Latest Posts

Tonight: La Luna

May 23, 2016

Tonight, Sugar City welcomes a lineup of punk and alternative garage rock acts to their back stage. Headlining the evening of noisy rock are Toronto natives La Luna. The group, who specializes in angvlar pvnk, is coming off the release of their second record, entitled Always Already. The band’s loud brand of DIY punk will be the showcase of the evening. La Luna will be supported by locals from Buffalo’s punk scene. Joining them will be stoop rockers Slow Cooker, who’s 3-song EP Rough Stough was released in December. They will be preceded by The Patterns, an indie post-punk group who are also fresh off an EP release. DUDES will open up the evening, having just released their debut album, Stay Home Pt 2. Doors are at 7pm, with a hard end time of 10pm. Cover is $6-$8 for the touring band, and free/pay what you can for under 18.

elle belle – “Failed Dreamz”

May 20, 2016

Los Angeles based psych-pop act, elle belle, released the video for “Failed Dreamz”  this morning and without a doubt it’s one of the strongest songs we’ve checked out this year. The song “Failed Dreamz” is off belle’s forthcoming album Baptistina I & II, due out this fall. There are a couple of similarities between Ariel PInk and “Failed Dreamz,” both with the gothy upbeat pop delivery and the “what the fuck am I watching?” vibes. If you are pressed for time let me try to explain this to you. A man that can best be described as a Kiss cosplayer in coveralls wakes up in the wilderness and pukes up sludge. A shouting man in a hat picks him up and flips him off a lot. Hat man brings Kiss guy to a warehouse where a pretty woman shouts into the his mouth and licks his teeth then makes him choke her. Eventually hat guy[...]

Shapes on Tape – “Fountain of Youth”

May 18, 2016

Brooklyn-act Shapes and Tape have our song in the office today with their new track “Fountain of Youth” The upbeat electro-pop song is actually all about searching for the fountain of youth. Partying, living your life to the max, being young and dumb, a theme that many of us can reflect on or are still in the midst of. It’s not often that song lyrics are this transparent. If you are a fan of Metronomy, Holy Ghost, or Clubfeet would be into Shapes on Tape. Listen to “Fountain of Youth” and try not to play it twice, I dare you. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/261186935″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Just Announced: Herd Fest

May 17, 2016

For the past six months, we’ve been chugging along trying to put together our third annual Herd Music Festival. The festival, which began in 2014, aimed to gather all of Western New York’s up-and-coming bands into one hustled weekend that showcased the city’s growing music scene. In the past we partnered up with various labels and collectives to deliver snapshots of cultures and tastes, but this year we decided to try something new – centralized programming and open applications. With centralized programming this put a lot more pressure and workload on our staff as opposed to working with conjunction with another organization. This will aid to ensure time flow management. We are positive that with this, showtimes will be close to the announced times, allowing festival-goers the opportunity to drop in and out of shows and curate their own concert experience. We’ve also developed an app for both Google and Apple IOS,[...]

Richie Quake – “Clarice”

May 11, 2016

I first discovered Brooklyn crooner Richie Quake via Syracuse-based live-sessions series, VHS Sessions. I regularly keep up with the series as they feature some of the very best up-and-coming acts traveling through central NY. In the video, Richie Quake was the last on the set of a collective of emcees called 99 Sublime. Although the others were immensely talented, Richie’s song “Worth” was incredible and I immediately downloaded everything I could get my hands on. Fast forward to a couple weeks ago, RIchie has a new single off of a forthcoming album out, “Clarice” The new single is inspired from 90’s thriller Silence of the Lambs. RIchie Quake’s soulful new school R&B paired with some pure mood inducing smooth sax make this song a go-to for your next “I have to impress this girl” mix. Check out “Clarice” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/258685749″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Gold Spectacles – “Even”

May 9, 2016

Once the weather is nice all I want to do is listen to is pop, and London-based producers Gold Spectacles have just what I need. The duo’s latest single “Even” is a slice of dream-pop heaven, with gentle funk-y bass, heavy sample work, and baroque undertones. Don’t let the song’s lighthearted vibe deceive you, “Even” is all about obsession into delusion. Fans of Hess is More,  Black Light Dinner Party, or laid Passion Pit would be into Gold Spectacles. The pair’s debut EP Flaws and Vision is out at the end of the month via Specky Records, but in the mean time check out “Even” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/258415361″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

LANY – “Where the Hell Are My Friends?”

May 5, 2016

Los Angeles-based electro-pop act, LANY, unveiled a new video a couple weeks back for their single “Where The Hell Are My Friends.” In the video, singer Paul Klein navigates through a party and ultimately has a crossroads moment. Why is he in Los Angeles? No one cares about him. He’s just one person out of 40 million people across the state. Should he move? Who would notice? In the end he’s alone in a room full of superficiality. “Where the Hell are my Friends” is upbeat, reflective, earnest, and overall catchy as hell. Fans of Phoenix, Humans, or Holy Ghost! would be into LANY. Check out the video below and try not to jam it all day. I dare you.

