Buffalo

Mile High Muzik is Buffalo’s Rising Rap Posse

December 3, 2014

Rap groups are a gift to music. Each member of the crew provides a different voice and personality to each track, but still identify with one common name. It’s a cool phenomenon that is kinda unique to rap. Buffalo’s Mile HIgh Muzik is bringing those vibes to the city, through their creativity and fusion of styles. Close friends M-A, Yo Leek, Karma, Bulls, and Bones comprise Mile High, who first came up on the Buffalo rap scene with a self-titled debut mixtape a couple of years ago. Sonically, the group goes into all aspects of hip hop. M-A, producer of most of the crew’s tracks, says “We don’t just do one type of song. From ‘hip hop’ tracks like ‘Flowetry‘ to full out trap music like ‘Miracles,‘ our goal is just to make music that we’re into.” One song that you simple can’t not get into is the infectious “Rollin,'”[...]

Jon Bap Releases New EP, Let It Happen

December 2, 2014

Previewing his idiosyncratic songwriting style on releases with the Get Money Squad and hip hop trio Network, along with a solo single last year, Buffalo based singer/songwriter Jon Bap has shown a vast range of influences from indie rock and folk to soul and hip hop. On his latest EP, Let It Happen, the artist presents six tracks of mellow rhythms, jazzy bass lines and soulful vocals that results in a multitude of compelling musical ideas. Despite somewhat minimal instrumentation, Jon Bap is able forge engaging drum grooves, paired with melodic guitar and rich bass allowing for a hypnotic effect like on “The Ending,” where an interesting breakdown is led by sprawling percussion. Other tracks like “Forced” and “Marissa” offer a more straightforward indie soul approach, with guitar reminiscent of Mac Demarco and more laid back, r&b vocals and rhythms. Certainly not short on refreshing songwriting ideas, the Let It Happen EP is a[...]

YES YES Performs on BalconyTV

November 28, 2014

Eccentric Buffalo folk transplant, now Korean resident, YES YES (aka Michael Ersing), was recently featured on a Seoul roof top as part of BalconyTV, a daily online program featuring musicians and artists performing on balconies all over the world. Ersing, sounding rather Jeff Buckley, performed his pretty song, “Under An Umbrella With You,” under a sunny Korean sky. Bless the person working the subtitles for trying to keep up with the always fascinating Ersing while explaining his song to the eager host. Watch the live video for “Under An Umbrella With You” below.

Wooden Waves Premieres Music Video for “Big Wheel”

November 26, 2014

The long wait for Wooden Waves‘ Wilder Dreams is nearly over. The months (years?) in the making record, which saw the final pressings take a detour to somewhere in Europe earlier this spring, will culminate next week, Friday, December 5th, at Mohawk Place as the quintet will celebrate the release of Wilder Dreams (One Percent Press) along with Mallwalkers, Jack Toft, and more. Today, WW premiered the music video for “Big Wheel,” an early stand out track from the upcoming record. Shot by go to Queen City director, Malt Disney, the video finds the five-some exploring the late, great Super Flea grounds for relic video games, rims, and top-of-the-line snowboard gear. This marks the second clip shot at Super Flea this year. Earlier this summer, Malt directed Jack Toft roaming the Super Flea as well for MC’s “Beef on Weck” video. Who knew a place that sold bongs, samurai swords, and a[...]

Listen to New Tracks from Difficult Night, Fashion Expo 1990, and Damian

November 24, 2014

Last we saw Difficult Night, the slacker quartet was making the most of a soggy Porch Fest afternoon by delivering a set from a crowded Richmond Ave apt. One unknown song from that day, “Ex-Lover” premiered last night on the band’s soundcloud page. The song is led vocalist Shane Meyer’s typically desperate pleads. No word on whether the band is set on releasing stand alone singles or if an album is in the works, so keep an eye out. In Difficult Night related news, keyboardist Miles Kirsch continues to stay busy with his once dormant dance project, Fashion Expo 1990. Since resurfacing earlier this year, Kirsch has dropped a couple collections of 90’s acid/house inspired tracks n bandcamp, and late last week, released a couple tracks from Fashion Expo’s forthcoming album, Club Bleek. The first of the two tracks, “Thunder Coast,” features Fashion Expo’s trademark infectious keyboards and pumping beats.[...]

Passion in Constellation Drops Latest Track in “We Want It All”

November 21, 2014

Local electronic producer, Passion in Constellation aka Chris Alan, released his brand new pure pop track titled “We Want It All.” The single is a collaboration with Cara Doyle, a local singer that has been completely under our radar up until now, but with this production with Alan, Doyle is definitely on our map. As far as the song goes, it’s an upbeat pop-gem, similar to a purer Grimes meets the synth pop stylings of Charlie XCX. “We Want It All,” on surface level is all about capturing the night, making the most of it, and taking command, but underneath it’s skin, the song is a lot deeper than this. The verses are millenial-tinged, singing about wrapping your fingers around a crystal ball and grasping love, life, and spirit.  With this latest production, Passion in Consellation continues to prove himself as an extremely skilled producer with the ability to operate solo[...]

Hip Hop Duo, Mega Powers, Release “Countdown” Straight from the Studio

November 21, 2014

Smooth raps and and some fluttery jazz can be a wonderful fusion, and lucky for us a couple of Buffalo artists are doing exactly that on. Broadcasting “Countdown” from inside the booth, emcee Ideal provides a calming presence to contrast some really low-key thunderous horns courtesy of producer jacebeats. The beat is so much more than just thunder, as jace chooses to interchange the boom of the trumpets with more floating horns. At times, all the brass drops out and some New York boom bap drums make their way from Queensbridge to the Queen City beat. Ideal is effortless on the beat changes, as he hypes us up for an upcoming collaborative project with jacebeats, which Ideal alludes to at the start of the vid. If “Countdown” is any sort of preview, it’ll be a great release from the Mega Powers duo.

