Buffalo

Dreambeaches Premiere Debut Single, “Trademark”

March 13, 2015

Earlier this morning, Dreambeaches, the new project from Humble Braggers‘ bass player, Corey Bzibziak, released its debut single. Titled “Trademark,” the track ditches HB’s soaring vocals and synths for a burst of lo-fi, surf-rock. The song sounds like the product of Cloud Nothings and Beach Fossils entering the studio together and having a bit of fun. Expect to see Dreambeaches live in the near future, with a full EP dropping sometime this summer. Listen to “Trademark” below.

JOHNS Begin Grift Marks Pre-Sale, Debut Music Video for “Thrust”

March 12, 2015

Buffalo’s resident dark garage rockers, JOHNS, are prepping the release of their full length debut, Grift Marks, set to drop on March 28th through local imprint, Peterwalkee Records. The album is now available for a limited edition pre-sale (you can purchase here), and is set to include some pretty nice incentives for dropping your money ahead of time. $20 snags you a pristine white vinyl copy of the record (only 50 have been printed) with a digital download for that one friend who still doesn’t have a player. Also included is a copy of the band’s bonus 5-track EP, House of No Lungs, a JOHNS t-shirt, poster, sticker, and a button. Now that is how you spend $20. In addition, the band premiered its latest music for the track “Thrust,” yesterday afternoon. Shot by Frank Napolski and Jeff Mace in the old Kitchen Distribution basement, the clip features some very[...]

Alex Berkley Premieres Annual “Fun-a-Day” Album, 28 Days of Fun: Shuffle

March 12, 2015

This being a music blog, my favorite project to look forward to during Sugar City’s annual Fun-a-Day exhibit (create something artistic for every day of the month) is the concept album from Alex Berkley. His first year album for Fun-a-Day, 28 Days of Fun, was a collection of songs, one recorded every day of the month: a simple, yet quality undertaking. For year two, he went more ambitious, recording a collection of diary-like entries chronicling the day to day life of the Elmwood Village every man for 28 Days of Fun: Sick of the Sound of My Voice. As for this year, his third musical installment for Fun-a-Day, the singer/songwriter put his iTunes on shuffle daily and proceeded to write a song, resulting in 28 Days of Fun: Shuffle. Some of the random songs that inspired the album were “Our Singer” by Pavement (Song 19: “Wings & Billy Madison”), “Jamming” by Bob[...]

Transfer in Jamaica Releases Speculative Dance Party Vol. 2

March 10, 2015

Known for eclectic, scatter-brained mixes and mashups, Buffalo artist, Transfer in Jamaica, brings together disparate tracks, shifting tempos and vocal pitches as well as placing club music side by side with more introspective genres like post-rock and ambient. The latest release from the artist, titled Speculative Dance Party Vol. 2: Too Drunk, continues this trend as an afro-beat intro leads to a track from Bow Wow and Ciara, creating an interesting juxtaposition to say the least, along with the sample of American composer Philip Glass which lays atop Flo Rida and T.Pain’s “Low.” The mix is separated into six parts each containing r&b and hip hop hits as well as more underground electronic productions from Caribou, Nicolas Jaar, Pantha Du Prince, and Burial. Transfer in Jamaica opens up a world of warped pop culture as a glitched-out track from pop singer Britney Spears begins one of the mix’s, blending hazily into[...]

Saint Opal Returns with More Dark RnB

March 4, 2015

Saint Opal is the alien tune songstress of the Erie County hip-hop RnB collective, Black Sol. Her first single, “Glass Jars,” got our attention for the dark undertones fueling Opal’s lovely singing voice. Her latest, “Secret Flame,” is in this same vein of the new wave of RnB: heavy on mystique and ambiguity. Seeming to be about a scorned love, or one that never came to fruition, “Secret Flame” exudes a longing that hurts even the listener. “I knock.. but you won’t answer me,” she cries out to conclude the track. Her vocals themselves are worthy of praise, but Opal’s admirably bleak songwriting and lyricism have turned her releases into the total package. Give it a taste below, and stay tuned for more from Opal and the Black Sol crew.

