Buffalo

The Safety Meeting – “W1ND^UP”

March 25, 2022

Let’s take it back to the 90s, the modern day golden era of nostalgia. Shredding through the 716, The Safety Meeting has developed a sonic extract of that golden era on their latest track titled “W1ND^UP.” The hook hollers “if I worked any more or I laughed any less, I’d probably wind up dead,” resonating with a cruel yet cool aftertaste. The Buffalonian band, born from COVID, was founded by Julian Burgio and now consists of Anthony Carmes and TJ Cutajar on guitar, Kevin Sampson on bass, and Marc Thomas on drums. “W1ND^UP” released on February 1st of 2022 and is currently sitting at the top of their Spotify page (presumably until they drop their next song). Stream it on Spotify and Apple Music

Kod!e Releases Music Video for “Can’t Function”

March 21, 2022

Buzzing hip-hop act Kod!e (aka Cody Rozler) just released a new music video for his latest single “Can’t Function.” The Buffalo-based rapper has no problem opening up to the world, bearing his soul with lines like, “I can’t function if I don’t have any drugs/sat here cryin’ cuz I’m feeling so numb.” It’s a powerful message about mental health, but also shows off Kod!e’s sharpened ear – it’s full of catchy melodies; (sadly) relatable lyrics; and a unique flow. Kod!e is fresh off a March 5th show where they apparently set venue attendance records – perhaps an early indication that Kod!e is about to pop off with a promising hip hop career. In the song’s music video produced by Nova Vision, Kod!e appears in a straitjacket with pills scattered across the floor. Check it out below. You can also find the song on Spotify and Apple Music.

Pliocene – Get Up + Live Forever

March 21, 2022

If you’re looking for music to dance to in the dark, look no further.  Pliocene’s transcendent debut album, Get Up + Live Forever, is a sonic psychedelic. Composed entirely of instrumentals, the ambience of each track is immense; gathering elements from chillwave, post-rock, indie rock, electric downtempo, and hints of trip hop. The half-hour running time is a dream-like experience – in a sense that it feels like you’re here, but you’re not. While listening to Get Up + Live Forever, time is obsolete, and when you close your eyes you see nothing but infinite space. The tranquil sound of waves on “Estuaries” remind me of the waves used in Kid Cudi’s “All In,” which personally hit home for me. It’s unclear what value the unique titles of the tracks hold to Pliocene, but some are most definitely geared toward setting. Track 8, “Eveningbirds,” has the beautiful songs of birds chirping in[...]

Medusa – “GET HARD”

March 18, 2022

A musician made in Buffalo is no better than a musician made anywhere else, but they sure know how to hit home… Revenge-pop artist Medusa recently made another mark on the city with their experimental anthem “Get Hard.” The range of delivery and melody given throughout the track is something I’ve only heard from artists such as 070 Shake and Doja Cat. It’s enlightening to know that such talent resides in the 716 area code. There’s currently a visualizer uploaded on YouTube and Medusa has spoken on the release of a whole music video so most definitely be on the lookout. Until then, enjoy the squelching synths lurching underneath Medusa’s smooth-but-sassy pop delivery. Stream it on Spotify & Apple Music

Passed Out – Well Enough, For Now

March 17, 2022

Buffalo’s very own Passed Out released their triplet Well Enough For Now EP via Admirable Traits Records, bearing the vintage vibes of a warm cup of coffee and a flannel on the porch. The intro “Baby Blue” is accompanied by a classically entertaining video that was brought to the world wide web on February 3rd of 2022. The meat of the EP, “Scorched Earth,” holds all the thoughts we withhold from others (and even ourselves) with lyrics like “I like the face you put on when you want to be caring.” The brutally honest ballads of Well Enough For Now don’t get any more sugar-coated toward the back of the EP – “PBRs & Hockey Cards” is the last song that’s played at the bar as everyone gathers their things before parting ways for what’s assumed to be a long time. Stream it on Spotify & Apple Music Well Enough,[...]

Post Prom – Who You Pretend To Be

March 15, 2022

At long last, Buffalo-based quintet Post Prom have delivered their debut LP, Who You Pretend To Be (WYPTB), and it was well worth the wait. They provide an infectious boost of energy that makes you want to jump up on your coffee table and dance. The kind of music you would have heard in the backseat of your parents car in the late 90s. A powerful blend of rock, emo, and pop-punk flavors that bring us back to the late nights spent with friends or family in the garage – pure nostalgia. The band themselves describe WYPTB as a “coming of age story,” and their blend of crunchy guitars, relatable lyrics, and memorable melodies tell that tale perfectly. Post Prom have been playing together for roughly five years, but they sound like they have 50 years of chemistry as a band. The insertion of each and every element of Who You Pretend[...]

