Latest Posts

Just Announced: Band of Horses

May 5, 2014

Fresh to our inbox this afternoon is the news that Band of Horses will be making a Buffalo stop this summer on Tuesday, July 22nd at the Town Ballroom. Truth be told, I fell off the Band of Horses bandwagon a few years back, but did manage to catch the group open for Pearl Jam at the First Niagara Center when it rolled through town during the spring of 2010, and the live show was pretty tight. BoH’s first two albums, Everything All The Time and Cease to Begin, are still holding up nicely. Think Built to Spill and My Morning Jacket teaming up and you have a good place to start. Joining Band of Horses will be Texas’ Midlake, a band who successfully survived the replacement of its lead singer and may have come out all the better after the release of 2013’s moody Antiphon. Tickets will go on sale[...]

Infringement’s Call For Submissions Extended

May 5, 2014

We have been sleeping on Infringement so far this year so it’s worth noting that with the 10 anniversary of festival slowly approaching, the fest runners have extended the deadline for submissions to May 15th. For those unfamiliar, the 11 day festival, which takes place in Allentown and beyond from July 24th to August 3rd, is a collection of all kinds of performing artists under the sun, from music to poetry to complete randomness. Last year they had an event that just gave out coffee. Infringement is not in the business of turning performers away so if you are new to the scene and want to feel your way out, this could be a good opportunity to get your feet wet. You can submit your artist submissions here.

Dr. Ooo Premieres New Malt Disney Directed Clip

May 5, 2014

One of the blog’s favorite Buffalo MCs, the now Brooklyn residing Dr. Ooo (or Drew Aintworriedboutnuthin Hartman to his friends), has released the new music video for his track “Comfy.” Directed by Malt Disney, frequent collaborator of the Toats Orig Crew and Jact Toft, the clip finds Hartman strolling around Chinatown channeling his inner foodie and hitting up some markets. The track appears to be a part of an upcoming project called Canary Yellow, so keep your eyes peeled for further details. You can watch “Comfy” below.

Tonight: Transmission Dance Party

May 3, 2014

Buffalo’s best alt music dance party, Transmission Dance, is back for another round at the Tudor Lounge tonight. Since Mohawk Place shut down, the long running series has bounced around a bit from venues like Buffalo Iron Works, the Waiting Room, and most recently, in Hardware’s back room last month for a Depeche Mode and New Order focused evening, but it seems like Tudor is slowly becoming its new home base. Those familiar with Transmission know what to expect: choice cuts of indie and alternative dance music from the 80s/90s/aughts all night long. Hit up the event page to make a request or two with Bill and Jason before heading over. Music kicks off at 11pm tonight. Make sure to have $5 ready at the door.

Admirers Remaster Night Night EP, Premiere Title Track

May 1, 2014

Ever since Mike James’ former band, Longwave, dropped its wonderful The Strangest Things LP, which included this all time great WNY jam (that’s James in the left rear) way back in 2003, the ever busy Rochester musician has been floating around my, and now the blog’s, radar for some time. Between his former work in Mikey Jukebox, and current projects Hawker M. James and the Demos, James has found the time to remaster his 2003 EP, Night Night, from his OTHER project, Admirers. Set to drop on May 13th, the EP will include some fresh takes on the original cuts, in addition to remixes. As for the title track, the song delves into the retro synth-pop vibe that fans of any Johnny Jewel project, chilled Holy Ghost, Chromeo, and the Drive soundtrack will eat right up. Check out Pet Shop Boys-esque “Night Night,” which features a subtle, Niles Rogers like[...]

Just Announced: Kerfuffle

April 30, 2014

After some teasing through social media over the last couple weeks, Alternative Buffalo 107.7, one of the city’s newest radio stations, announced this evening it’s first big splash on the scene in the interestingly titled Kerfuffle. Yes Kerfuffle. The station, which has had its name on various shows over the last couple months from acts like the Whigs to the Orwells, will be throwing a one-day fest down at Canalside on Saturday, July 26th beginning at 3pm. Kerfuffle features some buffaBLOG approved artists, including Bear Hands (a former “You Heard It First” showcased act of the station), the semi-Rochester based BIg Data, Bleachers, and the Crystal Method. Cage the Elephant appears to be the headliner. Well, you can’t win them all… Anyways, ticket are $25, $40, and $150 for VIP, and will be available for purchase on Friday, May 2nd, starting at 12pm via TicketFly. Full event details can be[...]

