Latest Posts

KOPPS Drop Latest Single “My Gold”

September 1, 2015

I had been hearing the buzz for awhile, especially after the group’s much hyped Joywave collaboration “Tongues,” but it wasn’t till seeing KOPPS earlier this year that they made an impression on me, and what an impression they made. Taking the stage before !!!, the Rochester quartet laid down the gauntlet with an impressive arsenal of dance-punk jams that shook the room. Now KOPPS is back with its newest and perhaps most impressive single yet, titled “My Gold.” It’s worth mentioning the production on the track, which was handled by Joywave front man Danial Armbruster, as it might be the breeziest the band has ever sounded. That’s not to say “My Gold” is not a banger though. With it’s propulsive bassline and hard-hitting beats, the track is an absolute belter of a single. Check it out below.

Just Announced: The Wombats

August 27, 2015

After gracing WNY earlier this summer with an appearance in Rochester, the Liverpudlian indie rock trio will next play Buffalo with a late Autumn visit to Waiting Room on November 25th. The band are hot off the heels of the release of their electropop-infused third album Glitterbug and will be sure to treat fans to a host of new and old NME-approved anthems. Having seen the band myself play an absolute barn-burner of a set at Glastonbury 2013, I can say defintively this will be a show not to be missed. Tickets will go on sale this Friday, August 28th, for $18 in advance, $20 day.

Tonight: Montage of Heck

August 20, 2015

For one night only, the fine folks at Cultivate Cinema Circle teamed up with North Park Theatre to bring one of the year’s most-acclaimed films to Buffalo, Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck. With production beginning nearly 8 years ago, Brett Morgen became the first filmmaker ever offered full authorization to make a documentary on Kurt Cobain. Granted this privilige, Morgen was given access by the Cobain family to over a decade’s worth of home movies, diary enteries, audio tapes, and artwork. What Brett Morgen has crafted is a vibrant and harrowing multimedia collage that seeks to recreate who Kurt Cobain was as a human being. Rather than recap the pop mythology of Nirvana, Morgen’s film tells the human story about a deeply damaged outsider who brought his childhood pain to his art. A pain that somehow resonated with a public who had never heard anything like it, to make him[...]

Tonight: Iris Lune

August 12, 2015

Since it’s debut as a new art space, Dreamland has put a special effort into bringing exciting new and upcoming artists to a receptive Buffalo public. Tonight is no different as as the Brooklyn-based indie rockers, Iris Lune, make their way to Buffalo. Still on the cusp of finally releasing their debut EP, Iris Lune’s exact music identity remains still much a mystery, but the glimpses we’ve gotten thus far are quite promising.  Lead single “Triplets” and live track “Bring Me the Moon” suggest a band with a unique blend of instrumentation, producing work massive in scope on a micro level. Iris Lune’s music has a sweeping majestic quality to it, one remiscent of artists like Bjork and Bat for Lashes. Dreamy but formidable, this band could be one to watch in the coming year. Joining Iris Lune will be a host of local bands, including local grunge rockers, Circular Logic.[...]

Tonight: The Receiver

August 8, 2015

Tonight is one of the most stacked bills I’ve seen in awhile as four completely terrific take the stage at Nietzsche’s tonight. Kicking off things is local electro-pop artist, Space Cubs. Knowing little to nothing about her, I saw her open for Majical Cloudz a couple years ago at the Tralf and was absolutely blown away. Her fairly expansive music means at times her work sounds reminiscent of everyone from Portishead to Neon Indian. Either way, this songstress creates an utterly enchanting show. Following that is Humble Braggers who are fresh off the release of their supremely impressive Disposable Friends EP. The band’s modern synth-rock sound is immediately infectious and there’s no doubt they’s put on a truly thrilling show. But the fun doesn’t stop there. Hailing from Columbus OH, sibling indie pop duo The Reciever will bring their lush dreamy sounds to Allentown. Fresh off the release of its[...]

