Buffalo

Yes YES Drops Latest Song “Korean girls”

May 12, 2015

Buffalo’s most interesting man, Michael Ersing (aka Yes YES), continues to make Korea his new home. The always fascinating folkie has been making the most of his time overseas, appearing on Korean shows Hey Rookie and BalconyTV over the past year, and just last week, Yes YES dropped his latest song, the understated “Korean girls.” Featuring a very Andrew Bird like whistling intro, a melancholy Ersing delivers a bare bones, Jeff Buckley-esque number. Give it a listen below.

My Rap Name is Alex Unites with Cove, Hooizzy for New Track

May 8, 2015

Buffalo rappers My Rap Name is Alex and Hooizzy have dropped an anthem about making it through the inevitable struggle of being broke, young and independent. Titled “Broke as F&%K!,” the song conveys a sentiment that I think we’ve all felt one time or another. Alex’s imagery is great, if not too real when he drops lines like “I been saving the boxes from the cereal I eat, and usin’ em to build a wall to hold in the heat.” Hooizzy and Alex’s chemistry really makes the track as the two energetically exchange short verses and couplets. The music for the track is provided by the infallible Cove of EVC, who’s crafted a masterful beat that evolves and devolves throughout. “Broke as F&%K!” appears on Alex’s new mixtape Collage Radio alongside 19 more quality tracks. Alex is also appearing at PorchFest at 5:00 tonight on 147 Bryant St. Peep the track below.

CCDS (DEATH SQUAD) Drops New Video

May 7, 2015

One of Buffalo’s most unique musical projects comes in the form of local drum duo CCDS – DEATH SQUAD, and the pair just dropped a new video on the Buffalo DIY YouTube channel. Normally, CCDS (Cameron Rogers and Amber Kogut) makes use of a sampler which they use to inject brief, interesting sound bites and recordings into their craft. However, in this video, an acoustic (dual kits) performance of their song “Murdered By Ghouls” in Buffalo’s reverberantly spacious Silo City, they cut the electronics out altogether. The result still gives way to something completely fresh, their synchronized tribal beatdowns echoing through concrete halls of the abandoned urban hotspot. Check it out below.

BROTH3RKING and the Loot Boys Release “1000”

May 6, 2015

Buffalo’s Loot Boys are a collective of rappers consisting of King, KT, BROTH3R, and $kanks that have been teaming up with each other to produce some quality, catchy street anthems over the last couple of months. Among the crew’s recent standout tracks is “What You Need” from KT, “$cumbag” from $kanks, and “1000,” the featured track from the unified BROTH3R and King. Built off of a jovial flute sample from producer Code One, “1000” is something like a melodic banger. King and BROTH3R exchange verses featuring sparse words, effectively building towards the boom of the chorus each time. King’s ad-lib game also needs shouting out, particularly after the line “On the game I take two shits (What?).” Check out the Loot Boy’s impressively expansive collection of tracks on their Soundcloud, and peep “1000” below.

Cookie Drops Latest Tune “Take It Slow”

May 5, 2015

One of the blog’s favorite songwriting partnerships comes in the form of Cookie, a collaboration between Jordan Nittoli (Newish Star, Dream Journal) and Dave Dluga (Softlines, Mapmaker). Yesterday afternoon, the duo debuted another incredibly curt song, titled “Take It Slow,” which rings in at a fast one minute and 13 seconds. The follow up the band’s early 2015 EP, Tell it to the Fudge, “Take It Slow” continues to waste no time delivering quickly-paced indierock tunes that always seem to end too soon, but that’s what repeat buttons are for, right? The band does not expect to bring the project to a stage/basement any time soon, so listen to “Take It Slow” below.

Sixties Future Premieres Debut Tracks

May 5, 2015

New to the scene, Buffalo four-piece, Sixties Future, debuted its first two tracks this morning. Featuring Mo Halliday, the former bass player of Sleepy Hahas, the quartet dropped the double single, “Skeleton”/”Shot” via soundcloud. Of the two, “Skeleton” is the stand out track, kicking off with a very “Heroes”-esque melody and featuring bassy National-like vocals and some retro organs. We hear a lot of Teddybears in the song. Both tracks can be streamed over at the band’s soundcloud page. Listen to “Skeleton” below.