MLE – “Moonlight Desires (ft. Walsh)”

May 4, 2016

It’s a slow morning over at blog HQ, but that’s not stopping us from pumping mood music. This morning’s mood is inspired by 80’s electro-pop cover jam, “Moonlight Desires,” originally by Canadian singer, Gowan. The cover is a collaboration between MLE (aka singer Emily Dunlap) and Walsh, an electro-producer. “Moonlight Desires” is all about wanting someone and the obsessiveness that takes over your mind. Enjoy the dark disco vibes below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/257306082″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Database – “Nights Off ft. Tidal Caves”

May 3, 2016

Database’s latest collaboration with Tidal Caves is the sound of 11:34pm on a Saturday night. The track, “Nights Off” is an electro-pop gem, heavy with swaggerin’ psuedo-obnoxious talk-rap a la UFFY or a good Millionaires, with Kesha’s “whatever mentality” and 90’s house on the chorus. “Nights Off” can be found on of the forthcoming Database album Vivid Exposition. Give it a listen below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/256715822″ 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: EL VY

May 1, 2016

Rapids Theatre plays host tonight to one of the hottest indie acts on the tour circuit one of the EL VY (pronounced EL-PIE with a v). The band’s promo picture might yield some familiar faces, as EL VY is the side project for Matt Berninger (of The National) and Brent Knopf (of Menomena). Sound wise do not expect The National’s dreariness, but EL VY carries over the frontman’s story telling ability but in a much more wry and playful fashion. Also on deck are local sunshine haze-pop act, Get Money Squad. Doors are at 6pm with a $25 cover.

Tonight: The Slums

April 29, 2016

After 2 years of anticipation, we’re finally here, all the hype, all the teases of new material from this passionately loved artist who wears their heart on their sleeve and reps their city to the death; I am of course talking about the release of, Sorry by The Slums. Unless you’ve been completely oblivious to the local music scene, it’s been kind of hard to miss the local shout-rockers in our fair city, playing barn-burner of a show after barn-burner of a show. But tonight’s show is one of proper celebration, as the band marks the release of their buffaBLOG-approved, debut album. The Slums will be playing most (if not all) the tunes off their debut with I’m sure some room for old singles as well. The band’s trademark raw, aggressive, and wildly emotive punk sound, lends itself especially to the live setting, and if you’re like me, I know[...]

No Why – “Disconnect. Decode.”

April 27, 2016

Cleveland-based indie rockers No Why quietly released duel singles last month and it has come to be the repeat album of the morning at our office. The second song on the mini-ep, “Disconnect. Decode” is for definitely the late 90’s emo fan, combining intricate-growing guitar work with sweet Matt Pond PA-like vocals.  If you are Built to Spill, Mineral, or Appleseed Cast, then you’ll be into No Why. The two songs were written and recorded by the band, and their debut is available via bandcamp. 

Brimstone Blondes Return With New Singles

April 27, 2016

It’s been a while since we last heard material from plucky Buffalo-rooted glam-rock act, Brimstone Blondes. When we last checked in, the band was a four-piece college-bound band still semi-based out of Buffalo, or at least all their instruments were still in a suburbs basement. Now in 2016, Brimstone Blondes are very much a Purchase band, embracing showmanship, keyboards,  makeup, and glitter. The now five-piece released two songs this week “First Impressions Are Everything” and “Touchdown U.S.A” Recorded with $ell $ell $ell Studios in Manhattan, the A-Side single, “First Impressions Are Everything” is an introduction to lead singer Matthew Danger Lippman’s unique persona and his ability to burn bridges. If you are a fan of the band’s previous works, long gone are the simple garage-rock licks. The Blondes have evolved. Check out “First Impressions Are Everything” below.

Just Announced: Black Lips

April 26, 2016

Atlanta garage rock rascals, Black Lips, revealed on their website that they will be coming to Buffalo this summer and playing a venue that is bringing in more and more indie talents. Black Lips will be playing Nietzsche’s on Saturday, July 16th, with pre-sale tickets going for $15 plus modest Ticket Masters fees, like the luxury of printing your ticket for yourself or something. This will probably sell out so I would really suggest getting a ticket now rather than later because Nietzsche’s doesn’t hold much more than 225 people.

NGHTMRE – “Holdin’ On to You (Wet Paint and Wildfire Remix)”

April 26, 2016

Halifax-based future-bass producers Wet Paint and Wild Fire made a mean remix of NGHTMRE’s “Holdin’ On to You.” The song starts out as an atmospheric crawl, with whispy female vocals, and drops about 37 seconds in with expecting instrumentals. Eventually the remix  turns up with playful synth splices into a grandiose sound.  If you are a fan of Keys N Krate or Flume, then you would dig this remix. Check it out below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/256502217″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]