New Music

Vibropath – “Overboard”

October 23, 2022

Here’s a cool one from Rochester-based act Vibropath – they sent over the bedroom-pop glory of “Overboard” and we loved it immediately. With a warm, vinyl-record production to the track, Vibropath makes use of plucky guitars, Casio-keyboard drums, and an endearing vocal style to create something catchy and refined. About the song, Vibropath explains: “[‘Overboard’ is] a song about obsessive, over-idealized love. Lyrics are written from the POV of the obsessed individual, who is fully aware their feelings are romanticized, in love for the wrong reasons, but unable to rationalize it away.” ICYMI, we’ve also highlighted a previous single of theirs, “Turning Inside” – be sure to check that out too. You can also find the rest of Vibropath’s discography on Spotify. Vibropath · Overboard

The Demos – “Streetlight Glow”

July 21, 2022

Our Rochester neighbors in The Demos just released a new single, “Streetlight Glow,” that shows off their penchant for writing hooky indie-garage riffs. With its synth-laced choruses; smart pop sheen; and angular indie rock guitar stabs, “Glow” reminds us of The Strokes; Cold War Kids; or even their fellow Rochesterians in Joywave. About the song, The Demos say: “Youthful love under the glow of a streetlight. Streetlight Glow is a song about your first love and the feeling that no matter what happens, everything thing will be alright as long as you are with them.” You can also find “Streetlight Glow” on Spotify. thedemosmusic · Streetlight Glow

Animal Sounds – “Miles (Jonas Song)”

May 18, 2022

Leave it to the Rochester band Animal Sounds to present us with a song that you could bellow through canyons far and wide. Built around a bouncing bassline and twinkly guitar textures, their latest, “Miles (Jonas Song),” sounds of an echoed call for salvation that we’ve heard in our heads from time to time. “It’s hard to build up a temple on miles and miles and miles of wasteland” is a line I had to take a second to digest in full, and as soon as I did, I was hit right in the feels. Feeling like doing some constructive reflecting on your past for a better future? Listen to Animal Sounds. Stream it on Apple Music and Spotify 

Lower Expectations – “Talking To Myself”

May 5, 2022

The alt-rock band from Rochester by the name of Lower Expectations raised the bar on their latest offering, “Talking To Myself.” The lyrics “when I tell you it’ll be alright, I’m talking to myself,” hit me harder than a train. The righteous rock tune explores the idea of fighting the façade you bring upon your everyday life. It’s a message that sounds comforting coming from someone else; we have Lower Expectations to thank for that. Stream it on Spotify & Apple Music Talking To Myself by Lower Expectations

Katie Morey – Friend of a Friend

April 19, 2022

About two minutes and thirty two seconds into Friend of a Friend, I downloaded the LP in its entirety. It was at that moment I knew that Katie Morey did not come to just play guitar or sing some songs; she came to create a moment that would last forever. The musical artist from Rochester has had quite the year so far with seven singles, a whole collaborative project with Pleistocene called Ontario Girls, and most recently, her debut LP Friend of a Friend… and it’s only April. She’s given us several years worth of music in the span of three months; Morey is a seasoned musician, but it almost makes rookie of the year sound like an understatement. Album opener, “Hotter Than Heaven” is an excellent distillation of Katie’s work. The song starts with plunking piano chords laid overtop simple electronic drum samples that together, create a warm and[...]

Vibropath – “Turning Inside”

April 8, 2022

The light production blanketed over “Turning Inside” by Vibropath has the goldilocks factor of being just right. Rochester-based artist Vibropath, born Frank Marino-Moore, who I originally thought was a band is a tranquil experience to listen to. I could only imagine how laid back and relaxed his live sets are. It’s artists like Vibropath that inspire others to create their very own brand-like delivery when it comes to compiling sounds into symphonies, and that delivery is evidently displayed on “Turning Inside.” Stream it on Spotify and Apple Music Vibropath · Turning Inside

Arvid – “Ghosty”

March 10, 2022

Enter the Rochester-based artist Arvid’s realm as he pushes the wave of psychedelia with a lo-fi sense of elegance. “Ghosty” off of his latest project Pyreburning is undoubtedly the purest example of Arvid’s electronic art. This is the kind of music that makes you physically feel a sensation of vibrations riding up your stomach to the top of your head. I’m not sure if Arvid brought us “Ghosty” from a happier place but it sure will take you to one – surprisingly, it’s a song about the death of a loved one. Check it out on Spotify and Apple Music

Bad Bloom – “Automatic”

