Latest Posts

Tonight: Gringo Star

August 28, 2016

It’s the Wild West meets the wonderful ocean. Deep, dark, and cavernous, yet dirty and mustard yellow. Previews of the new Gringo Star album The Sides and In Between are as amusing as they are unique. “Rotten,” Magic,” and “Get Closer” demonstrate versatility and three different sides of the band. Whether Gringo Star is gritty, keeping it light, or playful (listen carefully to the mix and lyrics of “Get Closer”), Gringo Star shines true. Catch the group headlining at Studio at the Waiting Room with support from Ugly Sun, Feverbox, and One Way to Nowhere. Doors are at 7pm, with the show starting at 7:30pm. Tickets are $12 and the show is all ages (more details here). For soundalikes, see Bosco Rogers and Cage the Elephant. Otherwise, preview Gringo Star’s new album below and warp here for tasteful merchandise.

Stress Dolls Release Debut Single

August 23, 2016

Stress Dolls is the new reincarnation of Buffalo band Wolf which sought a name change and new members. Lead singer Chelsea O’Donnell still fronts the group with her Ben Walsh-like yowl. The new band brandishes a fresh sound with dreamy guitar leads, solid drums and bass, and a traditional alternative/pop mix in the band’s debut single “Pills.” Stress Dolls echo groups like Tigers Jaw and Polar Bear Club. Kudos to Stress Dolls for writing a song about pills that focuses on their healing tendencies rather than their fun. The smart lyrics point out that atop medical troubles still sits your everyday crushing defeats and self-degradation that must be overcame. “But with those pills,” sings O’Donnell, “he’s found his way…” Put on your leather jackets, wear your hearts on your sleeves, and prepare for a straightforward powerhouse with a unique vocal twist. Listen to “Pills” below or purchase it here.

County Mike – Live Alone

August 19, 2016

Alongside other Albanian groups like Coupons and They Are Gutting A Body of Water is County Mike, a new, mysterious one-man-band fronting a near lo-fi sound that flutters comfortably within the boundaries of alt-folk. The man behind the mask (and beard) is Michael Campana, Jr. I’m not sure if County Mike is a reference to Campana’s possible declaration that his body is his to govern, to control, or if he simply feels pride toward the county within which he resides – a more rural take on the subject. Regardless, County Mike’s Live Alone comes across as tender storytelling lullabies both confronting and skirting commonplace issues we all know and love. The first tune is “Watching/3 Years.” Campana’s voice is crystal clear amongst somber electric guitar arpeggiation. There’s a little bit of crackling going on. Soon enough, Campana kicks it up a notch, performing gentle, quick guitar widdlies. No matter how hard Campana pushes it,[...]

Charmer – Whateverville

August 15, 2016

Charmer (not named after Tigers Jaw’s latest) is a quintet full of charming young men formerly based out Marquette, Michigan. The band did what many bands decide to do, pack all their gear and relocate to the music metropolis of Rochester as a full band. Whateverville is the band’s New York debut as well as a palatable five-song emo record. Whateverville begins with a quote from television comedy Red Oaks: “You still live with your parents and you hang out with your stoner friends and you ride a bike…” Alright. We already get the picture. “Photography Raptor” then blasts into some distorted electric guitar chords. The drum cymbals seem faraway, but the bump of the bass drum is very apparent. Everything seems recorded in a small, tight room. The song has a bouncy tendency when it’s not within the confines of the transitioning parts. The last 30 seconds is breakdown-esque with a shrill lead. “I[...]

Coupons – Number One Hit Album

August 9, 2016

Coupons is an Albany-based group that seemingly mastered mid-tempo, just-sad-enough songs. At times they’re bluesy, at times they’re straight power-pop, and at times they’re math-y (namely the drums). In creating their Number One Hit Album, Coupons carved themselves a nook with a careful rhythmic section, jangley guitars, and forefront vocals. “Sirens” is the first song off Number One Hit Album. As you assume, the song is about deadly girl-like, winged creatures and their call that lures the curious to shipwreck. There’s a cool, slightly fuzzy break in the song connecting high point to build-up, and build-up to  true climax. “You’re such a careful siren – I never sleep!” is yelled before the band goes into full blast. The second song is “Birthday” and it starts with the singer trying to cheer up a girl in the midst the dumps. On top of a synth string pad, the protagonist also compares[...]

