Latest Posts

Tristan Armstrong – “It Can’t Be Nashville Every Night” (Tragically Hip Cover)

June 2, 2021

Gord Downey and the Tragically Hip are mythical figures here in Buffalo and beyond, so we’re typically hesitant to give approval to just any old cover of The Hip. We think Toronto-native Tristan Armstrong did a fantastic job capturing the energy of the iconic Canadian band on his cover of “It Can’t Be Nashville Every Night,” all the way down to the album art. A bit of bedroom-pop energy mixed with some Spoon influences, plus Armstrong’s distinct vocal stylings, help this cover embody the eclectic nature of the original with just enough original flare to set it apart. Good stuff, Tristan. You can find “Nashville” on both Bandcamp and Spotify. Tristan Armstrong · It Can’t Be Nashville Every Night

Colour Tongues – “Fire”

May 26, 2021

We hope you’ll recognize Colour Tongues from our previous features – the proggy indie rock of “Southbound” and the more colorful indie-pop of “Wasted.” They’re back again with a new song called “Fire” which finds the band turning up the intensity (or at least the tempo) quite a bit. Layered thick with the riffy guitar goodness you’ve come to love from these guys, “Fire” blasts along at a blistering pace. Reminiscent of the indie rock from the late aughts, this one has a sparkling mix that feels unique to Colour Tongues alone. You can listen to “Fire” below – they also have a Spotify with a healthy discography to explore. Colour Tongues · Fire

ViVii – “Smackdown”

May 26, 2021

Last time we checked in with our Swedish friends in ViVii, we were jamming to the sunny dream-pop of their excellent song, “One Day.” We’re happy to say they’re back (!) with another jangle-pop masterpiece, this time in the form of “Smackdown.” Propelled by acoustic guitar strums, a thumping bass presence, and spaced-out otherworldly vocals, “Smackdown” slowly evolves from a bumping indie rocker into something cosmic and dreamy (as only ViVii can do). We dug this one a lot – check out “Smackdown” below or check out ALL the ways you can support ViVii by using this link. ViVii · Smackdown

Lips – “Your Deoderant Doesn’t Work”

May 26, 2021

Loving this kiss-off (pun intended) all the way from Auckland, New Zealand. Lips‘ latest, “Your Deodorant Doesn’t Work” falls somewhere between bratty and tongue-in-cheek (pun intended, again) and the result is something that is both humorous and spot-on. Pointed commentary about natural deodorant, crystal healing, and your band should be enough to put at least a smile on your face (pun intended, again again)… But we digress. The real treat here is that this song is actually incredibly catchy, synth-soaked indie rock with teeth (last pun, we promise). We love this one, including the abstract fun of the music video below. There are lots of ways to enjoy Lips – check them all out here.

Sub*T – “Boxing Day”

May 25, 2021

Fuzzy duo Sub*T were born from a love of live music… And they didn’t let a cross-country distance stop them from writing a raucous debut single in “Boxing Day.” Jade Alcantara and Grace Bennett have stuffed their song full of ferocious fuzz, driving drums, lyrical sincerity, and a real knack for pop melody. Liz Phair and Veruca Salt would be proud… But so would Great Grandpa and Bully. We think you’re gonna love this debut – check it out on Bandcamp below or swing by Spotify to add it to your favorite playlist. Boxing Day by Sub*T

COOL HEAT – “Levitate”

May 25, 2021

Last time we checked in with Chicago’s COOL HEAT – we were loving on the haunting-yet-driven vibes of “Letting It Go.” We just can’t get enough of CH’s gothy dream-pop, so we’re sharing another one of our favs… “Levitate.” It is another profoundly haunting track reminiscent of New Order, CASTLEBEAT, or even Salvia Plath – with its driving drums, hooky synth flavor, and ethereal vocals, we think this one will scratch all your spooky itches. Check out the music video for “Levitate” below – you can also find COOL HEAT on Spotify.

Telemarkk – “Bloom”

May 25, 2021

UK-based artist-producer duo Telemarkk (aka Max Berg and Asad Siddiqui) know how to write an indietronica jam – case in point, “Bloom.” Full of groovy bassline funk, gauzy synth swells, and a driving dancefloor beat – “Bloom” encapsulates the retro bombast of the 80s while still sounding distinctly 2021. Fans of Daft Punk or Tame Impala are gonna eat this one up. Check it out – “Bloom” is available via Soundcloud. Telemarkk · Bloom

Brett Newski – “Life Underwater”

May 25, 2021

Tried-and-true 90s kid and failed hipster (his words, not ours) Brett Newski has been all around the world playing his brand of brash indie rock… Fun fact: his band is allegedly the first documented band to ever be thrown out of a Wal Mart for playing an unlicensed show. That should tell you all you need to know about his music. His latest, “Life Underwater,” is distinctly 90s influenced with overblown acoustic guitars and just-barely-peaking vocal deliveries. It’s a definite jam, and for what it’s worth, we think Newski’s personality shines through on this. Check it out first via YouTube below – then swing by Spotify to find Brett’s entire discog.

