Latest Posts

Teen Ravine – “Friend of a Friend”

September 18, 2018

Toronto duo Teen Ravine have a hot new single on their hands with their latest jam, “Friend of a Friend.” Inspired by a soul-crushing break up and a debilitating concussion respectively, Teen Ravine pooled their collective misery to create their debut LP, released this past August. We were drawn to “Friend of a Friend” by its ethereal pop vibes – pairing electric piano with tight 80’s drum and synth tones. Their entire debut is currently on Spotify – check it out.

California Cousins – Distant Relatives

September 17, 2018

California Cousins have been kicking around their native Rochester (and far beyond) for a while now… If you’re not familiar, they wield the most noodly riffs known to man stuffed into time signatures that will make your head spin. Distant Relatives (out now on  Chatterbot Records and Deep Sea Records) is their debut LP, a ten-song lesson in emo and skramz virtuosity. There are elements here of heartfelt-emo (The Hotelier) and heavier, vocal-cord-shredding hardcore (Touché Amoré), all wrapped up in a nearly impossible math rock (Tera Melos) package. “Aspirin” is an apt opener; the Cousins opt for a quick-tempo screamer to start things off with a bang. The real treat here (and throughout the rest of the LP) is the attention paid to sheer guitar acrobatics. In general, their songs are packed full of ingenious guitar tricks – squealing harmonics, swelling feedback, nimble bends, and quick licks that will make any musician nod with approval. Lead single “Extendo Weekend”[...]

DIET – “Game Plan”

September 11, 2018

Beloved Melbourne quintet DIET. sent over the effervescent “Game Plan” and we’ve been hooked ever since. Finding a nice balance between the fervent punk of Cloud Nothings and a vague 80s Smiths vibe, “Game Plan” pairs frantic drums with equally peppy guitar riffs and airy synth flourishes. Have a listen for yourself via the Bandcamp widget below. “Game Plan” is on Spotify – add it to the playlist of your choice. Sundown EP by DIET

The 1984 Draft – “Honest”

September 11, 2018

The 1984 Draft tugged on our heartstrings with the frank, figurative thank you note of “Honest.” Driven by good-old-fashioned guitars and heart-on-your-sleeve lyrics, “Honest” finds singer/songwriter Joe Anderl thanking his audience for giving him a reason to go on. It’s a touching tribute to the reason musicians exist in the first place… Fans of Beach Slang, The Appleseed Cast, or The Gaslight Anthem will find common ground here. Makes Good Choices is available now via Poptek Records. Check it out here.

Catnip Cloud- “Buried in the Snow”

September 8, 2018

Catnip Cloud is a Norwegian artist whose “Buried in the Snow” caught our ears in just the right way. Anyone from Buffalo knows how brutal our winters can be, so this one will surely strike a nerve with some of our locals. About the song, Catnip says, “I made it in my bedroom in Norway on a dark winter night, something that was a crucial factor for the song’s emotion and atmosphere.” We can’t help but agree – dig into the delicious arpeggios and open-throated guitar and bass tones via the widget below. Catnip Cloud is on Spotify. Add it to your playlist here.

Emily Afton – “Back In San Francisco”

September 8, 2018

Emily Afton mysteriously reached out to us with her latest single, “Back In San Francisco.” We think it speaks for itself, so now we’re sharing it with all of you. Its sparse guitar arrangement, fuzzy bass contributions, and tight drum sound are reminiscent of “Young Folks” by Peter, Bjorn, & John while still being very much its own song. This one is a lovely, simple indie rock ditty powered by Afton’s dusky vocals, check it out below. Emily’s stuff is on Spotify – add her to your library if you know what’s good for you.

Tonight: Bearhunter

September 8, 2018

Bearhunter is celebrating the release of their new album, Nothing Further Beyond, tonight at Mohawk Place. The trio has been writing tasteful and nuanced indie rock for over a decade, and their newest release promises to be just as excellent as what we’ve come to expect. Local support tonight is also very strong, and comes from local mainstays dreambeaches, The Tins, and Coral Collapse. Tonight’s show is at Mohawk Place. Doors are at 8pm and admission is $10. A copy of Bearhunter’s new release, Nothing Further Beyond, is included with the door.

