Buffalo

Mic Excel and L-Biz Team Up for “Clouds”

April 24, 2015

The smoothness on Mic Excel‘s latest release hits you from the moment you click the play button. After a four count, the EVC rapper jumps immediately into a melodic chorus of “da la das” that meld perfectly in with a creamy beat from the hands of TheProgrammer. Truth and awareness is the subject of the verses in the track, as Mic and  I.S.B. Music’s L-Biz talk up the importance of keeping your head out of the “Clouds.” Amid more thoughtful lyrics from Mic are some real great one-liners, particularly “I handle bars like a playground, you handle bars like a unicycle.” L-Biz’s standout featured verse draws off of experiences with women that try to break his invulnerable fidelity. “Clouds” is intelligent, catchy music from two talented Buffalo emcees. Peep it right down here.

Mooses’ Side-Project, Moody Cosmos, Drops Debut Single

April 22, 2015

After debuting just over a year ago with his Fredonia based band, Mooses, front man Peter Cahlstadt has released the first track from his new solo project, Moody Cosmos. The solo venture, like Mooses, relies heavily on psych elements, but where as Mooses soar, Moody Cosmos chills out. “Rocky” sounds like Shuggie Otis and Foxygen got in the studio and burnt a couple down as Cahlstadt’s laid back, layered vocals mix with the track’s smooth, almost R&B groove. Check out “Rocky” below and keep an eye out for future music from Moody Cosmos.

Well Kept Things Sign to Antique Records, Release First Single

April 21, 2015

The Buffalo pop-punk/emo scene is still smarting from the loss of bands like I Can See Mountains and All Blondes Go To Heaven. If you’ve been unsure of where to get your next fix, Well Kept Things is where you should look next. The quartet specializes in passionate pop-punk, with lyrics falling somewhere between neurosis and a heart-on-your-sleeve confessional. The Buffalo-based four piece has recently inked a deal with Antique Records, and will be releasing its debut EP, Homegrown, in both digital and in 7″ formats on June 16th. Listen to the first single, “Great White North,” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/184229875″ 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 Soft Love Drops Debut Track “ALL OF IT”

April 17, 2015

Over the last couple months, the Soft Love has been making the rounds around Buffalo clubs, with each band mate dipping their toes back into the live scene after a couple prolonged absences. Made up of former members of the Thermidors, Fairweathers, and Son of the Sun, the four piece released its debut single, “ALL OF IT,” early last night. Recorded with go to Buffalo producer Jay Zubricky of GCR, and polished off over at Paul Besch’s Quiet Country Audio in Alden, “ALL OF IT” is a brash rocker that recalls acts like Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Oasis, and even a less brooding/more agressive Interpol, certainly meant to be downed with a few shots of fine whiskey, or at least whatever is at arm’s length. The band can be seen live twice this weekend: tonight as part of the Tins’ Kickstarter Benefit Show at Mohawk Place and tomorrow, somewhere within[...]

Dean Chatham Drops “Walk On, Bye”

April 15, 2015

Buffalo hip hop artist and Black Sol member Dean Chatham seemed polished from the get-go. A few months back, he dropped the Dean’s List EP, an impressive debut project about decision-making and behavior as a dude in a coming-of-age situation at college, featuring contemplative, explorative tracks like “Year II” and “Do the Right Thing,” Chatham brought the smooth jazz-influence to his latest single “Walk On, Bye,” but switched over to another mature theme for his lyrics: a somewhat toxic relationship. Chatham poetically describes the ups and downs of a relationship in which the passion is adherent to the instability of it all. Lurking underneath all the give and take, fights and reconciles, and heated arguments is the understanding that the end-game will work out, something Chatham conveys distinctly on lines like”Write me off nine times? There’ll always be a sequel.” “Walk On, Bye” is an impressive new direction for the burgeoning Buffalo rapper. Chatham[...]

