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Bulgarian Cartrader – “Toothpicks”

September 20, 2025

Do you think any Bulgarian Cartraders know about Bulgarian Cartrader, the genre-mashing moniker of one Daniel Stoyanov? We’re not sure either, but one thing IS for sure – “Toothpicks” is an end-of-summer banger that’s worth your ears. While we’re all draining the last of our PTO, Stoyanov sings about the desperate need to do anything except go back to work. Play hooky? Take road trip, perhaps in a car that has been traded in Bulgaria? Sign us up too… At least we know what we’ll be jamming to.   “Toothpicks” can be found via the forbidden YouTube embed below, or, on Spotify.  

feeling it fearing it – “i hate he left you”

May 29, 2025

Arkansas based feeling it fearing it brings us their latest “i hate he left you,” an impeccable mix of shoegaze and sadcore that will reel you in and break your heart… but we love it for that. The brains behind the act, Rupert Lange, also produced the track (making him the second triple threat this week, so far).   Lange uses some nifty effects to make his voice sound like it’s under water (and therefore more heartfelt, weird how that works) along with that phuzzy shoegaze phuzz we know and love.   You can hear it below from Soundcloud or over on Spotify and Apple Music. If you like what you hear, be sure to keep your ears open for the band’s forthcoming six track release. He has a couple other tracks out that are well worth the listen, especially “when times were simpler.”   feeling it fearing it ·[...]

Alannah Moar – “Sandpaper”

May 29, 2025

Triple threat (singer, songwriter, producer) Alannah Moar brings us her latest single “Sandpaper.” This is a nice slow burn of a pop rock track that takes you on a *journey*. Some tempo changes while maintaining the chill vibe of synth/bass/drums while still being introspective AND crafting a pop song is no small feat. Speaking to the track, Moar had this to say:   “The narrative is about realising you’re the problem in a relationship, which sounds depressing, but I think it’s actually quite optimistic—because it’s acknowledging that you have to do better, and that’s hopeful.”   You can hear the track below from YouTube or over on Spotify. If you’re left wanting for moar (sorry), she has a smattering of singles to sate your appetite on the aforementioned platforms. Hopefully we won’t have to wait too long for some….moar (sorry again).    

PUSH – “wexler”

April 19, 2025

Do you miss Pinback? I know I do (even if they aren’t actually broken up) – and PUSH is scratching that “Penelope” itch with their latest single, “wexler.” The band purposely keeps things raw and intimate with an acoustic guitar backbone and breathy vocals, bolstered by gentle drumming and ghostly sighs of synth. This song is about “solitude, connection, and the weight of memory,” which are the essential ingredients of any existential crisis. If you’re like us and are constantly wavering on the edge of an existential breakdown, turn on “wexler” the next time you’re staring blankly at your ceiling and simply vibe it out. It worked for me!   Find “wexler” on YouTube below (with a helpful lyric visualizer) or on your favorite streaming service – Spotify or Apple Music.  

The Heligoats – Goodness Gracious

March 30, 2025

The Heligoats are commemorating the 15th anniversary of their album Goodness Gracious, and we’re here to let you know it’s worth celebrating. The work of a lone man and (mostly) his acoustic guitar, The Heligoats is the stage name of Chris Otepka – a vehicle that he uses to convey his jangly brand of indie/alternative/folk. Falling somewhere on the spectrum between Neutral Milk Hotel, Wilco, and Conor Oberst, Goodness Gracious is perfect for fans of aughts-era songwriting, singer/songwriter flavors, and powerful lyrics and story telling. Also, is it just me, or does 15 years ago feel like it should be 1995 and not 2010?   Like many musicians, Otepka’s criminally-underrated past bubbles beneath the heartfelt power of the songs found on Goodness Gracious. While the album literally kicks off with cricket noises, “A Guide to the Outdoors” is anything but a snoozefest. Otepka’s endearing vocal delivery channels Jeff Mangum with hints of[...]

