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Tonight: Sugar City’s Two Part Anniversary Party

July 23, 2016

Tonight is the resurrection anniversary of Sugar City . Well, it’s not the ACTUAL anniversary, as the group has been around since 2009, then briefly went into a hiatus while searching for a new headquarters, then started a new headquarters, then ran into some construction setbacks, and then… Point is, Sugar City has called their Niagara St. location their home base for about two years. Entering their seventh year as a collective, the group has been responsible for bringing some of the best cultural events to Buffalo via art exhibits, concerts, comedy shows, and unique programming, while maintaining a safe and welcoming atmosphere to the public, and it’s time to celebrate. The celebration is programmed in two parts. Part one is at the Sugar City hideout at 1239 Niagara St. At 6pm, doors open for the gallery. At 7pm, music begins, with performances by Basement Rat, Chevron Bloom, Glove, Jason Martin[...]

Sparklebomb Releases New Batch of Spooky Singles

July 22, 2016

Spooky synth queen, Sparklebomb, has released a new batch of brooding ambient tracks. The Buffalo-transplant / Syracuse native, Angie Conte has been performing under the moniker for close to seven years, perfecting her atmospheric and dismal sound. As per the songwriter’s repertoire, the intro to “Right Along with Me” leads into the dialogue of an old-time audio of Murder Castle, a drama inspired by serial killer / madman, H.H. Holmes. The dialogue is spliced over ominous organs, eventually introducing a drum machine. The muffled interaction drops,  leaving almost mesmerizing synth loop meanwhile building your anxiety for something to happen, which is a tease because the track fades out much like how it faded in. If there ever was a musician to score a horror film, it would be Sparklebomb. Check out “Right Along with Me” below and explore the ‘bomb’s discography here.   [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/273362364″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

MNYNMS – “Oracle (TEEEL Remix)”

July 22, 2016

Houston-based synthpop act,  MNYNMS (pronouned ‘Many Names’), dropped an EP this morning titled Rite of Passage with an additional EP dedicated to remixes for the lead single, “Oracle.” buffaBLOG was lucky enough to get ears on one of the official remixes first. Producer extraordinaire, TEEEL, got a hold of the track “Oracle” and immediately picked the pace up. On the “Oracle” remix, TEEEL inserts his 80’s new-wave take on the  song, creating a dance-able daydream that is simply infectious. MNYNM’s dual EPs Rite of Passage and Oracle Remix are both available on iTunes. In the meantime you can stream MNYNMS’ “Oracle (TEEEL Remix)” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/274809831″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Tonight: Dog Party

July 17, 2016

Sacramento-based punk rock act Dog Party will be making a stop in Buffalo this evening at newly established east-side DIY basement, Deep Space 8. Composed of sisters Lucy and Gwendolyn, the duo is currently touring the U.S.A with fellow Sacramentans Sneeze Attack. Combining a grungy sound with poppy vocals, Dog Party’s sound is a mix between Bleached, Colleen Green, and The Ronettes. The band’s catchy ditties ultimately got them noticed by Asian Man Records (Alkaline Trio, Lemuria, Andrew Jackson Jihad), who released two of the band’s albums. Also on the bill are local punkers Trinkit. Doors are super early at 6pm so pack a dinner. Bring $5 for touring bands

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds @ Artpark (7/6/16)

July 15, 2016

Last Wednesday Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds made a stop in at Lewiston’s famed summertime mecca, Artpark. Gallagher, formerly of Oasis, brought his giant Brit-rock sounds to a crowd of thousands. We sent contributing buffaBLOG photographer Ashley Schaffert to snap some magic. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds Photos by Ashley Schaffert

Tonight: Yonatan Gat

July 12, 2016

Yonatan Gat, former guitarist to traveling psych-band, Monotonix, brings his slick licks to Mohawk Place tonight for surely what will be a mind-melting performance. Since Monotonix’s break-up at the tail end of 2011, Gat went solo, evolving his sound from heavy guitar riffs a la Led Zeppelin to more intricate, jazzy psych vibes similar to a playful Mars Volta. Gat’s work is incredibly awe-inspiring, to quote SPIN  “…cults have been formed over less.” Without a doubt, this is well worth heading downtown on a Tuesday night. Also on the bill are local punkers Slow Cooker and Radiation Risks, along with returning psych-folk act via Austin, Calliope Musicals. Doors are at 7pm and there is an $8 cover.

Tonight: Herd Fest Day Four

June 19, 2016

Woooo Herd Fest Day Four! I am writing this with one hand dangling off my twin mattress. So far, we’ve had twelve showcases since Thursday, featuring some of the very best acts locally and beyond. Tonight is no different. This evening Mohawk Place plays host to some of the areas most talented emcees. Leading off the night is Rochester-based hip hop collective, Chemical Ape. Next is conscious rapper Dean Chatham, who will be including a live drummer in his set. After that we have Buffalo’s Chill Ali, set to perform smackdab in the middle. Rounding out the night are sets from wordsmith emcees Prime Example and lit-rap act 200 Kids Outside. Fun starts around 8pm with a $5 cover. <iframe width=”640″ height=”360″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/a76d7vfwgFk” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>

