Buffalo

Sixties Future Release New Single

May 10, 2016

I’m not sure exactly what Sixties Future‘s name eludes to, but I believe “the future of 60s music” is a safe bet. With a lead singer Chris Couche sounding like The Boss himself, this group fronts a powerful, unabashed, Americana rock and roll that makes you want to hop on the loud, happy bandwagon. Mellow organ, big guitars, warm bass, and wispy slide guitar meld together forming the various body parts of “Bulletproof.” Opposite to the name, a common theme within the tune is the fear of dying alone. For a song that begins with distant calls from guitars and vocal chords, “Bulletproof” confidently strides forward until the end, leaving the listener “stoking the fire,” ready and wanting more. Have a listen to the single below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/262563933″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Consequences (ex-Real People) Releases Debut EP

April 28, 2016

One listen through We’ll See How The Year Goes and you’ll realize why Consequences is quite a fitting name. You might remember Sworts as the whirling dervish that fronted Buffalo emo-punks Real People (before their untimely demise last year). This time around, Sworts has traded in his dynamic electric guitar work for an acoustic guitar. WSHTYG is a four-song EP that capitalizes on heartbreak, strife, and the mental games that one must navigate while they struggle through their twenties. “Everything Will Work Out” finds Sworts lamenting “I wish I knew then what I know now.” It quickly becomes apparent that WSHTYG is full of introspective lyrics contemplating the true meaning of love, what it means to be in a relationship, and how another person might define who you are. Throughout the EP, Sworts’ voice wavers perfectly, his high range sitting fragile on top of the otherwise barren acoustic tracks. Tracks like “Irreparable Damage” sound reminiscent of late-90s[...]

Brimstone Blondes Return With New Singles

April 27, 2016

It’s been a while since we last heard material from plucky Buffalo-rooted glam-rock act, Brimstone Blondes. When we last checked in, the band was a four-piece college-bound band still semi-based out of Buffalo, or at least all their instruments were still in a suburbs basement. Now in 2016, Brimstone Blondes are very much a Purchase band, embracing showmanship, keyboards,  makeup, and glitter. The now five-piece released two songs this week “First Impressions Are Everything” and “Touchdown U.S.A” Recorded with $ell $ell $ell Studios in Manhattan, the A-Side single, “First Impressions Are Everything” is an introduction to lead singer Matthew Danger Lippman’s unique persona and his ability to burn bridges. If you are a fan of the band’s previous works, long gone are the simple garage-rock licks. The Blondes have evolved. Check out “First Impressions Are Everything” below.

Brat’ya – “Call Me”

April 20, 2016

Lovers of old school synths and unrestrained keyboard lines will get a huge kick out Brat’ya’s  new single “Call Me.” Brat’ya, a solo project from Alek Ogadzhanov (of Smart House), goes all out with lush electronic textures,  vintage 80’s drum sounds, and almost baroque flourishes that play perfectly off the naked yearning of his lyrics and vocals. This is the definition of modern synth pop, and it can be yours via Brat’ya’s Bandcamp page. Enjoy. Maybe get some rollerskating in under disco lights with this in your earbuds. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/258609054″ 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 Tins Premiere New Video for “Love On Strike”

April 5, 2016

The Tins have been quite a force in Buffalo music for several years now, culminating in the release of the fantastic Love on Strike last November. Recently, the trio released a video for the title-track, featuring lots and lots of donut play. This one goes out to all the Paula’s Donuts addicts out there – consider this your trigger warning. “Love on Strike” follows the Tins format of sunny, quasi-psychedelic indie rock. The song is chock full of great harmonies, squiggly synth, and razor sharp hooks. The video was produced by Drew Luster and Mike Muntner of the NYC Comedy Team Garbage Farts. You can check out some of their other work at Garbagefarts.com. We hear they both like donuts quite a lot. Please enjoy the smooth sounds of The Tins below. RIYL Tame Impala, MGMT, or Ducktails.

The Slums Release New Single, “Gospel Pt. II”

March 31, 2016

For such a loud band, the Slums have been uncharacteristically quiet for quite some time (except for maybe that extremely raucous show with fellow noisemakers, PUP). The silence has come to an abrupt end – The Slums have just dropped their first single from their new album, SORRY, entitled “Gospel, Part II” via soundcloud. The song is brash and beautiful, melding singer Steven Floyd’s unmistakable voice with just-barely-discordant guitar work. RIYL The Blood Brothers or Pile with the earnest songwriting of Lemuria. The Slums CD release show for SORRY will be held on April 29th. Pay attention to their social media for more juicy details very soon. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/256396787″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

dreambeaches Release New Single

March 15, 2016

Buffalo-based beach-y trio, dreambeaches, released their first single off their forthcoming album Habits. dreambeaches, lead by Corey Bzibizik sprang onto the local scene last year after splintering off from local synth-pop band,  Humble Braggers (and bringing Jacob Peter and Gabe Wells from said band along). Set for a late spring release, the summer-y lead single “Graduation Day” is a fuzzy-pop song that delves into casual frustrations – road rage, cocky college students, and watching a relationship fade away while you are still treading water. Put some shades on, drive with the windows down, blast “Graduation Day,” and care about nothing. Hakuna Matata.

Kimmy Reveals Debut EP

March 11, 2016

Pear, by Kimmy, is a recent release by the Buffalo group deeply immersed in the thrashing indie rock scene.  With vocals that sound like a punk-y Kevin Drew (sometimes even King Krule), the band sports an interesting dynamic for listeners here, there, and everywhere.   Instrumentally, Kimmy is the younger brother of The Blood Brothers, and a cousin to Pissed Jeans.   Unafraid of technical dynamics and rhythms, the newly formed band teamed up to record with Steak & Cake Records’ head honcho/producer, Brandon Schlia.  Kimmy writes mosh-worthy tunes meant to shake off whatever parasite’s within.  One listen through will make you wonder why the pear on the album cover isn’t skinned and leafless. The EP kicks off with “Parasite,” which cuts like a dirty, rusted blade.  The artwork continues onto “Mutt,” a six-and-a-half minute song with plenty of intense instrumentals.  The lyrics, “… sometimes, this is not enough,” give the musical piece[...]

