Latest Posts

Jon Lewis Releases Lead Single for Panic Rock LP

June 4, 2015

Rochester singer/songwriter Jon Lewis (or Mr. Loops to our young readers) has announced his latest album, titled Panic Rock ( a nod to Watertown’s Black River), set to be released on July 14th. The album was recorded with Lewis’ 1809 Sessions partner, Dave Drago, at the Macedon studio, and features contributions from Rochester musicians Sam Snyder (OHS, Maybird), Mikaela Davis, John Valenti, and others. The album’s first single, “Right Now,” was released this morning. Backed by a care free melody and a 70’s singer/songwriter vibe (CSNY and Loudon Wainwright come to mind), the single is part of a collection of songs that act as a touching nod to Lewis’ close family. “Many of the songs have sentimental value and reflect on loved ones and experiences with my family, says Lewis of the album’s personal meaning. Listen to “Right Now” below (download here) and keep an eye out for Panic Rock to drop in[...]

Pleistocene Premieres First Track from Forthcoming 7″ Space Trap

June 3, 2015

Rochester’s fuzzy, female fronted indie rock act, Pleistocene, is prepping the release of its forthcoming 7″ Space Trap, released a music video “Pulp,” one of the four tracks featured on the record. The band plans to release a music video for each of the the concept album’s tracks. For those new to Pleistocene, think Alvvays, Beat Coast, and Speedy Ortiz. The clip for “Pulp” features the band performing in a bustling living room while a pretty serious game of musical chairs, only to be later taken down by one of the more dangerous paper airplanes you will come across. Keep an eye out for some cameos from members of Rochester’s emerging music scene throughout the party video. For those in the Rochester area this Saturday night, Space Trap will be available to pick up at Smugtown Mushrooms beginning at 7pm, while the digital version will be released next Tuesday, June 9th. Watch[...]

Queen City Music Lottery Band, HOTMediummild, Drops Debut Material

June 3, 2015

With 10 new Queen City Music Lottery bands set to make their live debuts this Saturday at Sugar City, a couple of bands have begun to leak their material to the interwebs. One of those bands, HOTMediummild, dropped a 4-track demo, the Mild EP, yesterday afternoon. Featuring Damian Weber (Difficult Night), Norelle Merlo of Mallwalkers and 2014 Lotto band, Scajaquada Creeps, and a very WHAM-like drum machine, HOTMediummild reminds us of Wesley Willis, Kimya Dawson, and Geneseo’s Slackjaw. HOTMediummild (band #8 if you have been following the QCML progress since the beginning) will kick of its set on Stage 2 right around 7pm Saturday night. Listen “Chess Club (I’ll Show You All),” the standout cut from the Mild EP, below so you have a favorite song to clap to.

Just Announced: Toro y Moi

June 2, 2015

Toro y Moi, the ever evolving project from musician Chaz Bundick, will be making its Buffalo debut later this fall on Tuesday, September 29th at Waiting Room. One of the leaders of the rather defunct and frequently mocked chillwave movement, Bundick’s sound been constantly tinkered with over the years, most recently settling in on soulful pop for his latest release. What For?, which dropped earlier this spring. Tickets for the After Dark presented show will go on sale this Friday, June 5th, at noon for $20 in advance, $22 day of. Oakland’s dreamy Astronauts, etc is set to open.

Pizza Club Productions Premieres Latest Cool Little Music Session feat. Zealot

June 2, 2015

While we wait for that ever elusive release from Fredonia bred fuzz act, Zealot, the band has been busy filming a Cool Little Music Session with Pizza Club Productions, which has previously featured sessions from fellow Fred-town act, Mooses, as well as Buffalo trio Wolf. The new, North Buffalo filmed clip is once again presented by Fredonia’s Cool Little Music Shop and captures the threesome performing cuts “Spent” and 2013 debut single “Magic Eye,” in addition to an interview with Zealot singer/guitarist, Jesse McMahon Eagan. Look for the forth installment in the series, featuring Buffalo emcee Bagel Jesus, in the near future. In the mean time, watch Zealot’s Cool Little Music Session below and make sure to catch the band performing at Record Theatre on June 20th as part of the Steak & Cake Herd Fest showcase.

Lesionread Unveils Massive Summer Tour

June 2, 2015

The ever restless pop artist Lesionread has unveiled a summer tour itinerary that is frankly ridiculous. The nearly 50 city, 10,000 mile cross-country tour (see route map here) begins next Monday, June 8th, and will feature fellow local (and formally local) musician friends – Space Cubs, Logan Locking, and Kristachuwan – joining Shawn Lewis on various legs of the summer tour. The just announced tour will include a couple Buffalo dates to start out, beginning Monday night supporting Yawn at Sugar City and an afternoon set at Record Theatre on June 20th as part of the Steak & Cake Herd Fest lineup. In addition, while not a Lesionread show, Lewis’ lotto band, ELVIRA, will makes its live debut at the Queen City Music Lottery #2 Showcase this Saturday, also at Sugar City. PUSH by Lesionread + Jon Bap

Maybird Releases New Single, Music Video For “Turning Into Water”

June 1, 2015

Rochester/Brooklyn psych rockers, Maybird, have released its first single in nearly two years and an accompanying music video to go long with it. The track, “Turning Into Water,” has some Tame Impala freak outs mixed with just a touch of early 90’s Brit Pop (think Supergrass), and is set to be included on the band’s forthcoming Turning Into Water EP, with a proper full length to follow. Directed by band member  Adam Netsky, the video for “Turning Into Water” features the band playing in front of some rather trippy green screens and backdrops as the projections wash over the members while performing. “‘Turning Into Water’ is about a melting feeling of being ignored by someone you admire, and the self consciousness and anxiety that accompany it. The video uses clips of rushing water to visualize that feeling, they start as projections and gradually take over the visual plane in superimposed layers[...]

