Rochester

Anamon Drops Album, New Single “In 3”

October 11, 2018

Most rock songs are written with a particular, predictable pattern in mind – a rise and a fall, a bob and a weave. “In 3,” the new single from Rochester’s Anamon, is more like 5 quick punches to head – unorthodox, but effective. “It’s not real,” croons vocalist Ana Emily over chimey guitars and a headbobbing beat as the song begins. It’s a straightforward enough beginning, but before a minute and a half is up, the song has gone through three total changes already, settling on a shifting dance-rock groove which Monaco looms over, threatening “I’ll send you back to hell, boy/Don’t even try to test me.” By the end, “In 3” has erupted into near-total chaos, with a screaming saxophone ditching melody for noise as the whole band turns up. You’ll be wondering how you got there after three minutes and forty-seven seconds; give the song a few more[...]

Redbeard Samurai Drops Visuals for Debut Single “Turn it Up”

October 3, 2018

Get your body movin’ as Rochester soul-hop artist, Redbeard Samurai, drops the visuals for his absolutely banging debut single, “Turn it Up.” Off his upcoming concept album, Second, the promising emcee cooks up a funky mix of soul, jazz and hip-hop influences over slice and dice rhymes for a fantastically fun, full-blown party track. This one’s going to blow so be one of the first to hear it below. Watch out for Second dropping soon and for more Redbeard Samurai, check out his official site here and Facebook here.

KOPPS Unleash New Video for “Hott”

August 20, 2018

Beloved blog favorites KOPPS are back with a deliciously evil video for “Hott” that lives up to it’s name and the trashy and sexy aesthetic you know and love from them. Yes, our friends from down the 90 have gone Hollywood on us… and it is good, hitting us with a super shiny video clip featuring Joywave’s Daniel Armbruster, a budget, some vaguely McLuhanesque media commentary, an international cast of dancing fans, and some demonic hoodoo that beats that spicy new Vice produced Gaspar Noe movie to the punch and confirms again that Mrs. Patti is truly a magnificent front woman and hellaciously good at leading us all into sin. Sure their masked drummer and that brown ABBA turtlenecks and powder blue trouser ensemble will haunt your dreams and possibly make you reevaluate your views on Swedish socialism and the works of Stieg Larsson, but at least those freaky dreams[...]

The Demos Release Video For “If You Only Knew”

August 7, 2018

Rochester power pop band The Demos have released a self directed video for “If You Only Knew” off their upcoming EP of the same name and it’s as ludicrously irresistible as the single itself. What’s up with this band, dropping such an insanely good video in the post video age for a song as exquisitely crafted as “If You Only Knew,” with Jason Milton’s Thomas Mars channeling vocals, sweet riffs, ear pleasing production values. and that chorus with the band swooping in “Wall Of Sound” style like a modern day, bittersweet Electric Light Orchestra? Then they do a music video for it that’s smart, funny, beautifully shot, and exceptionally edited for maximum wit and charm? I mean, that Super 8 bit over the bridge that calls to mind Talking Heads videos with an early 90’s psychedelic Flaming Lips aesthetic is above and beyond the call of duty, especially when elegantly yet[...]

Sea Planes Drop New Single “Magnetic Love”

August 3, 2018

Rochester spralling electro pop duo Sea Planes have returned with a new single “Magnetic Love” and it hits so many sweet spots that it could almost be deemed indecent by the fun police. Fans of M83, Sigur Ros and Polyphonic Spree (also, Queen) will all hear something they like on an instinctive, gut level in this one, with it’s soaring harmonies, built up tension/release, and grand, out-sized gestures that come at you with reckless, childlike abandon from the very first notes. Also, these guys sort of disappeared for a while so this is a pretty nice comeback move to be honest. Check it out.

Rochester’s Derelict Vessel Drop Debut Post-Rock EP

June 28, 2018

Derelict Vessel are a newly-minted post-rock band hailing from Rochester, NY. Their debut EP, Skeleton Coast, is a six-song offering specializing in quiet-loud dynamics with poignant flavors of emo, rock, and ambient music mixed throughout. Opening track “Drowned Cities” highlights the group’s penchant for tuned-down guitars, sludgy tempos, and epic moods. They transition into songs like “The Guard” and “Tower of Silence,” a couple of six-minute epics that resolve with borderline heroic climaxes. Album highlight “We Were Here” shows off Derelict Vessel’s surprising range, trading their typical doom guitars for a more ambient approach (concluding, of course, in an explosive ending). Lyrically, this quartet keeps it simple, but poignant – closing track “The Mother” is evidence enough. Skeleton Coast is available now via Bandcamp for a very reasonable rate. Skeleton Coast by Derelict Vessel

Katie Preston Drops Single “The Art of Falling Apart”

June 12, 2018

Singer-songwriter Katie Preston has officially released her first solo single. “The Art of Falling Apart” comes in advance of a full EP titled Soap Opera, due out later this year. Preston has been a fixture in the Rochester, NY music scene, appearing in various bands, but noticeable for her tenure with rock group Pleistocene. She now embarks on a solo journey, venturing to Nashville to record, both this track and the EP, at Sound Awake Studios and Tiny Tape Room. “The Art of Falling Apart” is melancholic and breezy, dripping in that kind of sunny-yet-sad vibe that dominated California pop in the ’60s and ’70s. There’s also something very modern here, too, with an ambient dream pop sound that cloaks the song’s tuneful, almost Beatles-esque bounce. Harp flourishes and a downward-descending bass line meld with wilting and reverb-soaked guitar and keyboard passages, while Preston’s laidback and understated croon sits perfectly[...]

