Rochester

Rochester Indie-Emo Act Barbarosa Release Ambient New EP

October 4, 2017

Rochester’s Barbarosa are a talented duo who craft beautiful indie-pop tunes laced with synthesizers and well-thought-out male/female harmonies. Their new, self-titled release is no exception; fans of mid 2000’s emo like Lydia, Copeland, or MAE will find this lush EP hitting close to their heart. We recommend starting with opening track “A Step Back,” which combines the sentimental twang of late 90’s emo with atmospheric synth swells and cavernous reverb. Barbarosa’s pop songwriting is best demonstrated here, especially in the chorus, where they expertly expand a typical four-chord structure into something atmospheric and beautiful. Their male/female harmonies shine through strongest here, pairing a strong, catchy melody with inventive and jazzy drumming. Track two, “Pervitin,” might be the best juxtaposition of their Bandcamp bio – “loud and pretty.” Here, we find Barbarosa at their darkest… Bordering on menacing and mysterious, the duo have crafted a song more energetic than “A Step Back,” but no less beautiful.[...]

Big Fred Releases Swirly Trash-Pop LP

September 6, 2017

Fans of big muffs, small clones, and pop songwriting unite! We’re digging Rochester’s Big Fred, who recently put out a nine-song LP called Oh Hi Hello. OHH is full of swirly, wonky trash-pop that seems tailor made for fans of Mac Demarco or Ariel Pink. The cherry on top of their psychedelic-tinged garage-rock comes from front man Conor McCann, whose distinct vocals add a tasteful trashiness to the mix. On a deeper level, Big Fred touches on themes of companionship and introversion and ponders whether the act of “wanting something” is more fun than actually having something. Check it out via the widget below. If you’d like to support Big Fred, Oh Hi Hello is out now via Sad Cactus records. You can snag it digitally from Bandcamp or purchase a physical copy here. Oh Hi Hello by BIG FRED

The Able Bodies Get Pumped with Debut Video “Flicker”

August 24, 2017

Rochester indie pop starlets The Able Bodies just dropped a video for their debut single “Flicker” that’s alarmingly fully formed, deeply satisfying, and utterly irresistible. Shot and directed by Adam Antelek, Krit Upra, and Nick Kundrat (from the gnarly and very groovy Rochester indie culture magazine Floated), “Flicker” is a feel good 80’s digital freak-out as a fitness infomercial, perfect for a glorious slab of Jackson 5 by way of Daft Punk and Cut Copy goodness. The Able Bodies (aka John Viviani and Eli Flynn) are definitely onto something here with a this instantly timeless single that feels… right. Check it.

Pink Elephant Return with Grungy New Single, “Around Your Neck”

August 17, 2017

Rochester trash-wave veterans Pink Elephant are back at it again with a grungy new single called “Around Your Neck.” Recorded at More Sound Studios in Syracuse, “Around Your Neck” is a skulking rock banger with tinges of psych rock and garage twang. The song is about wanting to help someone who can’t be saved; rather than actually helping out, you just wind up getting sucked into their chaos and darkness. Fans of Portugal. The Man, The Pixies, or The White Stripes will like these guys’ dirty, yet nuanced rock n’ roll. Pink Elephant is on Bandcamp – you know what to do.

Harmonica Lewinski Releases New Track “Pyramid Scheme”

August 2, 2017

Rochester based sleaze rockers, Harmonica Lewinski have released a new single titled, “Pyramid Scheme” which comes almost a year to the date after the release of their last full length, Head Honcho. It bares mentioning that the cover art for the single is not an entirely apt description for the music but seems to be another example of irony the band puts to use.  In some ways “Pyramid Scheme” follows this ironic trend by being a valiant reproduction of 50-60’s style surfer/rockabilly with less of the blues/country twinge the original genre typically used, and instead they add to the mix stuff that could be out of the Detroit garage-rock scene. Check out “Pyramid Scheme” below. Pyramid Scheme /// Risky Bizness by Harmonica Lewinski

midnight Drops New Single “Promethium”

July 5, 2017

Rochester R&B crooner midnight delves into the topic of Greek mythology through the release of his new single “Promethium.” In the singer’s new song, midnight brings up the Prometheus myth as a source of inspiration for the song. His gift comes as both a blessing and a curse because he must suffer for others. There is a complexity to the track with each beat layered over each other. Dreamy Buffalo-based producer ylxr brings an atmospheric style to the track with the spacey synths and slow snaps. Check out “Promethium” below via soundcloud.

Talking Under Water Release Video For “We Used To Dream”

June 13, 2017

To borrow and adapt a now classic Rick James quote, nostalgia is a hell of a drug. Ephemeral, elusive and irresistible, we can’t escape it now matter how hard we try (trust me, after a while you just go with it), and for Exhibit A of this human phenomenon would have to be the video for Talking Under Water’s “We Used To Dream.” Already lovely and melancholic slab of Beatles, Beach Boys and Chicago infused 80’s mega pop, the clip from the Rochester quintet is practically weaponized nostalgia… for the joy of youth, the Tom Hanks classic “Big,” and a magical time long ago when blowing on things like videogame cartridges really did fix them. The clip and single hail from the bands eponymous debut album which arrived in April and can be found here.

Joywave Returns with “It’s a Trip!”

