Buffalo

M.A.G.S. Returns with New Single “Demon”

July 21, 2017

Buffalo-based multi-instrumentalist M.A.G.S. released “Demon,” the first single off his forthcoming self-titled album, due out September 8th via Admirable Traits Records. M.A.G.S., the moniker for Elliott Douglas, has proven to be on a quick rise to popularity. After his debut EP Cellophane in in 2015, his work was featured on the soundtracks for TV shows including Shameless, The Flash and Famous In Love. Douglas looks to continue his rise through “Demon.” Nestled under dreamy guitar riffs, we find Douglas’ falsetto vocals. Effects draw these vocals out further, giving them some grit and character. All the instruments on the track are played by Douglas, so we are left with a consistent product throughout. Check out the music video for “Demon’ below via YouTube.

Previous Love Releases Debut Single “Caffeine”

July 21, 2017

Buffalo based alternative rockers Precious Love released the first single “Caffeine” off their upcoming self-titled EP. Recorded with Jay Zubricky at GCR Studios, “Caffeine’s” guitar riffs come as dreamy, but carry an edge to them. The vocals hold the somber feel that captures the essence of glory days of emo music. Listen along with the single below and make sure to keep an eye out for Previous Love’s EP out July 25th.

Darth Nater – “The Western Lowland Gorilla Song”

July 19, 2017

Darth Nater (pun intended) is also known as singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Nate Noworyta. The Buffalo-born musician recently caught our attention with “The Western Lowland Gorilla Song,” a tongue-in-cheek ditty that highlights his wry delivery, dry wit, and unique storytelling ability. Noworyta recently released his fourth full-length album, People Are Animals, which is (unsurprisingly) a collection of ten songs about people who act like animals. Fans of The Front Bottoms, Modern Baseball, or Dave Matthews will surely like this one. If you’re digging it, you can purchase People Are Animals via Bandcamp.

Eyes Everywhere Release New EP Talk/Cold Bug Out

July 12, 2017

Last month, Buffalo DJ/production duo Eyes Everywhere’s released their highly anticipated new EP Talk/Cold Bug Out  via Atlanta house label Psycho Disco. The EP presents a pair of tech house heaters with dense bass, dynamic percussion, and evocative vocal samples. “Talk” features dexterous drum patterns, atmospheric, sonorous synth work and the type of incendiary breakdowns the pair has become known for. B-side “Cold Bug Out” includes wonky synths, energetic vocal samples, melodic builds leading into a propulsive groove. “Talk/Cold Bug Out” is out now on Beatport, iTunes, and Spotify. Listen below.

D.A Live Releases “Everything I Ain’t Been”

June 10, 2017

Buffalo-based rapper D.A Live provides complex wordplay through his release “Everything I Ain’t Been.” With a mixture of unpredictable flows and smooth melodies, Live brings an unconventional vibe to the track. Ski Beats brings a laid-back beat with a light snare and a slow, deep bass. The song goes into the struggles of everything that Live wants to be, but cannot reach in his present state. Listen to “Everything I Ain’t Been” via SoundCloud below.

Short Moscato Drops Music Video For “Steady”

June 2, 2017

Buffalo-based emcee Short Moscato dropped a trippy new visual for his song “Steady” which came off his recent project The Colour of Air. The video goes in an experimental film route with jump cuts between rainbow-dipped images to go along with the lyrics of the song which exercise Moscato’s ability as a wordsmith. The video adds to the sporadic nature of the song, jumping from sex, drug use and the quest to find a steady mindset. For anyone that listened to the EP, the video adds another dimension to the song. Check out the visual music video for the song below.

Rap & Destroy Return With “Act Like UGAF”

May 31, 2017

Buffalo hip hop punk crew Rap & Destroy follow up their debut singe “R Kelly’s heel” with an even clearer declaration of intent and sonic manifesto in the form of their latest cut, “Act Like UGAF.” A spicy sneak preview of their forthcoming debut LP R.A.D AdVICE due next week, “Act Like UGAF” is raw, insurgent, and solid for turning things up at the party thanks to it’s powerful collective presence and thoroughly blunted 90’s hip hop sound.

Stress Dolls Drops After the Party

May 16, 2017

Stress Dolls and Steak & Cake Records have teamed up on two tender, confessing gentle electronic tunes. These songs were written by  Chelsea O’Donnell of Stress Dolls  and punched up and arranged by label owner/producer Brandon Schlia. The first track on After the Party, “Bruises,” lights up the room with a like a light shining through flesh. The drums pop and bounces from the speakers with delay proving to be the most utilized effect. When the chorus comes in, O’Donnell’s unique vocals spill a message desperate with indecision. “Your bruises…” is ooh-ed delicately atop a failing synth note. Following “Bruises” is “Alaska 2.0,” a sub-two minute ticker that promises to keep your mind locked in space. The sound crawls, but the atmospheric synths are enthralling. This is the second incarnation of “Alaska,” previously released with an indie rock flavor on O’Donnell’s retired moniker Wolf. The new rendition of “Alaska 2.0”[...]