They Are Gutting A Body of Water – s/t

August 5, 2016

They Are Gutting A Body of Water is a rather complex name for an emotional, lo-fi solo act by singer/songwriter Doug Dulgarian. Dulgarian, a lead singer to Albany-based Jouska, proudly released late last month via the project’s bandcamp. The album is written as if staring into a looking glass watching a microcosm of the world work its underwhelming wonders. They Are Gutting A Body of Water is as contained as it is immense – the old-fashioned style helps the album both relate to and speak out against modern day apathy, regret, and introspection. “Swanny Luv” is the first track on this damaged (sound quality adjective) record. Punchy drums keep your mind afloat as the draining music pulls you down into somewhere between awful depression and teary-eyed anger. A special shoutout is given to his mom for being a “G since knee-high.” “Main Breaker” is fronted by a haunted, polka accordion sound and pleasing,[...]

Jon Lewis – Out of Lunch

July 18, 2016

Named by 585 Magazine as an “Artist to Follow” in 2016, Jon Lewis fronts a John Ralston-like musical style begging for local, perhaps even statewide attention. Lewis partakes in a practiced indie rock act from Rochester coming at us as both a solo performer and as a full band. This time around, Lewis (guitar and lead vocals) and his band – Dave Drago (vocals and bass), Shawn Brogan (guitar), and Jacob Walsh (drums) – gift us a delicate EP entitled Out to Lunch. The six-song release is chock-full of solid alternative folk compositions, lush mixes, a general warm but lost feel. “Everyone Wants to Know,” Song 1, opens the release with tremolo guitar and soft group vocals. “Left his job, left for dead – no one heard what he said,” tells Lewis of the song’s protagonist. One should wonder if Lewis is cooing about his own endeavors. This tune is relatively simple.[...]

Aaron & the Burrs – A Burr for All Seasons (and Other Tunes)

July 12, 2016

Named after one of the most controversial historical Americans (the Vice President under Thomas Jefferson who killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel and allegedly sided with the Confederates after allegedly evading the law in the unexplored Western Frontier), Aaron & the Burrs stage a coup aimed at reclaiming Buffalo a stake in surf rock for listeners to enjoy  when visiting Lake Erie. Released June 23, A Burr for All Seasons (and Other Tunes) marks Aaron & the Burrs’ third LP. At under sixteen minutes, this vocal-less quickie keeps you entertained with its repetitious beach-y vibes. “Reprise,” the starting track, is a sixteen-second saga with a delightful guitar lick. The song explodes into existence with a fast snare drum roll, and before you know it, reverb from various instruments sees you out. “The Winter Solstice” blazes a trail like Dick Dale and the Deltones’ “Miserlou.” There is a mysterious shade accompanying the song.[...]

Super Defense – Sinking/Anything

July 8, 2016

I know what you’re thinking: “That picture is hilarious – Dwight Schrute-esque.” Well, that pretty portrait is of Super Defense, an indie/lo-fi/power pop solo project hailing from Syracuse. Andy Horvath, the man behind the music, has been writing tunes for this act since fall of last year. As of recent, Horvath teamed up with label Ghoul Tapes and utilized recording palace Converse Rubber Tracks of Brooklyn. His lates endeavor,  Sinking/Anything, is a two-song take on wanting to feel… forgotten at best. Luckily, Super Defense offers its listeners the best recordings and compositions its released to date. “Sinking” is an explosive song with a light mix. In other words, it’s fast like a punk song, yet gentle on the ears. Perhaps the best description is it’s like Cloud Nothings’ soft-spoken sibling. Regardless, the song carries an interesting mix. The bubbly bass bounces about the fretboard. Frantic guitars attack both ears (sometimes offense[...]

Scope & Figure – Gardiner Park

June 27, 2016

Brimming with new life is Scope & Figure, touring in support of their latest release, Gardiner Park. Tour dates can been seen on their Facebook page, hyperlinked above. Originally formed in 2013, the band spent their time playing shows, sifting through a multitude of members, and putting out numerous EPs and singles with which to dazzle their fans. Gardiner Park is their first full-length LP. The album demonstrates the band’s learned versatility and instrumental expertise. Track 1, “First & Last” is a low rumble pushed forward by modest synth and guitar, and prominent vocals delivered by frontman Thomas Varner. A distorted lead meshes seamlessly with falsetto ohs. Again, the low rumble of the drums and bass keeps the song swaying before mere whispers see the listeners out. “Sophia” is the next song. A clean guitar riff entertains the right ear before the rest of the band jumps in to support it.[...]

