Latest Posts

Spielbergs – “We Are All Going To Die”

March 18, 2018

Epic? Anthemic? Any number of words could be used to describe the massive guitar-rock of Spielbergs and their latest offering, “We Are All Going To Die.” Channeling the fervor of bands like Japandroids or No Age, this Norwegian trio is raw and refreshingly energetic on pretty much every level. Keep your eyes peeled for their debut EP, due out April 27th. Until then, we have a feeling you’re going to binge on “We Are All Going To Die.” Add this one to your Spotify playlist – you know you want to!

Mating Ritual – “U + Me Will Never Die”

March 18, 2018

Raise your hand if you like drugs! Mating Ritual aren’t sure how they feel about drugs, but they’ve come to terms with it being a part of their life and they wrote a certified banger about it. “U + Me Will Never Die” is a perfect blend of 80s synthwave and post-punk. There’s something to be said about not being in your own mind for a bit… We suggest you let Mating Ritual take over for a sec and get lost in their pulsing beats. Mating Ritual’s next EP, Light Myself On Fire, comes out May 4, 2018 via Smooth Jaws.

Me Not You – “Chemical Cure”

March 18, 2018

“Chemical Cure” was written on a bad day… “A bad day for our country and our world,” according to synth-pop duo Me Not You. About wanting to lean heavily on chemical crutches to get through the day, their moody synth work in this song evokes feelings of sadness and looming fear. All the while, “Cure” somehow remains irresistibly dance-able. The chorus in particular is incredibly hooky – have a listen for yourself below. Peep their Bandcamp if you’re feeling it.

Ben Talmi – “The Fear of Missing Out”

March 18, 2018

For his latest release, Ben Talmi isolated himself for three weeks with just a guitar… He ended up writing Distractionism, upon which is the frantic lead single, “The Fear Of Missing Out.” The song is an ode to the modern anxieties brought on by technology and its effects on our interactions with each other… “Missing Out” definitely embodies that neurosis with its frantic electronic drums, which provide a jittery backbone for Talmi’s otherwise upbeat guitar-pop. Check out the music video here.

La Fonda – “In The Summer”

March 13, 2018

La Fonda is a dream-pop sextet from Seattle, WA led by two sisters, Veronica and Valerie Topacio. Their latest offering is called “In the Summer,” and it certainly makes us yearn for a time where we didn’t have to layer our clothing just to leave the house. Between bell-tone guitars and an incredibly groovy bass line, the good vibes in this song bring to mind the carefree feelings that come along with warm weather. Click play below and let this one warm your icy bones and heart. “In the Summer” is available on Bandcamp.

Colin Magalong – “Blossom”

March 3, 2018

Colin Magalong might be onto something… “Blossom” is the perfect mix of funk, r&b, and pop – it’s a super upbeat number that was literally crafted to get you moving (and it works!). There are definitely hints of Bruno Mars, Michael Jackson, and even Daft Punk here. Magalong’s undying energy and sultry-rasp vocals are a perfect combo for this kind of jam… Peep it below. While you’re at it, drop Colin a follow on IG.

Vacation Forever – “Blank Ocean”

March 3, 2018

Vacation Forever is a brand new project from Swedish songwriter Zacharias Zachrison. After a very rough 2017, Zachrison started from scratch, resulting in the genre-blurring appoach of Vacay Forev… Combining the aesthetic of early/mid 90s effected drums with vaporwave vocals and a pinch of emotion, we think “Blank Ocean” is a pretty good place to start. Zachrison himself calls it “tropical emo” but there’s definitely some electronica and vapor in there somewhere… Check it out below and decide for yourself. Dig it? Smash that “add this song to your Spotify Playlist” button.

Coach Phillips – “W.C.H.B.?”

March 3, 2018

“What could have been?” We’ve all been there before, and Coach Phillips has embodied that feeling in their latest single, “W.C.H.B.?” Beyond the simple, catchy indie rock body, the song features a unique saxophone accompaniment from drummer Chet Baughman… The Seattle quartet also pepper the track with delightful male/female vocals that duel pleasantly throughout the entirety of the song. Definitely worth a listen, check it out below. “W.C.H.B?,” along with the rest of Coach Phillips’ stuff, is available via Bandcamp.