Del Paxton Releases Split on Topshelf Records

April 14, 2015

At long last, Del Paxton‘s split with Gulfer is out on Topshelf Records. Anyone who follows buffaBLOG has surely seen our coverage of Del Paxton (starting when the group clinched the award for #1 local song of 2013 with “Motion Sick”). With only an EP to its name thus far, we’ve been eager to get our hands on some new stuff from the mathy/emo three piece. “Paline” showcases the spiraling guitar that we’ve come to love/expect from Del Paxton. Having been to half a dozen (+) Del Paxton shows, it is a pleasure to finally hear a studio version. In fact, if Death Cab for Cutie had any angst left in them, “Paline” might be the result… I’d like to find the musician who can deny the true joy of bassist Zach Schoedel’s funky riff at the one minute mark. “Bad Batch” starts with one of those impossibly noodly riffs[...]

American Low Premieres Black & White Music Video for “Cloud”

April 13, 2015

A few weeks ago, Buffalo-based trio American Low debuted their video for the single “Cloud.” The black and white video features the trio in an abandoned studio belting about how a love interest is putting up a wall. What’s most impressive is lead singer Mike Brady’s playful delivery and transition into falsetto vocals. Local fans of Made Violent along with fans of national acts like Girls would dig American Low. The band is set to drop a new EP on the internet this week and has a show this Saturday at Nietzsche’s with Bryan Johnson & Family, M.A.G.S., and Brooklyn’s Happy Hollow.

The Hamiltones Release Self-Titled, Debut Tape

April 9, 2015

Last Friday evening, another chapter in an ongoing surf rock rivalry was written as the Hamiltones, the foil to fellow Rust Belt surf trio, Aaron & the Burrs, released its debut, self-titled tape. Currently available through More Power Tapes, home to fellow surf acts like Space Wolves and Rochester’s the Televisionaries, the Hamiltones finds members John Toohill (JOHNS, Alpha Hopper), Chris Scamurra (Space Wolves, Kharlos), and Rick Reynolds, estranged brother to Burrs’ member Nicholas Reynolds, continuing what started as a childhood rivalry to what has since evolved into a continuous bout of one-upmanship. The short collection of blisteringly quick surf is sure to light a fire under the debate of which trio reigns (riffs?) supreme. You can download The Hamiltones for free here, and keep an eye out for a possible Burrs’ counter punch in the near future.

jacebeats Runs Through Creative Process in “Inspiration” Video

April 8, 2015

Buffalo beatmaker jacebeats is an artist with a pension for jazzy beats delicately sampled from the wax. In his new video for “Inspiration,” Jace chronicles the steps he takes when concocting a beat, and it all starts with drawing off of the culture of his city and his community. For the sounds themselves, Jace browses the Record Theatre‘s collection of jazz, soul, and funk vinyls where “it’s a guessing game, but covers are the clues to solving the mystery.” While jacebeats lets us into his mind, beautifully soulful chopped and looped backing instrumentals serve as the proof that Jace’s process pays off. Check it out below. Photo courtesy of the video’s director, Noah Whipple.

Cadaver Country Drops New Track “Not Sleeping (you don’t know)”

April 8, 2015

Yesterday morning, Jacob Verghese, mulit-instrumental of crust folk act Pine Fever, quietly dropped a new song from his on-going solo project, Cadaver Country. Titled “Not Sleeping (you don’t know),” the track finds Verghese once again playing jack of all trades role, handling instrumental duties from banjo to washboard to harmonium. The upbeat toe tapper has a whimsical feel that artists like Andrew Bird and a (potentially) stripped down Dr. Dog do so well. Check out the song below.

