Latest Posts

DYAN – “Acoustic Midwest”

February 15, 2025

DYAN wraps up her album cycle with the lovely, heartstring-pulling “Acoustic Midwest.” A bare bones arrangement that highlights film composer Alexis Dyan Marsh’s vulnerable-but-stunning vocals atop beautifully strummed acoustic guitar, “Acoustic Midwest” is one of those songs that truly lets itself do the heavy lifting. Lyrics about protecting your child and vague Midwestern imagery give a strong sense of nostalgia that, like DYAN explains, “bring out the tender defiance of leaving.” Throw this one on during your next early winter morning while you sip your coffee.   Check out “Acoustic Midwest” via the YouTube embed below, or, add it to your Spotify or Apple Music playlists.  

Head North – Winner!

February 13, 2025

Head North – Buffalo’s favorite cosmic rock act of yesteryear…? Maybe 2025 actually *is* the year of long-awaited reunions? If so, Head North’s resurgence is a harbinger of wonderful things to come.   This band has been through many different forms throughout the years – led by the incomparable Brent Martone and rooted by the strong and inventive drumming of Ben Lieber, Head North has always managed to push the limits of whatever genre they’re inhabiting in that specific moment in time. This time, they’re joined by Eli Ritter on guitar and John Vaughan on bass – the result is their latest offering, Winner!, a wildly inventive and certainly cosmic batch of twelve songs that have as much (or even more) in common with late 90s electronica acts like Moby or Primitive Radio Gods as they do with the emo and pop punk roots where they planted their roots. Gone are[...]

Cape Crush x Good June x Impossible Dog – Good Dogs Wear Capes

February 4, 2025

Isn’t it a lovely thing when local bands get along? This spicy collab between Boston-based acts Cape Crush, Good June, and Impossible Dog even has the perfect, all-encompassing name – Good Dogs Wear Capes – a six song collection of heartfelt emo, indie, and pop songwriting lovingly crafted by like-minded musicians.   Teaming up first with Good June first, Cape Crush and crew conjure up “Apple at the Aggy,” an excellent way to launch the EP – with big, chunky chords and a sugary-sweet na-na-na melody, we’re immediately taken back to our favorite songs from bands like Weezer, Tigers Jaw, and/or Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer. With lyrics ranging from eating apples a la mode to proclamations of being unforgiveable and/or formidable, this has all the quirky-but-poetic hallmarks of excellent emo. Charming harmonies and big breakdowns help to give this song an extraordinary sense of movement – wrapping it all[...]

Bob’s Dock – The Mystic

January 29, 2025

Sometimes a band is just a group of dudes who love music – and that seems to be the m.o. from Grand Rapids Michigan act Bob’s Dock. They specialize in the kind of pop rock that has an omni-appealing vibe, highly influenced by music from the 70s, alt rock, and indie rock. Their latest offering is The Mystic, a 10-song collection of guitar-driven songs with a jam/prog-band edge, feeling summery and fun without ever stepping too far into feel-good territory. Here’s a little bit about the band from guitarist/singer Jason Heath:   “Some artists are all about entertaining their audience with their music, but others have a deeper goal. They want to make a genuine connection… This is the case of Bob’s Dock.”   The project starts with “Don’t Look Back,” a great introduction to Bob’s Dock’s sound. Crispy and clean guitars sing out in unison to kick the song off[...]

The Kartetch – The Fallacy

January 24, 2025

Georgian musicmakers (the country, not the state) The Kartetch specialize in guitar-driven music that compresses elements of shoegaze, indie rock, and industrial music into a primordial, grungy sludge. Their latest EP is called The Fallacy, a four-song offering that will challenge your perceptions of modern alternative music with its wild (but utterly calculated) exploration of what guitar-forward music can truly be. In their words, The Fallacy is:   “Loud guitar music based on principles: ‘Don’t dodge the answers’ and ‘Shoegaze can be with fists.’ However, this may be only a misconception.” Certainly a profound statement from a profound band… But this profundity is on-brand for this mysterious act, and certainly explains a lot as you’re digesting The Fallacy throughout your first few listens.   The Kartetch kicks off the EP with a strong offering, the fleeting “The Sightseeing Night.” Here, we’re introduced to the mainstays of The Kartetch’s sound – unhinged guitar[...]

