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ice bar – ante meridiem

January 19, 2015

There is something to be said about the type of songwriting that doesn’t require a full band to make it work. Making use of just an acoustic guitar and her voice, Rochester singer songwriter Camille Tharp, or ice bar, as she is so endearingly known, has put out ante meridiem, a collection of wonderfully emotional acoustic songs recommended for those who enjoy the likes of Sharon Von Etten or Daughter. Despite their simplicity, each of the EP’s five tracks channel a strong element of genuineness that makes it abundantly clear that a lot more went into ante meridiem than what initially meets the ear. It is that emotional authenticity that makes these songs such heavy-hitters, and with that, I welcome you to our Album of the Week. ante meridiem, in living up to its name, really capitalizes on the mellow vibes of early morning with delicately-plucked acoustic guitar progressions that would[...]

Wolf Drops First Full-Band Single, “Infectious”

January 16, 2015

2015 is going to be a good year for Buffalo music. And I don’t need to be Don Paul to make a claim like that—between all the incredible shows coming up and forthcoming local releases, what other proof is needed? Just yesterday, local indie rock outfit Wolf dropped a fresh single off of their upcoming EP, It’s Electric, due March 21st via Steak and Cake Records. The song is called “Infectious,” and it’s, well, exactly that. The song’s 90’s-tinged summer-rock sensibilities channel a K’s Choice / Wheatus vibe, perfect for those who yearn for those sweet, sweet days of 3D Doritos and JNCO jeans. Singer / guitarist Chelsea O’Donnell sings flavorfully over the song’s bouncy progression and catchy choruses, and the result will have your toes tapping. Steak and Cake renaissance man Brandon Schlia, who recorded and produced the track, brings an understated charm to the jam in the form of subtle[...]

Passive Aggressives Anonymous Drops New EP

January 13, 2015

In yet another installment of buffaBLOG’s ‘we missed a lot of good music over holiday break and now we’re playing catch up’ series of posts, I find myself unabashedly swooning over the satirical croon-rock songs on Passive Aggressives Anonymous’ new EP, Not so long songs of longing. For those of you unfamiliar with the Rochester quartet, think the tongue-in-cheek lyrical prowess of Father John Misty meets the charming sounds of Yo La Tengo. There, somewhere in the middle (and probably off-center a bit), you’ll find Passive Aggressives Anonymous. The five songs on Not so long songs of longing are all full of finely-tuned nuances that one may miss out on upon first listen. Singer John Valenti’s theatrical baritone is easily appreciated over the smoothness of the lounge-like instrumentation, but an attentional listen-through reveals an enjoyable irony in the music’s romantic nature. Take “Grinding” for example: “Let’s spend the night grinding…[...]

Teenage Satan – Teenage Satan II

January 5, 2015

After a brief holiday hiatus, buffaBLOG’s Album of the Week feature is back in business. For the first time since the distant days of 2014, we have selected a local (or quasi-local) album, EP, or collection of songs that we find to be worthy of merit, and posted it up here for your listening pleasure. This week, for the first week of the new year, our collective ears were caught by the lo-fi bedroom folk songs on Teenage Satan’s second self-titled EP. Teenage Satan (aka Dan Bauer) doesn’t fully abandon the electronic nature of his first effort earlier last year, but he does take a bit of a departure on Teenage Satan II in the sense that he unplugs and picks up an acoustic guitar. The result is a little experimental, a little electronic, but decidedly folk-tinged this time around. Favoring humble organ tones over unearthly synths, Teenage Satan II[...]

Tonight: Bryan Johnson & Family

January 2, 2015

The folks over at Admirable Traits have put together a juicy bill for the first weekend of 2015, a line-up stacked with local greats to take place at Mr. Goodbar at 10pm. If you’re like me, come January 2nd, a serious break from the holidaze is needed. That’s exactly where Bryan Johnson & Family comes in. Armed to the teeth with energetic surf-pop songs, these kings-of-all-things-fun will clean your holiday slate and teleport your tired soul into that sweet, sweet summer breeze. I can almost smell the toxic waters of Lake Erie already. Also on tonight’s bill you’ll find the electro-pop stylings of ambient rockers Humble Braggers and the delicious raw-retro sounds of Rochester post-punk duo Buffalo Sex Change. First Friday of 2015 + Mr. Goodbar’s tantalizingly extensive beer selection + just a buck-a-band cover? Don’t be a fool.