buffaBLOG Sessions: Skulking Ghost

February 26, 2025

We are so excited to unveil our latest iteration of buffaBLOG sessions to the public. Previously, the blog had done different live sessions series, ranging from simple cell phone videos, to live-to-tape recordings, to DIY pop-ups with a temporary set-up. This batch of sessions will be the first time we’ve partnered with a studio, Mammoth Recording Studio, based out of the First Ward. The videographer from the series is the very talented Devin Chavanne, whose work spans across Buffalo and beyond. Likely, if you pay attention to anything coming out of Buffalo’s start-up industry, you’ve seen his handiwork.   This past fall, we gathered 22 people to execute the session which went off seemingly flawlessly and it excites us to continue the project and continue to showcase up-and-coming musicians from Western New York that need to be on your radar.   Our fourth and final session features prog rock stoner metal[...]

Avery Friedman – “Flowers Fell”

January 29, 2025

Brooklyn indie artist Avery Friedman debuted her first single “Flowers Fell” yesterday and it’s been on repeat all morning in the buffaBLOG HQ. Although Friedman’s sound is well developed and deep, she only started playing live shows in July 2024. In a chance show-share encounter, Friedman gained the attention of Sister.’s James Chrisman, who eventually went on to record and produce the singer/songwriter’s debut album, New Thing.    “Flowers Fell” is the lead single off of the album, and is about the changing of the seasons and growing through art. In esssence, the song is inspired by the falling of the leaves, which in turn feed the ground, which make stronger environments. This is a metaphor for growing as an artist with experiences, heartache, and failure. These all make a person stronger in the end. Check out the single below and keep your eyes peeled for New Thing, out on[...]

Chrome Waves + A-F-R-O + Jeristotle – “My Mind is My Biggest Gun”

January 24, 2025

UK beatmaker Chrome Waves recruits rising artists A-F-R-O and Jeristotle on his latest boom bap single “My Mind is My Biggest Gun.” Chrome takes us back to his 90s roots on this track – spotlighting some tasteful DJ scratches and a simple, menacing sample flip for the rappers to take aim at. A-F-R-O sounds like GZA or a DOOM collaborator when he gets the mic, realizing the song title with internal rhyme schemes and vivid imagery. Jeristotle takes a visionary approach to the second verse, channeling lucid dreams, thought leadership, and other philosophical musings. Chops, scratches and other beat seasonings transition the song from verse to verse, giving listeners a hypnotizing head-nod along the way. Add this one to your playlists focused on masterful boom bap and lyricism. Check out more from Chrome Waves, A-F-R-O and Jeristotle on Spotify – you can find them and more on our Underground Hip[...]

Walkman – “Joint”

January 17, 2025

Pittsburgh’s Walkman got a voice for boombap, an ear for beats and a set of lungs ready to burn at all times. His latest effort “Joint” is an ode to smoking good and serves insightful peek into the day-to-day of this up and comer. “Joint’s” boombap give it a nostalgic edge that places you in the 90s as Walkman waxes weed-flavored poetic. A pitched down hook repeats “my eyes’ low for as long as I remember,” in between verses where Walkman laments on criticisms from outsiders (“call me unexceptional for smoking a joint,”) while also boasting refreshing self-awareness  (“I’m immature and a tall tale teller.”) Listen to more from Walkman on Spotify ahead of his upcoming summer album release – you can catch him and other freshly minted artists on our Underground Hip Hop playlist.

Deleo – “Suppose”

January 12, 2025

Get ready for Deleo to warp your mind with the wavery indie-pop of their latest offering, “Suppose.” Tape aged mellotron is the star of the show here, pairing otherworldly string sounds with thumping bass, clashy drums, and heartbroken male/female vocal harmonies. Fans of Arcade Fire will find lots to sink their teeth into here – this could fit comfortably amid any track on Neon Bible, even though at a fleeting 1:51, it’s over before you know it.   “Suppose” is available on all the familar streaming services – or, follow the YouTube link below to check out their  

Tag Dag – “Suburban Summer”

