Buffalo

Space is Haunted Drop Full Album Contact

December 14, 2016

Buffalo-based low-fi post-punk duo, Space Is Haunted’s new record, Contact is an energetic barrage of crunchy guitar and ephemeral vocals that are all held up by consistently solid drumming. The duo is made up of primary guitarist and vocalist, Jamie Levy and drummer and vocalist, Katie Quider. Contact was released on local independent label, Drug Party in early December. Those familiar with Space Is Haunted through their local gigs and their two previous releases will notice some songs from the past that have found themselves on Contact, namely “Gone” and “On an Ocean,” from past releases Space is Haunted and For Science respectively. The new renditions of these tracks are tighter, more focused, with an extra bit of polish but still showcase the same drive and combination of elements that make the band so enjoyable to listen to. The group has grown and become more experienced but without having to[...]

The Leones Share Two New Christmas Songs

December 7, 2016

The Leones just released a beautifully melancholic new Christmas single that’s sure to fall on the “love” side of your love/hate relationship with Christmas songs. Featuring a sleeve by local artist Mickey Harmon, “Ghosts Of Christmas” b/w “Blue Christmas” is a festival of naked emotion; “Ghosts Of Christmas” floats on cloud of piano and sweet reverb to us from out of the Rust Belt void, while “Blue Christmas” is an achingly bittersweet ode to the Everly Brothers, Phil Spector, and the mighty Roy Orbison. “Ghosts Of Christmas” can be found on bandcamp and purchased for $2, an ideal way to support local music and art, and wallow in all of your feels.

Mario Bee and Mic Excel Team Up for EP

December 5, 2016

Buffalo ex-pat and current NYC-based DJ/producer Mario Bee recently collaborated with local MC/artist Mic Excel for a mini EP titled God Save The Queen. The project features snippets of Vincent Gallo’s film Buffalo 66 which mark the beginning and end of each new instrumental. The pair trade verses over a gloomy instrumental with busy percussion to kick off the release, while the second track goes into more traditional hip hop territory before ending on a 808 and bass-heavy, more experimental note as the emcees lay down dexterous flows over the producer’s shadowy melodies. Listen to God Save The Queen below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/294375846″ 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 Rust Belt Brigade Releases Debut EP

November 22, 2016

The Rust Belt Brigade is a new, acoustic folk-punk act from rust belt capital of the world, Buffalo, NY. The duo is Victor Castillo (ex-Lancer) and Trevor Jennings – utilizing only an acoustic guitar and a cajon, the duo create succinct, sing-songy anthems that fall somewhere on the spectrum between Against Me!, Frank Turner, and  Hot Water Music… or perhaps an infectiously fun song you would expect to hear at the end of a Jackass movie. Recorded at Flower House Studios, Castillo and Jennings’ focus on straightforward storytelling and brutal honesty. Their songs touch on themes of alcoholism, unbridled anger, anxiety, and more. Castillo’s gravely voice is distinct as ever and acts as a raucous rally cry for the downtrodden. Their three-song EP is available on Bandcamp for a “name your price” option. In the meantime, check out our fav track from the EP, “Fight the Fright.”

Ugly Sun Shares Debut Music Video

November 1, 2016

Ugly Sun is off to a good start – we last checked in with them when they sent us their rowdy debut single, “Mock Me Out.” In case you live under a rock, this power trio has been a part of several well-respected local bands (including Nelson-Type, Arctic Death, Father Baron, and Mandy K). They are certainly keeping up the momentum with their new music video for “Burned Alive.” Ugly Sun’s sound recalls the recent wave of lo-fi garage rock bands like FIDLAR and Wavves but with a more expansive dynamic and melodic sound. It’s wildly infectious and had a wonderful manic energy to it that’s utterly winning. The video for “Burned Alive,” features frenetic editing and images of indulgence and reckless abandon perfectly capture the youthful spirit of the band’s music. This is a fresh arrival on the WNY music scene but on the basis of their latest release,[...]

Medusa Shares Experimental Hip Hop Album

October 28, 2016

Lula, the fifth release of the year from Buffalo experimental hip hop artist Medusa presents an industrial, forward-thinking take on the genre. With vivid narratives on tracks like “Manic Depression” and “Suitcase,” the album balances unfeigned lyricism with sinister production. “Drowning In The Kiddie Pool” includes an ominous bass line, menacing percussion and Spanish lyrics while “Digitell” is an abrasive electronic track complete with jittery synths and mantra-like vocals. Never pursuing the same idea twice, Aula is an engaging work from an artist able to convey a distinctive sound throughout. Listen/download below.

Yellow House Debuts Single “Human Error”

October 25, 2016

With the drop of the first track on their upcoming tape, we get a peek into the mind of Yellow House, and man, is it a great sample.  The way the band blends shoegaze and punk leads to something totally unique within the Buffalo music scene, and is simply put, rockin’. The two standout elements of “Human Error” are the vocals and the drums, with a driving, layered, yelled and softly sung vocal melody pairing up perfectly with blasting drums, unrelenting from start to finish.  Things get even more interesting when you check out the lyrics for the track, surpassing the very surface level type lyrics I have come to expect from local bands, these are seriously interesting and require thought to begin to understand. Without a doubt, you need to check out Yellow House.  This is one of my favorite tracks dropped in Buffalo this year without question, and I can’t wait to hear the[...]