Dreambeaches – Habits

June 5, 2016

I’ll cut to the chase: These guys are good. Let’s just say I listened to them a few times for fun. Dreambeaches is a colorful quartet that’s barely a year old. Habits’ cover art does them justice, as does their Facebook promo photo take on fruit salad. This extended play is one that takes you on a trip. The music is unique, serene, and psychedelic. You’ll find yourself indulging in the bass-heavy, rhythmically-inclined songs. RIYL The Shins, Snowmine, Foals, and (at times) Tame Impala. Habits, the four-piece’s debut release, begins with “Tiny Spirits.” The track starts off with chirping birds. The band follows suit with some chirping of their own. “I’m tired of looking at life through a window,” is sung as the band plays in melodic and rhythmic symmetry. A wet-sounding deep synth keeps the band grounded through the ongoing tumult. Next, “Habits,” is decidedly beach pop. The catchy composition forces your[...]

Tonight: Taking Back Friday

June 3, 2016

Don’t worry. It’s okay if you’re still emo. That’s right! It’s okay if you wear your heart on your sleeve, if you still want to walk around with a hair-eyepatch, if you instinctively take selfies from an upward angle (you’ve even affected a modern day trend). All of those urges buried deep within are acceptable… At least tonight they are. buffaBLOG gifts you an excuse to delve into your past/current music loves (i.e. Taking Back Sunday, Brand New, The Academy Is…, My Chemical Romance, Dashboard Confessional, Thursday, The Hotelier, Modern Baseball, etc) in Taking Back Friday, an admittedly emo get together presented by yours truly at Milkie’s. Come unabashedly partake in emo feels with fellow emos. Narrating your night will be DJ sets starting at about 10pm from Jessica Railey (Communist Party), Tom and Donnie Burtless (All Blondes Go To Heaven, Buffalo Eats), and Bryan Johnson (Wildebeast Wontabeast). A blast from the[...]

Secret Pizza – Nothing Needs to Happen

May 29, 2016

Rochester’s Secret Pizza doesn’t sound cheesy like their name might imply. Instead, they embody badassitude, something the sweet, old lady with sunglasses on the black and white cover of SP’s upcoming release, Nothing Needs to Happen, carries. Nothing Needs to Happen is the group’s first proper LP, wrangling in tracks from previously released EPs and sessions, and man does it hit home. The albums starts of with “Where do we go from here?” a roaring, feedback-filled swarm of music. “No, I’m not that steady,” sings Phil Shaw, admitting to a feeling many know well. The song continues by raveling you into a fuzzy blanket of guitars, keeping you awake with a kickass bassline. “Where do we go from here?” is answered by, “Anywhere!” The screams and fighting of the instruments turn the listener into a well-understood pile of mush. “Oh my my,” is hushed at first, at least before Secret Pizza[...]

Petite League – “Zookeeper”

May 24, 2016

Bursting out from the Syracuse scene is Petite League with some new, noisy music. “Zookeeper” fronts zipping guitar leads on top of a dense block of jangly indie rock. The drums find themselves at the forefront, with hissing cymbals and a woody snare. The chorus claims, “[There are] no saints/gods in the animal kingdom” before interestingly cutting out. “Zookeeper” kicks back in with the same shredding guitars and bopping rhythm section until the song tires itself out. “Zookeeper” is available (only) for stream below, and you can find Petite League’s other discography here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/262189834″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

The Nigh – Fluorescent Sun

May 16, 2016

The Nigh is secretly sneaking into your midnight streams, already too close for comfort, of course. Hailing from Buffalo, New York, The Nigh does our music scene certain justice with their dark release, Fluorescent Sun. The LP as a whole is grey, bleak, and watery. The cover art depicts a “white hole” rather than black, prompting the onlooker/listener to wonder if, sarcastically, that bright something was something always to be out of reach. “…” ushers the wondering wanderer from that thought to a blissfully black fifty-second track that ends in an exciting synth flourish. Quieted, “I’ll Go Missing” kicks in. It’s a spacious, slightly funky track. The vocals bounce between each headphone. “We could run away just long enough to say I’d go missing,” is the lyrical lick of the song. It’s delivered as if the singer’s ready to run. The chorus is a solid mix of distorted guitar, ringing[...]