Buffalo

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[...]

Chill Ali’s Dope Debut before the Debut

July 23, 2014

There are so many different styles in hip-hop, but there’s always refreshing about songs that take a personal, narrative approach. Buffalo hip-hop artist Chill Ali flexes his empirical muscles on T H R O W A W A Y S, a mixtape of tracks that didn’t make the cut for his upcoming album #FREEYAMIND. One of the standout tracks, “Shit on You,” is Ali’s description of his special relationship his boo. Over a chill instrumental, Ali talks of how superior she is to the other ladies. It’s honest and genuine. He even goes as far as saying he wishes for her every night at 11:11, which is not only a cool bar, but also pretty damn meaningful because there’s so many things to wish for. “Fake 1z” is a gripping story about chasing success and avoiding betrayal. No spoilers, but it’s an impressive feat in songwriting and a track that I can’t[...]

Mr. Boneless Releases Debut LP, Cutting Teeth

July 23, 2014

The great Howlin’ Wolf once sang the words, “…if you want me baby, you got take your time, because I’m built for comfort, not for speed.” Now, truer words couldn’t have been graveled out into raspy excellence, however, why do we have to choose? Can’t we be fast and comfortable? Why yes, yes we can, and the proof is in the puddin’ pop. The figurative pudding pop I am referring to is the first full length release by Queen City juke joint marvels, Mr. Boneless. Cutting Teeth, the debut from the Buffalo steam folk quartet, is the follow up to their 2012 EP, Shame, all hopped up on dirty coke and Tullamore Dew. The ten tracks take you for a ride on their zooped up 1932 Ford as it hugs the midnight curves of a bootlegging road. Mr. Boneless doesn’t only take us for a joyride. They also manage to transport us to[...]

Teenage Satan Releases Debut EP

July 22, 2014

It’s difficult to pin down the sound of Teenage Satan’s self-titled EP, which places dissonant vocal melodies over a mixed bag of distorted guitars and synths, but the sound is hauntingly dreamy. Daniel Bauer, the sole player behind the release, bares his raw instrumental and vocal style, which works well with the lyrical content as well. Due to the increase in Buffalo DIY labels such as Steak & Cake Records, the city has seen a rise in experimental bedroom projects such as these, thankfully bringing a new brand of non-commercialized independent artists to the forefront. Despite the dense landscape of weird psychedelic sounds that fills each of these songs, there is clear attention to detail in terms of representing the record’s overall feeling of bummed out frustration (I’m homesick and I’m sick of home/ I’m wallowin’). Bauer’s vocals bring this out in a surprising way, though, bringing to mind early[...]

Silo Sessions Premieres New Installment Feat. JOHNS

July 21, 2014

Just over a month into the new video blog series, Silo Series, and we have already been treated to some fantastic clips from musicians like Nat Baldwin, Jax Deluca, and Julie Bryne. Today’s latest installment, the sixth in the on going series, featuring an acoustic set from Buffalo garage act, JOHNS, in addition to bonus songs from JOHNS’ members Nick Gordon and Sean Kader. What makes Silo Sessions so special is pairing the unusual space with a variety of musicians, genres, and sounds, and in featuring JOHNS, the musicians have left the normal comfort of West Side basements to perform in one of Buffalo’s most unique venues. Watch the full clip of JOHNS, with Nick Gordon and Sean Kader below. You can also brush up on past sessions here.

The Traditional Announce Signing to Anchor Eighty Four Records

July 18, 2014

Buffalo’s own The Traditional have announced that they have inked a deal with Los Angeles-based Anchor Eighty Four Records. This welcome announcement comes after the band spent a large majority of last year touring in support of their debut EP. It seems like the countless weekend dates and the full-US tour have really paid off. The Traditional recently completed recording their new album here in Buffalo with Jay Zubricky at GCR Studios. Anchor Eighty Four will release How To Live Without Blood on August 5th. Until then, you can enjoy the sampler of their next single, the anthemic “Miss Me Yet.” Check it out below.

Cages Share First Single From Vivipary LP

July 14, 2014

Last month, in an interview with Black Dots owner Josh Smith, the shop runner told us that his label, also called Black Dots, would be released the forthcoming album from Buffalo’s free-form, noise collective Cages. Those familiar with Smith’s punk roots would be surprised to find the band on his label, but as he told us “they are one of the best live bands that I’ve seen in the past couple of years.” Late last week, Cages and Black Dots shared the first single, “First Seed,” from the group’s Vivipary LP. The track is challenging and beautiful, like Bjork or Sigur Ros embracing folk music while sprinkling in eerie and unsettling bits of electronic effects. Keep an eye out for the digital and physical release of Vivipary later this summer, and in the mean time, listen to “First Seed” below.

Sleepy Hahas Release Music Video For “Nooses”

July 8, 2014

Buffalo psych-garage four piece, Sleepy Hahas, have released the latest music video from the quarter’s debut LP, Dull Days.  The clip for “Nooses,” the strongest track from the Dull Days, finds the white clad group being hunted down throughout various locations in Bidwell and Delaware Park by some sort of Grim Reaper. Directed by Quiet Country Audio’s Andy Deluca, the video can be viewed in full below. Also, if you get to tonight’s Man Man show at the Tralf Music Hall  on the early side, you may catch a live version of the track as the Hahas are set to open.

Local Songstress, Wolfaerie, Releases Whimsical Full Length

July 2, 2014

Earlier last month, Buffalo-based, experimental pop artist, Wolfaerie, released her debut album Natural Flight, an 8-track collection of delicate blips and beats backing angelic vocals. The album’s stand out track,  the playful, hushed “Ghost Girl,” has shades of Bjork or even a tender, Amber Coffman led Dirty Projectors. Check out the full release over at Wolfaerie’s bandcamp page, and listen to “Ghost Girl” below.

MitchArizona Debuts with a Trippy 7-Song EP

July 2, 2014

Buffalo producer MitchArizona combines ambient beats and chopped, pitched, swirling vocals to create an impressive first EP on Sincerely, Arizona. His creativity in his song composition and structure creates a unique trip-hop experience that you can just vibe to. Some of the songs feature nonsensical vocals and others feature reflective lyrics that Arizona stretches and manipulates to the listener’s desires. It’s a cloudy, thoughtful, and ambitious effort into a burgeoning genre, and I’m excited to see where this talented producer will go from here. Check out “ARZ$ $tillne​$​$” below.