Rochester

Northern Spies Share Christmas Single

December 22, 2015

Christmas is, among other things, the look of joy on children’s faces, spending time with loved ones, and a primal religious observance. It’s also Christmas shopping after doing a few shots, office party ragers, and going to mass with a rampaging buzz to get through primal religious observances. In short, Christmas can be a holiday of divergent extremes, and Rochester power poppers Northern Spies have embraced this duality with a special holiday single featuring an austere and almost reverential “Christmas Must Be Tonight” backed with the rowdy “Big Legged Christmas (Slight Return).” Northern Spies didn’t mess around. “Christmas Must Be Tonight” is all Dylan and the Band and Sunday school and what Christmas used to be about, with bluesy guitars, soulful organ, and some lovely, searching vocals. “Big Legged Christmas (Slight Return),” however goes for a nasty, vamping blues jam that is all about hollering, and doing your own damn thing on[...]

High Drags Side Project, SLUGS, Release New Single

December 4, 2015

SLUGS are a fairly new project for long-time collaborators (and siblings) Marissa and James Longstreet. We have covered the pair in the past under their high-energy electro-pop moniker High Drags. With roots in Rochester, SLUGS is now Los Angeles-based, and probably as opposite of High Drags’ vibes as it can get. The new project’s sound drawing comparisons to Courtney Barnett, Angel Olsen, or Deer Tick. “Anything’s Impossible” is desert-y rock and roll tune, with some 90’s grunge tinge. Check it out below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/233472120″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

common rituals Release Debut EP, form

November 10, 2015

The wistful melodies pervading the music of Rochester Lo-fi/indie pop artist common rituals offer a warm, understated pop sound with alluring instrumentation. form, the musician’s debut EP, includes hazy synth work on tracks like “Spring Break” and “October” which along with spacious percussion make for an immersive listen. The jazzy “Intermission” is reminiscent of French downtempo band Air and provides one of the most atmospheric moments of the release while the acoustic “Maybe (Solar Sky)” leans more towards direct singer/songwriter fare. Listen/download form below.

Mr. Will Shares Debut EP Motel Pools

November 4, 2015

Look out Rochester, a new force is on the radar. Multi-instrumentalist / producer / all-around music man Mr. Will (born Will Smillie) released his impressive debut EP Motel Pools, a sprawling easy-rider of a record blending elements of indie pop and psyche rock, late last month. It’s one of those records that doesn’t take time to warm up to; the warmth is already there—just pull up a seat and get yourself settled in. From the slow-burning balminess of the title track that opens the EP to the fiery fretwork of “Where Does the Light Go,” Motel Pools, produced by Smillie himself, covers a lot of ground and covers it well. After one spin, the listener is treated to hints of wide-ranging influence including My Morning Jacket, Dr. Dog, Mikal Cronin, and more. The hooks are plentiful, the solos could sear a steak, and the resulting package is cohesive, easy to listen[...]

Genesee Live Releases Latest Installment feat. Drippers

October 30, 2015

We haven’t checked in with Rochester’s Genesee Live for a minute, so we were happy to see the live session series released its latest installment this morning, this time featuring the psych-rock trio, Drippers. The act may be new to some of our blog readers because as to my best recollection, we have yet to cover them, but I am kicking myself for sleeping the group up until now.  Fans of janky Queens of the Stone Age, retro psych rockers like the Black Angels, or a heavier Ariel Pink may have a new favorite local in Drippers, and Gl’s video is a great introduction. Check out Drippers’ clip below, and for past installments of Genesee Live, visit their Youtube here to catch up.

