Buffalo

The Tins Reveal New Single “Boulder Soul”

March 12, 2019

Local mainstays The Tins are back with a new single titled “Boulder Soul.” Since we’ve last checked in with the band, the trio has grown to a quartet, adding Aircraft’s Justin John Smith to the line-up. The band is constantly evolving and changing up their sound, making the project consistently interesting. “Boulder Soul” starts out with a bounce-y rhythm section a la The Cure’s “Close to Me,” adding a carefree, dancing key line. Lyrically, it’s about feeling restless and anxious and overall lost in life’s purpose – a feeling many of us can identify with. Be on the lookout for more of The Tins’ new material and their upcoming show with The Demos, The Leones, and Leyda on Friday, April 5th.

Johnny & The Man Kids Release Raucous New Single, “Before”

March 11, 2019

Buffalo lo-fi pop-rockers Johnny & The Man Kids are gearing up for a new release later this spring. In anticipation, they’ve just dropped the first single from their upcoming EP, You Made Me Hurt. “Before” is an energetic blast of overblown distortion, fleshed out with tastefully distorted vocals that sling earworm pop hooks. Fans of The Strokes, Twin Peaks, or Diarrhea Planet will find something to like here – be sure to check it out through the convenient widget below. Johnny & the Man Kids’ new EP, You Made Me Hurt, is due to be released on 4/12/19 via Admirable Traits Records.

Ghostpool & Hand Out – NYLA

February 28, 2019

A good ol’ fashioned split goes a long way; both bands get the out-of-town rub. In this case, Buffalo’s Ghostpool have teamed up with New Orleans pop-punkers Hand Out for NYLA, a four-song offering that highlights two brand new songs from each band. Hometown reps Ghostpool kick things off with “Bug,” a mid-tempo banger with the strongest of the emo elements across this EP. Both bands straddle that hard-to-define pop-punk/emo line, but “Bug’s” strong dynamic range gives it a true emotional edge. It pairs forlorn lyrics with guitars that switch from reverb-ed and forlorn to fuzzed-out. Lyrically, Ghostpool laments about being existentially annoying – a babbling nobody with a racing mind, eternally buzzing in someone else’s ear like a god damn bug. It’s a touching and sincere sentiment, even if it’s executed with huge guitars and gravel-voiced, pop-punk brattiness. “Feels Bad” (maybe a reference to the ever-memed “feelsbadman”) is another song[...]

Aircraft Drop Live Video For “Bad Things”

February 19, 2019

Beloved psychedelic rockers Aircraft have some new music on the way and our first taste has arrived with an atmospheric video for their new single “Bad Things.” Filmed live at Mammoth Recording Studio, “Bad Things” is more than a tad appropriately bleak, with some groovy underwater guitar sounds maybe a little bit reminiscent of “The Rain Song” and 90’s R.E.M. and hauntingly plaintive vocals from our man Justin John Smith that synch up rather nicely with the prevailing disquiet. You can check it out below, and definitely stay tuned for new Aircraft material incoming this year.

Feverbox Releases Video for Single “Dear Leader”

February 15, 2019

Buffalo’s Feverbox takes to the rooftops in the video for their dynamite indie rock protest anthem, “Dear Leader.” Hot off their 2018 EP, Political Theater, Feverbox pulls no punches in their catchy critique of our Commander-in-chief. Politically charged and defiant lyrics are delivered with fire by lead singer/guitarist Griffin Smith over a raucous and exploding rock beat. Watch the video for this presidential indie rock diss track below and give Political Theater a listen on Bandcamp here.

Nylon Otters Drop New EP, Single

January 22, 2019

Rising Buffalo-based grunge revivalists, Nylon Otters, started 2019 off with a bang by releasing a brand new four song EP titled Goldilocks. The first song off the album and title track “Goldilocks” is the lead single from the album. Lead singer Logan Ross almost effortlessly channels the gravelly howl of Kurt Cobain in the trio’s latest track. The band has mastered a slacker grunge feel, meshing two of the buzziest sounds of the past couple years. Be on the lookout for Nylon Otters in the area, as they are a major go-to bands for local bills and in the meantime enjoy Goldilocks in its entirity over on bandcamp. Goldilocks by Nylon Otters

Lesionread is Back for “2019!”

January 15, 2019

Art provocateur Lesionread has returned to us from the ether (and his ongoing membership in Space Cubs) with a handy and bonkers manifesto for the new year in the form of a new video for “2019!” that’s almost too much. Featuring drums from dreambeaches alum Gabe Wells and even more bodystocking action than ever before, this truly is the kind of art that kicks you up the backside, shakes loose the cobwebs, and blows off excess steam caught in the pipes and leftover from the year before.

VR Sunset Drops “I’m Your Density”

January 10, 2019

Electronic artist VR Sunset aka Reggie Clark, formerly of Planet Three and Lesionread, just released “I’m Your Density,” the debut single for his forthcoming  solo album Artifact that is pure, uncut ear candy and a showcase for some really talented people operating in the Buffalo scene. On the music end you’ve got contributions from local psychedelic sound gurus Tyler Mendola on drums (who was on fire at that M.A.G.S. homecoming show before New Years) and co-producer Cody Morse from Deadwolf, while the ethereal video features direction from Jeanette Chwan and editing by Space Cub’s Shawn Lewis (aka Lesionread) and Reggie channeling Alan Palomo, Crispin Clover, Top Gun, and that dude from The Kingsmen movies. Check it out.

