Utica-born, Brooklyn-based Darryl Rahn sent us over the breathtaking folk of “Reason to Run” and we knew we had to share. Pairing a warm acoustic guitar with his soothing tenor vocals, “Reason to Run” continues Darryl’s trend of releasing solid material (having released three full-length albums independently). If you’re looking for the soundtrack to a peaceful fall day, you’ve found it – check it out below. Learn more about Darryl here.
Doctors are a fairly mysterious indie pop act from New Orleans. We think you should check out their latest music video, the vintage-looking home footage compilation that makes up the cinematography for “Slip.” Beyond the video treatment, “Slip” is an upbeat, shoegaze-inspired jam full of washy guitars and echo-chamber vocals. Fans of Slowdive, Pity Sex, or The Depreciation Guild will dig this one. Give Doctors a follow on their IG.
French act Lunar Landscape effortlessly transverses the worlds of classical piano and shoegaze-inspired indie rock. We’d like to direct your attention to the penultimate track, “Les Nuits Célestes,” a five-minute instrumental epic full of echoing guitars and an in-the-pocket rhythm section. Fans of Minus the Bear, Explosions in the Sky, or Russian Circles will enjoy this one. The infinite pleasure of being is available via Bandcamp. Check it out. The infinite pleasure of being by Lunar Landscape
Acoustic singer/songwriter RYMO (aka Ryan Morris) wears the DIY badge of honor proudly. Having grown up learning the spectrum of musical performance and production, Morris has now settled down in his native Nashville studio, ready to hit the ground running. Pinko Punk is the first full release from this TN wunderkind, a nine-song lesson in dynamics and delicateness, peppered with a few obscenities for good measure. LP opener “Sideways” is a lovely introduction to RYMO’s gentle acoustic folk. Laced with a plunking water-droplet-synth, the song slowly crescendos until it is fleshed out with the most dynamically appropriate of drumbeats. Perhaps most notable in this otherwise lighthearted-sounding song is RYMO’s choice of chorus – “Well, fuck me sideways…” It’s a unique (but very satisfying) juxtaposition of soft acoustic folk and foul-mouthed poetry. Despite the nautical theme, “3 Day Cruise” trades water-droplets for airy synth pads. Songs like “Cruise” and track two, “When She Leaves”[...]
Philadelphia (ex-Utica) quartet Comfy will be visiting Buffalo tonight for a night of debauchery and music. Their latest offering, Thanks For The Ride, is certainly a 2018 buffaBLOG favorite, and we are happy to welcome the relocated act back to Buffalo with open arms. Joining them is fellow buffaBLOG all-star Sonny Baker, Philly bedroom-popper Jacob Crofoot, and hometown post-party act, Party’s Over. Tonight’s show is at Milkie’s. The show is at 7pm, costs $7, and is 21+. Thanks For The Ride by Comfy
Rochester quartet Carpool combine the urgency and emotion of emo with the washy bliss of shoegaze. With reference-a-many to smoking, sex, and wearing your heart on your sleeve, their debut LP I Think Everyone’s A Cop perfectly captures a moment in time. It’s a seven-song offering full of strong songwriting and even stronger emotions; see below. Opening track “Cigarette Cough” opens with a short skit before launching into a sloshy, mid-tempo rhythm. Carpool doesn’t skimp on the emo; their songs are certainly full of heartfelt vocals layered over guitar-driven skeletons about love and cigarettes. What really sets this particular group apart is their tasteful use of effects. Guitars are laden with swirls, noisy fuzz tones, and echo-chamber reverb tanks. Sidenote: I think these guys really like cigarettes. Track two, “Another Song About Rachel,” has a surprisingly straightforward fuzz chorus about making love to your s/o and listening to Morrissey. Moments like this particular chorus[...]
