Buffalo

Ancients Of Earth Releases Valley of the Suns LP

April 22, 2014

Ancients Of Earth is a grungy, psychedelic, blues stoner rock band from the Queen City. There isn’t anything like them in Buffalo right now. They are writing nine minute songs and are refusing to apologize for it. Formed in 2011 by Thomas Oliver Daulton (guitar/ vocals), Ryan Tomaka (bass) and Tyler Kurtz (drums), they first started out as a shoegaze outfit, an endeavor that was quickly scrapped. Ancients Of Earth’s first full length, Valley of the Suns, is everything that Queens of the Stone Age should have been after Kyuss disbanded in 1995. Equal parts, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Kyuss and Clutch, Valley of the Suns listens like an open letter. It’s full of sludge, peyote dreams, bareback horse rides through the Mojave desert and goblins, lots and lots of goblins. Don’t worry these are the nice kind of goblins, not the evil, soul engulfing goblins, but the ones who[...]

Kristachuwan Releases Beachers Cassette

April 18, 2014

Kristachuwan’s latest release Beachers ranks, in my books, as the best ambient album I’ve heard while living in Buffalo. It’s not pushing any heavy beats in my face, forcing my hand when it comes to dancing. “Dill’s Pick” is a good example. Kristachuwan arranges the elements in a light manner that when added up, equal a strong groove with pumping shakers and an angelic bell egging the track onward.  When adding accessories, such as a saxophone or heavier synth, it’s used tastefully. In the EP’s title track  and “Shimotahitubo,” the saxophone is broken up and tossed in with a static sound and occasional synth tones.  Kristachuwan is no stranger to creating down time. “Pump” gives the listener a quieter break, as the music explores downtempo clicks and varied electronic synths. Bleachers caps off at a little less than a half hour, which is the perfect length to listen to before you start the[...]

Mooses Debut “In Case They’re Wonderin'” Single

April 17, 2014

Mooses have been on our radar for a little while now. The Fredonia based four-piece has only released a couple tracks over at their bandcamp page, but it wasn’t until they dropped the single “In Case They’re Wonderin’,” that we really stopped and took note. The track is a cut of 90s psychedelia, with a dash of Brit Rock thrown in for good measure. The reverb heavy song is a loose sprawling mess in the best use of those terms. Fans of Blind Melon, early Verve, the Black Angels, and Ty Segall should give the track a spin. The track can be found on the band’s upcoming EP, set to drop May 1st. In the mean time, listen to “In Case They’re Wonderin'” below.

Chuckie Campbell Reps The 716 In “Synesthesia” Video

April 16, 2014

Southern transplant Chuckie Campbell showcases the city like a lifelong native in the Buffalo in black and white is anything but video for “Synesthesia.” Synesthesia, (I borrowed this from Wiki) is a neurological phenomenon in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway. I know, right? Basically, it’s like if you look at a letter, you’ll see a color and different letters have different colors. This is one of the more common occurrences, but overall one sense is linked to another in some undefinable way, as the experience varies from synesthete to synesthete. Yes, that’s what they are called. The track, which comes from his critically acclaimed album, More Die of Heartbreak, is deeply personal and lyrically hard-hitting in an almost soft-spoken way. If Mackelmore had street cred, “Same Love” might have sounded a bit more like this,[...]

Create The Next Tins Logo

April 16, 2014

We like to help our some of our blog buddies when we can. And The Tins, well, they have been blog friends since the beginning, back when “The Green Room” was blaring out of our blog offices, back when they were headlining our first bday party back in 2011 at Nietzsche’s, back when we were roaming the streets of Toronto together during NXNE  a couple summers ago looking for some secret roof top show (we did finally find it). So when they set out for a new band logo, the least we could do was help spread the word. The band will be taking submissions for a fresh look until Friday, April 25th. You may submit your ideas to any of the band’s social media pages/platforms. Full details, including the winning prize package, can be found here. Good Luck. The Tins EP by The Tins

Watch Lesionread Perform At The WBNY Studios

April 15, 2014

Buffalo’s art student turned performance artist Shawn Lewis, aka Lesionread, recently invaded the WBNY studios over at Buff State College. Complete with Red Boy, Lewis delivered a manic set which included blog fav “Neutronbomb” and “I Want To Fall In Love” the latter from his latest EP, Dogs pt2. Lesionread begins her latest tour tonight in Rochester with a performance at the Rochester Vineyard Community. Be sure to check out all her north east tour dates here. Watch the complete WBNY set below.

Figurehead Releases Wordy Single

April 15, 2014

Over the weekend, Figurehead released their new single “a song about the sea, a song about sex, a song about using both to drown yourself.” You may remember Figurehead from their fall 2013 release which first put them on our radar, No One Wants to Be Your Friend. The band’s new material is a little harder than their previous EP,  sounding more aggressive, like a Thursday-ier Comeback Kid distancing themselves from previous Bayside-leanings. “a song about the sea , a song about sex, a song about using both to drown yourself” starts with a driving drumbeat that evolves into fiery guitar riffs but immediately turns down to a calming verse. This doesn’t last for long though (spoiler alert). Listen downunder.  [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/144296622″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Only Comrades Drop Spring Mixtape

April 11, 2014

Buffalo streetwear fashionista duo, Only Comrades, have released the second installment of their seasonal mixtape series. Following the winter cut from local DJ duo Buzz Trillington, the OC crew reached out to buzzing NYC DJ Tanner Caldwell this time around, which can be listened to in full below. Set aside 40 minutes, put on your hippest duds, and strut around your house with sunglasses on drinking mimosas to this one.

