Latest Posts

Tonight: Harmonica Lewinski

March 14, 2015

Harmonica Lewinski first played Buffalo almost a year to the date at our fourth birthday party last March. A last minute dusting of snow made driving pretty difficult that night, and the Rochester based band nearly didnt make it off the I-90. Luckily, the garage/surf/punk outfit showed up just in time to play maybe the best set we have featured in the blog’s near five year existence. If you weren’t lucky enough to catch the group at our bday last year, you get another chance this evening. Later tonight at the Hoyt House, the group will return to Buffalo in support of its newest tape, Naked Brunch. Opening for Harmonica Lewinski is the ever evolving psych garage act, Sleepy Hahas, and Dead Wolf, the latter have absolutely no info listed on them, so your guess is as good as mine. The event page lists the start time at 8pm, and[...]

Dreambeaches Premiere Debut Single, “Trademark”

March 13, 2015

Earlier this morning, Dreambeaches, the new project from Humble Braggers‘ bass player, Corey Bzibziak, released its debut single. Titled “Trademark,” the track ditches HB’s soaring vocals and synths for a burst of lo-fi, surf-rock. The song sounds like the product of Cloud Nothings and Beach Fossils entering the studio together and having a bit of fun. Expect to see Dreambeaches live in the near future, with a full EP dropping sometime this summer. Listen to “Trademark” below.

JOHNS Begin Grift Marks Pre-Sale, Debut Music Video for “Thrust”

March 12, 2015

Buffalo’s resident dark garage rockers, JOHNS, are prepping the release of their full length debut, Grift Marks, set to drop on March 28th through local imprint, Peterwalkee Records. The album is now available for a limited edition pre-sale (you can purchase here), and is set to include some pretty nice incentives for dropping your money ahead of time. $20 snags you a pristine white vinyl copy of the record (only 50 have been printed) with a digital download for that one friend who still doesn’t have a player. Also included is a copy of the band’s bonus 5-track EP, House of No Lungs, a JOHNS t-shirt, poster, sticker, and a button. Now that is how you spend $20. In addition, the band premiered its latest music for the track “Thrust,” yesterday afternoon. Shot by Frank Napolski and Jeff Mace in the old Kitchen Distribution basement, the clip features some very[...]

Alex Berkley Premieres Annual “Fun-a-Day” Album, 28 Days of Fun: Shuffle

March 12, 2015

This being a music blog, my favorite project to look forward to during Sugar City’s annual Fun-a-Day exhibit (create something artistic for every day of the month) is the concept album from Alex Berkley. His first year album for Fun-a-Day, 28 Days of Fun, was a collection of songs, one recorded every day of the month: a simple, yet quality undertaking. For year two, he went more ambitious, recording a collection of diary-like entries chronicling the day to day life of the Elmwood Village every man for 28 Days of Fun: Sick of the Sound of My Voice. As for this year, his third musical installment for Fun-a-Day, the singer/songwriter put his iTunes on shuffle daily and proceeded to write a song, resulting in 28 Days of Fun: Shuffle. Some of the random songs that inspired the album were “Our Singer” by Pavement (Song 19: “Wings & Billy Madison”), “Jamming” by Bob[...]

Just Announced: Great Lake Swimmers

March 10, 2015

The next couple months should be a formidable stretch for Buffalo folk fans. Horse Feathers and Shakey Graves will run through town within a two day period at the end of this month. And now, on Saturday, May 16th, Great Lake Swimmers are set to make a stop in Buffalo at the Tralf Music Hall. The Canadian folk outfit will be on the road in support of its forthcoming album, A Forrest of Arms, due out this April. Tickets go on sale this Friday, March 13th, for $14 in advance/$16 at the door.

Just Announced: Tyler, the Creator

March 9, 2015

Odd Future/OFWGTKA’s often controversial leader, Tyler, the Creator, will be returning to the Town Ballroom on June 14th. Known for his over the top, extremely hyped antics, Tyler will undoubtedly liven up the Main Street venue, even if it is just a Sunday. Earlier this year, Tyler reported he would be recording with Mac DeMarco, a collaboration that is intriguing to say the least. Tickets will go on sale Friday, March 13th, at noon for $30 via Ticketfly. Fuck Steve Harvey.

Just Announced: Father John Misty

March 3, 2015

I guess these show announcements are coming in threes today. First Modest Mouse, then My Morning Jacket, and now, we have Father John Misty, set to return to the Town Ballroom, this time in a headlining role, on Saturday, August 1st. Since leaving Fleet Foxes and his J. Tillman moniker behind, Josh Tillman’s newest project has grown into a cult like status, no thanks to his engaging and rather tongue-in-cheek stage performances. His latest album, I Love You Honeybear, has been blog approved across the board, he delivered a viral performance on Letterman earlier this year that may only rival Future Islands’ star making performance from 2014, and is set for a big 2015 with this tour. His last visit to Buffalo was in support of Youth Lagoon and Tillman proceeded to steal the show, so don’t sleep on him this time around. Tickets go on sale this Friday, March[...]