Disco Nap – “Do It”

January 23, 2025

Chicago-based act Disco Nap know how to groove – evident on their latest offering, “Do It.” Glassy guitar tones, a bumping bassline, and an absolutely insane drum presence power this one forth, channeling contemporaries like Crumb with their jazzy blend of indie rock. More of a mood than a song, “Do It” challenges notions of contemporary songwriting with a deep-seeded feel that transcends tried-and-true verse-chorus-verse methods. It’s set off by an omni-pleasant vocal presence that never overpowers – laying a soothing melody over this neurotic but soothing jam.   You can find “Do It” on Spotify, but be sure to preview using the Soundcloud embed below.   Disco Nap · DO IT

Rosetta West – Night’s Cross

January 20, 2025

It’s not too often you hear a band like Illinois’ Rosetta West. The prolific duo specialize in blues rock with unique flairs – think Romani folk music and psych rock – that pushes the limits of what one might consider “blues.” Their latest offering is the disarming Night’s Cross, a twelve-song collection that explore themes of death and mortality without ever feeling somber. The album is stuffed with raw and unfiltered rock ‘n roll that’s gritty, rough, and wild – just like rock music was meant to be.   Immediately, Rosetta West kicks off with the drunken swagger of “Save Me.” Slinky slide guitar moans and groans throughout this song, laying down a woozy backbone for frontman Joseph Demagore’s gravel-throat vocals. Structurally, “Save Me” is pretty traditional, at least from a songwriting perspective – laying down a twelve-bar-bluesish chord progression with a rock solid bass/percussion presence. That tried-and-true build is really[...]

T.F. Gambon – As We Dreamt

January 19, 2025

For the last six years and change, T.F. Gambon has been a mainstay of the NYC indie scene with his band Meyru. As any prolific songwriter knows, sometimes you come up with a batch of songs that just doesn’t quite fit your current project, so Gambon funneled his creativity into a folksy eight song album he’s calling As We Dreamt. Recorded in a Brooklyn apartment, Gambon teamed up with his friend and pryor Meyru producer Cal Maro to bring these songs to life. The result is an introspective, heartfelt, and most importantly, sincere collection of songs – a perfect debut for T.F. Gambon, the solo-artist.   “Eyes” is the opening track here and an excellent introduction to Gambon’s sound. A gently-strummed acoustic guitar will be the star of the show throughout the course of this LP, strumming a constant hum through your speakers. A gentle harmonica whines softly in the background,[...]

Lala Salama – “Kuva Susta”

January 19, 2025

Helsinki-based trio Lala Salama embody the quiet/loud dynamic perfectly on their latest single, “Kuva Susta.” The Finnish band transition seamlessly between percolating verses and overblown choruses, channeling shoegaze greats while never losing sight of indie-pop melody and accessibility. The vocals here are ethereal and mysterious, and fit just as well in the massive, fuzzy chorus tones as they do in the beautiful, understated verses. Here’s a bit from singer Rosa Jules about where they’re coming from on “Kuva Susta:”   “‘Kuva Susta’ represents Lala Salama’s more sensitive side; it’s an emotional depiction of longing, memories of the past, and the difficulty of letting go.”   “Kuva susta” is available on all your favorite platforms. Be sure to click the bandcamp embed below, then add it to your Spotify jams.   Kuva susta by Lala Salama

Kylie Rothfield – “Old Man”

January 19, 2025

Kylie Rothfield lays it all out on the line for us on her latest ripper, “Old Man.” Written alongside queer indie alt-popper Mothé, “Old Man” is a biting attack on the sometimes nefarious motives behind dating with an age difference. Rothfield’s lyrics are ruthless but fair, and she bolsters them with plinking keyboard sounds and chunky guitar, cooking up a fantastic, simmering indie rock backbone. Rothfield herself is the shining star here – her vocals are soulful and filled with sincerity.   You can find “Old Man” on your favorite streaming service (we recommend Spotify). Preview using the YouTube embed below.  