Tonight: Cop Circles

August 6, 2015

If you’re into classic throwback electro sounds, then Dreamland has quite the bill for you tonight. Kicking off the party is Buffalo’s very own UVB-76 and Fashion Expo 1990. And the year in Fashion Expo 1990’s name is no misnomer; this is an artist who’s sound is almost completely influenced by the house sounds of yesteryear when artists like 808 State and The KLF ruled the rave scene. Following that is the electro-funk synth-pop jam of Cop Circles. The Denver-based electronic artist brings a sound that calls on the funk sounds of the 1970’s and the synthesizer music of the 80’s, essentially delivering some Random Access Memories before Daft Punk ever started hanging out with Nile Rogers and Giorgio Morridor. The show is sure to be one of the finest dance parties you’ll find in Buffalo this summer. The doors at Dreamland open at 8pm, and a $5 donation is appreciated.

Tonight: M.A.G.S. w/ the Soft Love

July 30, 2015

While Elliot Douglas has been part of the Buffalo music scene for quite awhile, but it wasn’t till his formation with Adam Lilley and Andy Wesner as M.A.G.S. that it seemed as if everything came into place. The trio finds itself in a middle ground between garage rock and post-punk but with hooks to rival any major pop act. This is a band that can be absolutely blistering live while still delivering sugary sweet singles. Tonight, the band continues to ride the wave of momentum its been on since the release of the Cellophane EP earlier this year. Joining them will be the Soft Love, the much-buzzed new kids on the block who’s debut single “ALL OF IT” introduced the world to their particular gritty and aggressive blues rock sound. The band has gained a glowing reputation for its live shows at local clubs and this year’s Herd Fest. This stellar[...]

Strand of Oaks at the Tralf Music Hall (7/25/15)

July 27, 2015

Let me start this review with a gripe of mine. I really do love the Tralf as a venue. It’s a good space, the booking is on point, and the staff there is awesome. That said, they inexplicably decide to put up table seating arrangements for the majority of shows. Oft I would say 75% of the time this just leads to the crowd pushing the tables back and standing in front anyway. Other times, it just completely depletes the energy from the crowd and totally ruins the vibe. I start my review this way though not to complain, but to praise the adaptability of Timothy Showalter. I’ve stated that I thought HEAL, Showalter’s latest release as Strand of Oaks, was one of the purest rock albums I’d heard in a while. So watching he and his band mates take the stage, prepping to rip into the songs from that album, I[...]

Tonight: Strand of Oaks

July 25, 2015

About this time last summer, I remember hearing a genuine surprise of a record, one that seemingly came out of nowhere but was one of the purest distillations of rock music I’d heard in some time. That record was Strand of Oaks’ HEAL, a deeply personal and at times harrowing record but one so incredibly full of life. I hadn’t known of Tim Showalter’s previous releases but after being blown away by that record, I quickly became a fan. A year later, the Indiana-native makes his way to bring his signature soulful rock sound to Buffalo at the Tralf Music Hall. After a year of much praised festival and late night appearances, the band seem to be as well-tuned a force as they’ll ever be. To say that I’m excited for tonight’s show would be an understatement, this will be one show not to miss. Doors open this evening at[...]

Tonight: The Tallest Man on Earth

July 22, 2015

Critically-acclaimed folk artist Kristian Matsson returns to Buffalo tonight as The Tallest Man on Earth. The Swedish musician is fresh off the release of his latest record, Dark Bird is Home, so fans can expect a lot of new material and a heaping helping of old favorites while he is on tour for the first time with a full band. The artist has won many comparisons to Bob Dylan, thanks to his uniquely beautiful songwriting style and vocal delivery. For melodic indie folk stylings, there’s no better place to be than Babeville’s Asbury Hall tonight. Tickets are $26 and doors are at 7pm. Hiss Golden Messenger kicks the show off at 8pm. Learn more about the North Carolina country-folk act here.

