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Tonight: Sidewalking Plays Psychocandy

Today marks the 30th anniversary of one of the greatest and most influential pop records of all-time: The Jesus and Mary Chain’s Psychocandy. Arriving on the scene in the mid-80s, quibbling Scottish brothers Jim and William Reid took the beautiful harmonies of 60’s pop bands like The Beach Boys and The Velvet Underground and bathed them in an unholy mess of noise and feedback to craft a unique sound unheard before. Over the course of 14 tracks, the brothers would set a precedent not just for future artists, but for future genres as well. Whether it’s noise rock, dreampop, or shoegaze, all owe a great debt to Psychocandy. And while the band have not been back since their infamous 2012 Canalside show that sent clueless plebs away in droves complaining about the noise and sounds, tonight offers a great experience for the diehards. Buffalo’s one and one elite JAMC cover[...]

Tonight: Depeche Mode vs New Order Dance Party

Mohawk Place has played host to a lot of Bill Page’s dance parties over the years, from the infamous Transmission series to decade themed parties to the classic annual Smiths and Cure throw down. But tonight, Page will team up with Aaron Andrews to pay tribute to two different bands of the 80’s: the original heroes of synth pop, Depeche Mode and New Order. Everything from the groups’ biggest anthems like “Personal Jesus” and “Temptation” to deeper cuts like “Vanishing Point” and “Halo” will get a spin. These “vs” parties have always been one of the most fun nights in Buffalo and again, selections have been spot on. It’s the classic London/Manchester rivalry played out on sonic scale, so tune in tonight to see who comes out victorious. Cover is $5 at the door and music kicks off at Mohawk at 10:30pm.

Column 35: Ranking the Beats of Bond

James Bond is inarguably one of the most famous characters in the history of cinema. And while each entry into the well-known franchise has given us a new tale in the classic spy series, it’s also provided us with a new definitive pop theme. It’s interesting to look at the change over the years as the themes not only reflect the changes in the series but the evolution of pop music. From Louis Armstrong to Madonna, Paul McCartney to Sheryl Crow, and A-ha to Sam Smith, singer of Bond’s most recent theme from Spectre, the series themes almost read as interesting timeline of pop culture itself. But which theme is the absolute best? 5. “A View to Kill” – Duran Duran (1985) Over the years, there have been many attempts to create a more modern or original Bond theme, one less classical and more in fitting with the times, and of all those[...]

Tonight: Sufjan Stevens

It’s rare enough for an artist to produce an album revered as a masterpiece once in their career. And to do it twice is nothing short of remarkable. But that’s exactly the kind of artist Buffalo will welcome to tonight as eclectic singer/songwriter Sufjan Stevens will take the stage at the UB’s Center for the Arts. While Sufjan already had a host of great releases behind him (including 2004’s excellent Seven Swans), it wasn’t until 2005, with the release of Illinois, the second album in his now defunct “50 States Project,” that he truly broke through. The album was a sweeping baroque pop masterpiece, a stunning humanist collage built from history, folklore, and personal experience. It rightly received mass acclaim and produced a chart entry by way of lead single, “Chicago.” And while Stevens has continued to produce beautiful work over the years, including The BQE, his inspired Christmas double album, Silver &[...]

Column 34: Shaun of the Dead‘s Harmonious Relationship with Pop Music

Annnnd we’re back. After a long hiatus, we’ve returned with the latest installment of Screened Plays, the place where cinema and pop music collide. And just in time for Halloween, our good friends at North Park Theatre are showing one of my all-time favorite comedies: Shaun of the Dead. While many directors (Quentin Tarantino, Danny Boyle, Martin Scorsese) have a famously close relationship with pop music, I would argue perhaps no filmmaker has ever had quite as harmonious a relationship as Edgar Wright. Even going back to his early days with Spaced, his comedies looked different, moved different, and definitely sounded different from anything else on television. This is because Wright’s approach to filmmaking much more unique than that of most comedy directors. While many comedy films rest on the strength of either their writing or lead stars, Wright’s comedies are notably more visual. Perhaps the greatest weapon in his comedic arsenal is[...]

