Buffalo

Passion in Constellation Releases Latest Single, “Smash”

August 19, 2014

Passion in Constellation has recently released a staggeringly catchy single. Packed with monumental transitions, euphoric synth hooks, and moments of serene grace, “Smash” is a full exhibition of the burgeoning dance producer’s strengths. Furthermore it’s his most experimentally playful release up to date. The single opens with a gritty and sultry bass line before the primary hook takes over. Here, synth stabs are accompanied with deft high-hat work, mallet samples, and anonymous female vocal coos. “Rainforest part-ayyy” is what she appears to be announcing and the fun is only beginning. The track craftily conjures an atmosphere of the jungle-book meets the disco, veering in and out of various adaptations of it’s infectious hook and don’t you worry, PIC makes sure to scatter surprises throughout. A sudden shift at 1:48 puts the bass-synth combo on full display via sparse kicks and shuffled high hats. Towards the end, a lush key melody[...]

A Hotel Nourishing Releases First Single From Empty Gesture EP

August 19, 2014

I remember my introduction to the Buffalo music scene. I drove from my hometown in central New York to catch a glimpse of Say Hi to Your Mom in the dark Sound Lab basement in the middle of a snowstorm. The Wishes and the Glitch was an amazing album. Anyways, upon arrival, I realized I was in Buffalo like an hour before the show even opened it’s doors (Buffalo time was foreign to me) so I had to wait outside in my car for an hour, then inside alone in a booth for an hour, then standing up front until eventually I caught the first band, A Hotel Nourishing. I initially had thought they were a touring band based on how tight they were as a duo, with Cameron Rogers’ lightning fast, thunderous drumming coupled with Sonny Baker’s wry energy and sprawling guitars. The night capped off with me nervously introducing[...]

Joe Mason Releases Video For “The Sun”

August 18, 2014

Late last week, Joe Mason released the music video for “The Sun,” a cut of Ariel Pink-esque, stoner pop-rock off of the musician’s self-titled debut album. Directed by avant-garde producer, Lesionread,  the clip shows Mason venturing in a Blues Clues set with an Uncle Sam hat on, amongst many other hijinx. Mason just released a new EP last Friday as well, titled Dirty Softies. You can listen to it over on his bandcamp page, and in the mean time, watch the video for “The Sun” below.

Charles Bordeaux Releases Latest Track, “Hungry Hands”

August 14, 2014

The rather anonymous and low key Buffalo producer/singer-songwriter Charles Bordeaux has recently released a new track on his bandcamp. Featuring jazzy keys, some basic beatboxing, and lovely backing vocal harmonies, “Hungry Hands” is a smooth down-tempo number which puts Bordeaux’s velvety style of singing on full display. As it evolves, it crosses into new-wave territory, introducing crisp high hats and bouncy square synths. Never superfluous, the track retains a steady sense of warmth and ripeness throughout, making it the artists most mature release up to date. Check it out.

Chae Hawk Releases Cinematic Vid for “Dinner Plates”

August 13, 2014

Love is complicated. Break-ups are complicated. Relationships are complicated. Continuing with that theme, Chae Hawk releases this 7 minute epic music/movie video for “Dinner Plates.” There’s a hawt Penelope Cruz lookalike, a couple of scorned lovers murdering each other, some pseudo-zombie action, and an impressively cool Chae Hawk back tat. Featuring beautiful black and white cinematography, this has got to be one of the highest quality local music videos we’ve seen in some time. Coupling that with a typically dope musical release from the Team Radio emcee, this is a vid you’re sure to enjoy.

Andy Pothier Performs “Castaway” For River House Sessions

August 13, 2014

Buffalo folk musician, Andy Pothier (Pine Fever, The Evil Things), just posted a simple video for the title track to his last EP, titled Castaway, released earlier this year. Taped for the River House Sessions series, the video finds Pothier (who has that Conor Oberst thing going on) and guitar delivering a hushed performance during a peaceful August afternoon. Check out the video for “Castaway” below and if you like what you hear, head over to Pothier’s bandcamp page to download the full Castaway EP for a couple bucks.

Brimstone Blondes Sign To Admirable Traits, Release First Single

August 11, 2014

Brimstone Blondes, a new wavy (save the synths), post-punk revivalist four-piece, will see their debut EP, Age of Consent, released later this month via Admirable Traits Records, a label with Buffalo and Brooklyn roots. The album’s first single,”Social Smokers,” premiered this morning. Backed by peppy, crunchy chords, Matthew Danger Lippman (think David Byrne and Fred Schneider of the B-52’s), one of Buffalo’s most charismatic and confident frontmen, snarls his way through the frantic number, one of the seven new/revisited tracks to be found on Age of Consent. Long time live staple, “Get Lifted!,” also appears on the EP, given a fresh makeover from Brandon Schlia, Steak and Cake Records founder and Age of Consent producer. The band will celebrate the release of Age of Consent next week, Thursday, August 21st, at Buffalo Iron Works with support from Harmonica Lewinski and Wooden Waves. The 18+ show costs $10 to enter. Admission will include[...]

Son of the Sun’s Zak Ward Drops First Single From Upcoming EP

August 6, 2014

After quietly disbanding late last year, members of Buffalo’s longtime act, Son of the Sun, have gone in a couple different directions. Drummer Brandon Delmont recently released a fantastic album along with fellow, former Girlpope member Mark Norris under the moniker of the Lindbergh Babies while guitarist Joseph Stocker is currently outfitting Buffalo’s sharply dressed men at the Elmwood Village’s tailored suit shop, Bureau. As for SOTS’s former lead singer, Zak Ward, a new EP is coming our way in the near future, titled That’s What You Get. The EP’s first single, “Who You Really Are,” was just dropped this morning via Ward’s soundcloud page, and it’s pretty great. A cut of sun kissed alt-country covered in some wonky effects, the tune features the aformentioned Delmont on percussion. “Who You Really Are” calls to mind M Ward, Summerteeth era Wilco, or Woods, and is a wonderful musical addition to the dog[...]