February 11, 2022

The spacious vocals bellowed throughout Bad Bloom‘s latest single “Automatic” are hypnotically intoxicating… Which only makes sense, seeing as it was released just two days prior to Halloween, the spookiest day of the year.  On the shoegaze-meets-dream-pop flavors of “Automatic,” Jay Trovato smoothly shreds his guitar while Kate Rogers floats along the track with elegance on both bass and vocals. This originally Queens, now Rochester-based husband-and-wife duo shed beautiful darkness onto a sugarcoated world.  Preview “Automatic” via Soundcloud below – be sure to add it to your Spotify or Apple Music playlists too. Bad Bloom · AUTOMATIC

Soviet Dolls Release Cover of 80’s Classic “Cruel Summer”

January 23, 2020

Rochester synth-pop act Soviet Dolls has released a cover of the classic Bananarama hit “Cruel Summer.” Set to clips of Night of the Comet, the Dolls’ take on “Cruel Summer” keeps the synthy magic but gives it a polished, 2020 feel. Their take on the song is just a bit darker, with a slightly more industrial feel. Listen for yourself – check out the vid below and check out their latest release here.

The Stedwells – “Wake Up”

October 30, 2019

Get your garage rock groove on with a tasty new tune from Rochester’s The Stedwells. The three piece outfit’s latest single is a heavy handed alarm clock rounded out with droning chords and an infectious riff. Ryan Warren brings belts out desperation in a vocal performance that plays right off of the high energy guitar groove and it’s a rock jam in every sense. The Stedwells are slated to drop their Hideout EP on November 22nd, with assists from Grammy-winning engineers Stephen Roessner and Dave Collins. Have a listen below: Wake Up by The Stedwells

Maybird – “Montreal”

October 29, 2019

Maybird is a prolific psychedelic band from Rochester who have been long time buffaBLOG staples… This time around they’ve released a brand new music video for their song, “Montreal.” Any fan of their A+ psych-pop catalog or guitarist “Overhand Sam’s” unique guitar technique will surely be pleased – this one is packed full of tight drumming, ghostly synth howls, and phat guitar chunk. Check it out below.

Able Bodies Drop Video For “#summer (Hashtag Summer)”

August 13, 2019

Rochester feel good electro funk duo Able Bodies are back with a new single and video by the name of “#summer(Hashtag Summer)” that is a whole mood and the definition of slow burning, sexy summer fun. The Able Bodies (Eli Flynn and John Viviani) have been building up some mojo over the last few years but on “#summer” they bring it all the way down on this blissed out slow jam that’s all throbbing bass lines, cosmic vibrations for the ears and soul, and Eli Flynn’s fine falsetto pleading with us all to not screw up this summer with bad vibes or worse. Check out the video below and keep an eye out for live shows from these guys.

Borger Releases Debut EP Titled Camp

July 17, 2019

Lo-fi dream pop outfit Borger just released their debut EP titled Camp. With a healthy amount of fuzzy DIY vibes, it’s a must listen for fans of Beach House, Cults, and Real Estate. The album opens with “when you smile,” which features a gradually building texture, and does an excellent job of setting the vibe. On “nat geo,” lead singer Mackenzie Harris’ vocals float effortlessly over the hypnotic textures. “pollen,” drifts along with a gentle lilt as does “vineyard” although both songs achieve this through different means. “mr. rogers” brings us back to the subtle driving textures present at the beginning of the album. One of the most interesting tracks on the album is the closer “strawberry.” An instrumental ambient track, it stands in stark contrast to the rest of the album in the best way. In a way, it’s almost teasing “when you smile” in the way it gradually[...]

Beef Gordon Whips Up New Single “ABC”

June 13, 2019

Rochester weirdo pop provocateur, Beef Gordon, channels an S&M Raffi on the subversive new single, “ABC.” Off his debut album, Queen Shade, Gordon (also from Buffalo Sex Change) crafts a playfully elementary beat entirely on a Casio MT-68 keyboard. With each keystroke, the wonderfully bizarre crooner lulls you into a lucid dream that’s far more mischievous than it lets on. Get tied up in this neat little track below. Queen Shade is out tomorrow (June 14th). Stream it on Gordon’s Spotify here or Bandcamp here. ABC by Beef Gordon

Batavia Post-Rock Act Ever Onward Starts Song a Month Project

May 21, 2019

Batavia native Colin Berardini is a lifelong musician that has recently embarked on a song-a-month solo project with his new songwriting vehicle, Ever Onward. He specializes in instrumental post-rock epics; lyricless soundscapes meant to inspire daydreams and to encourage the listener to find their own thoughts to take away. His most recent effort is “Hindsight,” a sprawling, six-minute composition full of sparkling guitars, swelling synths, and an overwhelming sense of atmosphere. Fans of Explosions in the Sky, Sigur Ros, or Lights & Motion will enjoy Berardini’s work. Berardini is already hard at work on his next release, due out in early June. Until then, you can listen to Ever Onward via most platforms – check it out on Bandcamp and add it to your Spotify playlist. Hindsight by Ever Onward