Tonight: Shilpa Ray

March 1, 2015

In what has turned into a regular occurrence over the past decade, Shilpa Ray, she of Shilpa Ray & Her Happy Hookers, is back in town tonight, closing out the weekend later this evening at Nietzsche’s. The Brooklyn based musician, who blends blues, punk, and gritty soul along with her trusty harmonium, is one of indie rock’s strongest and most captivating vocalists. Don’t let her frequent trips to Buffalo keep you away tonight, as each show she delivers is as powerful as the next. Tonight’s show kicks off at 8pm with Buffalo’s Pine Fever setting the stage prior to Ray. Cost to get through the doors is $7.

Del Paxton Shares First Track From Forthcoming Split EP

February 26, 2015

If you haven’t heard about Del Paxton yet, this might be your first time on buffaBLOG. Hello. The Buffalo-based three-piece topped our top 20 list in 2013 with the song “Motion Sick,” played a slew of legit Buffalo shows, and most recently signed to emo revival label, Topshelf Records. Today, the wheels were put into motion of the upcoming 7″ split with Gulfer as the band premiered its new single “Bad Batch,” via Absolute Punk. Although I haven’t figured out how browse Absolute Punk for close to ten years, this is a major accomplishment. Thank you for the direct link. “Bad Batch” follows a similar formula that Del Paxton has mastered: Zach Schoedel and Dylan England’s dueling vocals, mathy clean heyday of Chicago emo guitars, and Greg McClure’s impressively tight drumming all culminating in a crescendo that make you want to jump over your friend to shout the chorus. Check it out[...]

Chauncey Tails Releases New Beat Collection

February 25, 2015

Gowanda producer Chauncey Tails has become known for his typically brief tracks that feature pitch-shifted vocals and hip hop samples alongside whimsical, lush sounds that create a smooth feel that often ranges from melancholy and introspective to soulful, club-inspired beats. The artist’s latest release, Collection IV, compiles nine tracks made over the last year and provides a comprehensive look at the sound he’s been able to cultivate in that time, with engaging vocal chops, recognizable samples, and visceral percussion and bass. Leading off with, “Only You,” a bouncing, bass-heavy cut, the collection opens with high-energy, ethereal beats before leading into the more melancholy progression on the aptly titled “I Feel Like Nothing But You Are Everything.” “Squirt” features uplifting piano stabs and various warm sounds reminiscent of Canadian producer Ryan Hemsworth’s tracks.Perhaps the most impressive drums and bass sounds are found on “Young Drop Top Lexus” that places a fiery hip hop[...]

Mile High Drops Video for “Red Future”

February 25, 2015

December was a great month. It was much less cold, everyone was experiencing the joys of the Christmas season, and Mile High Muzik was dropping a new track every single day. The #Juugcember campaign (led by rapper/producer M-A) brought forth a host of quality hip hop tracks. All styles were fair game for the rap group, and they released everything from boom bap, to some bounce, and of course some good ole trap. Standouts included “Why Are We Here,” “Much More,” and “Red Future,” the first track to get video treatment from the month. In the vid, the Mile High crew and featured rapper Carrera get wavy and jump around while exchanging a heatwave of verses. The camaraderie is contagious, particularly around the Travis $cott-like moaned chorus, which is one of my favorite parts about the track. Fitted with a crimson filter and some promising rappers, the clip sticks to[...]

