Buffalo

Newish Star Shares Previously Unreleased Track, “Food Chain”

October 8, 2014

After a fairly busy morning, we thought this today’s content would be suffice enough to take the afternoon off to go grab a Chippy Sandwich down in South Buffalo. Turns out, Newish Star debuted to the internet an unreleased b-side from their original Look Both Ways recording sessions and we decided we couldn’t sleep on it.  Titled “Food Chain,” the track is slowed down a bit from the band’s usually upbeat repertoire, but the crunchy, menacing chords should let the track fit in quite nicely among some of your favorite college rock tunes. Listen to “Food Chain” below.

Bryan Johnson & Family Signs to Admirable Traits, Releases “Dead Fox” Single

October 8, 2014

Local lake-pop act, Bryan Johnson & Family, have announced that their new EP, Cool Your Jets, will be released next month via Admirable Traits, a record label with Buffalo and Brooklyn roots. The album’s first single, “Dead Fox,” just premiered this morning, and BJ & crew absolutely kill it. The guitar and vocals are pristine, the melody as bouncy as expected, and the production is wonderful. The song is a fantastic power-pop jam that refuses to let summer die. Bryan Johnson & Family will be celebrating the release of Cool Your Jets on Thursday, November 6th at the Waiting Room’s newly opened upstairs studio. The $10 cover includes a physcal copy of the EP. Mallwalkers and Del Paxton will be providing support. Listen to “Dead Fox” below.

Danimal Cannon Drops Latest Chip Tunes Single, “Love Live New Fresh”

October 7, 2014

Buffalo’s most popular chiptunes producer, Danimal Cannon, released early this morning his first material in close to ten months. The single “Long Live New Fresh” stays in Cannon’s realm of expertise, with glitchy, gameboy music combined with upbeat tempo’s, providing more of an 8-bit journey rather than a surface level song. Listen below.

Wild Bear Drops New Track, “Bloody Lips”

September 29, 2014

After getting our attention with the Grizzly Bear/CANT-esque debut single, “Glass Ceilings,” the intriguing new electro project, Wild Bear, quickly returned with its follow up track over the weekend.  Titled “Bloody Lips,” the song is eerie and vocalless, with an air of menace that never quite surfaces, reminding me quite a bit of former Buffalo project, Camp Counselors. Check out the song below.

Mags Drops Debut Singles

September 26, 2014

A couple weeks ago, we wrote about The Slums EP, a new group led by The Malones ex-frontman, Steven Floyd. He is not the only former member with the creative bug brewing. Former Malones bassist, Elliott Douglas, formed a new solo project of his own under the moniker, Mags. Unlike the Slums harder, more aggressive sound, Mags continues the crunchy catchiness that the Malones left off with last year. Mixed and mastered with Paul Besch of Quiet Country Audio, “I Won’t Talk,” is an indie rock jam, easily syncable for your fall playlist.

Transfer in Jamaica Releases Speculative Party vol. 1

September 25, 2014

Buffalo producer/mashup artist, Transfer in Jamaica, creates music that, at it’s most compelling, can shift our perception of two seemingly unrelated styles and reveal an unlikely common ground, reminding the listener that genres are dynamic as a result of this eclectic creativity. The artist’s latest release,  Speculative Party vol.1: “Cry If I want To,” is part left-field DJ mix, part mashup album, divided into three parts that spans styles from indie rock to r&b, trip-hop, soul, electronic, and mainstream pop. The first track includes transitions from a pitched-up Beyonce sample to Radiohead’s “Lotus Flower” along with an surprisingly fluid segue from Salt-n-Pepa’s “Shoop” to Pixies’ funky, guitar-led track “Hey.” The third part of the release finds Transfer in Jamaica leaning towards a more hip-hop/club music approach with tracks from Disclosure, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T, Rihanna, and Kanye West making appearances. Speculative Party Vol. 1 offers a pretty comprehensive snapshot of pop music over the[...]

Hot Tip Releases Simple, Fitting Video for “Human Cage”

September 22, 2014

Some of the best music videos (any maybe pieces of art in general?) are single concepts carried out simply and directly. I’m thinking of one in particular, the video for The Pixies’ “Velouria,” but Hot Tip‘s new video for “Human Cage” is pretty much in the same vein. It’s a single, claustrophobic shot following singer Katherine Goewey through some cornstalks. That’s also not a bad way to describe the song: there’s all this noise closing in and Katherine’s wails are all you really have to hold on to and even then, it’s not like she’s waiting for you. Check the video out below:

Alleys Post Wordy New Music Video

September 22, 2014

Alleys get existential in their new video for “Can’t You Just Make Fun of the Way I Talk Again…?” Singer/drummer Sebastian Cichon literally faces himself in a minimalistic video featuring the two-piece’s riffy emo/skramz. Cichon’s distinctive Sprechgesang is equally heartfelt and heartbreaking over Alex Cadwalladder’s nimble guitar – recommended for fans of TWIABP or Nai Harvest… Just no matter what, don’t accuse these guys of being WR.