Just Announced: My Morning Jacket

March 3, 2015

I first caught My Morning Jacket live in the fall of 2002 opening for Manchester’s The Doves at the Kool Haus in Toronto. The Louisville based band was an unknown to me at the time and the members had yet to clean up their shaggy image, looking the part of what a Southern rock band should look like. Jim James’ hair was down to his knees and spun it in an almost hypnotic rhythm as the band proceeded to destroy “One Big Holiday.” I was so blown away by the band that I went to see them again the following night in Rochester at Water Street. Since then, the band has been steadily releasing albums over the years, with highlights including It Still Moves and Z, but MMJ is most definitely a live band, one whose shows have reached near legendary statuses over the years and should be seen in[...]

Just Announced: Modest Mouse

March 3, 2015

After a seven year hiatus, long time Washington indie rockers, Modest Mouse, will release its long awaited new album, Strangers to Ourselves, on March 17th. The band will be celebrating the release with a spring tour, one that includes a stop at Babeville’s Asbury Hall, on Friday, April 17th, just four days prior to the venue’s sold out Neutral Milk Hotel show. Thats a #winning week for Babeville right there. Tickets go on sale this Friday, March 6th, at noon for $52 in advance, $55 day of.

Tonight: Shilpa Ray

March 1, 2015

In what has turned into a regular occurrence over the past decade, Shilpa Ray, she of Shilpa Ray & Her Happy Hookers, is back in town tonight, closing out the weekend later this evening at Nietzsche’s. The Brooklyn based musician, who blends blues, punk, and gritty soul along with her trusty harmonium, is one of indie rock’s strongest and most captivating vocalists. Don’t let her frequent trips to Buffalo keep you away tonight, as each show she delivers is as powerful as the next. Tonight’s show kicks off at 8pm with Buffalo’s Pine Fever setting the stage prior to Ray. Cost to get through the doors is $7.

Joywave Premieres Music Video for “Somebody New”

February 25, 2015

Rochester’s Joywave (or JOYWAVE, we don’t really know these days) is becoming dangerously close to being too big for our regional coverage categories, but the five-piece continues to remain loyal to WNY, in particular its home town of Rochester. The group frequently comes home for special appearances at the Bug Jar, the band’s home away from home, so at least for now, we will continue to cover them within our Rochester posts. Last week, we posted that the band finally announced the release of its debut album, How Do You Feel Now, set to drop on April 21st, and just yesterday, Joywave premiered the music video to the LP’s first single, “Somebody New,” via Stereogum. The clip finds the Joywave boys hitting the streets with a crew of skateboarders doing some rather aggressive moves that rival some The Office level parkour feats. No confirmation on whether the band performed its[...]

Max Garcia Conover – “Motorhome (a love song)”

February 24, 2015

Jamestown, NY native, Max Garcia Conover, has begun to release weekly songs and videos while holed up in his home recording studio in his new home in or around Portland, Maine. His first video, “Moterhome (a love song),” was released on February 9th and has since released two more videos, the most recent on Sunday, in his year long project. While this Bon Iver-like exile is not a new concept to the musician, this year, the folkie decided to try something a bit different, creating a Patreon page where you, as the listener/viewer, can leave him “tips” for every time a song comes out, giving you early access to the videos and more. You can find out more about the sort-of crowd sourcing project here. Watch the video for the weary, Phosphorescent-esque “Moterhome (a love song)” below, and keep an eye out for future clips on Garcia Conover’s Youtube page.

Cool Little Music Sessions Premieres w/ Mooses

February 24, 2015

It was only a matter of time before another live video session series popped up in the WNY area. With 1809 Sessions, Wonk Sesh, Genesee Live, Quiet Country Audio, and Silo Sessions already in place, lets add Cool Little Music Sessions to that list. Based out of Fredonia’s Pizza Club Productions studios, the series hopes to film local and touring musicians rolling through the college town. For the first installment, the freshman series featured Fred town psych quartet, Mooses, who performed two songs from its debut EP Tales from the Elephant’s Nest:  “In Case They’re Wondering” and “Bette Davis,” the latter just so happened to be our second favorite song out of Buffalo in 2014. Sponsored by Cool Little Music Shop, the video was shot and edited by Joe Cardina, along with additional production contributions from Chelsea Newton, Cam Gordon, and Eric Lemke. You can watch the full clip below, which includes a[...]

Just Announced: Landlady

February 23, 2015

We are having one of those slow days in the office again, just staring out the window, watching Buffalo continue to freeze, but luckily, an under-the-radar show just got added to the Mohawk Place calendar that we think is worth your attention. Brooklyn’s off kilter Landlady, a band which combines elements of Dirty Projects, TV on the Radio, and Yellow Ostrich, will be making its return to Buffalo on Wednesday, April 22nd, at Mohawk Place. Those in attendance at the Silo Sessions launch party this past summer saw the five-piece put on a stunning performance as the sun set along side the grain elevators while on tour in support of the fantastic 2014 release, Upright Behavior. Speaking of Silo Sessions, the show is in support of a new collaborative project between the video series and the Public, so keep an eye out for further details. Tickets are available (we think), and[...]

Just Announced: The Pixies

February 23, 2015

This morning, Niagara Falls’ most prestigious venue, The Rapids Theatre (sorry Hard Rock Cafe) announced it would be hosting legendary indie rock group, The Pixies, this spring as the college rock legends will be hitting the Falls on Tuesday, May 19th. Despite making several “reunion” appearances over the years, in 2014, the band formally returned with the release of the underwhelming Indie Cindy, its first formal LP since 1991, and the first without long time founding member Kim Deal. Tickets will go on sale this Friday, February 27th, at 10am for $45.50-$50. This could be a sell out so don’t sit on this one.