Soviet Dolls Unleash New Single “Hunters”

April 11, 2018

Synthetic pop-rockers, Soviet Dolls, are back and unleash the latest single and title track off their new EP, Hunters. With a beat like a panther stalking its prey in the moonlight, the Rochester quartet mix Siren vocals, velvet riffs, lurking keys and a soaring chorus for a tune that will tap into your primal thrills and desires. Pounce on this electrifying and irresistible listen below ASAP. Check out and support Soviet Dolls’ Hunters on Bandcamp here or stream it on Spotify here. Hunters by Soviet Dolls

The Able Bodies Release Video for New Single, “Ordinary Life”

April 5, 2018

We all could use an escape right now. The wheels are coming off our government, 1984 is our reality and now the Tatums are separating. Thankfully Rochester’s electro-pop pride and joy, The Able Bodies, offer one with the liberation of their latest meme-inspired video, “Ordinary Life.” Armed with a guitar and drum machine, this promising pair craft a catchy, stress-relieving psych-rock track with dreams of escapism you won’t be able to help sing and dance along to all day and night. This is the third video release from Able Bodies and arguably their best and most exciting one yet, so take a break from your troubles and check it out below. Subscribe to The Able Bodies YouTube channel for more videos here or stream them on Spotify here.

Jon Lewis Band Drops New Video off Get Wild Somewhere

April 3, 2018

Rochester group Jon Lewis Band are back with some new music. After having released eight studio albums in just four years, the indie rock’n rollers are hitting early 2018 with yet another release, slated for May. In anticipation of the the new record, titled Get Wild Somewhere, they have released their first single “Cinnamon Only,” along with a music video. The track is a straight ahead rocker in a minor key, with deep distortion and a firm low end. There is a funky clavinet-like keyboard that is peppered throughout that balances against the guitars, reminiscent of psych-rock sounds from the late ’60s-early ’70s. Lewis’ mid range lead vocals are smooth and land right on top of the whole mix. There’s a good blend of classic and modern rock, with a slight griminess to it, too; essentially its Tom Petty meets Wilco with a splash of Primus. Check out the music[...]

Hawker M. James Releases New Single & Video, “Falling Out,” Off Upcoming Album

March 29, 2018

Hawker M. James, pseudonym of Mike James (formerly of Longwave and The Demos), brings us his emotional first single and video for the song, “Falling Out,” off his upcoming album, The Cool Wind. The Rochester songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer reflects on the devotion to one’s craft and sacrifices made in pursuit of dreams on this gentle, contemplative folk ballad. Evocative and thoughtful, the track is comprised of soothing acoustic strings and touching piano keys wrapped up in James’ warm and cozy vocals. Check out the visuals for this infectiously introspective tune below. Keep an eye out for the release of The Cool Wind and in the meantime check out James’ SoundCloud here for more tracks.

Trevor Courneen Releases Video for “Thursday, Endlessly”

February 6, 2018

With a music video shot and edited by photographer Kurt Indovina, and Rochester based musician Trevor Courneen’s “Thursday, Endlessly” is a self-effacing alternative rock jewel. The tune is breezy and accessible, much in the vein of a modern version of Pixies’ “Here Comes Your Man” or one of those instances wherein Dinosaur Jr. lightened their hardcore touch. The explosive guitar solo that hops in around the 2-minute mark may show slight influence an energetic group like Japandroids, whose 2012 album Celebration Rock makes a brief cameo in the song’s video. The future certainly appears bright for the mult-tasking Courneen, Check out the visual for “Thursday, Endlessly” below.

The Able Bodies Drop Video For “Pet Shop”

January 30, 2018

Rochester electropop outfit The Able Bodies are back with a new single and video that’s absolutely guaranteed to provide some warmth during this fine Buffalo winter we’re having. “Pet Shop” is irresistible 80’s pop and a Chromeo-esque summer roller skating jam that’s just a few months early, heavy on juicy synth lines and breezy, soulful vocals… but it should be noted that it’s definitely not about about the joys of pet ownership or the American pet industrial complex. A tight follow up to their debut single “Flicker” from last August, it’s hilarious, catchy as hell, and what you need right now.

Boy Jr. – “50 mg”

January 22, 2018

Breaking in the exuberant new track “50 mg” with a nifty bassline, the Rochester-based project Boy Jr., which finds music conservatory-studying collegiate Erica Allen at the helm, adopts a punk-type verve while keeping things light and easy on anyone’s ears. The fast pace is matched with a delicate guitar presence and crooning vocals fir for tackling the Great American Songbook. Everything remains playful but cool at the same time, such as in extemporaneous-sounding lines like “another round, please.” Such a mold was carved out by The Strokes in their prime, and Boy Jr. certainly nails it here on this fresh offering. The recent two-song effort from Boy Jr. titled Some More Tunes (a continuation of December’s Some Tunes) is available through bandcamp. Some More Tunes by Boy Jr.

River Lynch and The Spiritmakers Drop New Video “Straight Through”

October 19, 2017

Rochester rock and roll upstarts River Lynch and The Spiritmakers have teased us with a video for their latest single “Straight Through” that is pure, organ soaked, riff heavy goodness.  These guys are clearly on a mission, and this song and rock-band-in-studio-recording video definitely qualify as a call to arms to fellow rock revivalists ready to reassert the primacy of rock music, for good or ill, in the crowded modern marketplace. With more new music  on the way, it will be most interesting to hear what they’ve got to back all of this up. In the meantime, check out “Straight Through” below.