Latest Posts

Preview: Koko Neetz EP Release

November 22, 2019

Head on out to Nietzsche’s tonight for a night to get lost in your thoughts. Buffalo’s residential existential pop star Koko Neetz is bringing the party favors and atmospheric scenery out to play in celebration of his EP release  i.t.t.i.p.  Neetz, the moniker for Buffalo-based musician Andrew Kothen, has been a staple of the local music scene these past couple years, mostly known for his efforts in dreambeaches. Sound wise, Neetz’ aura is reflective, perceptive, present. Guitar is light and complimentary, leaving you plenty of room for Neetz’ sweet, if not Socratic, lyrics. Joinng Neetz’ latest journey into the void will be heave, VR Sunset, and Humble Braggers doing a stripped down minimalist set. Doors start at 9pm. $10 gets you in along with a copy of the i.t.t.i.p. EP. Take a sneak peak below:

Dogs in Stereo Debuts New Video “Traffic Circles”

November 8, 2019

Imagine you need a playlist for a trip through some quicksand deep into the Earth. Buffalo’s lo-fi slacker rock and rollers Dogs in Stereo are ready to accompany you throughout this plodding, inevitable journey, where you say goodbye to the world around you and simply succumb. If there’s beauty in that, “Traffic Circles” will bring it out. Dreary guitars and vocals capture a fed-up, aimless energy. Joe Cardina’s project nails the depressing, grey feeling of hoping that there’s no hope with this track, reminding you to take your Vitamin D this SAD season. Dogs in Stereo goes bleak here, but it’s just one of many sounds they pull out of their bag of tricks. Varying synths and harder punk sounds highlighting other releases. Dogs in Stereo’s Idle EP hits the streets 11/15, and you can catch the release party at Mohawk on 11/14. Check out the visuals, with Shauna Presto’s direction.

The Stedwells – “Wake Up”

October 30, 2019

Get your garage rock groove on with a tasty new tune from Rochester’s The Stedwells. The three piece outfit’s latest single is a heavy handed alarm clock rounded out with droning chords and an infectious riff. Ryan Warren brings belts out desperation in a vocal performance that plays right off of the high energy guitar groove and it’s a rock jam in every sense. The Stedwells are slated to drop their Hideout EP on November 22nd, with assists from Grammy-winning engineers Stephen Roessner and Dave Collins. Have a listen below: Wake Up by The Stedwells

SCIENCE MAN Drops New Video for “Brazilian Napkins”

October 17, 2019

Open up your mind (and ears) and let SCIENCE MAN come in. Buffalo’s premier garage punk monstrosity is back with some bizarre visuals complimenting single “Brazilian Napkins.”  Intense, grotesque and single-shot, the performance gives off shades of the Ludovico Technique, if paired with thrashing guitar riffs. Between spastic actions of dental hygiene, SCIENCE MAN (John Toohill) screams of emotional desperation, drawing on recent experiences in Sao Paulo to round out a track that’s heavy from the ceiling to the floor. SCIENCE MAN dropped the vid to kick off a two-week tour through the Rust Belt and beyond with Nervous Tick and The Zipper. They return to Buff to tear down Pallet Town on 10/25. Have a listen:

Tonight: The Burkharts

October 12, 2019

Welcome The Burkharts back to Buffalo as they cap off their eight city tour with a stop at Milkie’s for a Saturday night showcase. The Buffalo boys bring home some supremely sweet and catchy tunes, recently on display in their May debut Lazy Dazing. Grip tightly onto your last memories of the summer and vibe out to their surfy, lollipop guitar riffs and indie rock earworm choruses. Fans of Mac DeMarco are going to be stoked with the songs and if their videography is any indication, it’s going to be a heckin’ fun performance as well. Ex-Pat and Coral Collapse round out a loaded evening at Milkie’s. $6 to get into the doors, opening at 9pm. Wear your finest mustard attire.

Chiddy Bang – “Full Speed Ahead”

May 11, 2017

It’s been seven years since Chiddy Bang was at the height of their career. Popular with music blogs while leading a wave of poppy, sample-heavy frat rap, rapper Chiddy and producer Xaphoon cranked out infectious track for a hot couple of years before disappearing. Since then, Xaphoon has moved on and Chiddy has revamped his sound for his single “Full Speed Ahead.” Chiddy’s lighthearted flows are as welcome as ever as he reflects on his early days on the scene. Though he might have been out of his element in the early days, Chiddy’s happy with his path and eager to use those old experiences in his drive back into the game. “Dull Speed Ahead’s” chorus is a perfectly poppy contemporary  hook, and Chiddy’s lyrics have gotten sharper as he’s progressed as an artist. It’s great to see Chiddy bringing the positive vibes once again.

Lucky Dice – “Memoirs”

April 12, 2017

Boston’s Lucky Dice plays politician perfectly in the video for his single “Memoirs.” Dice mirrors the passion, desire, grind and conviction of an upstart politician with that of the dedicated rapper that he is. “Memoirs” is just that, the diary of a rapper that concedes he hasn’t made it quite yet, but is honest and optimistic. The instrumental, courtesy of Bertz, is filled with that soul and hopefulness captured in Dice’s lyrics. “Memoirs” is the perfect single to represent Dice’s new project, Memoirs of a Starving Artist (M.O.S.A.). Give it a listen below.