Hussalonia Releases Well Timed Holiday Benefit Tune, “Soft Drink”

November 20, 2014

Those hoping to catch Hussalonia’s the Founder in the flesh tonight will have to make other plans as the Lannie Flowers/Nude Beach show he was set to open for was the latest local show lost to #snowvember. Luckily for us, the Founder has a way of giving to those in need. Last night, Between the Snowflakes, the latest installment from the Robot Holiday collective, was released upon bandcamp. The reoccuring project, which features long time local musicians likes Dee Adams, Brandon Delmont, and the Founder himself, has been releasing holiday and winter themed proceeds albums for over a decade. “Soft Drink,” the Founder’s lead contribution to Between the Snowflakes, sounds like Britpop at a luau, and could be a nice alternative to Bing Crosby’s “Mele Kalikimaka” as Clark Griswold day dreams out of his window in Christmas Vacation. Giving what has been going on in the Buffalo area over the last[...]

Orations Releases Music Video for “Anhedonic Moan”

November 17, 2014

Brooding post-punkers, Orations, released the music video for the rather dark “Anhedonic Moan” this afternoon. The video plays like one of those B-Horror intruder flicks, where the masked strangers eerily gaze upon the band until something really bad happens. Orations released one of our favorite EPs in 2014, simply titled ep. Give it a listen over at the band’s bandcamp page, and in the mean time, watch the video for “Anhedonic Moan” below.

EVC’s Cove Releases New Track

November 14, 2014

Multifaceted producer Cove is always reliable for dope new material. His latest track, “It’s the jawn!!!,” is a high energy instrumental that keeps the head rocking. Stuttering organ synths and a distant voice encourage you to “Come on!” throughout the length of the song. Bringing forth feelings of inspiration and drive, it’s the most recent instrumental track of Cove’s to evoke emotion. A member of the ever-talented Essential Vitamins Crew, Cove is behind several standout tracks, and crafted the wonderfully moving album love.gained/love.lost.too., one of my favorite projects of the last year. “It’s the jawn!!!” is another notch in the talented belt of Cove, an artist that breeds consistency and intuition.

Undergroud Electronic Producer, Davor, Drops “City Nights” Single

November 12, 2014

With the 2014 emergence of acts like Darksleep and FOTISPORN, Buffalo seems to have quite a few underground electronic producers lurking in it’s shadows, mostly releasing sultry bedroom compositions.  Another name to add to the club is home-studio act, Davor aka Davor Majdandzic, a Burlington expat turned Buffalo pioneer. His latest single, “City Night,” is a cut of playful electro pop, dripping in youth and innocence. Take a listen below.

Royal Tongues’ “The Balance” Remixed by Ra Ra Riot

November 11, 2014

Buffalo synth pop duo, Royal Tongues (Like A Parrot’s Aaron Bonus and Justin Gammella), is prepping the release of The Balance EP, a seven song release containing the title track and a whole lot of remixes of the single. The most notable reworking of “The Balance” comes from Sycracuse based chamber pop act, Ra Ra Riot. The central New Yorkers turned the original, which would have fit nicely along side Grouplove and Passion Pit, into a mid tempo, Discovery-esque number. The full EP is set for release on December 2nd. In the mean time, listen to Ra Ra Riot’s remix of “The Balance” below.

Lesionread Shares Video For “So Lonely Without,” Preps Greatest Hits Album

November 6, 2014

The always busy performance artist, Lesionread (aka Shawn Lewis), recently released his latest music video for the track, “So Lonely Without.” The song will appear on the young performer’s Greatest Hits! Vol. 1 (Live God/Polygraph Records), a collection pf new tracks from Lewis in addition to remixes from Steak & Cake Records, the Get Money Squad’s Jon Bap, Young Stalin, Charles Bordeaux, Chauncey Tails, Ay Fast, and more. Keep an eye out for the album to drop sometime this winter. While currently on tour with fellow electro act, Kristachuwan, those looking to catch Lesionread’s next local gig should head down to Dreamland on Wednesday, November 12th as Lewis is set to open for Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt!. In the mean time, watch the video for “So Lonely Without,” which was directed by former Buffalo resident Tom Dennis, below.

Tiny Rhymes Perfoms “Arrows” at Buffalo’s Unitarian Universalist Church

November 5, 2014

Sometimes we miss out on material that we stumble across later and are shocked as to how it was not on our radar before. See Applennium’s amazing track we discovered 7 months after it was initially released. Same goes to say for this next one. Back in September, orchestral folk group, Tiny Rhymes, released a live clip of the song “Arrow” filmed in Buffalo’s Unitarian Universalist Church. The lush instrumentation and layered harmonies recall San Fermin, and may give Buffalo an answer to fellow WNYer Mikaela Davis. You can catch Tiny Rhymes at Mohawk Place this Friday, and in the mean time, watch the live performance of  “Arrows” below.

Lemuria Shares New Comic Book Paired Track

November 5, 2014

This week, one of Buffalo’s major music exports, Lemuria, debuted their new single titled “Foggy Smoke,” the B-side off a forthcoming 7-inch. The track is set to be paired with its own 40 page comic, Turnstile Comix #3: Lemuria, documenting the band’s eventful tour through Russia years back. With the band set to hit the road with Into It. Over It. later this month, this should be a nice to morsel to tide over Lemuria fans until the trio’s next proper release. Turnstile Comix #3: Lemuria, and the accompanying 7-inch, is set to be released on December 9th. In the mean time, listen to “Foggy Smoke” below.