Column 33: Asif Kapadia’s Amy Brings an Artist’s Work to Life

July 16, 2015

When the news came of the death of Amy Winehouse on July 23rd, 2012, it should have come as a shock, but sadly, it felt expected. The young soul singer’s life had long been the subject for tabloid headlines, her well-known addictions and downward spiral a punchline for late-night comedians. So for any film to try and tell the real story of one of the most iconic artists of this generation is a delicate proposition. Thankfully the story of Amy Winehouse is in the hands of London-born filmmaker Asif Kapadia, the man responsible for the acclaimed bio-doc, Senna. One of the startling things about Amy is the sheer amount of home video footage, with contributions from friends and family, almost every period of Winehouse’s life is documented. What this allows is a more intimate look at who the late musician actually was as a person. Early footage of Amy and[...]

Glastonbury: Part 2 (6/27/15, 6/28/15)

July 10, 2015

Saturday (6/27/15) While many artists caused a stir going into Glastonbury, none inspired the kind of controversy that Kanye West did as the hip hop super star when tabbed as the festival’s headliner, so much that the announcement drew a petition with over 130,000 signatures protesting the booking. Even death threats were aimed at Kanye West and festival owner Michael Eavis following the news. With Kanye’s Saturday headlining slot loomed heavy over the entire weekend, people debated and argued. It seemed like even other artists were commenting on the discussion, with some covering him or others taking time out of their set to slag him off. So what would happen when Kanye finally took the stage to a crowd of 90,000 people? Rumors swirled all weekend about whether he would show, who would join him, and if he was actually gonna drive in on a tank. But as the anticipation[...]

Glastonbury: Part 1 (6/25/15, 6/26/15)

July 9, 2015

While this blog has featured road trips from such places as Rochester and Toronto, Glastonbury might easily walk away as the easy winner of this blog’s longest voyage. So, would the largest and most famous music festival in the world be worth the 4,000 mile trip? In a word: Yes. I should begin this article by being honest. This is not my first Glastonbury. While I have been to domestic festivals such as Bonnaroo and Coachella, there is something about Glastonbury that always brings me back. The billing, the size, the hype, they all surely play a part in the appeal, but more than anything, it’s the otherwordliness of it all. Glastonbury feels less a festival than it does a remote temporary nation: one where everyone shares the same inspiring values, where people don’t have to concern themselves with day jobs but instead rather to see Jamie xx or Run[...]

Tonight: The Tins w/ Applennium

July 8, 2015

The rebirth of Larkinville over the past five years has been a beautiful thing to witness. The once desolate business park in Larkin Square has become a hub for life and culture, and has even inspired the birth of further restaurants and bars in the area. Adding to the life in Larkinville is this summer’s Live in Larkin concert series which has showcased a plethora of local talent throughout the summer. That said, I’d be remiss if I didn’t stress just how special tonight’s showcase is, featuring two of Buffalo’s best acts in Applennium and the Tins. If you haven’t been lucky enough to hear Applennium, then you’ve missed out on perhaps the most intriguing bands in Buffalo. The band’s songs are rich with layers and harmonies, inventive but still completely melodic. Applennium is one of those groups that’s garnered a lot of local praise despite its limited live appearances,[...]

Tonight: Glass Animals

June 16, 2015

I still remember the first time I heard Glass Animals. It was about this time last year on a long road trip down to Bonnaroo. The band’s lead single “Gooey” seemed to an in an endless radio rotation, sandwitched between other recent buzz bands like Joywave and Walk the Moon. It was the type of song initially that seemed fun as a catchy pop song on a road trip, but not as much more than that. However, as the month passed, I still found myself coming back to it, something was sharper and stranger about it than the pop songs that surrounded it. Finally taking the plunge into the debut album, ZABA, I found myself richly rewarded. This was certainly an album that had all the hooks of a big indie pop record, but the more I listened, I found something more sexy and sinister about it. Having more in[...]