Sombr, whose real name is Shane Michael Boose, is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer born on July 5, 2005, in New York City.
Raised on the Lower East Side, he developed an early interest in music through GarageBand and later Logic Pro, experimenting with layering tracks and production techniques largely taught through online tutorials.
He attended LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts as a vocal major but dropped out during his junior year after his song “Caroline” gained traction.
Now based in Los Angeles, Sombr creates indie rock, indie pop, alternative, and pop rock music, often drawing comparisons to artists such as Jeff Buckley and Radiohead.
Siblings
Sombr has one sibling, an older sister named Amelie Boose, born in October 2003 in New York City.
She is a filmmaker and writer who graduated from Wesleyan University with a degree in film studies in 2025.
Amelie has directed short films, including her debut “Swim, Chicken!,” and contributed creatively to her brother’s work by writing the story for the music video of his track “12 to 12.”
The siblings have appeared together in family content over the years, including lighthearted TikTok videos, and maintain a close relationship within a creatively inclined household.
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Career
Sombr began releasing music independently in 2021 with the single “Nothing Left to Say.”
His 2022 track “Caroline,” recorded in a bedroom setup, went viral on TikTok and attracted interest from record labels, leading him to sign with Warner Records (alongside his own imprint, SMB) in early 2023.
He followed with the EP In Another Life later that year, produced in collaboration with Tony Berg.
After a period of development, 2025 marked his major breakthrough when “Back to Friends” and “Undressed” exploded in popularity on social media and streaming platforms, both reaching the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 and Global 200 charts while charting strongly internationally.
Additional singles such as “We Never Dated” and “12 to 12” (the latter featuring Addison Rae in its video) continued the momentum.
His debut studio album, I Barely Know Her, arrived in August 2025 and achieved commercial success, entering the top ten on the Billboard 200 and other charts.
Sombr has performed on major television platforms including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Saturday Night Live, and awards shows, while embarking on headlining tours across North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
Subsequent releases in 2026, including “Homewrecker” and “My Body Isn’t Ready,” have extended his presence on the charts.
Accolades
Sombr’s rapid rise earned significant industry recognition.
At the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards he won Best Alternative Video for “Back to Friends” and received nominations for Best New Artist and Song of the Summer.
He was nominated for Best New Artist at the 68th Grammy Awards.
At the 2026 American Music Awards he won Breakthrough Rock/Alternative Artist, Best Rock/Alternative Song for “Back to Friends,” and Best Rock/Alternative Album for I Barely Know Her, among other nominations.
Additional honors include wins at the iHeartRadio Music Awards for Best New Artist (Alternative), On the Verge categories, and Alternative Album of the Year, along with placements such as third on BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2026 list and various international nominations.
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