Latest Posts

Six Bands to Catch at Music is Art this Weekend

September 16, 2025

Every September, Ruff Buff roars to life with the sights and sounds of Music is Art (MiA), a beautifully grassroots festival that has become an annual cultural cornerstone. If you’re a buffaBLOG regular, you probably already know the drill – founded by Goo Goo Dolls’ Robby Takac (whose band originated here in Buffalo way back when), MiA is more than just a lineup of bands. It’s a community-focused showcase of the artistry, creativity, and resilience that celebrates our Rust Belt locale. For locals, Music is Art has become both a homecoming and a rallying cry, proof that our city’s spirit is thriving, and that music continues to unite Buffalonians across neighborhoods.   You’ll notice we’re skipping some of our usual blog favorites to focus on new and friendly faces for this article. Writing about the same, blog-worthy acts can feel like a bit of a refutation on why we exist[...]

Six Bands We Aren’t Missing at Borderland Festival 2025

September 10, 2025

Knox Farm State Park’s annual music festival, Borderland, returns for their seventh consecutive year (COVID doesn’t count) this weekend with their biggest production yet. Since their beginnings as a two day festival in 2018, the crew behind Twenty6 Productions has added an extra day and turned the buzz meter up to eleven with their thorough and thoughtful curation of this annual staple that is driving home the message we’ve always hammered home – Western NY has great potential for a thriving music scene, complete with dive bars to full music festivals… And Oasis should play here.   Tickets are still available with weekend passes going for $240.95 and daily passes for $136.45. Here are six acts we aren’t missing this weekend at Borderland 2025.   Saturday @ 3pm   Sneaky Miles @ Mike’s Amazing Homespun Stage   Newmarket, New Hampshire project Sneaky Miles starts our schedule off Saturday afternoon with[...]

Five Songs that Inspire Sean Ryan and his Campaign for Mayor of Buffalo

June 17, 2025

It seems like just yesterday that Buffalo hit the polls to decide if underdog India Walton could defeat the Byron Brown political machine. Turns out, the Brown campaign arose from it’s slumber and drove the vote out with their “Write Down Brown” write-in campaign, securing the office for roughly four years before heading into the obvious transition of working in horse racing. In just seven days, Buffalo decides the future of the city with a new democratic primary to see who gets to be the rightful nominee on the ballot that represents the future of the Queen City… And if it’s one thing we can all agree upon, it’s this – Buffalo deserves better.   Lifelong WNY resident and State Senator Sean Ryan is throwing his hat into the ring for Mayor of Buffalo with that very pitch, bringing a deep sense of Buffalo pride and decades of public service to[...]

7 Acts to Catch at Elmwood Village Porchfest 2025

May 14, 2025

Ian McCuen @ 1pm 444 Forest Avenue   If you wanted to minimize your steps for the day, I would suggest bringing a lawn chair to 444 Forest Avenue and not leaving, as the lineup has some true talent from the emerging local scene. Starting the indie lineup is Ian McCuen, a singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalists who has somber and gripping songs that are reminiscent of Bright Eyes or Sufjan Stevens.   As the Oceans Rise and the Empire Falls by Ian McCuen Kriggy @ 3pm 390 Richmond Ave   New kids on the block Kriggy aim to prove what the buzz is all about on Richmond Ave mid-afternoon. The band has an angular, math-y messiness that is appealing and no-frills in the most charming way possible.   Sonny Baker Trio @ 3:30pm 1110 Elmwood Ave.   Buffalo music scene mainstay Sonny Baker teams up with his frequent collaborators for a rare trio[...]

The Internet – “Following the Logic”

September 17, 2020

California group the Internet (no not that one) is back with an easy going new single “Following the Logic” Since forming in 2010, the group has shifted its lineup and sound, moving away from its early shoegaze beginnings to a revised dreamlike pop vibe. Tailor-made for an end of summer playlist, the band’s first offering of new music since its 2019 album Semicolon Forward Slash is a breezy, lo-fi number that somehow finds a comfy middle ground between Ariel Pink and the Sea and Cake. Check it out below.

oddnesse – “Summer’s Almost Over”

September 17, 2020

Indie-pop artist oddnesse has delivered an appropriately titled new track “Summer’s Almost Over” just before the season turns over. The wistful number is a nice addition to the post-chillwave cannon as slinky guitar lines and warm synths give the single a soothing retro vibe.  Fans of acts like TOPS and Springtime Carnivore should all hear something that they dig in the track. “Summer’s Almost Over” is just another highlight in what has been a rather busy year for oddnesse. Keep up with the act’s output on Spotify and in the meantime, check out the single below. oddnesse · Summer’s Almost Over

Ahli – “Ghost”

September 17, 2020

New to the scene pop artist Ahli recently shared their latest single “Ghost.” The follow up to the act’s debut offering “Past Life,”  “Ghost” finds Ahli delivering a reflective number that recalls acts like Flock of Dimes, Maggie Rogers and even Regina Spektor. Fusing elements of hip hop and electro, the beat-driven track is a raw and passionate slice of dream-pop. Both singles will be featured on Ahli’s forthcoming freshman EP. Until then, give “Ghost” a spin below.

