We love his sound—and we’re not the only ones. His track "Back to Friends" is on constant repeat all over the world. Steven Klein photographed the musician Sombr for the October cover of ELLE US.
In an exclusive interview, the young artist offers a deep, honest look at his meteoric rise to success. Born Shane Michael Boose, the 21-year-old indie-pop artist grew up on New York’s Lower East Side.
He began his professional music career in 2021, releasing his debut single, "Nothing Left to Say," that October. Following a string of subsequent singles, he was signed by the Warner Music Group, through which he released his debut EP, 'In Another Life', in September 2023.
In the interview, he speaks candidly about depression, body shaming, and hate comments. The Grammy-nominated musician also shares a pivotal piece of advice he received from his mentor, Taylor Swift, on how to deal with haters: "If the hate comments disappear, you might no longer be at your peak. It’s a privilege to receive them—and to rise above them." That single sentence was enough to shift his entire perspective.
And why "Sombr"? When he was searching for a stage name, he originally wanted to use a word that captured a sense of darkness, melancholy, or sadness—fitting perfectly with his melancholic indie-pop sound. The "e" simply fell by the wayside... Coolness wins.
The collaboration between star photographer Steven Klein and ELLE US has a long-standing tradition of producing spectacular, often dark, and distinctly cinematic photo spreads.
Steven Klein is represented by the global agency LGA MANAGEMENT, Paris, London, and NYC.
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Making-of : Courtesy ELLE USA