Tonight: Young Empires

Buffalo plays host to our Canadian neighbors with the synth-pop jams of Toronto’s Young Empires this evening. The trio has made waves in Canada in recent years with its unique blend of indie rock, synthpop, and Latin American percussion. The band found further success when lead single, “Rain of Gold,” was included in FIFA 13 leading to a UK chart run. Nw fresh off the release of the eagerly-awaited debut album, The Gates, the three piece has arrived in Buffalo with a fresh batch of funky jams. Young Empires have earned much acclaim for their sensational live shows and should provide tonight’s Waiting Room crowd with nothing short of one hell of a dance party. And Joining Young Empires will be  Wild Things, American Low, and Humble Braggers so be sure to get down there early. Tickets are $12 and doors to Waiting Room’s Studio open at 6pm.

Tonight: In The Valley Below

Buffalo will be greeted with the first solo show from popular LA pop act In the Valley Below this evening at the Tralf. The duo previously visited town for both Kerfuffle and UB’s Springfest, but are now back to the city that’s shown them so much love over the past year. The band is made up of the mid-western pair of Jeffrey Jacob Mendel and Angela Gail Mattson who met while playing in the Los Angeles to form In the Valley Below. You can hear the duo’s history in its music as their specific brand of pop music effortlessly blends the more twangy sounds of the group’s Americana and blues origins with the hazy synth-pop of the LA music scene. ITVB shot from relative obscurity to mass popularity seemingly overnight off the strength of the winningly romantic single, “Peaches.” The song’s breezy nature and subtle sensuality found the duo a plethora of new fans[...]

Tonight: Short Moscato

Tonight over at the Gypsy Parlor, stop on down to celebrate the work of one of the Buffalo hip-hop scene’s finest members in Short Moscato. Whatever|Forever, the new album from the Good Huemans/Death Picnic MC, was just released a few weeks ago, and the record is nothing if not a testament to the city that built it. With it’s hard-edged rap and subtle melancholy, Whatever|Forever tells the story of a rapper, who like the Queen City, appears rough, but is thrillingly alive and brimming with originality. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention Wza’s production, which is almost reminiscent of the work of the late-great Nujabes. Short will be performing the album in full tonight and will be joined by some of the city’s most exciting upcoming artists, including MileHighMusik! and Billie E$$co. It goes without saying that tonight’s show will reflect the album it celebrates, which is to[...]

Tonight: Joywave

The series of great shows making their way to Buffalo this fall continues tonight as local heroes return for another glorious homecoming. It was just a little over a year ago that Rochester’s Joywave were just starting to make small waves outside of the Western New York music scene but little beyond that. Then came their breakthrough single, “Tongues.” The song almost immediately begun rotation on alternative radio around the country, and the band’s sudden popularity even scored their debut album a spot on the Top 40 charts and catapulted them to appearances on late night shows such as Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers. Joywave now returns to the music scene that birthed them with their collection of infectious synthpop jams. If the band’s live show is nearly as high-energy and fun as their record, then tonight’s show show should be nothing short of an absolute blast. But while Joywave might be riding the[...]

Tonight: The Internet

Even with the break-up of Odd Future, it seems that luckily for Buffalo, every member still seems to have an affinity for the Queen City. After shows already from Tyler, the Creator and Mellow Hype in the past year, The Internet arrives to represent a decidedly different side of the former Odd Future family. Initially making a name for herself as the lead producer for most of Odd Future’s acts, Syd tha Kyd finally embarked on her own creative venture with fellow producer Matt Martians to form the neo-soul group. With some of the finest beats the duo have ever produced, the band expertly blends jazz, R&B, and hip-hop in a way that almost sonically resembles the early Bristol sound. The group also acts as a platform to showcase the shockingly beautiful voice of Syd herself, which itself plays as a spell-binding instrument in the group’s sound. The group is[...]

