Latest Posts

Sparklebomb Releases “Moldavite”

May 30, 2014

Buffalo electronic act Sparklebomb (aka Angie Conte) just dropped a fresh new song on her soundcloud page yesterday, titled “Moldavite.” Backed by soothing synths, the song feels like communication from distant planets that Conte managed to catch on tape. Sometimes chilling, but mostly beautiful, the track reminds me of some of Apparat’s more tender moments, and, for some reason, “Jed the Humanoid” from Grandaddy had Jed written the song rather than Jason Lytle. You can listen (and download) “Moldavite” below.

Tonight: Hurricanes of Love

May 30, 2014

On what appears to be the start of “festival” season here in Buffalo, the best bill you may find this weekend is at some place called the Big Herk. Some people may also call it the home of local mumble core songwriter Damian Weber. Weber and crew, which tonight includes a stripped down version of Alex Berkley’s & the Atlanta Falcons, an acoustic Jack Toft, and Squeaky Wheel’s Jax Deluca, will be welcoming off-beat folk rambler Frank Hurricane aka Hurricanes of Love. Currently on tour with minimal performer player 2, Hurricane’s backwoods tunes are laced with weirdness and humor, while remaining melodic and touching. Music is aiming to start right around 8:30 this evening. Entry is free, but donations for touring acts will be welcomed and accepted. Further details, including venue address, can be found here.

Baked – “Mick Jagger”

May 28, 2014

Titus Andronicus is returning to the Tralf on Saturday, June 7th, and with them, the Jersey punks are bringing the very intriguing band Baked. The Brooklyn act’s new single “Mick Jagger” just received a Stereogum seal of approval. Think jagged Grizzly Bear melodies, along with some easy going Local Natives’ bass lines, and maybe a touch of Yeasayer’s sultry rhythms, and you have “Mick Jagger.” Check out the single below, in particular that burst of drums around the 3 min mark, and if you like what you hear, head over to the Tralf in a couple weeks for the real thing.

Wooden Waves Debut New Track In “It’s Only Sky”

May 28, 2014

Hey remember last fall when we were really excited about the upcoming Wooden Waves album that was right around the corner? Well, its nearly June and we are still waiting. BUT, that wait is finally nearing its end as just yesterday, the band announced that their Wilder Dreams LP will be released this July via One Percent Press. And wouldn’t you know it, this morning, OPP dropped the album’s first tease in the song “It’s Only Sky.” The single follows the Wooden Wave’s previous established modus operandi – late 90’s style indie rock with dueling male/female vocals led by Ray Fulton as well the pair of Joey and Nikki McIntosh. Listen to “It’s Only Sky” below and keep an eye out for Wilder Dreams this summer. For real this time.

Faux Leather Jacket Releases Debut EP, Sorry, Bud

May 27, 2014

On slow blog days like this, we thank the tireless Rochester musician Ben Morey for giving us some quality music to write about. Morey stepped into the producer role this time around to mix, master, engineer, shoot the cover photo, and who knows, maybe cooked a four course meal, for the recording of the new EP from Rochester act Faux Leather Jacket. Featuring songwriter Trevor Courneen and former Cottage Jefferson guitar player Erick Perrine, among others, the sextet’s four track Sorry, Bud is a laid back collection of jangly alt-country, full of sunny harmonies and a touch of 90s college rock. Fans of Uncle Tupelo, Beachwood Sparks, the Old 97s (Courneen sounds a bit like Rhett Miller), and even Buffalo acts like Roger Bryan & the Orphans and the Old Sweethearts (RIP) should be downloading this right about now. You can check out the full Sorry, Bud EP here and[...]

Sonny Baker, Nicholas Reynolds, and Jack Topht w/Little Cake

May 23, 2014

The latest installment of our buffaBLOG Video series is a more intimate affair of a show. Following the afternoon’s Porchfest showcases, we hosted a party, well birthday party, over at Colonial Circle and invited a few of the blog’s favorite acts – Sonny Baker, Nicholas Reynolds of Space Wolves, and Jack Topht with his Little Cake – to serenade us in front of the setting sun and well into the night. Check out the video below, shot and edited by Lesionread, featuring performances from all three acts.

Tonight: Night Shift

May 22, 2014

After two DJ and dance-centric installments, Artvoice’s monthly Night Shift series switches gears tonight for a more laid back affair of jazz, folk, and art. The dinner crowd will be greeted to the sounds of the Ellen Pieroni Jazz Quartet, and once drinks start to flow, stick around for some dirty Americana courtesy of Pine Fever. In addition, the bar will be hosting the opening of the new series from local artist Justin Tartick, guitarist for the newly resurrected I Can See Mountains. Night Shift kicks off this evening at 7:30pm and is free of charge.

Just Announced: DIIV

May 20, 2014

After visiting Buffalo as part of the Tralf’s “Summer of Indie” series last year, Brooklyn dream-pop act, DIIV, will be returning to the downtown venue on Tuesday, July 15th. The band is set to be working on the follow-up to 2012’s Oshin, so expect some road testing of new material this summer when they roll through town. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, May 21st, at noon for $12 in advance, $14 day of.