PIANO CLUB – “Think For Yourself (feat. Blu Samu)”

March 3, 2018

Belgian space-pop act PIANO CLUB sent us over a new music video for “Think For Yourself.” It sounds a little like Daft Punk featuring a sick verse from Missy Elliott (we mean this in an entirely complimentary way), and is infectious enough on its own to get stuck in your brain… Check out the video below and live vicariously through the club-goers featured within. If you like what you hear, PIANO CLUB has a merch store – check it out here.

Birthday Boy – “Future Me”

March 3, 2018

Birthday Boy is a Philly act who recently caught our attention with the massive guitar-driven sound of their latest single, “Future Me.” Fans of Basement, Citizen, or Title Fight will find lots to like here – emotional lyrics and gigantic, heavy guitar work form the backbone of this track. Their sound is clearly influenced by the grandeur of 90s grunge, but also has a smart, 2010s indie/emo vibe. Have a listen below and judge for yourself. The entire Mercy Rule EP is available via Bandcamp now – check it out. Mercy Rule by Birthday Boy

Tonight: Cavalcade

March 2, 2018

Long-running Rochester act Cavalcade will be trekking through the snow tonight to play a fervent set at Mohawk Place… Their music transcends genre, but falls somewhere between prog rock and psychedelic indie rock, with special attention payed to pop songwriting. Joining Cavalcade tonight are psych-rockers Moody Cosmos (who are returning after a lengthy absence), and the grungy punk trio of Major Arcana. Tonight’s show is located at Mohawk Place and starts at 8:00pm. Bring $5 for admission. The Switch by Cavalcade

Giant Rooks – “New Estate”

February 21, 2018

German art-pop quintet Giant Rooks recently caught our ears with the shimmering indie rock of “New Estate.” Their sound is inherently familiar, yet is flavorful enough to stand out from the pack. Full of spring-loaded guitar riffs, tasteful drumming, and an insatiable pep, “New Estate” sounds fresh and optimistic all at once. Their latest EP is out now via Haldern Recordings – check it out via the widget below. There are many ways to support Giant Rooks – check them out here.

Oh Maddie – “Youth”

February 21, 2018

Oh Maddie has already been drawing comparisons to The Killers and The War on Drugs, perfectly evident on their latest single, “Youth.” Somehow, the song juxtaposes stark lyrics about trauma and shortcomings with a danceable, indie-rock backbone. Having been adopted as a baby from Romania in the years following the Soviet Union’s collapse, singer Ben Rowntree certainly has a unique perspective – check it out below. Like what you hear? Keep up to date by following Oh Maddie on IG.

Into The Wake Release Dark, Three-Song EP

February 21, 2018

Into The Wake has been through a lot… For them, 2017 was a year of many shows (solo and otherwise), but an equal amount of loss and frustration. They soldiered on through a member change and still managed to hit the studio with Jay Zubricky at GCR this past autumn… Now standing strong as a solid quartet, the band is moving forward as always, having just released a three-song EP called Listening Through Silence. On Listening Through Silence, the band has honed their biting, political approach into something more emotional and nuanced. Into The Wake has polished many of their rough edges here – their songs are flush with lead guitar, and layered thick with shimmer and ambiance. There now exists a palpable darkness to their hard rock/heavy-emo songwriting – think somewhere between A Perfect Circle and Thrice. On lead single “The Note,” the band trades anger and guttural screams for tasteful[...]

Post Prom – Changing Weather

February 19, 2018

It’s mid-February, and winter should be in full force here in Buffalo… Instead we’ve been subjected to wild temperature changes and bizarre precipitation – topical, especially in the case of Buffalonian quartet Post Prom. Their debut EP, Changing Weather, came out earlier this month, and whether it was intentional or not, CW certainly lives up to its name. Last summer, the band was hard at work writing; they recorded the EP in the autumn and finally released it in the winter… All in all, these songs document the evolution of a new band across the changing seasons, and now, it’s our Album of the Week. Without wasting any time, Post Prom launch right into their upbeat title-track, EP opener “Changing Weather.” Fans of the Starting Line or Fall Out Boy, early aughts-style, will find themselves right at home. Sometimes, there’s just no substitute for fast tempos and energetic guitar-driven songs (set off by lead guitarist Charlie Rumfola’s snappy, nimble[...]