L.A.N.C.E. – “Eve”

April 6, 2017

Fontana, California’s L.A.N.C.E. is quick with imagery and tight rhymes with his music. Over the traditional, light beat of “Eve” he details the complexity of a relationship between himself and another dreamer. Through his verses he drops complex rhyme schemes, third eye references, and goes into philosophy with Plato and Aristotle references. The best part of the track is the simplicity of the chorus, “One time one time, we was chilling in the park after dark.” In that moment, that succinctness and depth puts the whole track over the top and focuses the picture. Give it a listen below and check out more from L.A.N.C.E. here. 

Malcolm – “Money Ain’t a Thing Freestyle”

April 4, 2017

Speaking with the confidence of the city that’s behind him, rapper Malcolm takes on the legendary beat behind “Money Ain’t a Thang,” the 1998 collaborative effort between Jay Z and Jermaine Dupri. The New Jersey native unleashes a calm fury in a tight two minutes of freestyle rapping, with standout bars like “Rush Hour at the trap, where the fuck is Jackie Chan?” Malcolm makes references to Hov by name and also with the delivery of his street-smart attitude. Check out his YouTube page for more freestyles over classic beats and stay tuned for an upcoming EP.

J Blaze – “CAMP”

April 4, 2017

J Blaze makes rap anthems that shame your cookie cutter radio singles. Fresh in his Alonzo Mourning jersey, Blaze boasts unconventional brags that separate his one-liners from the stuff you’re used to. Fuck a coup, Blaze is into his four-door Teslas. The beat blurs the lines of trap and allows for Blaze to switch up his flows at ease. To put it simply, it’s a fun track to listen to. Blaze has charisma and his lyrics have character. It’s perfect to rap along in the car to with the top down, and if Blaze had it his way Elon Musk would be riding shotgun. Listen below.

D3X – “Paradise”

March 8, 2017

Mobb Deep’s Prodigy once said “I’m 19 but my mind is old.” After his vivid descriptions of his environment in the streets no one could doubt him. Philly’s D3X is also a young dude making waves for profound thought that trumps his modest age of 16. On his single “Paradise,” D3X leads off his first verse with the line “When did the world get so cold?” before he talks the crimes he’s seen people commit just to survive. The “Paradise” D3X describes in this track is this warped, inside-out world where vices get you far, and morality can leave you screwed. D3X himself references this in the chorus, saying he’s drowning. It’s a track with great depth, and shows a lot of promise for the young artist. “Paradise” is the first track off of D3X’s latest EP Distorted Visionz, you can check it out here. Press play below.

Mansa.wav – “Heat Wav”

February 27, 2017

Long Island rapper Mansa.wav’s smooth flow gives him a versatility that shines on his single “Heat Wav.” Wav’s sing-song delivery is on point, and makes for the killer hook “When I drop the mixtape we be chilling in a heat wave.” Mansa’s got a lot of charm in his lyrics (“I’m really straight suburban so it’s fuck what the streets say”) and his one-liners have their own Mansa flavor to them. DJ Flippp’s production gives Manza the perfect landscape to play with his flow, and “Heat Wav” is a a great listen because of it. The track comes from Mansa’s VSW 2 project, check it out below.

Tr38cho – “Big Twinkie”

February 27, 2017

Buffalo’s Tr38cho (Tre Ocho) needs just one verse to make waves on his single “Big Twinkie.” Taking influence from legendary lyricist Eyedea, Ocho fits in punchlines and commentary into the minute and a half track, with statements like “I’m from the part of the city they aren’t trying to gentrify.” The instrumental has a grimy 90s NYC feel to it, and the Ghostbusters Twinkie scene leads in and out of the song. Give it a listen below.

El Capitán – “Sun Tzu”

February 27, 2017

California rap duo El Capitán identity is expertly represented in their single “Sun Tzu.” The track’s production has a country twang, built around desert guitar strums. The mental image of a tumbleweed crossing the sand will enter your brain when you hear this song, guaranteed. Abhi the Nomad takes the first verse and rips of a string of tight lines and then Local Foster takes over before a the beat flips and the energy blows. Both Abhi and Foster flow with relaxed, sharp intensity and are prone to quick-witted lines and “researching the cure to the common rapper.” “Sun Tzu’s” video is a cinematic epic and worth the watch regardless of how good the tune is. Press play below.

Short Moscato – “Whisper (Disappear)”

February 21, 2017

Buffalo rapper Short Moscato is a proven wordsmith that also comes through with thematic songs and projects on the regular. His latest track “Whisper” discusses his methods of escape from his insecurities and beyond. The voice of John Lennon talks of the transcendental powers of meditation, and Moscato follows him up by delving into his own explorations. He delivers just one titular verse, allowing for Lennon and medasin’s production to frame his messages. Medasin’s light-yet-abrasive outro captures the flux of Moscato’s deliverance, and wraps up a tight track. “Whisper” is the first single off of Moscato’s commercial debut The Colour of Air, due out March 17th.