Tonight: Brimstone Blondes w/ The Demos

December 22, 2014

Are you sick of shopping malls yet?  I’ll bet you’re not sick of  abandoned Asian food markets and rock and roll! And if you’re saying to yourself “But I am sick of rock and roll…,” then why are you even reading this? I digress. Brimstone Blondes will be kicking off their “Red White & Blonde” Christmas tour tonight with a Chanukah bonanza at Ocean Garden Oriental Foods (1233 Niagara St.). If you didn’t catch them at their release party at Iron Works a few months back, now is your chance to catch their signature blend of charismatic post-punk for yourself. If you did make the release party, you probably know enough not to miss out. You know what they say: go Blonde or go home! (They don’t actually say that.) Two other bands share the bill with The Blondes tonight– Rochester’s power pop pros The Demos will be bringing it along with[...]

The Slums

December 16, 2014

In the spirit of keeping things fresh, this year’s holiday party will play host to a band formed just this year. Though not a baby band by any stretch of the definition, Buffalo post-punk revivalists The Slums have only been around a few months, already having generated some noteworthy buzz around our fair city. The band’s four members are no strangers to the local music scene either, having come from a variety of different musical backgrounds including the likes of The Malones, Scales,  A Boy and His Machine, and Strangers. The amalgamation makes for a pretty satisfying blend of both hook and grit–a Thermals-esque urgency meets a hardcore fierceness that, at times, conjures influence from fellow Buffalo boys Every Time I Die. Rock. And. Roll. The Slums’ well-rounded three track EP (recorded by Paul Besch of Quiet Country Audio) is available for free download on their bandcamp page; check it[...]

Tonight: Centro-matic

December 14, 2014

After 17 impressive years of relentless touring and songwriting, alt-country kings, Centro-matic, will be bringing their craft to Buffalo for the last time tonight as part of their 2014 Farewell Tour. “This time feels as good a note as ever to go out on and I feel safe in saying that Mark, Matt, Scott, and I would like for this tour and for these shows to be a celebration of our work and time together,” notes singer/songwriter Will Johnson on Centro-matic’s website. This particular gathering of friends (as the prolific Johnson suggests the shows on this tour should be) will take place at the Sportsmen’s Tavern (326 Amherst St.) with local support provided by long-time Buffalo favorites Roger Bryan and the Orphans. As aforementioned, this is last call for Centro-matic, I repeat: last call. Don’t miss out on this. Show starts at 7pm, tickets are $15 at the door, 21+.

Lesionread Drops New Tracks

December 8, 2014

Earlier this week, local experi-tronic (experimental electronic, duh) artist Lesionread dropped two fresh tracks on his Soundcloud page. The first, a Jon Bap remix of “Neutron Bomb” (appropriately re-titled “Nutron Bomb”), switches it up with a bumbling bass line and Bap’s signature whammed-out jangle guitar chords before slamming into fuzz city during the latter half. This is the first of two Bap remixes that will appear on Lesionread’s upcoming remix tape, slated for a February release. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/179736448″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /] The second track, “Addicted…,” is packing strings, featuring samples of Joe Isom ripping it up on cello. The track’s danceable house(ish) beat and distant synth sounds remind me of something off the soundtrack for Bomberman Hero on N64 (anyone?), and when paired with the cello samples, makes for a flavorful groove. “If I hate it, then why do I keep doing it?” asks Lewis paradoxically, before answering his[...]

Tonight: Mitski

December 3, 2014

Hump day is upon us. And if you’re sitting at home thinking to yourself “I wish my hump day wasn’t such a drag…”, then read on, my friend. Brooklyn-based indie songstress Mitski will be performing at Northrup House tonight in support of her marvelous new record bury me at make out creek. There is a pleasing duality to the new record, sometimes folk-tinged and smooth like an early Jenny Lewis, other times angular and challenging like some of St. Vincent’s newer material. Mitski’s songs are equal parts beautiful, wounded, and weird, but her lyrical prowess is what drives it all home. bury me at make out creek is a buzz machine, so this may be one of the last opportunities to watch her play in such an intimate setting. Also on the bill for tonight: Portland’s psych-folker Johanna Warren, blog favorite Alex Berkley, Cobalt Blue, and Lawyer Sam. There is a $5[...]