Tonight: Take One Car

May 30, 2015

Sugar City is set to welcome Connecticut post-hardcore outfit, Take One Car, to the venue’s newly built stage early this evening. The band’s latest album, Everyone You Know is Here Right Now, was released early this spring through Broken World Media, and should appeal to fans of mewithoutYou or even The Slums if you want a local spin. Rounding out tonight’s bill are Steel City screamo act, Skull Kid, local emo group, Alleys, (set to take off on a new tour right around the corner), and the fresh Buffalo pop/punk trio, THICK WINTER BLUD. The all ages, substance free show will kick off around 7pm with a cover of $6 at the door.

Just Announced: The Both feat. Aimee Mann & Ted Leo

May 29, 2015

So Aimee Mann and Ted Leo have a band together called The Both? But when? How? Upon further research, the two longtime singer/songwriters (the former began her career with ‘Til Tuesday and the latter frequently records/performs with the Pharmacists) paired up in 2013 and released their self-titled debut last year. And upon even further research, I really like what I hear. This is very interesting. What is even more interesting is the duo will be bringing The Both to the Tralf Music Hall on Friday, August 14th. Tickets are set to go on sale Monday, June 1st, at noon for $25 in advance, $27 day of.

Tonight: Parlor Trix #3

May 29, 2015

Buzzing Purchase, NY pop act, Adult Mom, will be one of the highlights of tonight’s latest installment of Steak & Cake’s Parlor Trix series at the label’s home base venue of Curly’s (note: this is not the Lackawanna restaurant). The group’s latest single,”Survival,” has been getting some serious burn over at Pitchfork. I would have compared the act to Rilo Kiley if the P4K crew didn’t meet me to it first. Rounding out tonight’s bill will be Alex Berkley, whose most recent release, Shuffled, premiered as part of Sugar City’s annual Fun-a-Day art installment this past March, Helen, the haunting folk project of Bourbon and Coffee’s Andrew Biggie, and the extremely unknown act/musician Thelma. Seriously, I found nothing on them. $5 is all it will cost to figure out who Thelma is, in addition to catch an on-the-rise touring act in Adult Mom, and two of the city’s finest songwriters[...]

Black Sol’s Dean Chatham Drops “Enrollment” Video

May 28, 2015

The very active, but until recently, somewhat visually lacking Black Sol hip hop collective has been a regular feature on the blog over the last couple months as tracks from Saint Opal, Melo-Nymbus, and [ez amädi] have been keeping our hip hop writers quite busy. Collective all-star, Dean Chatham, just dropped the music video to the track “Enrollment” which can be found on his recently released Dean’s List EP. The well timed video is just begging to be played at commencement ceremonies for students entering the post-grad world. “The concept for the video is that I’m encouraging people to follow their passions/talents and to take action to make things happen for whatever those passions may be.” Chatham explains of the clip’s uplifting message. Watch the video for “Enrollment,” which features the whole Black Sol crew backing Chatham, below and follow all of Black Sol’s activity of the group’s soundcloud page.

VWLS Releases Soft Block EP

May 27, 2015

Multi-platform artist, Bobby Griffiths, has released his latest collection of ambient drone under the VWLS moniker through his record/media label, Bad Drone Media. The 7-track Soft Block opens with the warm “Early Prighs” and continues to change pace between the ominous “Glass Of Water, Fork In The Sink,” abrasive “Weathervane,” and hopeful “Words Used.” Its a moving collection of experimental music (something the drone genre rarely does to me), and fans of fellow local noise musicians like Logan Locking and Kevin Cain, the latter of whom previously collaborated with Griffiths on last year’s Low Prospects EP, would be wise to give it a spin. Listen to the EP standout “Words Used” below.

Tonight: Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas

May 27, 2015

After the absolute blast that was last Friday’s sold out !!! show, Babeville’s basement venue, the Ninth Ward, looks to keep things rolling tonight as it welcomes the buzzing act, Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas. The Detroit born Hernandez, a sultry, rock and roll version of Amy Winehouse, will be in town to support the group’s debut album, Secret Evil. Tickets are still available to grab at the door for $10. The Albrights will open the show beginning at 8pm.

Just Announced: of Montreal

May 27, 2015

of Montreal’s annual visit to Buffalo will continue this year, moving from the band’s normal stopping grounds of Town Ballroom to acoustically rich confines to Babeville’s suddenly busy Asbury Hall. Kevin Barnes and crew will hit town on Monday, September 14th, in what is becoming a fantastic month for live music in Buffalo to support the band’s 13th(!) studio album, Aureate Gloom. Tickets for the Dan Smalls presented show will go on sale this Friday, May 27th, at noon for $17.50 in advance, $20 day of via Ticketweb. Surface to Air Missive is set to open.

Faux Leather Jacket’s Trevor Courneen Launches Audible Handshake Podcast

May 26, 2015

Late last month, Trevor Courneen, member of Rochester’s alt-country outfit, Faux Leather Jacket, launched a new podcast series titled Audible Handshake. The first two episodes featured interviews/chats with fellow Rochester musicians Katie Preston of Pleistocene and Howlo‘s Ben Morey. “I wanted to start the podcast because for the past few years that I’ve lived in Rochester, I’ve met a lot of cool people,” begins Courneen. “People in the music scene, the art scene, the food scene, etc., I consider many of them friends at this point, but the truth is, I know very little about them beyond what they do. Katie and Ben are exceptions to this obviously because I’ve been good friends with them for a few years (which is why they were the first two, I knew I’d be comfortable and it would get me used to the process).” The podcast is more than just friendly talk with musical friends, but[...]