With roots grounded in thoughtful songwriting and a sound that effortlessly bridges indie rock, Americana and alt-country, Buffalo Star has been carving out its own lane in the Prescott music scene since 2018. Built around honest storytelling, rich musicianship and a balance of softness and raw edge, the band brings a lived-in authenticity to both their recordings and live performances. In this interview, Buffalo Star reflects on their origins, evolving lineup, creative influences and what continues to drive them to connect with audiences one show at a time.
Prescott NOW: How long have you been playing together?
Buffalo Star: The band was founded in 2018, built around Chad Calhoun’s songwriting and lead vocals. Guitarist Chris Bennett, originally from the UK, brings an exceptional, lyrical style to the music. Cole Lysons, a longtime collaborator, anchors the band on bass guitar.
The group’s most recent addition is Harlan Mark Vale from the Pacific Northwest, who joined on drums in 2025 to complete the rhythm section foundation.
Prescott NOW: How would you describe your sound?
Buffalo Star: Our music weaves through a range of styles, including indie rock, Americana and alt-country. We’ve heard comparisons to artists like Jason Isbell and Jackson Browne. Our songwriting draws from a singer-songwriter tradition to explore familiar, personal and occasionally more ramshackle themes. We try to push the songs from laid-back to laid-to-waste!
That mix of softness and edgy rawness captures our sound. Fans of R.E.M., Wilco and Chris Stapleton will likely find familiar ground in what we do.
Prescott NOW: how do you connect with your audience during a show?
Buffalo Star: For us, it really comes down to being true to who we are as a band. Being an original group means putting your music on the line and hoping it finds a home. Our goal is to find the people who are meant to hear it. We’re OK with being different and creating our own lane in the Prescott music scene.
Prescott NOW: What is the most memorable moment of your career so far?
Buffalo Star: It would be one of the festivals. Those are a blast. We played Thunder Valley Rally this year, and that was a fun moment for sure.
Prescott NOW: What motivates your band to perform?
Buffalo Star: Every show is an opportunity to reach an expanding audience. We see it as a collaboration where we all come together to serve the music and grow with every performance. We’re always looking forward to our next show, aiming to make it the best one yet!
Prescott NOW: What advice would you give to your younger self?
Buffalo Star: Don’t worry about what other people think. Stick with the people who support you unconditionally. The rest don’t even count. 
