Buffalo

M.A.G.S. Debuts New Side Project, KIN

February 2, 2017

Elliot (M.A.G.S.) Douglas is back with a rather exciting new project that’s been something very much missing from the Buffalo music scene up until now. Over the last decade indie music has seen an entire sub genre rise up of boy/girl bands: Beach House, Purity Ring, Sleigh Bells, Civil Wars (defunct), Best Coast, Phantogram, etc etc… a genre noticeably absent from these parts until KIN. Composed of Douglas and his wife Julia Douglas, KIN goes one better and gives us the husband/wife duo (ala Tennis or The Carpenters) we’ve been waiting for, kicking TV On The Radio styled surf rock jams that feel good in all the right ways. Check out KIN below and stay tuned for more from Mr. and Mrs. Douglas.

Mutual Friends Release Video for “Instant Gratification”

February 1, 2017

Buffalo synth-pop quartet Mutual Friends debuted a new music video today for “Instant Gratification.” Directed by Nolan Whipple, the video has a calm, introspective nature that parallels “Instant Gratification’s” longing, low-key vibes. Frontman Kevin Scoma’s impressive acting debut had us feeling nostalgic as we watched him travel longingly throughout some notable Buffalo-based scenery. Check it out via the widget below. If you’re digging “Instant Gratification,” be sure to swing by Bandcamp and download it.

Close Ties Release Bedroom Pop Debut

January 31, 2017

Close Ties is a pretty unique act within the Buffalo music scene.  Their five song EP, titled “Nothing really shocks me anymore.,” dropped earlier this month and is an impressive debut to the scene. The EP was written and recorded by Matt Walker in his basement with vocalist Natalie Colucci, later to be mixed and mastered by Buffalo uberproducer Jay Zubricky at GCR Audio. “Nothing really shocks me anymore.,”  as a whole is reminiscent of modern pop punk / emo-tinged acts like Tigers Jaw, Adventures, and especially The Front Bottoms, notably on the single, “Church in the Morning.”  This standout track showcases Colucci’s immense talent for lyrics and telling a story. “Church in the Morning” is all about staying in on a Saturday night because of a family commitment the next day that you aren’t super pumped about. The duo utilizes overtly personal lyrics and while driving acoustic guitar builds up into a climax where bouncy[...]

Moody Cosmos Reveals New Psych-y Single

January 26, 2017

Buffalo’s fearless freak Moody Cosmos are back with a heavy curveball of a new single called “Take Me Home” that’s arrived right on time. Trading psychedelic space rock for unhinged psych garage rock that’s every bit as out there as anything Peter Cahlstadt has done, but with a glorious flaming car crash ambiance that feels so right for this new era. It’s been gratifying and encouraging seeing concerned citizen artist/musicians stepping up locally over the last few months, and now we can add Moody Cosmos to that roster with this fiery, shredding jam.

Del Paxton Drops Latest Single, “Take It To The Limit”

January 18, 2017

If you’ve been at all involved with the Buffalo music scene over the past few years, you should be no stranger to the local indie-emo trio, Del Paxton.  Following their debut in 2013, and a split 7″ in 2015, the trio are gearing up for a full length via Topshelf Records, a major label in the modern “emo revival” scene.  While you’ve probably heard them play this track at various shows over the past year, we are finally being treated to the long awaited studio recordings. “Take It To The Limit” follows the band’s theme of introspective lyrics and math rock inspired instrumentals,  but this track carries an overall much more refined feeling.  The song is one of the band’s most driving yet, featuring catchy riffs, dynamic drums, killer melodies, and almost playful backing vocals all coming together to create overall incredible balance and composition.  While their more obvious, classic, emo influences like Braid and[...]

Ugly Sun Releases New Video, “Pretty One”

January 17, 2017

Buffalo garage rockers Ugly Sun are back with another excellent video, this time for their irresistible latest single “Pretty One.” Directed by Neil Maciejewski and edited by Made Violent collaborator Andy DeLuca, “Pretty One” features some beautiful lo-fi digital photography and local ingenue Whitney Smith to go along perfectly with the the single’s tasty post industrial garage riffs and stellar vocal harmonies that have already become the band’s signature sound. They might have made their debut last fall, but with jams and videos like “Pretty Sun,” 2017 could be Ugly Sun’s year.

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.