Buffalo

Hotel Etiquette – “Sounds Like Love”

February 16, 2022

Sounds Like Love” paints the picture of emo/pop-punk and excludes no details. “We could fuck it up, and if you’re asking me, then it sounds like love…” It’s a line that hauntingly holds true to relationships that sink. Hotel Etiquette (aka Mike Hansen & co.) seems to have found themselves in the classic, unfiltered love tragedy and we love it. The track is followed by a soothing, sugar-glazed minute and a half track entitled “cigarettesafterthebachlor,” containing a dying heartbeat as if it were to represent the sound of love You can find Hotel Etiquette on Bandcamp (below), but be sure to check them out on Spotify and Apple Music too. Sounds Like Love by Hotel Etiquette

Sons of Luther – “The Wrong Way”

February 16, 2022

Buffalo-based rock band Sons of Luther released a fresh new single, “The Wrong Way,” on February 1st, and within a week it became their number one song on Spotify. It speaks to the intentional songwriting and the “earwormitis” that comes along with listening to something so catchy (and also, the band’s commitment to marketing themselves effectively in today’s musical landscape). SoL somehow combine the sounds of nostalgia with authenticity in a way that it sounds familiar, but not like any band I’ve heard before… At the same time, their lyrics bring about discussions that have been talked about for decades in a way I’ve never heard before. About “The Wrong Way,” Sons of Luther say: “[‘The Wrong Way’] is a mediation on bridging our current cultural divides as an act of resistance. Reminding us to not get “bent out of shape, cause it didn’t go our way.” You can find[...]

Deadwolf – Deadwolf EP

February 11, 2022

It’s almost as if five musicians from Buffalo went back in time, taking elements from the sixties, seventies, and eighties, and brought them to July 1st of 2021. Those people are Tyler Mendola, Cody Morse, Bryan Williams, Ken Shockley, and Andy Pothier, aka the long-running and never-imitated Deadwolf. The psychedelic rock of their self-titled EP could turn even the straightest-of-edge person into a full-fledged hippy for at least fifteen minutes. My personal favorite, outro track “Sooner or Later,” takes you on a five-minute sonic trip, floating above the thunderstorm of a clouded reality. You can find Deadwolf EP on Bandcamp (below). You can also find the band (and their entire discography) on Spotify and Apple Music too. Deadwolf by Deadwolf

Dolly Sods – “tupelogumswamp”

February 11, 2022

Hot new gloomy shoegaze band from Buffalo, Dolly Sods is making some literal noise with their debut single “tupelogumswamp.” Comprised of three members of other Buffalo-based bands, Jesse James, Nate Ward, and Andy Pothier, Dolly Sods hit at the very peak of bleak. Heavily reverbed vocals sound as if they’re coming from a cemetery within a church. The instrumental contains much reverb in itself which ties together the loose vocals in a very dark and ominous package. At seven-plus minutes, this one is as epic as it is sludgy in all its doom-and-gloom glory. Check out all the different ways you can listen to “tupelogumswamp” here. tupelogumswamp by dolly sods

Velvet Bethany – “Teamwork”

February 10, 2022

Movement of the hips guaranteed or your money back! Buffalo based singer-songwriter/producer Allison Mitchell (aka Velvet Bethany) created a peppy tune titled “Teamwork” that will surely jumpstart your heart. Lines like “I feel like I have superpowers” are truly contagious to the soul and inspire a better day. “Teamwork” reached streaming services at the turn of this past new year; and with it’s upbeat pop rock energy, will hopefully usher 2022 in as a new era of hope.  You can find “Teamwork” on both Bandcamp and Spotify. Teamwork by Velvet Bethany

Rafi Bloomberg – “Your Eyes”

February 8, 2022

Listening to Rafi Bloomberg’s latest drop “Your Eyes” with your eyes closed is not only meta, it’s also borderline dangerous. This sparkly indie-pop jam sounds as if you’re driving through a spiral where both space and time are obsolete. The icy, 80s-esque synthesizer cools down any hot-headed thoughts that it reaches. “Your Eyes” touched down just about one week ago on January 25th of 2022 but don’t fret, this track will stay fresh forever. “Your Eyes” was recorded at Bloomberg Audio by Rafi himself – preview “Your Eyes” using YouTube below, but be sure to add it to your favorite Spotify or Apple Music playlist.

Quit Yourself – “Get Better”

February 8, 2022

A righteous, twinkly guitar riff alone is enough to perk anyone’s head up. Buffalo-based act Quit Yourself is about to celebrate the first birthday of their double single, Get Better, originally dropped February 28th, 2021. The band is still kicking nowadays, shuffling lineups to make things work like any good, scrappy emo band should! Somehow, no matter what their formation, they always manage to sound like an army of midwest-emo rockstars. If you’re looking for some local grudge rock to roll your face off, or even just to “Get Better” on a personal level, then you’ve come to the right place. Check out Get Better via Bandcamp below – you can also stream it using Spotify. Get Better by Quit Yourself

Fake Space – “Cut It Loose”

February 4, 2022

Buffalo punk rock band Fake Space held absolutely nothing back in the rebellious banger “Cut it Loose” from their latest EP, Big Money Only (B$O). Released by Triple Hammer Records on November 17th, 2021, B$O serves as a blueprint to learn how to let loose in life. The vibrato in the vocals laid down on “Cut it Loose” are sharp enough to cut anything that’s keeping you tethered down. The face of Fake Space, Christian Adams has been percolating as an integral part of the Buffalo music scene for more than a decade. Although Christian isn’t afraid to branch out and use keyboards, acoustic guitars, and ukuleles to write his songs, make no mistake – Fake Space is still a punk band at heart. With the huge pop-punk hooks here on B$O, he’ll surely infiltrate the rest of the world sometime soon. Check out “Cut It Loose” via YouTube below,[...]