Mountains and Valleys – Mountains and Valleys

November 17, 2014

This week’s AOTW feature comes at us all the way from Syracuse. We here at buffaBLOG are finding it increasingly difficult to ignore such compelling music from artists in WNY’s surrounding areas, and thusly, are expanding our reach. This week, neo-folk troubadour Merritt Harris and his collaborative project, Mountains and Valleys, has caught our ear, and for good reason. The indie-folk collective has just pulled the sheet off of their self-titled debut—a beautiful and cohesive collection of songs unmistakably suitable for those with curious, introspective souls. Also notable is the fact that the record is a full twelve tracks in length and each track holds up strong. In today’s digital age of online-only 3 – 6 track EPs, splits, and singles, it’s refreshing to see a full twelver every now and again, and the amount of work that went into this one is palpable—to say the least. Mountains and Valleys’ sound[...]

Tonight: Chris Forsyth & the Solar Motel Band

November 12, 2014

If you’re looking for a solid mid-weeknight blast of brilliant psychedelic rock, you’re definitely reading the right preview. Chris Forsyth & the Solar Motel Band will be bringing their eclectic and sonically diverse set of classic rock-tinged psychedelia to Mohawk Place tonight in support of their recently-released debut studio effort, Intensity Ghost. Their compositions draw comparisons to some pretty iconic artists including the likes of Television and the Grateful Dead. Experimental guitar duo The Actors, comprising of Nick Gordon and Eric Kendall, will be opening the show. The pair was last seen at Buffalo Iron Works during the Tins EP release show for Young Blame, and is a beyond worthy act to open the show up. Music kicks off tonight at 8pm. Cover is $6.

Crying

November 10, 2014

What do you get when you mix a Gameboy, three musicians with a penchant for writing endearing indie music, and a heaping pile of dream-worthy nostalgia? This is not a rhetorical question. You get Crying. The indie-electronic outfit out of Harrison, NY is raising eyebrows and drawing attention for their wildly unique blend of chiptune indie rock, and their fans are riding high on anticipation of their next release, Get Olde Second Wind, due out on Run for Cover records November 18th. buffaBLOG caught up with guitarist and Gameboy wizard Ryan Galloway before the band embarks on a full-US tour supporting Modern Baseball, set to hit Buffalo this Wednesday at the Waiting Room. buffaBLOG: Level 99 Modern Baseball tour approaches! How do you prepare? Ryan Galloway: We haven’t practiced as a band since some time before the last tour. We still need to put tires on our car. bB: What are[...]

101010 – We Are The Movie

November 3, 2014

Another month, another farewell album. Listening to an album known to be a band’s last is always a bittersweet experience, and 101010’s We Are The Movie was no different for me. The Buffalo band, having formed in 2012 from the ashes of Americana act Vox Humana, are no longer playing together, but, as a final gesture of good faith, decided to digitally release their swan song album for the fans of their decidedly post-rock loudness. Each of the respective members will be focusing on different projects beyond 101010’s dissolution; keep your ears to the ground. Though the curtain has called for 101010, We Are The Movie satisfies, and should not go unrecognized. Enter our Album of the Week. We Are The Movie explores the various intricacies of post-rock and shoegaze, landing somewhere between the cosmic thickness of 90’s band Hum and the hard-hitting fervor of Chevelle. But the album doesn’t[...]

Tonight: Applennium, Strange Acres, Lazlo Hollyfeld

November 1, 2014

On what appears to be another one of the best local bills of the nearing winter season, three revered Buffalo acts will be taking over Mohawk Place this Saturday night. The all-too-elusive Applennium will be bringing their affecting, dreamy blend of indie folk to the stage, joined by symphonic mood-rockers Strange Acres and the cerebral instrumentals of Lazlo Hollyfeld. Each of these three talented Buffalo acts really pulls out all the stops to ensure that their live shows are not easily forgettable, so if you’re not in a candy coma from last night’s shenanigans, you better make sure you’re at Mohawk Place tonight. Yes, it might snow—but this is Buffalo. Don’t be a wuss. The ‘hawk will open its doors tonight at 8pm for this all-ages event, and admission through those doors will cost you five bucks—probably the best five bucks you’ll spend all weekend. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/67736557″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″[...]