Dolorous – “Arson”

May 25, 2021

Dolorous is up to something, we just know it. The mysterious multimedia artist (perhaps best known for his music) knows how to hide a unique tale inside of an otherwise innocuous bedroom-pop song. “Arson” sounds like it could be a love song with it’s lovelorn falsetto crooning and Casio-tone clavi-esque backbone… But it’s actually a story about a serial arsonist. We love the juxtaposition of catchy lo-fi indie pop and sinister lyrics and we think you will too – fans of Porches, Still Woozy, and Say Hi should enjoy this a lot. Check out “Arson” below – you can also find Dolorous’ entire catalog on Spotify. Dolorous · Arson

Women of the Night – “Lonesome Love”

May 20, 2021

We’ve recently been jamming on this glam rock/folk punk bop from NY-based duo Women of the Night. Reminiscent of Wilco or Son Volt, “Lonesome Love” feels sincere and bedroomy while still embodying a uniquely appropriate “wild-west” alt-country vibe. Besides a healthy dose of swagger, “Love” also features a bunch of tasteful slide guitars and great lyrical storytelling. Check out “Lonesome Love” below – you can also find it on Bandcamp and Spotify. Women of the Night · Lonesome Love

Fixtures – “Never Rest”

May 20, 2021

Seattle’s Fixtures are an angular math rock act creating music in the vein of the Dischord Records sound – think Metz, Bear vs. Shark, or Pile. Our latest recommendation, “Never Rest,” twists and turns with twangy guitar stabs and gravel-voiced vocals soaked with angst and emotion. As with most math-based music, the nuances here are best heard for yourself to be appreciated fully – check it out below. You can check out “Never Rest” below via Soundcloud – Fixtures’ debut LP, Life In Retreat, (upon which “Never Rest” resides) can be found on Spotify. Fixtures · Never Rest

El Quixotic – “[Your Heart] Is Long Gone”

May 20, 2021

El Quixotic snagged our attention with this groovy slow-jam called “[Your Heart] Is Long Gone.” Part vaporwave, part bedroom-pop, “Heart” pulses with synth swells; reverb-soaked breathy vocals; and a perfectly chill drum presence. Our recommendation – lay back, close your eyes, and let this one take you to a place far, far away. You can find “[Your Heart] Is Long Gone” on YouTube below, or swing by Spotify for some streaming action.

Ben Phipps – “On My Own”

May 20, 2021

Here’s some great EDM-flavored indie-pop all the way from Sweden’s. On “On My Own,” Ben Phipps injects infectious dancefloor elements – think a driving beat and a warm, synth backbone – into an otherwise relaxing and soothing song. Our favorite part: Phipps chops a vocal melody into an earworm made of indistinguishable noises… Gibberish or not, it’s the work of a master producer. We loved this one – listen below to see if you agree. It’s also on Spotify if that’s more your speed. Ben Phipps · On My Own

Kent Odessa x Brain Tan – “Comatose”

May 17, 2021

We’ve featured both Kent Odessa and BRAIN TAN before – Kent’s tune “Palms Motel” and BRAIN TAN’s singles “Moth” and “New Light” all had us captivated for their excellent production work and hypnotic grooves. Needless to say, we’re super jazzed on “Comatose” which finds the duo collabing together into another monster tune. With just enough 2021 warble to keep it fresh, “Comatose” has all the excellent production and hooky vocals we’ve come to expect from these two… It’s certainly the best of both worlds (and we think you’ll agree). Check it out via Soundcloud below, or add it to your favorite Spotify playlist. Kent Odessa · Comatose

Leitstrahl x Nicole Jaey – “Chevrolée”

May 17, 2021

There’s just something about this Austrian synthwave collab between Leitstrahl and Nicole Jaey. Their creation, “Chevrolée,” is a certified dancefloor banger that ticks all of our boxes – danceable beat? Check. Nostalgic feel with modern production? Check. Big vocal melodies and a catchy chorus? Check and check. The 80s-esque dance production from Litstrahl is just a perfect vehicle (pun intended) for Jaey’s vocal presence… We’re here for it. There’s no way this one won’t get you moving. Hold on tight while you check it out via YouTube below or Spotify for streaming.