Latest Posts

Zak Ward

September 19, 2024

Zak Ward is another familiar name that blog has been covering since its inception in 2010. Back then, Ward was buzzing with his work with Son of the Sun. Summer 2024 saw a Son of the Sun reunion, which delivered tenfold with their packed show at Fountain Plaza. Ward is debuting a new project many are excited about, Zak Ward and the Million Dollar Question. Without any recordings of the project online yet, we are left to anticipate and prognosticate. All we know is it’s going to be good.

Letter to Elise

September 19, 2024

Like a phoenix, Letter to Elise has risen from the ashes of suit-wearing pop rockers Mom Said No. The band has gotten right down to business, showing they truly have a knack for crafting great indie pop. The band continues Mom Said No’s electric live show antics while maintaining a bit more mystique this time around – a welcome transformation that’s truly something to behold. OG Mom Said No member, Elliott Hunt formed the new project, which has a Harry Styles pop-influence with a Vampire Weekend preppy vibe. Letter to Elise may be one of the most proven breakthrough artists on this list, with their single “Day Drinking” taking off in the Spotify algorithm and garnering more than 100,000 streams as of press deadline. If that’s not enough, they rip an electric cello. Come on! No other bands at the festival have an electric cello (that we know of), and[...]

The Weather Might Say Otherwise (TWMSO)

September 19, 2024

For those keen on the Attic at Mr. Goodbar (or Fredonia’s not-so-secretly amazing music scene), The Weather Might Say Otherwise (TWMSO) is an act you’re already familiar with. The band has been around for close to six years at this point, forming in 2018 during the trio’s freshman year at the aforementioned SUNY Fredonia, but truly emerged into a force to be reckoned with in the post-COVID landscape. If you are fan of jaunty Midwest emo, Modern Baseball, and/or Blink-182, then make sure you catch these guys live.

Addisyn Logan

September 19, 2024

Addisyn Logan has been another one of our post-COVID favorites. A mix between Clairo and Phoebe Bridgers, this singer/songwriter truly delivers with her iconic sad girl energy. If you’re going to break up with someone, double check that it’s not Addisyn Logan with an alias, because she will make a biting song about it… And worst of all, it will have a really pretty melody.

Skamagotchi

September 19, 2024

Five piece ska project Skamagotchi is lead by multi-band juggler Philip Stephen, this high energy band’s sound is as fun as their pun-meets-nostalgia-inspired name and would nestle perfectly on a Tony Hawk Pro Skater re-vamp. If you like mozzarella sticks dunked in Mountain Dew, Less than Jake, or Keep Flying, then strap on your checkered vans and get ready to skank.

Snakeland

September 19, 2024

The musicians that make up this Buffalo alt-punk quintet is are by no means newcomers to the scene, with dozens of years under each of their belts spent on various other projects. This collaborative’s latest venture, Snakeland, is an amalgam of rock-heavy pop-punk a la Alien Ant Farm B-sides, with a tad more indie angularity and vocal passion.. Snakeland’s performance is dynamic with lead singer Tone Bone’s eclectic frontman energy truly something to behold.

Prairie Pavement

September 19, 2024

Prairie Pavement is still in their pre-responsibility phase, the band’s youthful energy is truly infectious as they bring quite a commanding live show. There are many talented songwriters in this collective who each have their own identity and direction and frequently take turns taking lead. If Ween, GIRLS, and MGMT forgot their synthesizers, you’d have the essence of Prairie Pavement.

10 Acts to Catch Music is Art 2024

September 19, 2024

Music is Art is a dream come true for Buffalo music fans looking to Kobayashi the local scene in 12 hours. The list of local talents playing this year can be a bit overwhelming if you don’t know what to look for, so we put together a compilation of ten bands to add to your must-see list this weekend. If you’re a blog-reading regular, you may notice we aren’t writing about the many established local acts that are great and we’ve covered ad hoc. There are dozens of bands playing that we won’t discuss today, as we’ve already exhausted hundreds of adverbs over the past ten-plus years via album reviews and show previews. The purpose of this article is to add some newer bands to your knowledge base and expand everyone’s horizons. Should you see bands that aren’t on this list? For sure. One of the best aspects of this[...]

Must See Shows (9/18/24-9/24/24)

September 17, 2024

Wednesday, 9/18 @ 7pm STRFKR w/ Happy Sad Face @ Electric City Ever-evolving Portland electro-pop act STRFKR returns to Buffalo mid-week to deliver ear worms from the band’s deep catalog. Since forming in 2007, the outfit has seen massive success on the indie scene with their knack for melodies that live inside your head and never seem to reach an expiration date. STRFKR is touring in support of their seventh album, Parallel Realms, released via the band’s long-term partner Polyvinyl Records. If STRFKR isn’t already a staple on your playlist, then it would be recommended for fans of Passion Pit, Toro y Moi, or the synth-heavy side of of Montreal. Also sharing the stage will be Joshua Tree-based psych-pop act, Happy Sad Face. Doors are somewhere around $29 to get in.   Friday, 9/20 @ 7pm Man on Man w/ Star Theory @ Mohawk Place Polyvinyl really makes a splash[...]