May 30, 2017

Rochester indie powerhouse Joywave dropped their second single “It’s a Trip!” earlier this month from their new album Content due out July 28th via Hollywood Records/Cultco Music. The album will be a major followup to the band’s 2015 breakout release How Do You Feel Now? “It’s a Trip!” taps into the roots of psychedelia with a groovy guitar riff and a smooth synth to back everything up. Lead singer Daniel Armbruster cracks out the falsetto, which gains some twinges of analog sound embedded in the chorus.  Check out the music video for the new single below.

Calicoco Releases Debut Single “Night Owl”

May 24, 2017

Calicoco is the moniker of the new project fronted by Rochester musician Giana Caliolo. “Night Owl,” Calicoco’s debut single, dives headfirst into the stresses of lifestyle changes. The outfit’s upcoming Needy EP serves as the culmination of the past four years for Caliolo with the ending of the band Buckets, and the balancing of projects Pony Hand and Secret Pizza. “Night Owl” goes into the changes that Caliolo went through in her life and the anxieties that came with the choices that she made to change herself for the better. The catchy guitar riff loops as the drums set a solid punch to back up the song and pair well with Caliolo’s gentle voice. Needy is set for release via Dadstache Records on June 9th. In the meantime check out “Night Owl” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/319147863″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]  

The Fox Sisters Return with “Stuck On You”

May 23, 2017

One would think with a name like The Fox Sisters, the group would be a family affair. Ironically though, The Fox Sisters are not a group of sisters, but seven guys playing ‘60s style R&B out of Rochester, NY. The song serves as the A-side, with the track “Yeah Yeah” on the B-side. The song carries elements from ‘60s rock & roll music like Phil Marshall’s bouncy guitar riffs, supported by Patrick McNally’s upbeat vocals. The song also dips into R&B with the incorporation of the alto saxophone, which comes in strong during a solo towards the end of the song. Check out “Stuck On You” below. Stuck On You by The Fox Sisters

KOPPS Drop “Baby I’m Dead Inside”

May 3, 2017

Rochester electro darlings KOPPS are back with a new single that accurately/regrettably/inevitably captures the zeitgeist, the sweet electronic poison that is “Baby I’m Dead Inside.” Trading their trademark trashed glitz for simmering, low key electronic funk punctuated by crunchy, fuzzed out guitar riffs, KOPPS find a new brand new slowed down groove for Patricia Patrón’s sultry disco diva vocal stylings to bewitch the faithful into helpless submission. Check out “Baby I’m Dead Inside” below and keep an eye on KOPPS- they could be busy this year.

Pleistocene – “Your New Life”

May 2, 2017

In a brash two-and-a-half minutes, Rochester’s Pleistocene conveys a message like a swarm of bees: Missing an old friend is hard even if you’re confident she’ll be okay. “Your New Life” is the lead single from the band’s killer release Spear. New life is breathed into the song via this roller derby video featuring a protagonist colliding recklessly reflecting the free, surf rock nature of the lively tune. The video tells the story of roller derby moms and their children growing to love and experience the same rough-and-tumble sport. Pleistocene’s effort is respected as “Your New Life” demonstrates a best foot forward. Check it out below. [vimeo 213706391 w=640 h=360] PLEISTOCENE – “YOUR NEW LIFE” from BUBL-T on Vimeo.

Soviet Dolls Release New Single

March 20, 2017

Soviet Dolls delivers us a taste of wholesome synth-pop with their track “Dreams.” The Rochester natives craft a sweet brew of alt-rock intensity with the synth-driven whimsy of indie-pop. It has a familiar feel, but manages to present a unique idea through stimulating production and captivating electronic elements. The group has built quite a name for themselves by sharing stages big names like The 1975, Joywave, and Broods. It seems only fair to assume this won’t be the last we hear of Soviet Dolls. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/306492952″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Mammal is a Mountain Teases Two Singles

January 20, 2017

Central NY folk rock ensemble Mammal is a Mountain is gearing up for the release of their debut full-length Memory Albums, having shared the first single of the new record, along with a solid B-side. The often-rotational outfit of musicians, helmed by songwriter Dan Lynch, melds folk / Americana influence with an unrestrained songwriting style akin to Conor Oberst. The new single, a studio version of a previously acoustic track titled “Thick Mud,” has been fittingly renamed “Ode to Dirty Lovers” and given the full-band treatment. The song’s driving upstroke and gradual crescendo brings out the personal intensity of the lyrics, all topped with blasts of electric organ. A second track, “Backed by the Bank,” complements the single release with somber acoustic vibes not unlike those of the late, great Elliott Smith. Both tracks, though inherently different in tonality, work well together to deliver some A-level hype for the forthcoming[...]

Soviet Dolls Release New Dark-Pop Song, “Ghostlover”

December 14, 2016

Rochester electro-pop act Soviet Dolls recently released their latest single, the dark and looming “Ghostlover.” The quintet combines lush synth textures with an alternative rock backbone and the cherry-on-top vocals of dusky singer Alexandra Wendt. The result is a dark pop banger that we can’t help but crush on. Fans of CHVRCHES, Metric, or The Naked and Famous would really dig this tune. “Ghostlover” is available via Bandcamp for a “pay what you want” rate. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/296780980″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]