Stress Dolls – “Alone”

February 1, 2022

The transparency that Buffalo punk artist Stress Dolls possesses is as evident in her music as it is on social media. The last words in her Spotify bio read, “Currently I’m back in the studio with Marc working on a new release that I hope to get out sometime in 2021…” And boy did she deliver. With the single “Alone,” released January 7th (accompanied by a stunning music video just three days later), Chelsea O’Donnell shows off her near decade of experience by screaming both authenticity and relatability with straightforward lyrics like “I’d rather be alone,” showcasing that sometimes our complex thoughts are best relayed in simple terms. It’s done through the simple-yet-effective use of jangly guitar rock and synth lead flourishes, highlighted of course by O’Donnell’s one-of-a-kind vocal prowess. You can find all the different ways to enjoy “Alone” (as well as her newest EP, FORWARD) via this link.[...]

Tough Old Bird – “‘The Jaybird Lives!'”

February 1, 2022

You can almost hear the blowing of a breeze and rustling leaves while gazing at the nature-esque cover art for Buffalo indie folk duo Tough Old Bird’s latest EP, A Mantle for the Lantern. Buffalo brothers Matthew and Nathan Corrigan recorded the entire EP in their home while the rest of the world was shut down due to COVID-19. The intro to the EP, “‘The Jaybird Lives!’,” creates a very delicate, yet safe atmosphere for the audience to float through. With a breezy folk vibe that sways back and forth, A Mantle for the Lantern is akin to a rhythmic river running under the sunset. The only two words needed to sum up the ambience of the EP are peace and harmony. First, preview “‘The Jaybird Lives!'” via YouTube below, but be sure to check their entire (lengthy!) discography on Spotify as well.

Hyperview – “I Used To Be Normal”

January 31, 2022

The breath of vocalist AJ Newman from pop-punk band Hyperview is frosty enough to give an audience chills. Their most recent addition to their catalog is an EP, I Used to be Normal, featuring a music video for the project’s title-track. This was a big leap forward for both Hyperview and their fans, being the first ever music video they posted. The on-set video perfectly captures how one feels “trapped” inside of what/who they thought they were, even as normal life continues to happen around them. It runs perfectly parallel with the haunting lullaby blend of vibey emo-punk that is “I Used to be Normal.” Check out the music video for “I Used to Be Normal” below – you can also find the EP of the same name on Bandcamp and Spotify.

Hundred Plus Club Release Music Video for “Extraterrestrial Dread”

January 25, 2022

Buffalo indie-alternative act Hundred Plus Club have teamed up with local label Admirable Traits Records again for a new(ish) music video/single. Beyond their catchy indie rock approach, the trio exude charisma and eloquence on camera quite effortlessly. In their latest music video for single, “Extraterrestrial Dread,” Hundred Plus Club take us on a journey with a galactic blue friend who presumably represents dread. Ironically enough, this goofy blue being is the only thing that brings a smile to the band’s faces throughout the entirety of the video. The overall tone of the song provides a calming essence that could be enjoyed in just about any mood, full of chiming guitars, subtle keys, and metronome rhythms. Stream: “Extraterrestrial Dread” here. You can also watch their music video below.

Buffalo Dream-Pop Trio Dream Dream Release Blissed-Out Debut

January 25, 2022

“Chill vibes” would be a humble understatement when describing the sound of dreamy Buffalo-based trio Dream Dream (featuring members of Aircraft and The Tins). Their double single, Chill Vibes // Blissin’, released on October 15, 2021 via Admirable Traits records, captures a nostalgic early-nineties feel while still introducing a fresh sound to the table. For “Blissin,” Dream Dream brings wet, spacey, and downright hypnotizing vocals which call for the response of an enchanting synthesizer. The way the synth dances in between the lyrics truly seems to speak for itself. Listen to “Blissin’” on Soundcloud (below) or stream it via Spotify and Apple Music. Admirable Traits Records · Dream Dream – “Blissin'”

Humble Braggers Release New Single, “So Alive”

October 12, 2021

Buffalo indietronica mainstays Humble Braggers are back again with another lush single they’re calling “So Alive.” By now (we hope!) you’re familiar with the quartet’s euphoric sound – songs filled with what seems like hundreds of synth textures; big vintage drum sounds; plucky guitar riffs; and Tom Burtless’ signature croon. “So Alive” continues that trend, complete with a set of lyrics about how good it feels to face your fears head-on. Check out “So Alive” below via Soundcloud. If you like it, you can also find their entire discography on Spotify and Apple Music. PS: Don’t forget to pre-save their full-length LP, Love & Fear, due out November 11th – here’s the link for you to do so. Humble Braggers · So Alive

Johnny Hart and the Mess Release New Single, “Get Lost Living”

September 11, 2021

Buffalo-based rock n’ rollers Johnny Hart and the Mess recently released a new song called “Get Lost Living.” While showcasing Johnny’s soaring vocals and riff-based, guitar-driven style, the band dives deep lyrically on “Living.” About the song, they say: “This song is about getting lost in life. Both bad lost and good lost. Bad meaning you get so engulfed in the trivial nonsense of the day to day, you stop and ask are you really living your life, or are you just going through motions? Good meaning, you are so entranced in something that is bringing you immense joy that you’re just watching your life go by and couldn’t be happier… Life is short, get lost living it.” We think you’re gonna like it – you can listen to “Get Lost Living” via YouTube below or stream it on Apple Music, Deezer, or Spotify.