Howlo & Pleistocene Team Up for Halloween Split

October 28, 2015

Halloween is always a fun time to track new music out of Western New York as bands get into the holiday spirit and share some new spooky flavored tunes. And right on cue, early this week, two of our favorite Rochester acts, Howlo and Pleistocene, teamed up to release a timely split LP, Ghost Walk. The childlike harmonies on Howlo’s menacing opening cut, “All Hallow’s Eve,” make comparisons to Dead Man’s Bones hard to ignore, while later on, the four piece dips into some 90’s nostalgia on its cover of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer theme. Pleistocene’s half is decidedly lo-fi featuring some eerily haunting and rather sweet cooing from Katie Preston. The quartet’s split contributions feature some surfier vibes than its normal catalog as the LP stand out track, “Natura Combo,” sounds like the band has been hanging out with Harmonica Lewinski a bit as of late. The two bands will be playing cuts[...]

Mikaela Davis Performs on Consequence of Sound’s Treehouse Sessions

October 23, 2015

Rising Rochester singer-songwriter/harpist Mikaela Davis was recently featured in an episode of Treehouse Sessions, a live studio session performed in Chicago’s Treehouse Studios. The clip is the latest installment in an on going series featured on Rock It Out! Blog via Consequence of Sound. Over the past few weeks, Treehouse Sessions have featured performances from acts like San Fermin, Violent Femmes, JEFF the Brotherhood, and Albert Hammond Jr. of the Strokes. For her episode, Davis and her band tackled two new songs, “Other Lover” and “My Light is Always On.” Watch Davis perform “Other Lover” below, and to catch her full session, click here.

Damp Child Releases Debut Album Artism

October 20, 2015

Rochester trio Damp Child create lush, contemplative tracks with a stream-of consciousness-style that places emphasis on texture and atmosphere above conventional structure. Their debut release, Artism, features reverb-laden vocals, abstract guitar tones, and a dream-like quality with at times unintelligible lyrics that add to its melancholic aura. Opening track “Ironically Tumescent” is perhaps the record’s closest moment to resembling pop with its warm, infectious melody and resonant acoustic guitar strums. Other pieces like “Schizophrenia,” “Before I Die,” and “Underwater Dolphin Factory” present a post-rock style, as the band pensively and patiently unfurl their soulful, experimental sounds. “Inspector 11” blends glitchy, otherworldly percussive elements with celestial guitar lines and hypnotic vocals, making for one of Artism‘s more immersive moments. Despite their free-form, sketch like nature, the songs on Damp Child’s debut are full of instances where captivating ideas come together in a way that’s equally disorienting and ruminant. Listen/download Artism below. Artism by Damp Child

Hawker M. James Shares Latest Track, “Here’s A Love Song”

October 16, 2015

Hawker M. James, the solo moniker of Demos’ drummer Mike James, is prepping to drop his new, self-titled cassette, set to be a part of this weekend’s Cassette Store Day batch of special edition releases. And to whet the whistle of Hawker fans, the long time Rochester musician shared the first single from the cassette, “Here’s A Long Song.” Whereas James’ previous track “Pleasure Part” teetered more into a moody and atmospheric Roxy Music territory, the catchy “Here’s A Long Song” is led off by some glammy riffs and toe tapping percussion. Fans of Guided by Voices and The Soundtrack of Our Lives should dig the new single. Copies of the limited edition tape, which will be self released on James’ Bête Noire label, can be purchased at Rochester area record shops Record Archive, Lakeshore Record Exchange, and The Bop Shop starting tomorrow, while the digital version of Hawker M. James will hit the webs sometime this[...]

Passive Aggressives Anonymous Release “Ninja” Music Video

October 13, 2015

Rochester tongue-in-cheek crooners Passive Aggressives Anonymous have premiered the music video to the previously unreleased song, “Ninja.” A heartbreaking tail of a ninja who can’t take a hint, the PAA front man John Valenti and crew deliver the slightly creeper-esque number in the most charming way possible. The clip was shot by Alex Freeman of Studio 73 Productions and directed by Valenti himself, and features cameos by the just-asking-for-it members of Buffalo Sex Change as Valenti’s ninja wisely keeps his stealth skills at bay inside Rochester’s Small World Books. No word on whether the track will show up on a future PAA record, so in the mean time, watch “Ninja” below. Ninja from John Valenti on Vimeo.