Tonight: Humble Braggers

September 1, 2018

Iconic Buffalo synth-pop quartet Humble Braggers is releasing their latest batch of songs tonight with the six-song Cycle EP, out now on Admirable Traits Records. Over the last 5+ years, the Braggers have released some of the most consistently excellent music Buffalo has to offer, and Cycle certainly continues that trend. Local support for this evening comes from jangle-pop act Little Summer and experimental synth act Space Cubs. Stick around to end your night out with a very dance-able DJ set from Buffalo mainstay collective, Dance Yrslf Clean. Tonight’s show is $10 – a copy of Cycle will be included with the price of admission. Doors are at 9pm. Remember kids, Nietzsche’s is a 21+ venue. Cycle by Humble Braggers

Tonight: Queer Kevin

August 21, 2018

Ohio “shoegayzers” Queer Kevin  are swinging through Buffalo tonight, bringing their simmering indie rock vibes and haunting melodies in tow. They’re bringing Northampton punks Dump Him along for the ride, in what promises to be a night of beautiful punk-esque noise. Local support tonight comes from the ever-sad indie rockers in honey COMA and a slow, ambient set from scene vet Kay Stuitje. Tonight’s show is a very affordable $5. Be at Sugar City at 7pm – music starts at 7:30pm. A friendly reminder that Sugar City is a drug and alcohol free, all-ages venue. all dykes go to heaven (demo) by Queer Kevin

Buzzing Electro Act Opāru Releases New Single, “Ghost To Follow”

August 16, 2018

Los Angeles-based electro act Opāru has made a triumphant return with her latest song, “Ghost To Follow.” “Ghost” is a poignant and resplendent single that finds Opāru waxing existential about the innate human experience of yearning to belong, finding a sense of purpose, and being accepted. Driven by passionate piano chords and Opāru’s (aka Dianna St. Hilaire) ethereal vocals, “Ghost To Follow” (produced by Josh Stevens of LMFAO, Jennifer Lopez, and Pitbull fame) is dark and dreamy, falling somewhere on the spectrum between Lana Del Ray and classic 90s pop. We’ve posted a lyrical video below for you to follow along. If you’re interested in learning more about Opāru, check out her website, drop her a like on Facebook, or stay posted via Twitter.

Tonight: Dentist

August 15, 2018

Fuzzy, buzzing indie pop act Dentist will be visiting Buffalo tonight. Their unique, surf-punk-tinged, indie-pop aesthetic is driven by the ethereal vocals of singer Emily Bornemann, coupled with smart drums and California-esque guitar crunch. Having recently been named by SXSW as one of “2018’s top 10 bands,” they’ve just released their third LP, Night Swimming, earlier this year. Joining them are the poppy punky goodness of Chicago act Jupiter Styles and New Orleans act Treadles, and Buffalo’s very own honey COMA. Tonight’s show is at 9pm at Electric Avenue. Bring $5 for admission. Night Swimming by Dentist

Tonight: Lancer

August 10, 2018

Gravel-voiced pop-punk trio Lancer are reuniting tonight for what promises to be a fun-filled evening of reminiscing and nostalgia. Their 2013 six-song EP, Don Is Rich, was a then-buffaBLOG favorite, full of great pop hooks, gigantic choruses, irreverent lyrics, and youthful energy. They’re joined tonight by fellow Edenite-turned-Buffalonian Sonny Baker, the always-entertaining indiemo act Passed Out, and recently rebranded Venus Vacation (formerly known as Major Arcana). Tonight’s show is at 8pm and costs a modest $5 for entry. Don Is Rich by Lancer

Tonight: Greet Death

August 6, 2018

Flint, MI trio Greet Death is making their way to Buffalo tonight to bring their shoegazy goodness to the legendary Mohawk Place stage. Joining them are Cursive’s 15 Passenger act Campdogzz, who will also be making their Buffalo debut. Local support tonight comes in the form of an intimate and emotional solo set from scene veteran Bill Nehill and punk rock up-and-comers Velvet Bethany. Tonight’s show is at Mohawk Place at 8pm. Bring at least $7 to adequately support the touring bands.

Harrison – “Atmosphere (feat. Daniela Andrade)”

August 1, 2018

Harrison‘s “Atmosphere” is the second single off of his upcoming LP. The song features fellow Canadian and frequent collaborator Daniela Andrade. We dig the tasteful layering of vocals into the track, mixed with Harrison’s interesting ear for percussion. Sit back and let the swelling synths and stuttering drum work wash over you. If you want to know more about Harrison, do it while playing the cool flash game on his website.

Satin Jackets – “Primordial (feat. Niya Wells)”

August 1, 2018

Here’s some fresh nu-disco for you to wind down the dog days of summer – “Primordial” is another banger collaboration between hit machine Satin Jackets and singer Niya Wells. Pairing smooth disco beats with Niya’s even-smoother vocal delivery, “Primordial” gets it all right. We’re sure you’ll want to tap into your inner-most desires and let loose with this one thumping through your speakers – check it out below. “Primordial” is available everywhere.