Tonight: Herd Fest Day Two

June 17, 2016

Tonight we launch into the busy portion of Herd Fest with day two of the festival. Tonight programming spans across five venues. Earliest show starts at 8pm at Mohawk Place with gravelly indie rockers via Syracuse, Bridge Under Fire, dreampop synth artist Daniel Robinson, sunny Bryan Johnson and Family, indie-pop act Comfy, industrial goth duo and the heavily anticipated psych set by Ex-Pat. $5 cover. At about 9:30pm, Milkie’s launches into their set programming, with emo revivalists from Rochester (and formerly of Michigan), Charmer. After that are straight rock band The Soft Love, psych-rock act Deadwolf, stripped down indie original Moody Cosmos, and rounding out the night is comedy act Wood Bois. If you are a fan of Flight of the Conchords or The Cure, then you should mark this set down. $5 cover. If you get there before 9:30pm, you might be able to catch WWE Hall of Famer[...]

Tonight: Herd Fest Day One

June 16, 2016

Tonight is the night. After close to nine months of planning Herd Fest is finally launched. This year we did things different. In the past we subcontracted shows to various scene reps and labels in order to diversify the voices being represented for the festival. This highly collaborative process was fun and confusing so we decided to do things different this year. For our third year, we took the reigns and centrally booked all of the shows. We had bands go through an application process in order to diversify and cater to fans of up-and-coming indie acts, resulting in four days of showcases at seven venues with 67 bands set to perform. We launched our Herd Fest app, where you can go and download and create your own schedule for the next four days. In addition, we have on-site managers for each venue ensuring stage management. Bands will be playing very close[...]

Just Announced: Kanye West

June 14, 2016

People who read on the internet super early were delighted this morning to discover that Kanye West announced he will be touring in support of his latest album The Life of Pablo. Dubbed the Saint Pablo tour, Yeezy will be making his second stop on the tour at Buffalo’s First NIagara center on Saturday, August 27th.Tickets go on sale this Saturday at 10am, with prices ranging from $29.50 to $129.50, so make sure you don’t get too lost in Herd Fest activities that you forget to set your alarm for Saturday. I have a feeling this one might sell out.

Tonight: Moving Units

June 13, 2016

LA-based dance punk veterans, Moving Units, will be playing Mohawk Place tonight, undoubtedly waking up Buffalo on a fairly sleepy Monday night. If you are a fan of The Faint or New Order, then you should probably head down to the ‘Hawk Tonight. Also on the bill are fellow LA-ians, Visions, who are currently teaming up with Burger Records to release their forthcoming album. Doors open at 8pm with a $10 cover.

Tonight: Dreambeaches

May 28, 2016

Sunny Buffalo-based indie rock act, Dreambeaches, will be celebrating their EP release, titled Habits, tonight at Nietzsche’s. The baroque-rs have been on the scene for over a year, so waiting this long for an EP is rare in an era of home recordings. From what I’ve heard, this release is well worth the wait.  Also on the bill are synth-pop outfit Humble Braggers, psych-pop band Mooses, and cave-rock band Bold Folly. Doors open at 9pm and there is a $5 cover.

The Faint – “Young and Realistic”

May 27, 2016

Omaha dance-punk act The Faint are back yet again with a new song “Young and Realistic.” The indie scene vets has been a staple of the scene since their critically acclaimed debut album Danse Macabre close to fifteen years ago on Saddle Creek Records.”Young and Realistic” is a lot more dance-y than their past releases over their decade, meshing into something more of the style of LCD Soundsystem or other acts affiliated with DFA Records. The synth-heavy track is perfect for the middle of a foggy dance floor with pink, red, and orange swirling lights. Check out the track below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/264856931″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Rudy & the Dunk Reactions – “Fixation”

May 25, 2016

Seattle-based nu-disco producer, Rudy & The Dunk Reactions have released their debut track that is (fire emoji). Rudy has made his way around the Seattle-scene over the past five years, throwing dance parties at roller rinks and laser tag arenas, as well as producing tracks for hip-hop group Slow Dance. His song “Fixation” is absolutely infectious, repeatedly punching “I need a fix. Fixation. Fixation Fixation” over and over again in the staccato flow of an emcee from the eighties. With that being said “Fixation” is the accompaniment of a fight scene in The Warriors. The producer also spliced a video featuring professionals figure skiing over the track, which is something I never thought abut can’t take my eyes off. Check out Rory & the Dunk Reactions’ debut track “Fixation”  below and be on the look out for more promising material.

Kristoffer & The Harbour Heads – “When You Say Stay”

May 24, 2016

I first heard Swedish musician Kristoffer Ragnstam nearly a decade ago when I came across his album Sweet BIlls while working at my college radio station.  I found Ragnstam’s charmingly descriptive and honest songwriting style coupled with his gentle indie-rock remarkably appealing. In the late 00’s I pulled songs from that and the follow-up Wrong Side of the Room for countless mixes and his songs were the soundtrack for many moods at the time. Since putting his solo career on hold, Ragnstam has created a new projected under the moniker Kristoffer & The Harbour Heads and guess what? They have a new single/video titled “When You Say.” The video “When You Say Stay” features a full cast of immigrants and human rights activists residing in Dresden, Germany.  In the video, a plucky girl runs through an artsy wonderland, complete with abstract tree houses, exhibits, along with a zebra (which might actually be[...]