Cool Little Music Sessions Premieres w/ Mooses

February 24, 2015

It was only a matter of time before another live video session series popped up in the WNY area. With 1809 Sessions, Wonk Sesh, Genesee Live, Quiet Country Audio, and Silo Sessions already in place, lets add Cool Little Music Sessions to that list. Based out of Fredonia’s Pizza Club Productions studios, the series hopes to film local and touring musicians rolling through the college town. For the first installment, the freshman series featured Fred town psych quartet, Mooses, who performed two songs from its debut EP Tales from the Elephant’s Nest:  “In Case They’re Wondering” and “Bette Davis,” the latter just so happened to be our second favorite song out of Buffalo in 2014. Sponsored by Cool Little Music Shop, the video was shot and edited by Joe Cardina, along with additional production contributions from Chelsea Newton, Cam Gordon, and Eric Lemke. You can watch the full clip below, which includes a[...]

Zealot Teases New EP, Releases Alternative Take of “Spent”

February 20, 2015

The fuzzy, Fredonia bred trio, Zealot, have been hard at work on a debut EP for a while now, with hints that a May release seems doable. Today, the three piece teased the forthcoming EP, which is currently titled Foilage, with a new song called “Spent.” The version that will eventually appear on the EP will have a different sound, but for the alternative take on the track, the trio left the influences of Yuck and 90’s fuzz rock behind, and released a song that would fit nicely on a Modern Baseball or Front Bottoms record, or for a local comparison, think Alex Berkley fronting I Can See Mountains. Listen to the alternative take of “Spent” below and keep an eye out for the full EP later this Spring.

Watch Flatsitter’s SAFE WOR(L)D

February 18, 2015

If you have yet to attend one of Flatsitter‘s “shared virtual reality experiences,”  then check out the short clip that was just released to see what you could be getting yourself into when the audio/visual pair throws its next event. The duo debuted SAFE WOR(L)D earlier this year at the Buffalo Niagara Hostel, and just this last weekend, put on another installment at the Foundry Suites on Valentine’s Day. Both events quickly sold out so be on the look out for Flatsitter’s next event if you wish to experience. Watch the SAFE WOR(L)D montage, directed by Kevin Charlies Kline, below.

Red Heat Shares Follow Up EP, Poisoning the Grand High Witch

February 17, 2015

Valentine’s Day is a time of love and passion (and mindless consumerism, but I digress), so it seems almost poetic–ironic, even–that Red Heat put out a fresh slew of political punk songs to digest this February 14th. The EP, titled Poisoning the Grand High Witch, is red hot (heh) and dirty, channeling the emotional rawness of an early Cursive or Desaparacidos and the discordant dance vibes of Death From Above 1979. The new release is currently streaming over on Steak and Cake’s bandcamp page and is available as a pay-what-you-want download. Check out “CHOMSKY” below and follow the link for more of this biting goodness.

Trap Rapper HC Kush Drops “Sly Green”

February 11, 2015

Hood Connect’s HC Kush is a ruthless emcee well-versed in the trap lifestyle, and his latest single, “Sly Green,” is a testament to just that. A menace on the mic, the Buffalo rapper brings a cold authenticity to his lyrics. With a collected tone, he drops lines like “I’m Mr. HC, come and shop with me. 80 percent of my city prolly cop from me,” and “We can’t find you, we kill your family. 32 day city wide killing spree.” Kush doesn’t sugar coat anything. He can be mean, and he’s seen it all. He and Hood Connects have a slew of tracks on their YouTube page worth checking out, and peep out the vid for “Sly Green” below.

Lesionread Releases NSFW Nail Polish Commercial

February 9, 2015

Local troublemaker and art polymath Lesionread released a hilariously NSFW nail polish commercial teasing his album release party next month at Dreamland (rescheduled due to arctic weather) with the recently added Brimstone Blondes, Planet Three, and Joe Bap. This clip is assuredly uncool for viewing at your desk, in church, or at the day care center, but if you get off on flaunting societal convention or can lock the stall door, go for it. As far as the much anticipated show at Dreamland, word on the street has it that not only is there a secret installation is in the works, the long running “feud” between Lesionread and Sleepy Hahas’ Pat Butler will finally be settled by a rap battle. The show starts at 8pm and cover is $5. Meanwhile…. Lesionread Merchandise 2015 (NSFW) from Shawn Lewis on Vimeo.