Feverbox Release New Single

March 10, 2016

Buffalo’s Feverbox might not be from the Heartland, but one listen might be enough to fool you. Reminiscent of bands like The Black Keys and Alabama Shakes, Feverbox arrive as a band with a deep soulful blues rock sound. Their latest single ‘Voices’ is an absolute full-fired barnburner of a song. “Voices” is drenched in atmosphere and is absolutely infectious, with one of the slickest hooks I’ve heard in a rock tune this year. If you find yourself lamenting the recent lack of great blues rock bands, the Queen City might not be the first place you’d think to look, but Feverbox proves it might be the best place to look. Catch them on April 15th at Dreamland with Bryan Johnson and Family, Skirts, and Dreambeaches. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/250124709″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Stream YLXR’s Magnificent “Stream”

March 9, 2016

Buffalo producer YLXR has a million different sounds in his pocket. Drawing influence from ambient, electronic, hip hop and countless other genres of music, YLXR’s releases can be counted on to surprise you musically in the best way. Latest release “Stream” is another win for his track record. The front half of the track features fluttering with synths and plucked strings, punctuated with a sparse but thoughtful bottom half. In the manner of an emotional transition, sounds come and go. The sampled words “In a moment, everything can change,” are expertly reflected in the song, and after they drop the track gets a gust of air before exhaling in the outro. The track is a full experience start to finish, with the each sound thoughtfully included. Per usual with YLXR, it’s a must-listen. Stream “Stream” in the stream below.

Chill Ali Drops “Paypa Thin” Video

March 4, 2016

Chill Ali remains a model of consistency within the Buffalo rap scene. Within the Rich Slave umbrella, Ali has been a beacon of consistently chill releases for the last couple of years. Much like in his previous work, “Paypa Thin” has the dichotomy of smooth music but striking lyricism. Extremely personal lines, like Ali’s relationship with his mother and their struggles in finding safe places to stay, can get lost with your natural inclination to bob your head to his music. “Paypa Thin” in particular has a great beat to get lost in, with vocals samples from the same world as Ty $’s latest work with Kanye appearing within the production. Always chill, but multifaceted at the same time, Ali has come through again with a nice track. Peep below.

Joe Mason – I Sold My Soul For Five Dollars

March 1, 2016

With so many colleges concentrated along the 90 from Rochester to Fredonia, intense winters, and a long time epicenter for sonic exploration in Dave Fridmann’s Tarbox Road studio in the woods outside Fredtown, Western New York should totally be a hotbed for modern psychedelic music and for fans of music that makes ears feel WEIRD. Those fans just got something else to feast on in the form of a collaboration between Moody Cosmos and Joe Mason, Mason’s sophomore release I Sold My Soul For Five Dollars. Alternately bright and dark, and joyfully freaky all over, this album is seriously aural cotton candy for your brain. Swinging from outsized kaleidoscopic bursts of sound on jams like “Crazy Legs” and “Wide Eyes” (featuring Moody Cosmos) and “Alright” to the spaced out minimalism of chilled cuts like “Come Back” and “Waiting For The Day,” I Sold My Soul For Five Dollars keeps everything sweet[...]

Dr. Ooo Remixes Usher and Pharrell for “1050”

February 24, 2016

Buffalo rapper and EKL associate Dr. Ooo is one of the city’s most refined wordsmiths. His lyrics and flow shine on in each track he releases, and when he’s having fun on a track the feeling is contagious. This is the case on “1050,” a remix of the 2001 Usher joint “U Don’t Have to Call.” 2001 was primetime for the Neptunes, but Pharrell and Chad Hugo’s work is timeless. The beat for “UDHTC” is just groovy and drum-heavy, setting up Dr. Ooo for a fun freestyle of sorts. Ooo tests out all sorts of flows while talking acidic fruits and high numbers. And he’s also juggling for most of the video. Entertaining, lighthearted, impressive and sexy, just the way Usher would want it. Watch below.

Strange Acres Deliver New Single/Video

February 24, 2016

The music video is not dead. MTV may have done away with them in favor of dramatic hour long  blasts of teenage pregnancy and whatever else, but to the few who keep this underrated art form alive and breathing: I salute you. Salutations to Strange Acres, the mood rock pioneers of East Aurora, who have teamed up with local rock photographer / videographer Andy DeLuca to bring us the video for “Parlor Girls”—the band’s first single since 2013. “Parlor Girls,” recorded at Quiet Country Audio, mixes a fresh, ambient electronica vibe with the almost cinematic-esque mood-setting prowess Strange Acres is known for. Chillingly seductive, dark, and a total midnight simmerer, “Parlor Girls” mashes moodcraft likeness with Zero 7 and Blonde Redhead. The video follows perfect suit, matching the swirling ambience with hazy filters and light effects to create a cohesive and affecting multimedia experience. If you’ve been waiting patiently for new[...]

Hundred Plus Club Releases Debut EP

February 23, 2016

Local garage rockers Hundred Plus Club have just released their debut three-song EP, full of frantic, dance rock. This fresh-faced act recently recorded with Nick Borgosz at World of Noise Studios (Bryan Johnson & Family, M.A.G.S.). We recommend these guys if you would be interested in hearing what Dave Monks (Tokyo Police Club) would sound like as front man of The Rapture or Interpol. You can check out our personal favorite track from Three Songs, “Reversed,” below.