Good Kid – “Drifting”

September 16, 2020

The spirit of early 2000s indie rock is very much alive in the latest offering from Canadian act Good Kid. “Drifting,” the third single shared by the Toronto indie four-piece this year, is a bouncy slice of pop-rock that will most certainly leave you bobbing your head. The track’s super clean production makes for a welcome listen. Fans of the Strokes and Tokyo Police Club would be wise to give the track a spin. Check it out below. Good Kid · Drifting

Hoofa – “Brother”

September 16, 2020

UK indie act Hoofa continues to pump out the singles this year with the recent release of “Brother.” The bouncy, nostalgia-dripping track is a great sunny entry to summer’s final days of music. Retro melodies and a strong falsetto make the track sound like Temper Trap goes jangle-pop. After the epic crescendos of Hoofa’s early 2020 track “Alone,” the new single’s welcome change of pace shows off the band’s chameleonic flare. Check out “Brother” below. Hoofa · Brother

Ferdishenko – “Vanishing Spark”

September 16, 2020

Aukland-based experimental act Ferdishenko has shared its first slice of music with the debut single “Vanishing Spark.” With a building groove and an impending sense of dread, the hypnotic track is a fantastic blend of meticulous Krautrock beats and Radiohead’s atmospheric menace, and would not have sounded out of place on Ed O’Brien’s recent record Earth. No further releases are available from the duo but keep an ear open for upcoming tracks from this very intriguing new project. Listen to “Vanishing Spark” below. Ferdishenko · Vanishing Spark (Edit)

Ellyn Woods – “Tangerine”

September 16, 2020

Recent House of Youth signee Ellyn Woods has shared her debut track “Tangerine.” Hailing from Montreal, the dreamy singer/songwriter kicks off the woozy track with a slinky intro and wispy vocals which initially recalls fellow Canadian act Rhye. The song will eventually switch gears as synth-pop textures lift the chorus to glittery new heights. The track will be included on an upcoming EP from Woods. While no release date has been shared, you can listen to “Tangerine” below until further news surfaces. House of Youth · Ellyn Woods – Tangerine

Honor Scouts – “Subterranean Feels”

September 16, 2020

West Coast indietronic pair Honor Scouts, or hs., recently shared its radio-ready new single “Subterranean Feels.” The track, which appears to be a part of an upcoming collection of new music called Magic Realism, finds the Southern Oregon bred alt-pop outfit fusing elements of rock, dance and electro beats. Never reaching the bombastic levels it lazily could have, the subtle restraint is certainly welcome. “Subterranean Feels” genre-hops with the best of them, recalling some of alternative rock’s current heavy hitters, as well as an indie-leaning act like Local Natives. Look for the duo to soon find its way into regular radio stations. Check out the lyric video below.

14 trapdoors Shares “Love” Music Video

September 2, 2020

Offbeat hip-hop trio 14 trapdoors has shared music video for the new single “Love,” the third single from the group’s forthcoming new album Eileen. The laid-back track is complimented by heady visuals via Mi6fit and includes guest verses from DNTWATCHTV and Medusa. Comprised of local MCs Short Moscato, Bendyface and Wza, the threesome is set to drop the record on September 11th. The 10-track release features guest appearances from Bille Esco, Benny the Butcher, Che Noir and more heavy hitters from Buffalo’s hip-hop community. Check out the clip below.

Elemantra Drops Live Sessions EP

September 1, 2020

Local indie rockers Elemantra are back with their first collection of new tunes in two years with G Camp Live Sessions. Recorded and filmed last fall while camping Seneca Allegheny Territory, the 3-track EP finds the Salamanca foursome continuing to mine the early emo / post-rock / shoegaze  hybrid sound that has made them a favorite of this blog.  The group’s range – from delicate melodies to crescendoing riffs – should appeal to fans of Hum and Sunny Day Real Estate. All of the songs are accompanied by a live, river-backed clip, a nice reminder that the best season in WNY is right around the corner. The audio files can all be found on the band’s Spotify. In the mean time, watch the video for “Sun Hugs” below. G Camp Live Sessions by elemantra

Velvet Bethany Shares New Video for “She’s So Mean”

August 28, 2020

Local garage punk quartet Velvet Bethany is busy prepping for the unveiling of its latest album Abuse Paradigm. While no release date has been given, the record’s first single “She’s So Mean” dropped earlier this month and has already been given the music video treatment. The clip for the peppy surf rockin’ tune finds front person Alison Mitchell performing the song on one of Buffalo’s beautiful beaches. The video’s lo-fi quality reminds me of an old family outing to Crystal Beach my dad captured on VHS. Anyway, the track, recorded at Lockport’s Watchmen Studios, is currently available for purchase via Bandcamp while the full length should assumingly surface sometime this fall/winter. Watch the video for “She’s So Mean” below.