The Shallows Release First Single

December 26, 2018

Members of local bedroom folk acts Heave and Oats Holy Roller have teamed up to form a new group, The Shallows. In anticipation of their debut album, Hold Out For Love, they’ve released their first single. Titled “joan + lily” it’s an excellent foray into delicate and heartfelt Americana. Recorded at Sunwood Recording Studios in, Trumansburg, NY, “joan + lily” pairs multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Emily Finlan of heave with singer-songwriter Joe Myers of Oats Holy Roller. The song is a gorgeous modern folk ballad that chronicles two people who’ve grown apart, getting away from it all and working with your hands, and the feelings associated with trying to piece together a new life. Myers’ low gravelly voice and storyteller prose are the bedrock here, with Finlan providing ethereal backing vocals and haunting cello that gracefully adorn the compositional surface. Overall, its a contemplative and melancholic affair, and a brooding and stirring[...]

Rocco Of The Snow Releases New Single “Big Riddle”

December 21, 2018

Buffalo expat Rocco Of The Snow aka Rocco DellaNeve is back literally and proverbially: proverbially in that he’s got a juicy new single out by the name of “Big Riddle,” and literally because he’s back home for the holidays with a cd release show tonight at the fairly brand new Imagine Event Center in Black Rock. First things first: “Big Riddle” is ideal for those of us prone to seasonal affective disorder, an unseasonably bright slice of electronic r&b perfect for our troubled times, gray, sunless winter days and cold nights in need of funky beats and soaring, fuzzed out synths that broadcast some joy and solace directly into your heart (it’s also a tonic for the soul for those of us who miss Forealists). You can see and hear what Rocco has been up to tonight when he plays a show celebrating his new cd release Prime Mover at the newish Imagine[...]

The Tins Drop Two New Singles

November 30, 2018

Local indie rock group The Tins have released a new double A-side single, featuring the the tracks “Saksaywaman” and “Open Minded.” Recorded in Buffalo’s own Mammoth Recording Studio, The Tins collaborated with distinguished producer Ted Young (The Gaslight Anthem, Andrew W.K.), and engineer Jessica Thompson (Train, Natalie Merchant) to mix and master the songs. The dual-sided single combines balancing tracks, creating a work that’s both fun and thoughtful. First impressions of “Saksaywaman” are that it’s a relaxed yet danceable track. The vocals of Adam Stanley and Michael Santillo are reminiscent of Bear Hands singer Dylan Rau, specifically in tone. However, The Tins have differentiated themselves while simultaneously adding to their genre. One of the most outstanding parts of “Saksaywaman” is the percussion. It’s so simple, but it provides such a necessary rhythm and accent to the song. The little clicks of the clavas compliment the hustle of the guitar’s melody. As for “Open[...]

JC (AYAM) Cuts New DIY Video “N.I.P. TOO” Loose

November 28, 2018

Buffalo emcee, JC (AYAM), drops the video for his foreboding new head nodder, “N.I.P. TOO.” This ominously hypnotic cut traps you down in a shadowy dungeon tormented with executioner’s horns, drippy finger snaps and skittering hi-hats. (AYAM) lurks through this bumping and doomy beat with faded brag raps that echo down dark, cavernous passageways. It’s a mesmerizing record to chill to, especially when laid up in the torture rack, so fall under (AYAM)’s trance below. Look out for JC (AYAM)’s debut album next year and be sure to follow him on Twitter here.

Elemantra Releases Trippy Music Video for “Such Tiny Fish”

November 2, 2018

Salamanca quartet Elemantra channel the spirit of post-rock bands like Sense Field and Appleseed Cast and mix it with an alternative 90s sound that evokes Smashing Pumpkins and Sunny Day Real Estate. Their latest release is the full-length To Know Better, which features the single, “Such Tiny Fish.” In the seven-plus minute song, the group spans the gamut from riff-rock to subtle ambiance, accompanied by a soothing (and vaguely trippy) music video featuring a serene aquarium. Elemantra aims to please, and there is certainly something here for everyone – check out the music video below. Elemantra’s debut album, To Know Better, is available now on Bandcamp.

Hop Hop Delivers Video For “Scratch”

October 2, 2018

Premier Buffalo MC Hop Hop has a video for her latest single “Scratch” that’s a perfect showcase for her art and skills, and the city itself. Shot and edited by producer and co-conspirator Brandon Schlia, “Scratch” is an earworm in video form and a clever bit of DIY guerrilla filmmaking , utilizing a whole lot of the important new public art that’s sprung up over the last few years all over the city, our newly re-purposed post industrial decay, and various tasteful West Side doorways and rooftops as backdrops for the irrepressible brilliance of Hop Hop, who will most definitely not be defined by an old white guy like me anyways, so I won’t even try it (not that I’d try it anyway). From “The Freedom Wall” on Michigan and East Ferry to the Betsy Casanas mural on Niagara Street and the trusty Elmwood Avenue 24 Hour Store, “Scratch” is an inclusive,[...]

Jong SL Releases New Track “Driving Away”

September 20, 2018

Alt. pop artist Jong SL is back this year with promising new material. The Toronto via Buffalo singer-songwriter is following up his 2017 EP Ice Cream with a new single, “Driving Away,” foreshadowing an upcoming full length project. Known for his cross-genre blending, the track is Jong’s most fine-tuned and musically diverse release to date. The once light and bouncy air of Jong’s music is now treated with a heavier shade. His previous sound of coffee shop pop meets blue-eyed soul is amplified here with darker and more ambient elements. The tune itself floats through different phases, borrowing from both alt. rock and contemporary R&B, and pairs acoustic guitars with electric ones, and ethereal synth embellishments with a tight modern R&B groove. Even from a lyrically standpoint, “Driving Away” moves in a more melancholic direction, hinting at what is to come from Jong in the future. In regards to the[...]