Buffalo

denzelworldpeace Teams with Humble Braggers on New Single

January 22, 2020

Up-and-coming Buffalo beatsmith denzelworldpeace has teamed up with Humble Braggers mastermind Tom Burtless to drop the first local jam of 2020, “Time Can’t Help,” and takes us to church. The classically trained denzelworldpeace aka Denzel Crockett has been producing since he was a kid, quietly building a catalog of sexy bedroom electronica since late 2018, but he’s poised to come on strong this year with this exquisitely tasteful slab of electronic love wrapped up in Cathedralesque sonics and hymnlike blue eyed soul from Tom Burtless. This is it and it is everything..

Olmsted Debuts New Singles

January 6, 2020

Buffalo bedroom pop newcomers Olmsted have emerged onto the Buffalo DIY scene with their first single, “The Storm.” The duo, composed of bassist/vocalist Lydia Beinhauer and former Halo Nellie guitarist Nathaniel Miller, co-write dreamy, raw pop music with contemplative lyrics. “The Storm” is a building, ethereal waltz. It starts out simple, with a guitar track and Beinhauer’s lone voice. The song becomes more fleshed-out as it continues, with gossamer synth, a drum machine, experimental noise sampling, and vocals from Miller as well. Beinhauer and Miller’s pleasant voices complement each other, which we also see on the single’s B-side, “The Eye.” The songs are approachable and calming, even though the words suggest a little more unease. From both tracks, we get a good idea of what to expect from Olmsted in the future: relaxed, organic, and endearing lo-fi pop. Olmsted plays January 31st with Modest Mouse tribute act Pompous Rat on[...]

John Moore And Missing Star Release New Single, “Work It Out”

December 24, 2019

John Moore and Missing Star‘s latest single “Work It Out” recently caught our ears in a lovely way. Moore has been hanging around Buffalo for a while – previously fronting the WNY-based act 53 Days. This time around, he and the Missing Star has pairing a twinkly guitar riff with spacey keys and haunting vocals, revolving around a haunting but catchy refrain of “Gonna work it out, gonna work it out again.” Check it out below and pick it up his latest album on Bandcamp if you’re feeling  this jam as much as we are. All In Your Head by John Moore And Missing Star

denzelworldpeace Releases New Single “Body Pillow”

December 20, 2019

Buffalo beat maker Denzel World Peace joins the lo-fi hip hop ranks with their latest release, “Body Pillow.” The mellow, soft snare-driven track is the centerpiece for Denzel’s latest release, Body Pillow EP. Denzel’s production transports you to the high seas, as seagulls caw and waves rush before settling into “chill beats you can study to” vibes. “Body Pillow” gets a siren-like vocal assist from Leeks, serenading in the upper register while  Denzel perfects the isolating full-body aesthetic down below. Slot this track right into your relaxing, lo-fi playlist. Give the track a listen here: Body Pillow EP by denzelworldpeace

HC Kush – “Motivation”

December 11, 2019

HC Kush is a preacher of authenticity. The Buffalo rapper doesn’t mince words on his latest single “Motivation.” He’s a straight shooter, and the targets can hit anywhere from social media goons to prospective partners.. The trapper paints vivid pictures of the lifestyle and invites you onto the corner of Rodney and Filmore for the music video. Each lyric cuts, and the talented emcee HC Kush remains calm and cool with his delivery. Tune in below:

Medusa – “ET”

December 10, 2019

“ET” is the latest offering from Buffalo “genre-crossing, gender-bending” (their words not ours) producer/musician Medusa. “ET,” in this case, an acronym for both Estrogen and Testosterone and the popular 80s movie, is a dark and moody electro-pop banger. It’s surprisingly danceable despite its sludgy tempo and scathing condemnation of the transphobic experiences one might experience. Check out the widget below – if you are liking what you hear, check out their Bandcamp page for more scathing darktronica. ET by MEDUSA

Twin Child Drop New Single “Amateur MCs”

December 8, 2019

Buffalo spitfires Twin Child and Benny Moses comes through with ferocity with his latest single “Amateur MCs.” Twin Child is the rap moniker for SMUG drummer Travis Perno, who with this project has abandoned his punk stylings for punchy rhymes. Rapping at a breakneck speed, the pairing stays true to to the track title, referencing life outside of the pros, with a minimum wage check in your digital wallet. Twin Child cooked the beat and ate it, and he and Benny Moses do their best to live in the shadow of Fu Schnickens or Tech N9ne’s Strange Music crew with their delivery. Child is creative with his sample choice on production, and the “This some shit we’ve never seen before” serves as nice table settings for the two’s verses. Check it out here:

Breakfast for Dinner Releases New Single

December 5, 2019

Fresh-faced indie-pop outfit Breakfast for Dinner just released their newest single “She Ate My Heart Out Like A Hurricane.” Originally based out of the DIY scene in Corning, NY, they’re now based out of Buffalo. The heavy garage rock/DIY aesthetic is very clearly presented in their first single “Wonder” which came out earlier this year. “She Ate My Heart Out Like A Hurricane” shows a much more evolved sound from the band. At the outset, the song pulls you in with glistening synth textures, a driving beat, and a reverb drenched lead line. The breathy vocals in the verses are balanced well by the stronger chorus, which is undeniably catchy. With a sound akin to Robyn, Bat For Lashes, and iamamiwhoami, Breakfast for Dinner has a deeply mystical indie-rock sound that still manages to channel a DIY pop-punk aesthetic. This neatly packaged song is a great addition to your playlist. Keep[...]

