Christo Buffam (Dead Leaf Echo, the Vandelles), RIP
Christo Buffam (via Facebook)
NYC musician Christo Buffam, who played in Brooklyn shoegazers Dead Leaf Echo, The Vandelles and other bands, has sadly passed away. As Vanyaland reports, no cause of death has been reported yet.
Dead Leaf Echo posted an RIP to their Facebook, and The Vandelles also posted a long tribute:
It is with incredible grief and heartbreak that we write our dear friend and creative collaborator Christo Buffam has passed on from our tangible world. The day we met in Boston we knew he was an incredible person – after all he took us to IHop for breakfast where his dry wit and grey bandana won our hearts – he was effortlessly cool. In less than a year he would come to take on a huge role in both our lives as an immensely thoughtful friend and the course of The Vandelles as a designer, screen printer, and songwriter. I remember spending countless hours at our space in Danbro working on his song Nocturnal until one day he played me Miles Away and I was blown away by his ability to capture what he was feeling in his lyrics. Christo was a bright star of creative conviction who was always the one putting in tons of hours making posters, going to every show under the sun, or introducing new friends to old ones and visa versa. When he truly believed in something or someone he was behind them one hundred percent, and he would go to great lengths sometimes at his own expense to help in any way he could. Christo, we will miss your smile, we will miss your wit, we will miss your scowl, and above all we will miss you. Forever in our thoughts and hearts.
Anyone looking for info on what we know so far or upcoming plans for the wake/funeral should get in touch with Jasno Swarez here on facebook. In the coming weeks a get together will be planed for us all to get together and celebrate Christo’s artwork, music, and life. We will post all info when we have it. Thank you everyone for your condolences, and please extend your sympathy to Christo’s family and friends.
Fellow NYC musician Twin Shadow also instagrammed a tribute:
Very sad to hear about the talented and brilliant Christo Buffam. He was a friend. I hadn’t see him in a while and was out drinking with friends a month ago and looked up behind the bar. There he was, and my face lit up to see him. He poured shots for us all. I’m glad I had a toast with him before he died. Rest In Peace, I wish we had time to get closer.
Both The Vandelles and Dead Leaf Echo were set to open for Bauhaus’ David J at Pianos in April. No word if those bands will still play as planned.
Rest in peace Christo, you’ll be missed.
Watch some Vandelles and Dead Leaf Echo videos below…
—