Sea Planes Premiere “Young At Heart” Single

May 20, 2014

Rochester’s Sea Planes have maintained radio silence for close to a year since releasing their debut single, “Lip Gloss.” The song made a huge impression on the buffaBLOG office, ranking as the fourth best song from our sister city in our 2013 countdown. So with this, we were delighted yesterday afternoon when Sea Planes warned us all via social media that a new song, “Young at Heart,” would debut “tomorrow,” or in other words, today. While “Lip Gloss” sounds like it could have been on Top of the Pops, “Young At Heart” aims to be much bigger. Shouting harmonies, anthemic riffs, 80s synths, and one giant chorus has Sea Planes sounding like former Buffalo act All Blondes Go To Heaven if they started covering The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Listen to “Young At Heart” below.

Low Prospects Release Discovery Zone EP

May 20, 2014

Low Prospects, a noise-partnership formed by Kevin Cain (the Vault/Silo Sessions) and Bobby Griffiths of VWLS and Every Time I Die music video fame, recently released a three song EP titled Discovery Zone via Bad Drone Media. Discovery Zone, much like the childhood mecca, is full of twists and turns, ups and downs. The challenging project recalls some Feel Good Lost/Bee Hives era Broken Social Scene with some of the playfulness of minimal Animal Collective (see EP opener “Broke Rraga”). If you like what you hear, you can catch Low Prospects this Friday at the Wash Project as part of WSADA 11. Listen to “Pretty Chill Throughout,” which really is, below.

Just Announced: Miniature Tigers

May 20, 2014

Buzzing Brooklyn four-piece, Miniature Tigers, will be making a stop at the Waiting Room on Monday, July 14th. Touring in support of forthcoming new album Cruel Runnings, the bouncy synth-pop quartet, who has most recently taken a turn towards a soaring Smith Westerns vibe, will be bringing fellow buzz act, the Griswolds (think Two Door Cinema Club), along for the ride. Tickets go on sale today at 1pm for $12 in advance, $14 day of.

Every Time I Die Releases Music Video For “Thirst”

May 19, 2014

Local hardcore heroes, Every Time I Die, have released the new music video for their track Thirst,” the first single off the band’s forthcoming album, From Parts Unknown, set to drop on July 1st. Clocking in at a breezy 1:49, the video follows two locals up to no good,one of them being Bobby Griffiths, a local drone musician behind projects like VWLS and Low Prospects, over at Spiral Scratch, Holly Farms, the First Ward, and other spots around the Buffalo city area while making their way to an ETID show. Maybe next time they could just take mass transit. Check out the video for “Thirst” below.

Today: Buffalo Porchfest

May 17, 2014

Well, maybe we can have good weather for the third installment of Buffalo Porchfest. Last October, for the first go around, I hosted a band on my balcony and didn’t have power until an hour before they all showed up. This year is just kind of blah outside. No matter. The music will go on all over the Elmwood Village today from 12pm – 6pm. If you didn’t tune in with us yesterday, check out the five bands we think you should make an effort to check out today.  If none of those do it for you, the full map and schedule can be found here. Physical copies of the map are also available at the Elmwood Village Association offices at 1068 Elmwood Ave.

Tonight: Sleepy Hahas Album Release Show

May 16, 2014

After some minor lineup tweaking, the Buffalo psych garage four-piece, Sleepy Hahas, is set to celebrate the release of its debut LP, the heavy and driving Dull Days, tonight at Buffalo Iron Works. The coming together of the album has been a bit of a communal effort, with the Victory Gardens handling some impressive album art work and Lesionread jumping behind the camera for a couple videos (see the lyric video below) to a couple of Dull Days‘ tracks. As for our thoughts on the album, check back with us next week for a proper write up. Joining the fun tonight will be Fredonia fuzz rock threesome Zealot, the darker pop sounds of Strange Acres, and crunchy college rocking Bearhunter. Tonight’s show kicks off at 8pm with a $5 cover.

Five Acts To See At Buffalo Porchfest

May 16, 2014

The Elmwood Village’s Buffalo Porchfest is back for its second installment tomorrow from 12pm to 6pm. After debuting in early October, the one-day festival has grown bigger and better, boasting an impressive collection of local talent performing on porches and balconies all over the village for its spring installment. As with most fests, deciding on what to check out is always the hardest part. While you can view the full map and schedule here, we thought we would make your life a bit easier and let you know the top five acts to check out tomorrow. Brimstone Blondes @ 586 Lafayette Ave (1pm-2pm) We’ve been a fan of the Blondes since we stumbled upon them a few years back while hesitantly scoping out the lineup for a high school battle of the bands competition. The four-piece is a best described as throwback B-52s meets Talking Heads-esque outfit centered around lead singer Matthew[...]