Dr. Ooo Releases Music Video For “Fuq Dr. Ooo”

April 3, 2015

Equality Knowledge and Light has been on a tear of late. The culture firm’s artists have released two great music videos in the last couple of weeks, and before that dropped an important love song to a couple of their favorite foods. The latest vid comes from EKL wordsmith Dr. Ooo, for the the ferociously flowy “Fuq Dr. Ooo.” A barrage of bars, the track  displays the Good Doctor’s smoothness on the mic, asserting that he really is “stupid for this one.” Paling around with Ooo is fellow EKL rapper Wza (who dropped a dope video himself just last week for his single “I Need That”) and Dr. Ooo’s Kinda Like Dreamin partner Sammy Doons. The video follows Ooo around snowy Buffalo as his sippin’ from his flask, dropping his heat, and pouring out 40s along the way. Treat yourself below.

Breach, The Beloved Releases Debut Album

April 2, 2015

Buffalo-based instrumental hip-hop and experimental electronic producer, Romello, recently revealed a new side-project under the name Breach, The Beloved, which features a more lyrical, rock-oriented sound from the young artist. So Far From Parkside begins with a hazy instrumental referencing Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory and leads into a collection of twelve tracks with gritty percussion and distorted guitars with a lo-fi psychedelic feel reminiscent of artists like Thundercat, Tame Impala, and Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Standout tracks from the album include “Desert Dream” with its introspective vibe, reverb-laden guitars, and rubbery bassline along with “Blue Keys,” whose smooth melody and understated vocal delivery offers a mellow, jazzy sound which is an interesting drop in energy towards the end of the release. “Alternative Dreams” shows off the producers instrumental range and songwriting ability with a memorable chorus soulful guitar solo on a record that ultimately provides a glimpse of an intriguing new[...]

Steak & Cake Releases SAMPLER 6 Compilation

March 30, 2015

I remember the first time I met Brandon Schlia, the founder and operator of Steak & Cake Records. We were throwing our first birthday party at Nietzsche’s and he gave me the label’s first sampler compilation, featuring a collection of Fredonia and Buffalo musician friends’ songs. Fast forward to four years later, and the label has released its latest in the series, SAMPLER 6. For this time around, the comp includes some off beat covers, unreleased b-sides, and remixes from S&C acts like FYFE, Inquiring Mind, and Scary Planetary, and most intriguingly, a previously unheard track from Schlia’s former buzz trio, the Malones. Fun Fact: the cover of SAMPLER 6 features a shot from the Buffalo-based cult classic, Buffalo ’66, which just so happens to be playing at the North Park Theatre this Thursday evening at 7pm. Listen to “Green Rock” by the Malones below.

EKL’s Wza Releases New Video For “I Need That”

March 27, 2015

Do you know what you need? Wza of Buffalo’s Equality, Knowledge and Light (and Radarada) crew sure knows his short list. It includes money, weed, food, music, and basketball, but a pretty cool chick is working her way into the picture, as described on his latest single, “I Need That.” Wza tells us all about her in an animated video that features the clipped-together rapper walking about as the scenery behind him is changed up. The editing gives the rapper something like the head of a GoldenEye character and the torso of Milwaukee Bucks’ player Giannis Antetokounmpo. Wza is occasionally joined in the video by producer CUFK,  who crafted a perfectly playful beat for the rapper. “I Need That” comes off of EKL’s mixtape EKLephantz Vol. 2, and will appear on Wza’s upcoming solo EP DUCKPUPPY, later this year. Check out the video below.

YLXR Drops Visuals for “BOI”

March 25, 2015

On-the-rise Buffalo producer YLXR dropped a video this week accompanying his latest single “BOI.” The trip hop track begins slow and dreamy, with an ambient voice and some clinking drums guiding us over reserved synths. Around the midway point YLXR switches up the feel of “BOI,” adding layers of excited, swirling sounds emblematic of something in a Sonic the Hedgehog game. The trippy audio is appropriately partnered with an eccentric video directed and edited by MALTDiSNEY. Consisted of splices of some random 80s/90s movies, humanoid graphics and girls sticking their tongue between their fingers, “BOI” is a pretty wild, entertaining ride. Take the trip with YLXR below.