country roughened those edges into the unfiltered grit of Savage Folk.
Lessons from the Road & What’s Next
When asked about life on the road, Buezo speaks of perspective.
“My favorite part is seeing how many different virtues and defeats—including my own—are happening all at once. It’s humbling. Touring gives you every up and down life has to offer.”
And when it comes to advice? “Don’t stop. Whether it’s a mistake mid-song or an entire career. I’m a lifer.”
As for collaborations, he’d love to work with IDLES—“I want to make badass, industrial, bringing-people-up love songs too!”—or King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, because “there are no boundaries to creativity.”
Final Words Before the Show
Arthur Buezo is many things—a traveler, a homesteader, a storyteller—but above all, he is a musician who never stands still. His performances are raw, unpredictable, and full of spirit.
On April 4th, he brings all of that to Photo City. Will you be there to witness it?
Art by the incredible Ms. Sadie May
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