Mallwalkers Debut Video for New Single

October 18, 2016

The first time I saw Mallwalkers, my cheeks hurt. I must’ve been smiling for a half hour straight. Not that their performance was comical, just incredibly infectious. There were about nine people on the stage (including horns, my favorite part of any ensemble), all seemingly under a moonstruck, punk-driven craze. Mallwalkers have this riotous ability to rally all the energy in the room, in their own bodies, and throw it all on the floor. By the sounds of “Dial ‘M’ For…”, that’s exactly where the new album is headed, too. The music video for the new tune, directed by FLATSITTER and choreographed by Michelle Merlo, is just as amusing. It features the band’s two main vocalists, Daniel Carosa and Jaz Frazier, cavorting around the city. There’s this flashy, desaturated overlay throughout the entire video that lends itself to the gritty, abrasive nature of the song. The band’s new album, which[...]

brat’ya Releases First Music Video

October 13, 2016

Just in time for Halloween, brat’ya has released an appropriately eerie video for their latest single, “Woods”. The video features brat’ya mastermind, Alek Ogadzhanov, mindlessly walking through the forest toward something we’re never shown. With it’s retro handheld aesthetic and setting, the video at times almost seems to recall films like The Blair Witch Project. Perfectly complimenting this is the chilly calm of brat’ya’s music; at once beautiful and dreamy but seemingly removed from an emotional state. It’s an impressive work from both brat’ya and local filmmaker Luis A. Ramos. If you’re looking for something to get you into the Fall spirit, you could hardly do better.

Father Glamor Drops New Album Bird Child

October 5, 2016

Bird Child, the debut album of Buffalo producer Father Glamor offers a wide array of emotive, synth-driven instrumentals that range from ambient to more pop leaning arrangements. The hook heavy “PFTRLN” leads the release off as a buoyant melody sits atop frenetic percussion. Beginning with a groove laden synth melody, “I Keep Hallucinating Bugs” builds to a mid tempo jam with an infectious, evolving rhythm. The latter portion of the album explores interesting synth textures as the producer delivers a notably cinematic synth atmosphere on tracks like “Expanse,” “Pit,” and “Forest Survey.” Whether by focusing on interesting textures or strong rhythmic elements, the tracks on Bird Child make for a thoughtful listen by way of the producer’s ability to create strong melodies consistently throughout the album. Listen to Bird Child below.

Telempathy Shares New Single “Carry Me Away”

September 28, 2016

Buffalo-based one-woman grunge revivalist, Telempathy is back with her first single off the forthcoming album, The Temple of Music. If you aren’t up on your local history, the Temple of Music is where President McKinley was shot at the Pan-American Exposition in 1901. Recorded at GCR Studios, “Carry Me Away” is a song about an angel with too weak of wings to fly eventually delves into some serious self-reflection. This track has some definite Nirvana influences with some Veruca Salt leanings.The Temple of Music is set for a yet to be determined 2017 release date. In the meantime keep an eye out for Telempathy and stream the track below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/278462745″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Mutual Friends Release New Single “Always Thinking of You”

September 13, 2016

What really defines “knowing” someone in 2016? Friends, friends of friends, that girl who messaged me, that guy who added me, social media has made this question trickier. There’s people we may communicate with face to face that feel like strangers and those we’ve never even met who feel like they’ve opened their whole world to us. Is this a true connection aided by technology or a simple respite from loneliness? Mutual Friends don’t have the answers to the questions, but they’re willing to play with these ideas. The band is new to the Buffalo music scene but was formed by some of it’s biggest heavy-hitters including Nelson-Type’s Kevin Scoma and the ever prolific, Bryan Johnson. Right out of the gate the band has been smart about their presentation, from their band name to their hazy debut single, “Instant Gratification,” which was accompanied by a promo shot that shortened it to[...]

HVNNIBVL Drops New Single

August 31, 2016

Twenty-year-old singer/producer and University at Buffalo student HVNNIBVL makes infectious dance music with pop-leaning vocals. Having released his maximalist track, “Lose,” for the heralded production collective Hegemon, the artist is set to debut his newest track, “Let Me.” Beginning with a straightforward pop style, HVNNIBVL includes vocal solos, euphoric, percussive breakdowns before winding down with a melodic outro that gives the listener an idea of the inclusive, genre-spanning production the artist favors. Listen to the track below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/280785457″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Super American Grows Up in New Video

August 31, 2016

One of our favorite pseudo pop bands, Super American, revealed yesterday their new single and video for “Sloppy Jazz.” The track is much what we have come to expect from lead singer Matt Cox’ holdings – literate story telling with a touch of “Wait, what? I don’t follow,” with a super hook. However, the band’s latest effort has distanced itself a  bit from the band’s earlier pop-punk leanings. There is much more of an alt-rock, indie pop vibe. Don’t worry, Super American still throws in their patented group chorus and duel vocals, which at this point they have seemed to master with the addition of Lovey’s Fred Cimatto and Pat Feeley. Shot by ex-All Blondes Go to Heaven drummer Andy DeLuca, the video cuts in and out of a high school dance-like photo opp all with a nineties tinge. “Sloppy Jazz” will be available for purchase on September 6th on Spotify and Apple[...]

Stress Dolls Release Debut Single

August 23, 2016

Stress Dolls is the new reincarnation of Buffalo band Wolf which sought a name change and new members. Lead singer Chelsea O’Donnell still fronts the group with her Ben Walsh-like yowl. The new band brandishes a fresh sound with dreamy guitar leads, solid drums and bass, and a traditional alternative/pop mix in the band’s debut single “Pills.” Stress Dolls echo groups like Tigers Jaw and Polar Bear Club. Kudos to Stress Dolls for writing a song about pills that focuses on their healing tendencies rather than their fun. The smart lyrics point out that atop medical troubles still sits your everyday crushing defeats and self-degradation that must be overcame. “But with those pills,” sings O’Donnell, “he’s found his way…” Put on your leather jackets, wear your hearts on your sleeves, and prepare for a straightforward powerhouse with a unique vocal twist. Listen to “Pills” below or purchase it here.