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MD WOODS Releases First Installment of Young and Vain Series

July 11, 2014

Early last month, Rochester folk act, MD WOODS, released the first installment of a four-part series titled Young and Vain. Part 1, logically titled Young and Vain 1., is four tracks of sparse, haunting folk that fans of Bonnie Prince Billy, Amen Dunes, and the Low Anthem would be wise to check out. No word on when Part 2 will be released, but you can follow MD WOODS bandcamp page to keep an eye out. In the mean time, listen to Part 1 standout “Bird” below.

Work Drugs – “Double Life”

July 9, 2014

Our inbox was graced this morning with the new single from Work Drugs, a Philadelphia based dream-pop outfit. The band’s latest track, “Double Life,” taken from their forthcoming fall release Runaways, is full of smooth vocals, 80s guitars, and no lack of dance ready beats, and sounds like Holy Ghost meets Two Door Cinema Club. If you want a local spin, think Like A Parrot and the guys from Fashion Expo 1990 collaborating and you may have “Double Life.”  The band is self described as “Philadelphia’s premier Bat Mitzvah and Quinceanera party band.” Perhaps a local promoter could land them a spot in a sweaty basement later this summer.

Sleepy Hahas Release Music Video For “Nooses”

July 8, 2014

Buffalo psych-garage four piece, Sleepy Hahas, have released the latest music video from the quarter’s debut LP, Dull Days.  The clip for “Nooses,” the strongest track from the Dull Days, finds the white clad group being hunted down throughout various locations in Bidwell and Delaware Park by some sort of Grim Reaper. Directed by Quiet Country Audio’s Andy Deluca, the video can be viewed in full below. Also, if you get to tonight’s Man Man show at the Tralf Music Hall  on the early side, you may catch a live version of the track as the Hahas are set to open.

Local Songstress, Wolfaerie, Releases Whimsical Full Length

July 2, 2014

Earlier last month, Buffalo-based, experimental pop artist, Wolfaerie, released her debut album Natural Flight, an 8-track collection of delicate blips and beats backing angelic vocals. The album’s stand out track,  the playful, hushed “Ghost Girl,” has shades of Bjork or even a tender, Amber Coffman led Dirty Projectors. Check out the full release over at Wolfaerie’s bandcamp page, and listen to “Ghost Girl” below.

Ignorant Owls Drop Debut Single

July 2, 2014

It’s pretty rare that a Buffalo band pops up on the internet that we have not been clued in on. With that being said, we were delightfully surprised with the debut single “Space Invaders” by Ignorant Owls. Comprised of Joseph Wright, Josh Jager, and Wyle Lukow, the trio’s single channels the lo-fi indietronic hybrid perfected by Wild Nothing/DIIV, meanwhile alluding hints of Harlem Shakes or Passion Pit. Keep an eye out for further music from this new act. In the mean time, listen to “Space Invaders” below.

Landlady – “Girl”

July 1, 2014

Fresh off one of the stand out performances of the Silo Sessions Launch Party last month, Brooklyn buzz act, Landlady, have released the latest single from their forthcoming album Upright Behavior. The driving song, which sounds like a nice blend of Peter Gabriel, Future Islands, and Sunset Rubdown, continues to enforce the band’s captivating, if not off beat, blend of jagged, toe tapping indie-rock. Those who caught the band’s set under the shadows of the grain mills a few weeks ago can certainly vouch. Upright Behavior is set to drop on July 15th, but in the mean time, listen to “Girl” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/156153884″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Mikaela Davis Releases “Out There Alone” Single

July 1, 2014

With a lengthy US tour on the horizon, Rochester-raised harp player, Mikaela Davis, has released her latest single, “Out There Alone.” One of her poppiest numbers yet, the track features fluttering, sunny harps backing Davis’ whistful cooing that should put her the category of indie-pop contemporaries like Joanna Newsom and Regina Spektor. Keep an eye out for Davis as she brings her tour through Buffalo on Friday, July 25th at Buffalo Iron Works.

James Rapp – “In Your Tomb”

June 30, 2014

Steak and Cake Records is to set to release the debut solo LP from James Rapp, whose primary band, The Rotaries, you may or may not remember was part of a SnC anniversary show a couple years back at the Vault. Titled Islander, the self-recorded album is set for release next Tuesday, July 8th, and features Rapp on every instrument. Lead off track and first single, “In Your Tomb,” sets the tone for the laid back affair: think Little Joy without the international flair or a less beat driven Islands. Islander is pleasant, summer soundtrack whether you are sweating out your Saturday Night at Bidwell Park or cooling off over at the harbor (pro tip: the best spot is behind the Outer Harbor stage). Keep an eye on Steak and Cake’s bandcamp page next week for the full album stream/download, and in the mean time, listen to “In Your Tomb” below.