Exclusive: Local Onlys – “Cogito Theory”

April 10, 2014

The Cascos’ frontman/mastermind behind The SSC, Jacob Smolinski, leaked us the new single for his La Salle-influenced, Philadelphia-based project, Local Onlys. The trio released their debut EP late in 2013, but it seems as though the band’s knack for lo-fi indie rock bangers has carried well into 2014. “Cogito Theory,” the first song off the upcoming EP titled MT. WISTER, reminds us a lot of a dorm-based Vampire Weekend, which seems to be a huge influence on Smolinski’s writing style going back to the Cascos days. The new single is about  daydreaming in Philosophy class and snapping back into it completely overwhelmed and under-informed, which Smolinski’s howls and Julie Gutekunst’s “ooo’s and ah’s” backing make the subject matter much more tolerable. Check out “Cogito Theory” below.

Like A Parrot Debut “Awkward Arm”

April 8, 2014

I just want to dance! Maybe it’s because it’s Tuesday or maybe it’s because Like a Parrot has just released the brand new track, “Awkward Arm.” Consisting of Aaron Bonus and Justin Gammella, Like a Parrot have been making music together for the past year, creating their own brand of indie dance-pop in the vein of Walter Meego. Gammella commented on their recording habits; “We are always writing new music. Our goal was to write 50 songs this year, while still working other jobs. Our next goal is to write at least 100 songs in a year when we are doing nothing but music.” In the past year, they have recorded with the likes of Bianca Dyrland of ARIA, with future collaborations set to include Dan Erickson and The Spin Wires. The name Like a Parrot is a tongue in cheek jab at the industry. “ In briefings we get[...]

Passion in Constellation Releases Music Video for “Weird Tonight”

April 7, 2014

Simply put, Passion in Constellation will expand your connotation of the word “weird,” which according to Chris Alan (the artist behind PIC), is a state of mind that should be fully embraced to it’s second exponent. Let’s get weird squared is more like it and this video release can be viewed as a solid introduction the concept. In a world governed by a policy of weird squared, judgment is out of question. Still, any semblance of proper etiquette could potentially be scoffed at. You’re encouraged to fling around all the food in your pantry like confetti and if you don’t know by now, balloon animals are awesome and trending. Your living room has disappeared and in it’s place is outer-space. Also, though you’ve probably gone as far to romanticize the idea of traveling via horseback once or twice in your recent adult life, you haven’t even touched on the idea of[...]

Queen City Music Lottery Band, Nail School, Debuts First Song

April 4, 2014

On the eve of the Queen City Music Lottery Showcase, one of the randomly assembled acts, Nail School, has released its first track via bandcamp. Featuring members of JOHNS, Merchants, and Space Wolves, Nail School’s “Russian Bride” is a cut of dark, aggressive garage-punk that doesn’t sound too unlike some of singer John Toohill’s other projects, including the recently debuted Alpha Hopper. You can catch Nail School, along with Plosive, Move Real Fast Stop., and a handful of other brand new acts, tomorrow night at the Foundry (298 Northhampton St) starting at 6pm.

Rackmastas Release Return of the Rack LP

April 3, 2014

Rackmastas, a long time duo born out of the basement of Gates Circle Wine & Liquor, recently released its long awaited LP, Return of the Rack. Spanning 17 tracks, the record has a lot going on, although don’t be misled by the long tracklist as a handful of those songs are fun little radio station under writings. The long form tunes cover many genres, including R&B, hip hop, dream pop, experimental post-rock, jazz, and pretty much you name it. Stand out tracks include “Girl Watcher,” a pretty cut dreamy computer pop that would please Dntel fans, and “H.H.G.M.T Zoppity,” which sounds like what Collections of Colonies of Bees might sound like on a sugar high. You can stream the entire Return of the Rack, which features contributions from members of Inquiring Mind, Crows and Jays, and more, at the band’s bandcamp page. In the mean time, listen to “Girl Watcher” below.

Listen to “See Me Again” by Soul Butchers

April 2, 2014

Soul Butchers have recently made a blip on our radar with their debut 7 deep EP/short album 18 Wheeler (produced by Mr. Skimask). The album starts off with a retro-punk flavor similar to that of locals Irving Klaws or Wolf Tickets, but the real magic creeps out on the third track, titled “See Me Again,” where the band distances itself from the rowdy Stooges-like intensity. “See Me Again,” sounds like a mix between a lighter Les Savy Fav meshed with more cathartic Dismemberment Plan. Comprised of past members of 90’s hardcore/punk band, Black Tar, and more recently Delores, and Trailerpark Tornados, Soul Butchers’ next show will be at Spiral Scratch’s Record Store Day showcase on 4/19. Request “See Me Again.”

The New York Breakfast Releases DON’T CALL IT A COMEBACK

April 1, 2014

Anyone who takes even a brief dip into the waters of Buffalo’s live music culture quickly realizes that Steak and Cake founder Brandon Schlia is one of its proudest captains. On the eve before his label’s third anniversary show (which also happened to be Valentine’s Day), he was part of an unforeseen and harrowing turn of events that left him hospitalized. Showing perseverance in the face of adversity as well as true rock n’ roll diction, the two part show went on, and even included Schlia, home from the hospital and sitting on a chair in his living room.  Last Friday, Steak and Cake released a 4-track album titled DON’T CALL IT A COMEBACK by his personal solo project, The New York Breakfast. The New York Breakfast has always been an intimate vessel, and these songs make the listener feel as if they’re spying on Schlia in his bedroom while he plays[...]