Personal Style – Demo 2019

December 4, 2019

There is nothing new under the sun. That being said, to express yourself you need to take your influences and make them your own. The fresh-faced Buffalo band of familiar faces, Personal Style, have released their first demo tape, a six song collection of tight punk rock, which they branded as their own. “Total Kontrol,” a title that shows Personal Style making the English language their own, kicks off the demo. Bryan Johnson (of Bryan Johnson and Family, honeyCOMA) delivers a punk-classic three chord winding guitar riff for two measures until the drums enter. Evan Wachowski’s jumpy drum beat establishing the song’s pulse thumps to life low in the mix. Think Iggy Pop’s “Lust for Life.” Then the song explodes into a full on punk ringer. The vocals, a low almost flat delivery in the vein of garage rock heroes Pavement, tell about a classic punk trope. The urge for[...]

Cooler Drops New Single “Gentleman”

December 3, 2019

Buffalo’s favorite Indiemo trio Cooler returns with their newest single “Gentleman.” Their first release since 2018’s Buried EP shows a mature side of the band, with deeply cathartic lyrics that are very catchy. Their previous releases have been very guitar driven, and while that energy still exists, the lush harmonies and textures that are present on “Gentleman” really highlight the lyrical acuity of the band. Cooler has always had an ability to write compelling pop-oriented songs about such heavy topics such as mental health, love, and loss and “Gentleman,” which focuses on the end of a relationship, is no exception. Check out “Gentleman” below and be on the lookout for their upcoming EP in 2020. Gentleman by CoolerWritten by John Smigielski

Witty Tarbox – “Goodbye Jackie”

November 25, 2019

One of Buffalo’s most eclectic exports comes in the form of Witty Tarbox – a genre-bending act who is full of left-field energy and pleasant surprises. We’re digging “Goodbye Jackie” – this one is full of bluesy guitar funk with surf flavor, bouncing basslines, and one-of-a-kind vocals barking stream of consciousness lyrics. “Jackie” just might be the most unique thing you’ve heard all day. Check out the retro-imagery-inspired music video below.

Dogs in Stereo Debuts New Video “Traffic Circles”

November 8, 2019

Imagine you need a playlist for a trip through some quicksand deep into the Earth. Buffalo’s lo-fi slacker rock and rollers Dogs in Stereo are ready to accompany you throughout this plodding, inevitable journey, where you say goodbye to the world around you and simply succumb. If there’s beauty in that, “Traffic Circles” will bring it out. Dreary guitars and vocals capture a fed-up, aimless energy. Joe Cardina’s project nails the depressing, grey feeling of hoping that there’s no hope with this track, reminding you to take your Vitamin D this SAD season. Dogs in Stereo goes bleak here, but it’s just one of many sounds they pull out of their bag of tricks. Varying synths and harder punk sounds highlighting other releases. Dogs in Stereo’s Idle EP hits the streets 11/15, and you can catch the release party at Mohawk on 11/14. Check out the visuals, with Shauna Presto’s direction.

Koko Neetz Reveals New Video for “molecules”

November 7, 2019

Indie-songwriter Koko Neetz (the moniker of dreambeaches’ guitarist Andrew Kothen) recently released “molecules,” the first single and accompanying video off his upcoming album titled i.t.t.i.p. This marks the first release from Kothen since 2016’s Moral Monsters, an excellent EP that shows his prowess as a songwriter. molecules shows us an evolved sound, while maintaining Kothen’s meticulous attention to orchestration. Lyrically “molecules” maintains a gentle existential tone, backed by expertly by simple guitar lines and gorgeous harmonies. Kothen’s attention to detail puts him in a category with orchestration and arranging superstars such as Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) and Sufjan Stevens. If this track is any indication of the rest of the album, we may have a contender for one of the strongest releases in Buffalo this year. Kothen has proven time and again that he’s a true “musician’s musician”, with wistful introspective lyricism, and a deeply thoughtful approach to recording. for fans[...]

The Molice – “Moving”

November 4, 2019

The Molice are a funky, post-punky trio from Tokyo, Japan who have been resident Buffalonians for quite some time now. Their new music video for “Moving” is a montage of their time here thus far, culminating in a big performance for the Music is Art Festival. You might also recognize footage from Mohawk Place, Nietzsche’s, and a bunch of other cool Buffalo locations, all tied together with beautiful Buffalo-based cinematography captured by Lance Claypool (Pentimento). Beyond the video – “Moving” is a jittery and angular blend of funky indie-rock energy with a sugary chorus sure to get stuck in your head. If you dig The Molice, add them to your Spotify playlist or consider donating to their GoFundMe.

The Tins Release New Single “Sooner or Later”

October 22, 2019

Buffalo music scene mainstays The Tins have had a pretty good summer – and you might’ve noticed during your morning commute and coffee run. Their spring single “City Lies II,” which we here at BuffaBLOG loved, landed on Starbucks’ retail playlist, playing in stores across North America. They also got some love on satellite radio, with their cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “State Trooper” currently in rotation on SiriusXM. The Tins are riding that high into the fall with a minimalist, vaguely spooky new single “Sooner or Later.” “Sooner or Later” is a refreshing step in a new direction for The Tins. You can count the tracks on barely more than one hand – drums, a groovy bass line, rhythm and lead guitar, synth, layered vocals, and a shaker (which I hope is shaped like an egg) on the chorus –, and that’s all you need, really. Drummer Dave Muntner has[...]