Latest Posts

Just Announced: Mount Eerie

March 24, 2014

Phil Elverum will bring his Mount Eerie project, formally known as Microphones, back to Buffalo this spring on Thursday, April 17th with a performance at Babeville’s Ninth Ward. Mount Eerie most recently played the Buffalo venue back in September of 2012. The prolific musician was quite busy in 2013, releasing a string of albums, including November’s Pre-Human Ideas. Tickets for the show will go on sale this Friday, March 28th, for $13 in advance/$15 day of. – Mac McGuire

MS MR and Gang of Youths

March 24, 2014

While the most buzzed-about event in our fair city this weekend was undoubtedly the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament games taking place at First Niagara Center, it’s unlikely that anyone had a better time than the folks who were at the Town Ballroom on Saturday night, where indie-pop phenomenon MS MR performed an excellent set, along with sport from Gang of Youths, a talented, anthemic rock band from Nashville. MS MR – the New York-based duo of Liz Plapinger and Max Hershenow, who met while attending Vassar College – scored a major alt-rock radio hit with “Hurricane” and appear to be poised for big things in the near future. Saturday’s excellent show certainly gave the indication that they are headed in the right direction. While the performances from both acts were top notch, the people in the audience deserve some credit for the evening. The crowd was thoroughly into it throughout[...]

Damian – You Don’t Need It

March 24, 2014

“Play ‘Soul Night‘!” There are maybe twenty or thirty people crammed into Damian Weber’s living room. The request came from a guy standing in the doorway, but all over the room, people begin to signal their approval. Up front, Damian Weber, bashfully charismatic, looks down at this guitar and sighs that he isn’t sure if he quite recalls how to play it. But the shouts continue, and Damian acquiesces, playing the song perfectly from start to finish. He remembers every word, and so do many of the people in his house. Camera phones come out to catch the key bits. “I can only dance if my rock ‘n roll is made by a weirdo,” he sings. Through the doorway behind him, I can see two people swing dancing through his dining room. “Soul Night” is the title track from Damian’s debut album. This article is about his new album, You Don’t[...]

Nick Gordon Pens Tune For The Life and Times of Grovey Cleves

March 24, 2014

Local troubadour Nick Gordon has released an original song for the literary project, The Life and Times of Grovey Cleves, a dark and humorous look at the former Buffalo Mayor and two-time President of the United States. Titled “Grovey’s Tune,” the twangy folk song (think a little Arlo Guthrie, a little Red House Painters) is a somber look at Cleveland’s path to the White House. Gordon wrote the song (see lyrics below), and released along with fellow local musician Eric Kendall. Kendall also contributes drums and guitar. Written by buffaBLOG and Block Club contributor Scott Mancuso and illustrated by local artist Mickey Harmon, The Life and Times of Grovey Cleves celebrated its opening reception this past Friday at the Western New York Book and Arts Center. If you were not in attendance, the exhibit will continue its run at WNYBAC until May 10th. In addition, copies of the book will be available to purchase at the Buffalo Small Press[...]

Sleepy Hahas Debut Lesionread Directed Music Video

March 20, 2014

Just yesterday, Buffalo garage rock foursome, Sleepy Hahas, debuted the music video for their heavy new single “I Hate My Body (and It Hates Me Too),” taken from the band’s forthcoming LP, Dull Days. The trippy clip, directed by Shawn Lewis aka Lesionread, would be a perfect way to spend a few mins during an upcoming shroom trip. The band will be celebrating the release of Dull Days on Friday, May 16th at Buffalo Iron Works. Full show details can be found here. Watch the video for “I Hate My Body (and It Hates Me Too)” below.

Sugar City Finds A New Home

March 20, 2014

Nearly two years after they closed up shop at the former Wadsworth location, Buffalo DIY collective Sugar City has found a new home. Located on the West Side at 1239 Niagara Street, the venue (pictured above) will continue to offer all ages, alcohol free events in various shapes and sizes under the art realm. Luckily, the group has not been dormant during their long search for a new space as their Ride the Metro, Queen City Music Lottery, and mainstay event, Soul Night, have gone on/continued despite not having a central hub. The art space, which should hold around 170 people, is currently under renovation and is projected to (hopefully) open sometime in the early summer.  Sugar City will be hosting an informal meeting at Niagara St. location on Thursday, March 27th at 6:30pm in hopes to recruit new volunteers, discuss community involvement, show off the new space, and maybe gain a[...]

The War On Drugs – Lost In The Dream

March 20, 2014

If one were to switch out the article ‘the’ with ‘a’ in The War On Drugs’ new album title, Lost In The Dream, one would find a stark and subtle difference between interpretations. Lost in ‘a’ dream connotes a superfluous, vague experience, like, ‘oh yeah, I was like, all swirling up in that dream man, totally bonkers.’ Lost in ‘the’ dream is specific, melancholy. Why would anyone feel lost in ‘the dream’, which I’m getting to here, is the dream that each individual pursues? From what I gather of Adam Granduciel is that the guy is rather OCD. After doing a little background research, having not been a die-hard fan of the group already, I found that this album took to him like a leech. Post-breakup, like many of us know, can turn on an obsessive creative switch to deviate from any lingering feelings or emotions. I’m not saying that this album[...]