American Low Return with “settle_down”

April 13, 2017

Buffalo garage pop group American Low have been rather quiet for a while, but frontman Mike Brady has reemerged with a more stripped down approach with their new single “settle_down.” The track is pop infused Americana, combining a folky compositional vibe with a polished and radio friendly production. Its a fun little tune, complete with uptempo strummed acoustic guitars, shaker and tambourine accents, a catchy melody and just the right amount of speaker candy. Check out the song below and keep up to date with American Low over on Facebook. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/315782702″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Suburbs Drop New Jam “48 Hour Scumbags”

April 6, 2017

Enigmatic Buffalo electronica act Suburbs released a terrific single that is chilled out perfection and profoundly satisfying.  Kicked off with a burst of howling bros, “48 Hour Scumbags” immediately downshifts into a sexy groove anchored by some godless church organs and the de-tuned and fuzzed out vocals from Kevin Stuitje. Time and space dilates  in the late night/early morning haze conjured by this endearingly skeezy and subliminally agitated jam before crashing in the end, and like a 48 hour scumbag, it left me needing more. 48 Hour Scumbags by Suburbs

Feverbox Release New Single “Victoria”

April 4, 2017

Kenmore garage rockers Feverbox are getting ready to release their first EP in the coming weeks and the release’s first single, “Victoria” shines bright. The indie rockers from Buffalo’s best first ring suburb announced themselves nicely with a few well received singles last year, but “Victoria” definitely shows a band tightening it up, with those dreamy vocal harmonies, driving riffs and shimmering synths flying higher than ever. On a side note what is up with all these local bands representing with impressive vocal harmonies? Must be a lot of Beach Boys and Fleetwood Mac fans around here. Anyway, Feverbox’s EP arrives April 14th with a show at Babeville with Deadwolf and Super American, and you can check out “Victoria” below:

New Masons Release New Single “Black Feather”

March 27, 2017

Fredonia electro-pop band New Masons continue to build upon their expansive sound on their latest single, “Black Feather” Having previously hinted at a synth pop inspired sound on “Night Calls” and their debut EP Sorry, Jill, the band takes things in an atmospheric rock direction with “Black Feather”. Incorporating soulful guitar tones, evocative synth sounds and vigorous percussion, New Masons are able to create tension with both their vocals and instrumentation that leads to a compelling hook and melody. The track serves as the first episode in the WAVE series, a story written by the band which their upcoming material will reference. Listen to “Black Feather” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/309998833″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

KIN Release Video For “Try”

March 24, 2017

KIN, the infinitely charming side project from Eliot Douglas (M.A.G.S.) featuring himself and his lovely wife Julia Douglas, released the video for their debut single “Try,” and it is absolutely wonderful. A sweet ode to married indie rock domesticity, the joys of shopping at Home Depot, Brian Wilson’s mythic living room, and the quest for summer fun during a WNY winter, this clip is utterly irresistible. Director Corey James Harris truly makes this video seem naturally effortless, summoning a level of breezy, whimsical artifice reminiscent of The Flaming Lips, another band that does a lot of work in these here parts. Check it out, feel warm and fuzzy, and keep an eye out for more from KIN.

Ugly Sun Drop Latest Single “Marble Eye”

March 23, 2017

Buffalo garage rock power trio Ugly Sun are back with their latest single “Marble Eye,” and it’s a thrilling burst of triumphant goodness. For a band keen to keep things on the rough and wild side, the deploying of both discordant and mightily sweet harmonies behind John Crook’s plaintive wail and those epic riffs takes this whole enterprise to a higher level and almost flirts with beauty. In a city with a growing list of rock bands you can believe in, you can add Ugly Sun to the list. They’ll be playing the just announced Made Violent show at the Studio At The Waiting Room with Sixties Future May 5th, with tickets going on sale this Friday.

Rat v Cat v Bat Release Improvisational EP

March 14, 2017

Brandon Schlia just may be one of the hardest working people in the Buffalo music scene right now. It seems every few weeks he is releasing new music from a new project on his imprint Steak & Cake Records and this month is no different. Schlia with his cohorts Derick Evans and Nick Randall released Dress Rehearsal under the name of Rat v Cat v Bat. Dress Rehearsal is an all instrumental improvisational record that mixes elements of jazz and funk as well as rock. According to Schlia, Rat v Cat v Bat “came out of watching Donny McCaslin’s band and wanting to tap that musical space.” Schlia also sees the project as being “a personal challenge for him.” Listeners shouldn’t get too attached to the songs on Dress Rehearsal however, because Schlia is serious when he means Rat v Cat v Bat is completely improvisational, meaning that the songs on the four song release will never be replayed or recreated. “They won’t[...]