Mink Releases Debut EP, Point Break

June 27, 2014

From the brains behind Inquiring Mind comes Mink, a new three piece band featuring members of the former said band and Tony Rocky Horror. The trio’s debut EP, Point Break, a surf rock nod to the great(?) Patrick Swayze/Keanu Reeves vehicle, is a fun, yet tense collection of attitude filled vocals and playful bass lines. With a growing surf rock scene on Buffalo’s West Side (Aaron and the Burrs, the Hamiltones), Mink will be in good company. Surf’s up.

Staff Picks: Favorite Albums & Songs (so far) – Part 2

June 27, 2014

Today’s brings you round 2 of our staff picks for favorite songs and albums at 2014’s half way point. If you missed yesterday’s part 1 of submissions, you may read it here. Sarah Machajewski Album: Neil Young  – A Letter Home We should all be thanking Neil Young for putting out a new album. We should be thanking him doubly for making it an album of covers.  We should be thanking him three times as much for the album’s gritty phonographic sound that stands out in an age of digitized, computer-created music. But maybe that’s what Neil Young does best. His loner tendencies have led to some innovative, cutting-edge music. Yet this album doesn’t forge new paths, but revisits old ones. Young selected 12 songs that have meant something to him at some point in his career, taking from greats such as Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Bruce Springsteen, and The Everly Brothers. They[...]

Jack Topht & Malt Disney Release Video for “Beef on Weck”

June 26, 2014

Shout out to frequent collaborative duo, Jackt Topht and Malt Disney, for giving Super Flea a proper eulogy. Yes, one of the only places in Buffalo where you could buy a live rabbit, a bong, and a samurai sword all from the same vendor closed up shop for good a few weeks ago, set to be demolished for ANOTHER Walmart. Super Flea held a really weird place in the hearts of many Buffalonians. The place was a dump, smelled awful, and sold some of the more useless items you have ever come across, yet I loved the place, and from the comments on FB during its final weekend, you all did too. So leave it to Buffalo spokesman and wordsmith Jack Topht to film a video for his Teen Wolf produced throw-back jam, “Beef on Weck,” on the Super Flea lot on its last weekend. The clip finds Topht and[...]

Staff Picks: Favorite Albums & Songs (so far) – Part 1

June 26, 2014

With 2014 at its mid way point, the staff here at buffaBLOG has gone over the first six months of the year and picked our favorite tracks and albums. Variety is always nice on lists like this; it shows that we have been blessed with a rich and diverse year of new music, and for the most point, it is reflected on today and tomorrow’s Part 2 lists. Bill Wright Album: Liars – Mess For 15 years, Liars have been tweaking, reworking, and pivoting their sound.  But if there is one thing that has remained constant over the years, it’s that they have always been a little weird. Their front man is even named Angus ,which is a weird name if I’ve ever heard one (apologizes to all the readers out there named Angus). This year, Liars put out their “electronic” album, a record that takes all the beeps and boops they[...]

Just Announced: This Will Destroy You

June 24, 2014

Only three days into summer 2014, the Tralf continues to flesh out its fall schedule, this time booking the Texas instrumental four-piece This Will Destroy You for a Wednesday, October 29th stop. Fans of fellow Texas post-rockers Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai, or pretty much any band that is heavy on the emotions while saving on the vocals will want to catch this show. Expect the word “epic” to be used often. Tickets go on sale this Friday, June 27th, at noon for $12 in advance, $14 day of.

Tonight: Newish Star

June 24, 2014

Head down to the Glitter Box later to catch one of Buffalo’s best newish bands in Newish Star. Sounding like a mix of Pavement and Coyote Shivers, the group recently played our Herd Fest this past weekend as part of the Black Dots showcase and have been building some nice buzz around town since forming back in 2013. Also on the bill are blog regulars JOHNS and Aaron & the Burrs, along with Cleveland’s gruff punk rockers Cruelster. Music begins at 6pm prompt. Bring $6 to cover the touring acts.

Just Announced: Foster the People

June 23, 2014

Man did the Tralf ever strike gold when they booked Foster the People a few years back. Their mega single, “Pumped Up Kicks,” had just started to blow up, resulting in a sold-out (I think) show in 2011 that I imagined left the Tralf promoters feeling pretty, pretty good. Just today, the pop trio, along with Alt Buffalo, announced its impending return to Buffalo with a show scheduled for Canalside on Thursday, September 11th. Back when the Canalside lineup was announced, there was an open date which was rumored to be filled with a bigger name act, and as it turns, that act is Foster the People. Could have been worse I suppose. Tickets will be available to purchase from $15-$55, starting this Friday, June 27th, at noon. Those free Thursday shows aren’t looking all that bad now, are they?