Tonight: Bully

Buffalo is all lined up to host what might be one of the surprise shows of the year tonight in Bully. The Nashville indie rockers are fresh off the heels of their debut album, Feels Like, and while they might not be a major force yet, one listen suggests it’s not far off. The band has been quietly building buzz for awhile and its album brims with nostalgia for 90’s grunge and garage rock. Lead singer Alicia Bognanno spends most of the band’s debut tracks switching between sugary sweet pop vocals and a vicious snarl of a howl that breathes life into every song. Whether the band’s pure raucous energy communicates live is yet to be seen, but if it even comes close, then those at tonight’s show are in for one hell of a night. Don’t miss your chance to catch this band before it becomes near impossible to[...]

Ryan Adams – 1989

When Taylor Swift finally dropped 1989 last year, it’s success was hardly a surprise. The singer’s new album had felt like the final chapter in her carefully cultivated image as pop’s biggest underdog. Going back to her debut as a teenage country star who’s lyrics read with the vulnerability of a livejournal entry, she was pop music’s ultimate good-girl. But the moment Kanye stepped up on that stage, both were cast in roles in the public eye that would define them for years: Kanye the asshole and Taylor the victim. With every successive album since then, using her every girl persona her private life as the base of her lyrics, Swift increasingly drew a portrait of her life as someone constantly downtrodden, defiantly picking themselves up. In the process, her music became increasingly poppy and her songwriting grew sharper. This finally culminated in 1989, the triumphant pop album that with the[...]

Tonight: Atlas Genius

Buffalo will play home to one of the most popular up-and-coming bands in indie rock tonight in Atlas Genius. Fresh off the release of their sophomore album, these Australian brothers look to make good on the promise of their first album and it’s huge breakthrough hit, “Trojans.” Mixing melancholy and infectiously hooky pop music, the band will be sure to provide quite the dance party for those making it out to Waiting Room this evening. Atlas Genius only continues to seem to be moving on to bigger and better things, so tonight could be a rare opportunity to catch the rising act at a smaller venue. Also, make sure to get there early for NY post-punkers, Mainland. The band has a sleek breezy indie rock sound and just released the Jim Eno (Spoon) produced EP, Anyway. The group has a very anthemic UK indie rock sound and should make for a wonderful[...]

EdgeFest 2015 at the Outer Harbor (9/12/15)

In 2011, I went to the notoriously rainy UK festival, Glastonbury. In what was one of the festivals worst years yet, rain poured for five days straight creating flash floods and leaving 12 foot piles of boots littering the fields. It was deemed “The Year of Mud.” Never did I think I would experience anything like it again, but as I stare at the mud caked jeans in my laundry hamper, I think Edgefest 2015 might come close. That being said, if there’s one thing that both festivals have proven, it’s that as bad as weather gets, it’s nothing that a few beers and some good bands can’t solve. Opening the proceedings were the rising hometown heroes of Made Violent. After continuing to grow over the past year, the band even caught the attention of UK indie rocks Wolf Alice, who asked the trio to open their UK tour. It’s hard[...]

Tonight: Swervedriver

Buffalo is in for one hell of a treat as British shoegaze legends Swervedriver take the stage at Waiting Room tonight. Spawned from the same scene as bands like My Bloody Valentine and Ride, Swervedriver were right at the forefront of early 90’s shoegaze that would prove to be one of the most influential movements in modern popular music. Swervedriver’s distinctly more rock (although no less beautiful) sound meant they always hit a little bit harder than their poppy compatriots. However, this is no pure nostalgia trip as the band are currently fresh off of the release of its first album in 17 years, the absolutely stunning I Wasn’t Born To Lose You. Rare is it that a comeback album doesn’t disappoint, but Swervedriver’s return finds the band in almost the exact form (if not better) than it left in 1998. This will be rare opportunity to see a band that truly[...]