The Naturalists Announce New EP, Premiere “Slip” Single

May 4, 2015

This past week, Buffalo-based grunge trio, The Naturalists, revealed the first single off its forthcoming EP, Home Honey, I’m Hi. The EP’s lead off track and single, “Slip,” was recorded with Paul Besch at ever busy Quiet Country Audio studio. The band’s brand of raucous and brash garage rock would have fit in nicely during the genre’s revival in the early 2000s. Look for the four-track, Home Honey, I’m Hi EP to drop on July 28th. You can catch the trio next at Mohawk Place on May 23rd with The Retinas and Pale Hound. In the mean time, listen to “Slip” below. Photo by Drew Lazelle

Night Slaves Release Debut Demo “Crown of Walls”

May 1, 2015

John Toohill (JOHNS, Alpha Hopper, the Hamiltones) and Dave Kane (Them Jazzbeards) just released the first song from the duo’s new group, Night Slaves. The dark, industrial act immediately recalls Nine Inch Nails on the unnerving demo, “Crown of Walls.” The pair will make its debut performance tonight at Nietzsche’s as part of the eighth installment of ElectroRespect, an evening of music dedicated to the late, local musician/artist/visionary, Mark Freeland. The show kicks off around 10pm. In the mean time, listen to “Crown of Walls” below, which, by the way, can be yours for a mere $100.

Space Cubs Readies Debut LP The Fire And Things Forgotten

April 27, 2015

Buffalo born electro musician, Suzanne Bonifacio (aka Space Cubs), left town nearly two years ago for Chicago, and later found herself hiking the Appalachian Trail before settling in North Carolina in the late summer of  2014. What followed was a “journey of creative reflection and change” for the former Chromakid member. And after a period of recording, today sees “The Eye,” the first single from Bonifacio’s upcoming, debut LP, The Fire And Things Forgotten, premiere, while the album is set to be released on May 12th through Unspeakable Records. “Some of the recordings are ones I started many moons ago and re-worked entirely, explains Bonifacio. “I produced most of this album while living in the middle of the woods for three months in the Pisgah National Forest during the fall and winter of 2014-2015. I also spent some time recording outside sounds from that area as well as in Charlotte, North[...]

THICK WINTER BLUD Debuts First Single “Stupid Me”

April 27, 2015

With the official conformation that one of the blog’s favorite pop-punk acts, I Can See Mountains, are no longer (again), it was a pleasure to see that Mountains’ guitarist/vocalist, Matt Cox, has debuted a new project called THICK WINTER BLUD. Recorded with Buffalo’s go-to producer, Jay Zubricky of GCR, the catchy and crunchy single “Stupid Me” should appeal to fans of Say Anything, the Maine, and yes, I Can See Mountains. Give the track a spin below and catch the trio live at the Humble Braggers’ EP release show later this June.

Humble Braggers Sign to Admirable Traits, Release “How It Starts” Single

April 27, 2015

Humble Braggers, the latest project from former Streamside front-man Tom Burtless, has signed on with the ever busy local label, Admirable Traits, to releases it’s debut EP, Disposable Friends. After ditching the pop-punk scene for synth pop, HB has been building a nice following over the past year while sharing bills with fellow local buzz acts like Made Violent, Bryan Johnson & Family, and M.A.G.S.. “How It Starts,” the huge, soaring first single from Disposable Friends, premiered this morning, and is the first listen to a new collection of tunes that just happen to be the band’s best yet (wait til you hear “Cold”). Humble Braggers would appeal to fans of acts like Tears for Fears, Passion Pit, the Temper Trap, and even Rochester’s rising Joywave. The band will celebrate the release of Disposable Friends at Mohawk Place on Saturday, June 13th, supported by a great cast of WNY acts[...]

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[...]