midnight Drops XII Labors EP

October 9, 2015

Rochester singer midnight (or mdnt) has been dazzling of late, feeding his listeners spectacular electronic r&b tracks for much of the past year. Singles like “Adonis” and “Baptize” drew expansive acclaim for midnight, building hype up to his release of debut EP XII Labors. Featuring seven tracks of his crooning falsetto and ear for great production, midnight’s debut is a wonderful introduction to the talented artist. The project kicks off with “Baptize,” produced by Buffalo’s YLXR. The track, indicative of its title, sees midnight birth a new attitude and confidence, “standing up to fears that haunt me, can’t no one stop me now.” On “Floating and Falling,” the singer takes on a surprisingly bright beat. Producer craves’ bouncing, lively instrumental syncs up nicely with midnight’s dark vocals as he pleads with a lover to take whatever he has. “Cool Kids (DFWU)” has more of an edge to it than some of midnight’s[...]

Total Yuppies Drops First Single

October 5, 2015

Freshly-formed Rochester unit Total Yuppies, featuring members of Skirts, Jon Lewis Band, and Full Body, dropped its first single over the weekend. The garage pop quartet channels the dreary vibes of Neva Dinova with an accessibility akin to The Front Bottoms on the new track, titled “Normal Life.” The whole package is lonesome and catchy, highlighted by the song’s pitch-perfect vocal harmonies sung longingly over the sprightly drum work. Keep an eye out for this impressive new formation on the live circuit and an ear to the ground for future releases. For now, relish in the rainy day that is “Normal Life,” streaming below.

The Fox Sisters Release New Album Under The Stars

September 25, 2015

Ever wish you could get away with doing the mashed potato or the hitch hike at a show nowadays? The Fox Sisters provide the perfect musical backdrop for some old-timey jivin’ of that variety. The Fox Sisters are a big band with a big sound. This seven piece group out of Rochester will transport you to a different time period with their zippy rock ‘n’ roll tunes that are reminiscent of King Kahn & BBQ Show. Their newest full length release, Under The Stars, combines 60’s R&B with a lo-fi, garage sound to give us a retro frat-rock feel. It’s a feel good record that brings about the ruckus of a full fledged 60’s dance club in the best way possible. Grab your sweetheart and/or your dancing shoes and give it a listen below.

Buffalo Sex Change Shares Video for “Gender Unknown”

September 22, 2015

Over a year after dropping their self titled, debut LP via Dadstache Records, Rochester post-punk garage duo Buffalo Sex Change has shared the music video for one of the record’s stand out tracks, “Gender Unknown.” The lo-fi, VHS-esque clip, which was directed by Brooklyn visual artist Kristen Felicetti, finds members Phil Pierce and Clayton Eddy performing the rockabilly flavored tune under colorful video glitches while spliced with retro work out tutorials. Check it out at the bottom of the post. In further BSXC news, the pair contributed a new track, titled “Glori Ann,” to the recently released KNDY benefit compilation. All proceeds from the album sales go towards the recovery of Glori Alexander, the sister of vocalist/guitarist Pierce, following her successful kidney transplant. Listen to the song and get further info here. Catch up our review of the band’s Album of the Week honored debut here and watch the video for “Gender Unknown” below. Photo by[...]

The Young Couples Release Debut Single

September 21, 2015

Rochester is always bringing us tasty tunes these days. From the neighboring land of indie gems comes the Young Couples, a hodge-podge super group of sorts led by former SPORTS front man Ian Proper which features contributions from members of Howlo, Pleistocene, Passive Aggressives Anonymous, and Amateur Radio Club. The debut single “Carnivores” from the band’s upcoming debut EP is an upbeat fusion of styles. It’s a little Vampire Weekend-ish with a unique 80’s inspired twist of their own. The super singable chorus and crunchy guitar solo makes it the perfect cruise-around-in-the-T-Bird-I-don’t-have type of song. Definitely expecting awesome things to come from TYC. Listen to the single below and keep your eyes and ears peeled for their upcoming release near the end of 2015.