Sombr’s journey from bedroom demos to sold-out shows and Billboard charts is a testament to the power of the internet and creative honesty.
Grounded in his emotional roots and musical training, he has quickly evolved into a global phenomenon. As he prepares to release new music and deepen his live performance legacy, Sombr stands poised for sustained success.
Sombr Biography
Shane Michael Boose popularly known as Sombr was born on July 5, 2005, in New York City’s Lower East Side. He was raised in a creative environment with classical music flowing through his home. Sombr attended LaGuardia High School for the Arts as a vocal major, though he dropped out during his junior year in June 2022 to fully pursue music.
From ten, he was experimenting with GarageBand and Logic Pro, writing and producing music from his bedroom often late into the night, fueled by heartbreak, skateboarding, and indie influences.
Breakthrough with “Caroline” & Debut EP
Sombr’s major breakthrough came in June 2022 with the self-released single “Caroline”, a self-produced, emotionally raw indie-pop track that resonated widely online. By age 16, it had already amassed over 30–40 million streams, giving him his first viral moment and drawing label interest.
In September 2023, he released his debut EP, In Another Life, co-produced with Tony Berg under Warner Records and his own imprint SMB an EP marked by introspective tracks like “Why Are We Like This” and “Ivy”.
Viral Hits & Global Recognition (2025)
2025 saw Sombr’s emergence into global consciousness. In December 2024, he released “Back to Friends,” which went viral on TikTok and entered the Billboard Hot 100 peaking at #32 while reaching the top 5 in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and the UK.
The song surpassed 100 million Spotify streams by April 19, 2025, and exceeded 200 million by mid-May. Shortly after, “Undressed” released March 2025 topped Ireland’s charts and reached #25 on the Hot 100, amassing over 200 million streams and earning top-5 placements in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.
By late March, he had surpassed 10 million monthly Spotify listeners, and by April 21, over 20 million, marking meteoric growth.
Media Attention & Artistic Integrity
Sombr’s story has received notable media coverage. In an exclusive with PEOPLE (April 2025), he revealed dropping out of school, being bullied, and finding solace in music inspired by films like The Notebook and Call Me by Your Name.
Touring & Live Performances
2024 saw Sombr headline his own North American tour, including a sold-out show at LA’s Baby’s All Right and earn glowing praise for his intimate and compelling stage presence. In 2025 he’s headlining The Late Nights & Young Romance Tour across North America and touring Europe with Nessa Barrett, with dates in Australia and New Zealand set from May through Octobe.
Musical Style & Influences
Sombr crafts emotionally driven indie rock and alt-pop, blending falsetto vocals with acoustic and electronic elements. His songwriting delves into young love, friendship, and heartbreak, resonating deeply with Gen Z audiences through platforms like TikTok. He frequently draws from indie-rock lineage while bringing in cinematic and confessional angles.
Now 19, Sombr is at a turning point. His television debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (May 20, 2025) and a performance at BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge marked significant milestones.
He’s already announced a new single, “We Never Dated,” set for release on June 20, with a debut album expected later in 2025. With Spotify audiences in the tens of millions and headline tours ongoing, Sombr is shaping up to be a defining indie-pop voice of his generation.