From Harm – Arcane Pardon

January 15, 2025

Fort Worth-based act From Harm (FH) have something to say – their newest offering, Arcane Pardon, is a six-song EP full of hardcore punk that grinds out an important social message inspired by pagan hysteria. Feeling oppressed? Tired of the way the world’s being run? So is the project’s lifeblood, Jon Chapman – he uses From Harm as his vehicle to express his disappointment with the world. Expect throat-shredding screams with a yelping timbre; hard-and-fast drums pounding rhythmically in your ears; and angsty instrumentals that inspire emotions from anger, to urgency, to straight-up fear.   From the get-go, From Harm impress with their unique blend of brutality and melody. Intro track “And You Shall Receive” is only a minute long, but with a unique 11/4 (?) time signature, it’s an immediate ear-catcher. Stabs of discordant guitar leap into your eardrums with prickly, staccato melodies as another guitar smashes out a doom-inspiring[...]

Scott Clay – Aurora – Remixed

January 13, 2025

Scott Clay has been a featured artist on buffaBLOG before (see here). While you might be used to the “complex but uncomplicated” Americana that he’s been crafting over the course of his six full length releases, Clay has stepped outside of his twangy comfort zone to release something different. Clay enlisted producers Josh Richins and David Murray for a re-imagining of a song off of his 2022 LP Let It All Lay Bare, “Aurora,” which marks his first foray into electronic music with a trip-hop/downtempo approach to an ol’ classic.   Inspired by a friend, Britt Warner, and her experiences viewing the northern lights for the first time, “Aurora” came together eerily quickly, and was a fun challenge for Clay to write from the perspective of someone else. Britt also applied all the video treatment and editing for the song’s stunning visual accompaniment, captured by cinematographer Spencer Johnson. Filmed at[...]

Herbert Walker – “I’m Not Sorry”

January 12, 2025

It’s been a minute since we’ve heard from Phoenix-based act Herbert Walker (pronounced “Herbert Walker” as per their official bio, also, see here), but this “blue collar chamber pop” act is at it again with their latest single, “I’m Not Sorry.” The band deploys lots of their trademark jank and jaunt on this latest song – syncopated guitar/bass riffs, a haunting organ, and baritone-esque vocals that specialize in eloquent and lightly quirky lyrics. My favorite aspect of Herbert Walker’s songs is that they’re full of really cool musicianship that feels like its about to explode, but always keeps that about-to-boil-over intensity, leaving you perpetually excited to hear what’s next.   “I’m Not Sorry” is out now – check it out via the YouTube embed below, or, add it to your favorite Spotify playlist.  

Deleo – “Suppose”

January 12, 2025

Get ready for Deleo to warp your mind with the wavery indie-pop of their latest offering, “Suppose.” Tape aged mellotron is the star of the show here, pairing otherworldly string sounds with thumping bass, clashy drums, and heartbroken male/female vocal harmonies. Fans of Arcade Fire will find lots to sink their teeth into here – this could fit comfortably amid any track on Neon Bible, even though at a fleeting 1:51, it’s over before you know it.   “Suppose” is available on all the familar streaming services – or, follow the YouTube link below to check out their  

Club 8 – “ooo”

January 12, 2025

Club 8 was one of our favorite finds in 2024, including two of our favorite features of the year (see here and here). Happy to report they’re still putting out excellent indie pop tunes at an astonishing rate, and their latest single, “ooo,” may just be their finest yet. Expect the neurotic drumbeats and airy melodies you’ve come to know and love with a hint of extra urgency this time around. An ever-descending chord progression sets the scene for icy guitars leads to shine through too.   You can find “ooo” as well as Club 8’s illustrious catalog on most streaming services, including bandcamp (below), Spotify, and Apple Music.   ooo by Club 8