Fashion Expo 1990 Releases New Album, waiting for memphis

September 18, 2014

Earlier this year, the debut release from Fashion Expo 1990, a relatively unknown electronic/house alias of Difficult Night’s Miles Kirsch, was named our Album of the Week here at buffaBLOG. That record was filled with nostalgic vibes from various dance music scenes of the 90’s and featured impressive keyboard melodies and highly dexterous rhythms along with interesting sample selection. Earlier this month, the project released its second album, the six track waiting for memphis, via bandcamp. Like the self-titled debut, the record consists of previously recorded material, this one dating back to 2006. Standout tracks include “98% hustling,” with it’s archaic samples and breezy melodies and “c.h.a.r.m.,” which features soulful piano chords and classic house vocal sampling. Once again, the keys throughout the album are virtuosic and give many of the tracks an urgent feel to balance out the ethereal, blissed out element found in the artists’ production. Listen/download waiting for memphis below.

Local Rapper ChaunSAY Mackin’ Drops Second Project with Chisom Uzosike

September 17, 2014

On the Buffalo Brave LP, ChaunSAY Mackin’ and Chisom Ozosike’s second take on a hip hop duo, the Buffalo rapper and Maryland producer (who previously released The Buffalo Bill EP together) are a fantastic combination of modern bar-rap and smooth soul sample beats. Opening track, “The Encore,” kicks off with a blast of horns that sound like they came right off a Village People record. The beat flips around for a while before it settles on a guitar strum and a funky bassline, working off of the same sample as this BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher. Throw little “Numbers on the Board-esque” celebratory “Yeah” vocal and a high pitched female note, and you got yourself a hell of a beat over which Mackin’ dances entertaining lines all over. Second track “Reputation” plays off of the same sample as Kanye’s “Bound 2,”  a seemingly daunting task considering the recognition of the latter. Chisom[...]

Daniel Robinson Drops Latest Single, “Head Trauma”

September 17, 2014

Buffalo born electronic musician, Daniel Robinson, has just released his latest single, titled “Head Trauma.” The song, which is currently available for sale/download on iTunes, is tense cut of industrial synth pop gives off an NIN meets Postal Service feel. Robinson has popped up on a couple Dreamland showcases lately so keep an eye out for when he is back in town from recording in Toronto here and there. Listen to “Head Trauma” below, and while you are at it, head over to Robinson’s new website and browse around.

Handsome Jack Releases Music Video For “Right On”

September 17, 2014

Following the release of their new single “Echoes,” Buffalo retro rockers, Handsome Jack, have continued to tease their forthcoming record, Do What Comes Naturally, with a new music video for the song “Right On.” The Go Pro (?) filmed clip for the soulful, slow burner finds the band performing the single while making some late night stops around the city. If you like what you hear, make sure to join Handsome Jack at Mohawk Place on October 24th to celebrate the release of Do What Comes Naturally, or if you are impatient like me, head down to Nietzsche’s this Saturday to catch the boys open for Buffalo Killers. New songs will sure to be tackled. Watch the video for “Right On” below.

Yes Yes Performs On EBS’ Hello Rookie

September 16, 2014

Buffalo’s favorite ex-pat folk singer, Yes Yes Michael Ersing, recently appeared on the September installment of Hello Rookie, a musical competition airing on Korean network, EBS. The monthly program pits musicians against each other for the chance to advance and appear on the television special,  EBS Space 공감, with the opportunity to win 1 million won, which is roughly $970. While Yes Yes sadly did not win (the money went to MAN and Wings of the ISANG), the program certainly provided the relocated musician a great opportunity to showcase his unique brand of folk. Watch the video below. Keep an eye out for the transfixed audience members throughout the clip. Photo Credit – Douglas Vautour

Aaron & the Burrs Drop New Single, “Release the Bats”

September 16, 2014

It appears that the September Polar Vortex is upon us, slowly surrounding us like Union Soldiers at Wounded Knee, minus an aristocratic narcissist with a wicked mustache. As the weather gets colder and greyer, it’s hard not to focus on the inevitable coming winter. However, it’s not all bad. Maybe the news of new music from the instrumental surfer post-punk outfit, Aaron & the Burrs, will raise your spirits or at least your body temperature. The trio is comprised of Nicholas Reynolds (guitar), Eric Bifaro (bass), and Carson Cain (drums) and have been playing together for close to two years in various West Side basements “Release the Bats” takes you to a place where terms like Polar Vortex only exist in dystopian novels penned by Eastern European writers with names you always mispronounce. When I listen to Aaron & the Burrs, I imagine I am on a tropical beach sipping finely aged rum[...]

Wild Bear Releases Debut Single, “Glass Ceilings”

September 15, 2014

“Glass Ceilings,” the debut track from mysterious new local act Wild Bear, is a tempting morsel that fuses chilled out minimalist electronica with soulful spoken word vocals reminiscent of Bill Withers and Grizzly Bear. Throw in some inspirational pro feminist lyrics and you’ve got something that makes you want more. Follow Wild Bear on Twitter here and stay tuned here for the latest developments from this enigmatic new band. Update: Wild Bear’s full 3-song EP is now streaming on the act’s bandcamp page.