Must See Shows (9/11/24-9/17/24)

September 10, 2024

Saturday, 9/14 @ 7pm Elemantra w/ Patchwork @ Black Dots The west side is set to host a double banger with locals Elemantra and Patchwork this Saturday night at one of Buffalo’s best record stores. The lineup consists of two locals at the top of Buffalo’s indie scene. Elemantra may be up your alley if you are a fan of a shoeagaze-y Mew meets Slowdive vibes, while Patchwork will impress followers of the 90’s college radio scene. Both bands are worth the field trip and it’s just $10 to support local artists.   Photo: Adam Parshall Monday, 9/16/24 @ 7pm Pile w/ Oceanator @ Buffalo Iron Works It’ll be a Monday night ripper with the return of Boston’s Pile to the 716. The heavy hitting act will be debuting at the highest capacity venue they’ve played in the city, coming a long way from the days of playing on Niagara[...]

Tonight: The Hollywood Motel

December 26, 2019

Tonight at Nietzsche’s marks the debut Buffalo performance of a familiar act under a new moniker. The Hollywood Motel, fronted by Niagara Falls native turned Portland multi-media artist Billy Fortier, was formerly behind popular WNY act Seafox. This evening will be the band’s first outing – they have put together a one-off performance in Buffalo that luckily coincides with their holiday travel plans. The Hollywood Motel is rounded out by Fortier’s brother, Eric Fortier, Pete Heuer, and Deadwolf/Passed Out’s Andy Pothier. Their sound has a psych-y upbeat 70s sound with contemporary indie pop drive. The band is currently in the studio fleshing out their debut album with the Dandy Warhols. Also joining The Hollywood Motel are locals Canetis, who are fresh off the release of their new album Putting Time Together, and psych-pop trio VR Sunset. Doors are at 8pm with a $5 cover. In the meantime check out  the[...]

Tonight: Goon

November 18, 2019

LA-based touring act, Goon is making a stop tonight at 9th Ward. The quartet has been making a name for themselves in the blogosphere after releasing their new album Heaven is Humming via Partisan Records (Cigarettes After Sex, Craig Finn) this past summer. The band’s sound is reminiscent of Ovlov or B Boys. with a driving and experimental indie sound with a 90s slacker vibe. Joining the quartet will be locals Cooler, who word on the street is have a new single popping up soon. Get out of the house while you still can. Doors are at 7pm with a $10 cover.

Tonight: Operators

October 7, 2019

Canadian electro-pop outfit Operators return to Buffalo this evening for an upbeat dance music at the Rec Room. Fronted by Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade, Handsome Furs), the band has quickly amassed a loyal following with their eighties new wave pop hits and certified jammers. Operators will be in town in support of their May 2019 album, Radiant Dawn. Released through Last Gang Records, the new album is a bit more cinematic than previous efforts, with a bit more of a dark sci-fi feel. i Opening the night will be Buffalo’s Shallow State, a new electronic project headed by scene veteran Brian Gorman. Doors are at 7pm with a $20 cover.

18 & Under Battle of the Bands Registration Starts Sunday

May 16, 2019

Are you 18 & under and looking for an opportunity to hop onto the local scene? Brandon Schlia, brains behind local label Steak & Cake Records, hopes to fast track your interest by organizing an 18 & Under Battle of the Bands set for this summer. The registration for the event starts this Sunday, May 19th at local all-ages space Sugar City between 5pm and 8pm. Inspired by monthly all-ages shows put on at his local YMCA, Schlia hopes to pass it forward with creating and fostering a younger demographic to the Buffalo music scene. Sunday’s registration will be the initial round of the event. In July, there will be a showcase featuring some of registered bands. In October 2019, this will all come to head with a Battle of the Bands, winner going on to battle a separate bracket of Spring 2020 bands. If you are interested in participating,[...]

Tonight: Eels

April 29, 2019

Town Ballroom is hosting an evening of indie nostalgia by way of California rock’n rollers, Eels. Fronted by multi-instrumentalist and project mastermind, E (aka Mark Oliver Everett), Eels has been a working project since 1995, evolving in sound and vision. Currently, the band is touring in support of their latest album, The Deconstruction. Expect to hear a range of sounds from orchestral pop, psych-rock, and indie rock from the heyday of college radio. Doors are at 7pm with a $36 cover. Get there early to check out opener The Inspector Cluzo.