The Mercy Beat – “Sweet”

April 30, 2014

Thanks to My Old Kentucky Blog’s Blog Radio show on Sirus XM U yesterday for turning me on to LA-based pop act The Mercy Beat, and in particular, its celestial single “Sweet.” The group dropped the track a couple months back, but it seems to be getting more play as of late due to its airy vocals and dreamy synths. Fans of Trails and Ways, Young Galaxy, St. Lucia, and even the Radio Dept should check it out. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/136016045″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Real People

April 30, 2014

Our final installment of buffaBLOG Video from our recent 4th birthday party at Duke’s comes from Real People, the long time, ever evolving emo/punk four piece  who closed out our party. One last thank you to Dan Bauer and Tom Etu for capturing and editing the footage. Past birthday video installments featuring Mr. Boneless, Harmonica Lewinski, and Alex Berkley & the Atlanta Falcons, can be viewed at our Youtube page. Watch a clip of Real People’s performance below. Photo Credit – Robert Emhof

Tonight: Sonny Baker

April 29, 2014

Speaking of Sonny Baker, the singer/songwriter will be playing an electric set over at Buffalo Iron Works this evening for the happy hour crowd. A member of Lazlo Hollyfeld, Wooden Waves, A Hotel Nourishing, and Alex Berkeley & the Atlanta Falcons, the long time Buffalo stalwart has been a staple in the local scene for what seems to be much longer than his age would allow. Expect some cuts from his various solo EPs, including his most recent, Mangled in the Front, while you down some Iron Works poutine. Baker hits the stage tonight at 6pm. No cover. Photo Credit – Jeannette Chin

Ben Morey Releases Howlo Project EP

April 29, 2014

Rochester’s Ben Morey appears to be trying to rival Buffalo’s Sonny Baker for busiest musician in WNY. Between his inviting solo work, including this solid live session with Genesee Live, and being a featured member of fellow 585 acts like Dumb Angel, New Socks (we think), and the Wallpaper, his latest project Howlo, released its three song EP, Attic Tapes, via bandcamp this weekend. Howlo’s sound is reminiscent of a pre-diva Kevin Barnes/of Montreal, equally lo fi and catchy. Listen to the capturing “Blanka” below.

Secret Pizza Releases Debut EP

April 28, 2014

We’ve been reading about Secret Pizza for the past six months or so, but could only attribute their sound to grainy facebook videos. Needless to say, we were delighted to stumble upon their debut EP, Self Titled E.P.. The Rochester post-rock outfit sounds like a more driving Frightened Rabbit or if the Men decided to dabble in shoegaze rock on their next album. Listen to EP stand out “Oh My My” below.

Peter Matthew Bauer – “Philadelphia Raga”

April 25, 2014

The most intriguing solo project to rise from the Walkmen ash is not from former front man Hamilton Leithauser, but rather the band’s bass/organ player Peter Matthew Bauer. The latest track from his solo debut, Liberation! (6/24), comes in the form of “Philadelphia Raga.” Leading off with a worn down instrumental, which recalls the Walkmen’s dreamy “Line by Line,” the song turns into a drifty folk number in the likes of Cass McCombs and even Calexcio. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/145816077″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Tonight: Kal Marks

April 25, 2014

A sneaky good show is going down at the Jungle Gym this evening. Boston based trio, Kal Marks, will be rolling through town with its early Modest Mouse meets sunny-laden acts like SW/MM/NG jams. Slouchcore if you will. Joining the bill this evening is Buffalo’s sludge rockers Sun Black Smoke, the space grunge of ronaldraygun, and some drunk group named Dudes. Entry is $5 bucks. Ask your one friend who washes his jeans once every other week for the address.

Melted Toys – “Blush”

April 24, 2014

Our inbox was greeted to a nice treat this morning from San Fran based pop group Melted Toys. “Blush,” the lead single from the band’s self titled debut (7/15), sounds like Dearhunter if Bradford Cox decided to dabble in sugary pop music. There is a little lo-fi Ariel Pink or Pains of Being Pure at Heart goodness in there too. Listen to the song below and judge for yourself. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/143686196″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Alex Berkley & the Atlanta Falcons

April 23, 2014

Next up for this week’s video installment from our 4th birthday party at Duke’s last month is a clip from Alex Berkley & the Atlanta Falcons.  Reuniting after a five year “off season” (because football), The Falcons, which features past and current members of Bear Exchange, Lazlo Hollyfeld, Besyno, Wooden Waves, and more, are fronted by local singer/songwriter Alex Berkley. Watch the video below, complete with an ultra charismatic intro by yours truly. You can also check out past sets from Harmonica Lewinski and Mr. Boneless here. Tune in next week with our final birthday party video with Real People. Photo Credit – Robert Emhof