Small Smalls Releases Minute Long “Poolside” Jam

August 6, 2014

After remaining quiet for most of the summer, minimalist synth-pop act, Small Smalls, has resurfaced this morning with the quickest poolside jam you will find in Buffalo this year. Clocking in at just over a minute, “Poolside” has a frantic Small Smalls channeling Le Tigre for a perfect addition to your late summer pool party mix-tape. Also, the single’s artwork is fantastic. The song is nearly over by the time the ripples in the pool settle so listen quickly below.

Watch The Tins’ Making Of Video For “Let It Go”

August 1, 2014

Buffalo new wavy pop trio, the Tins, are currently on the road supporting their recent EP, Young Blame. I believe at the time of this writing, they are somewhere up in the Pacific North-West. The EP, and in particular, current single “Let It Go,” have been getting some decent publicity this week, including the #5 spot on USA Today‘s “Week in Music” list. A couple weeks back, the band released a short making of video for “Let It Go.” As it turns out, that big, multi-harmony chorus came courtesy of some local musician friends of the Tins, including members of Aircraft, the Albrights, the CPX, and more, culminating in a mini Buffalo, Band Aid type sing along. Watch the clip below.

Lesionread Shares Latest Track, Preps Next Wonk Sesh

July 31, 2014

Going under the working name of “Jordan,” although technically untitled, the latest track and live staple from electro wunderkind Lesionread (aka Shawn Lewis/Sean Louis), is a nervy, four-on-the-floor jam. Those who have seen the former art student’s show over the last year should be familiar with the song, but if you haven’t, then listen below and enjoy while you can. Lewis is known for removing music from the web at a moment’s notice. In other Lesionread news, the latest installment of our co-presented Wonk Sesh,  a live video series capturing some of the more left-of-the-dial touring bands coming through Buffalo, will be taking place this Sunday, August 7th, at 362 Baynes. Sunday’s taping will feature Boston’s Lord Nathaniel, along with local acts Copy Manager and Barf. Full details can be found here.

Facility Men Release New Four Song Collection, Futility Men

July 31, 2014

It really goes without saying that Buffalo’s punk / hardcore scene has been, and still is, one of the best around. From hardcore vets Snapcase and trailblazers Every Time I Die to the raw sounds of newer bands like Pentimento and The Traditional, B-town is home to some pretty talented acts. Maybe there’s something in the water. Local garage punks, Facility Men, a quartet including current and past members of White Whale and the Orphans, have just put out Futility Men, an energetic 4-song EP that fits in well with that Buffalo standard. The EP, recorded at Hi/Lo studios, sits somewhere between the old school punk vibe of Dead Boys and the discordant energy of The Vines. The songs all riff pretty hard and are surely capable of inducing some good whiplash at higher volumes. Check out the bass-driven hook of highlight “Strange Places” below, and head over the bandcamp[...]

Ezamädi Releases New Fire Following Performance at Teamwork 2014

July 30, 2014

Back on the 20th, he performed with Chae Hawk and Nameless at Teamwork 2014, and earlier this week, Buffalo rapper Ezamädi released the new track, “Coltrane.” Just the second song we’ve heard from him on his soundcloud,  Ezamädi’s baritone voice speculates on philosophy and human interaction on an understated jazzy beat. Featuring lines like “I could paint a picture so vivid that you could live up in it, and I don’t like you looking in that’s why my soul is tinted,” it’s got the lines that will make a rap head go “Sheesh,” and the lyricism that can get respect from fans of all music. Complete with a dope beat switch up halfway through, this song is  can’t miss for one of the city’s up-and-comers. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/160274547″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Alleys Release Sophomore EP, One Day I’ll Find A Solution To All Of My Problems

July 24, 2014

Buffalo NY’s Alleys are a band that embraces sadness, and judging by the recent successes of quasi-discordant emo bands like Dads or The World Is A Beautiful Place And I Am No Longer Afraid To Die, their new EP is bound to bring them places. Running Around Records has just released One Day I’ll Find A Solution To All Of My Problems, yet another great EP recorded at GCR with Jay Zubricky. The five-song EP highlights Alley’s penchant for hyper-depressing lyrics over blasts of clean-ish guitar and spastic drums (with only a hint of a bassist, who they tend to borrow from other Buffalo emo kingpins Figurehead). Check out the quick finger work in “Dusty Sings the Blues” below.

Nine Acts to Catch at Buffalo Infringement Festival

July 24, 2014

Ready or not, the Buffalo Infringement Festival is back for its tenth year running. For the next 11 days, various venues, galleries, shops, street corners, and wherever else you can fit a performer in the Allentown neighborhood and beyond will be bustling with anything and everything under the performing arts umbrella. Now if you want to pick through the endless madness that is a normal Infringement schedule, be our guest. We have done it for many years and it has left us dizzy nearly every time. The days are dense, full of endless options, and honestly overwhelming. But, if you wanted a little help this year, you have come to the right place.  Here are nine acts we think you should make some time for this year during Infringement 2014 Network/The Get Money Squad The former is a rap crew, led by Quinton Brock, that should help fill the hole[...]