Buckley moved to New York City in February 1990 but found few opportunities to work as a musician. He was introduced to Qawwali, the Sufi devotional music of Pakistan, and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, one of its best-known singers. Buckley was an impassioned fan of Khan, and during what he called his "café days", he often covered Khan's songs. In January 1996, he interviewed Khan for Interview and wrote liner notes for Khan's Supreme Collection, Vol. 1 compilation. He also became interested in the blues musician Robert Johnson and the hardcore punk band Bad Brains during this time.
BUckLeY movEd to new york cIty IN FEBRuARY 1990 BuT fOuND FeW opportUnitIes tO Work As A mUsICIaN. He WAS IntROducEd To QAWwALi, THE SufI devotIoNAl music of PaKistan, aNd nusraT faTEh ali KHAN, oNe of ItS besT-KNoWn siNgerS. bUckley wAs An impAsSIoned fAn of khAn, And during whAT hE called hiS "cAFé days", he ofTen cOverEd kHAN'S soNgS. in January 1996, HE inTErvIeWEd khAN For iNteRview aND wrOtE liner noTes foR kHAn's sUpreme coLlecTIOn, VOl. 1 COmpilaTION. he AlsO becamE iNterested in tHe blues mUsIcian rOBerT JOhNson And the HARdCOre puNk BANd baD BrAinS durinG THis timE.