December 5, 2024

“Suburban Summer” is the latest single from Melbourne based Tag Dag. From what I can tell, this is a solo act as the writing credits are for a Andrew Peter Longmore Chalmers. With that many names, you’ve gotta friggin’ rock, right? With all seriousness, absolutely.   Filled to the brim with layered lo-fi phuzzed out guitar, this was, for me, an instant ear worm… Ever have that song that just gets stuck in your head constantly? For me that is “Feel the Pain” Dinosaur Jr. I’m by no means a superfan but casually enjoy them. The comparison to “Suburban Summer” is an easy one, but totally on the nose. They also tie in hints of 80s post-punk (think Joy Division) with splashes of 2000’s era goodness like Cloud Nothings or JAPANDROIDS.   You can hear “Suburban Summer” below on YouTube or add it to your Aussie mix over on Spotify.[...]

dayaway x draigh – “Lost on You”

October 22, 2024

Amber Renee of dayaway and bandmate Graham Marsh (under the guise of their side project draigh) bring us their latest with collab track, “Lost on You.” You’ll be lulled into a delightful indie daze for days with strumming guitars that have a mournful indie folk tinge playing along with Renee’s impossibly gorgeous vocals. Speaking to the track (and explaining how I detected the “mournful” bit) Renee had this to say: “Lost on You’ is really quite a sad song. It’s about the realization that you love someone who isn’t in a place to receive it. Your love is real, but it’s wasted on someone who can’t hold its weight.” You can watch the music video for “Lost on You” below via YouTube or add it to your melancholy playlist over on Soundcloud or Spotify. You can hear it on the new EP, A Dream Away out December 12 (Turn to Wind[...]

Rachel Angel – “Bottom Seas”

September 16, 2024

A Miami native but very much a wandering soul, Rachel Angel brings us her latest track “Bottom Seas;” a rollickin’ alt folk tinged adventure. Dueling electric and acoustic guitars battle throughout, and everyone wins – especially our ears. Reminiscent of Waxahatchee or even Neutral Milk Hotel at their… milkiest? Most neutral.. est? You know what I mean. The track itself deals with feelings of loss, loneliness and a so-called “inexplicable dream.”  I’m terrible at parsing out lyrics without them right in front of me so I missed the dream sequence, but I’m sure it’s there. Angel is clearly a master of her craft, building up to such a wonderful crescendo and goes in a direction you may (or may not) guess (I won’t spoil). You can hear “Bottom Seas” below on YouTube, Bandcamp, Apple Music, or Spotify and figure out what part of the song I’m vaguebooking about.  

VANDALISBIN – “Bottle of Wisdom”

July 4, 2024

“Bottle of Wisdom” is the latest from German based musician VANDALISBIN, real name Helena Niederstraßer. I couldn’t find find much, but she initially started as a street artist and has since gone on to do a lot after post-secondary school -including theater and music director. “Bottle of Wisdom” showcases Niederstraßer’s vocal range; with some impressive screamo-esque yelling (no small feat). It’s not quite emo, I suppose it’s post-emo or the amorphous “indie rock” tag? Either way, t’s a very mature and well put together piece for someone in their 20’s (I know current bands that would kill to have these chops). You can hear “Bottle of Wisdom” below from YouTube over on Spotify and Soundcloud.

Flamy Grant – “S.P.R.K.L.”

June 6, 2024

Just in time for pride month, songwriter and acclaimed drag queen Flamy Grant hits us with the divine pop-funk of “S.P.R.K.L.” Full of uplifting messages and anchored by a fun funky vibe reminiscent of Bruno Mars or The Bee Gees, “S.P.R.K.L.” urges us to be our true selves and rub it proudly in the faces of all of our haters. The lyrics here perfectly embody the ebullient vibes that Flamy so perfectly encapsulates – their powerhouse vocals carry this song, which is saying something, as there is also a true in-the-pocket groove to be found here. Check out “S.P.R.K.L.” via Soundcloud below or add it to your favorite feel-good Spotify playlist. Flamy Grant · S.P.R.K.L. feat. Ricky Braddy