Scumfire – Trash Film

March 11, 2022

Scumfire’s Spotify bio reads: “Birthed in 2019, became men in 2020. Fueled by Genny and general disdain. No cops allowed, and buddy, believe me when I tell ya, we’re gonna know if you’re a cop.” If that doesn’t accurately convey what Scumfire is about, then I don’t know what does. On May 21st of 2021 the hardcore punk band out of Buffalo unleashed their Frankenstein of an EP, Trash Film, a four-song EP full of gravel-voiced screams; discordant guitar and bass riffs; and piledriver drum rhythms. It’s accompanied by a music video for “Obsolete Man,” starkly black and white, which accompanies their eardrum-shredding approach perfectly. Trash Fire is out now via Rochester-based label SORE EAR COLLECTIVE. Stream it on Spotify & Apple Music Watch “Obsolete Man” on YouTube Trash Film by Scumfire

Amateur Hockey Club – “What You Wanted”

March 4, 2022

You can hear the grime being shredded off the guitar in the grudging of Buffalo-based band Amateur Hockey Club‘s new single, “What You Wanted.” This is a common theme within the music of Amateur Hockey Club, as they radiate the essence of a blacklight in a back-alley, lit up with nothing else but neon signs in the night. Thick distortion wrapped with a thin layer of dried reverb on the vocals helps guide you into the wicked world of “What You Wanted.” Check it out on Spotify and Apple Music too. Amateur Hockey Club · What You Wanted

Ian McCuen – Permanent Ending

March 3, 2022

The ever-so-gentle acoustic tones of Buffalo based multi-instrumentalist Ian McCuen recently brought closure to their project, Songs of Fleeting Permanence, originally started pre-pandemic in April of 2019. Their latest installment, Permanent Ending, features songs such as “Five Year Plan” which is guaranteed to lift every hair on your body from the whispered vocals (which are expertly mixed by the way) reminiscent of Bon Iver or Sufjan Stevens. Ian invented the sonic equivalent of a lazy river with instrumental track “Desultory,” and the final and title-track to the EP, “Permanent Ending,” provides a warm and nostalgic ending to this long-running project. You can find Permanent Ending on Bandcamp (below) or on Spotify. Permanent Ending by Ian McCuen

Del Paxton Gets Vinyl Release For September, Bedtime, Ontario

March 1, 2022

Recently brought to you on vinyl by Better Days Will Haunt You comes Buffalo-based Del Paxton’s EP, September, Bedtime, Ontario. Originally released by Topshelf Records in 2020, this three-song EP from the three-piece is packed with a good spread of sound, including but not limited to: mid 90s nitty-gritty emo; heavy-hitting hooks; righteous guitar riffs; cool chord progressions; and wonderful syncopation. Check out the EP in both digital (Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp) AND physical form:

Genesee Hotel – Strawberry

February 28, 2022

Genesee Hotel from Buffalo NY claims to create “songs your mother would love,” and I couldn’t have said it better myself. Their debut EP, Strawberry, was born on July 1st of 2021, and it’s due for quite the growth spurt. The project consists of four tracks that represent the stages of a classic night out. “Strawberry” would be played when closing time comes around at the bar. The slow-but-strong, succulent guitar strums from Nick Sessanna are perfect for a woozy slow dance either accompanied or solo. The lyrics hit in a way that flushes your body with a nostalgic blast of emotions from the past, giving off a premonition that we’re not going to be here forever… Together at least. “Little One” is the type of song you sing (or scream) to the Uber driver on the ride back home from the bar. Head and hands out the window, letting[...]

Davey Harris – “Self Saboteur”

February 23, 2022

If you were to ask me what genre Davey Harris (aka David Muntner of Buffalo-based act The Tins) belongs to, I wouldn’t be able to identify it by name. On his latest single, “Self Saboteur,” he walks and swaggers across genres as if he’s walking through a garden. We’re picking up hints of alternative, psychedelic, rock, with even a splash of Latin tinge… Which means this is a record for pretty much anyone who breathes air. “Self Saboteur” is now available on all streaming platforms, check them all out here.

Just Ending Now – “Indivisible”

February 22, 2022

The production over “Indivisible” must have been the work of a mad wizard atop of a moated castle. Buffalo based artist Jeremy Jermaine Jerome, (aka Just Ending Now) posted this statement along with the release of “Indivisible,” “faith is a measure that know boundaries are as close and as far as your mind will embrace. honored to fulfill a prophecy that took insanity to make.” Take that as you will but I personally take it as your perception is your reality that goes for both dreams and nightmares. This genre-defying track is tagged as “goth country western,” which is as good as any description that we could come up with. Definitely worth a listen below: just ending now · indivisible

The Weather Might Say Otherwise – “I’ll Drink To That”

February 22, 2022

Alternative rock band The Weather Might Say Otherwise (TWMSO), based out of Fredonia, NY, gave their hometown something to drink to with pop-punky anthem “I’LL DRINK TO THAT!” The use of negative space to make the song sound like it’s skipping makes my heart skip a beat in solidarity. Core members of TWMSO consist of Damian Brown on guitar/vocals, Zach Richardson on drums, and Tanor Morrison on bass. The trio bring an exciting, electric grunge flavor to “DRINK,” especially as they pick up intensity in the third act of the track. “I’LL DRINK TO THAT!” was released by Rocket Weasel Records on April 16th 2021. Check it out below via Bandcamp or listen to them on Spotify. I’LL DRINK TO THAT! by The Weather Might Say Otherwise

Carmen & Lizzy – “When It Ends”

February 17, 2022

Like a pair of voices from the clouds above, Carmen & Lizzy present a divine performance on their latest release, “When it Ends.” The acoustic duo from Buffalo bring out vocals and guitar riffs that are lighter than air and bright enough to pierce the soul. On “Ends,” about halfway through the track, there’s some sort of synthesizer floating hand-in-hand with an interstellar bassline, as if it weren’t beautifully spacey enough already. “When It Ends” is out now on Fredonia-based label Nonexistant Records – check it out below via Bandcamp or stream it on Spotify. When It Ends by Carmen & Lizzy