Chapel Hill quartet Indoor Cats hit us up with the 10th track from their self-titled debut LP; it’s a guitar pop track with hints of FIDLAR, Beach Slang, and Guided By Voices worked in. In its own right, “Bloodshot” is a succinct, pop-minded jam that finds the Indoor Cats experimenting with quick tempos, reverbed-out vocals, and jangly guitar tones. Be sure to give it a listen below. Swing over to Bandcamp where you can pick up a cassette or digital dl from the Cats. Indoor Cats by Indoor Cats
Sometimes a mystery song will captivate us greatly – such is the case with Ouster‘s latest offering, “You Don’t Want Out.” A twangy number reminiscent of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Neutral Milk Hotel, or Guster, “You Don’t Want Out” sounds like a true, lo-fi, down-home recording (in a good way!). Check it out below, or swing by their Bandcamp to support them to the fullest. Muted Window / Hollow Dive by Ouster
Chicago quintet You Folk specialize in sad indie rock, case in point “Nolo Contendere.” Originally a solo project for frontman Daniel Lee, the band has since been rounded out by guitarist and back-up vocalist Travis Schuster, bassist Rebecca Young, keyboardist/guitarist Evan Lyman, and drummer Bryan Kingsley. “Nolo Contendere” kicks off with a 7/8 groove before fleshing out into something lush and swirly. Fans of Pedro the Lion, Death Cab, or Broken Social Scene will like this one. If you like what you hear, You Folk has a Bandcamp page – check them out there.
North Carolina quintet Rainbow Kitten Surprise are visiting Buffalo tonight. The eccentrically-named band expertly mixes elements of folk, pop, and rock into something both palatable and fun. Thus far they have released three critically-acclaimed albums, culminating in their most recent, How to: Friend, Love, Freefall. They’re joined tonight by peppy indie-popper Caroline Rose. Tonight’s show is at Town Ballroom. Doors are at 7pm. Rainbow Kitten Surprise – Audiotree Live by Rainbow Kitten Surprise
Philly act Slaughter Beach, Dog (who you might also recognize as Jake Ewald from emo kingpins Modern Baseball) is strolling through Buffalo tonight. Full of easy-going riffs and a sunny disposition, Slaughter Beach, Dog takes the kitschy Modern Baseball approach and soaks it in indie-rock/folk sentiment. Support tonight comes from fellow Philly power-pop duo Gladie and local indie rockers Ugly Sun. Tonight, doors are at 7pm. $12 in advance. Birdie by Slaughter Beach, Dog
Attn: Fleetwood Mac fans – bubblegum popper Winslow Newman recently recorded his personal interpretation of this classic jam. The 28-year-old Nashville native is no stranger to the music industry, and has recently been using his powers for his own good. Let the singer’s light vocal delivery and bubbly synths uplift your spirit. Keep in touch with Newman via IG – check it out here.
Scottish fuzz-punks We Were Promised Jetpacks are back with a triumphant return – this time in the form of a music video for “Repeating Patterns.” We find a puppet protagonist in some sort of bizarre hell which not-so-ironically matches WWPJ’s gritty and noisy delivery. The disgusting bass tone alone should be a major selling point, but in all reality, this song/album represents a return to form for the original quartet. Check it out below and enjoy the fantastic visuals while you’re at it.
Netherlands artist Jo Marches has certainly become a buffaBLOG favorite over the past few years. Yet again, we’re taken with her latest offering, “Monsters.” Wielding an effervescent bass line and layered thick with lush synth work, “Monsters” is Marches at her finest. Marches has a unique way to inject dark vibes into her otherwise lively synth-pop – click play on the widget below and have a listen for yourself. Jo is on Spotify – add her to your library.
We really dig the debut single from LA-based drummer Baby Bulldog (aka Steph Barker). Having cut her teeth playing with Coast Modern, Kate Nash, and Your Smith, the kitschy “I Rly Rly Like U” is the first time Bulldog has struck out on her own. If you’re looking for a light-hearted bedroom-pop joint with tongue-and-cheek lyrics, you’ve come to the right place. Put this one on and enjoy the lighthearted vibes. Put a smile on your face? Don’t forget to add it to your Spotify playlist.