Latest Posts

Orcales – Divination

July 30, 2014

There is something so satisfying about exploring the darker side of things. From Houston, Texas, Leroy Bella – monikered SINES – has released the Divination compilation, under the Oracles label. The compilation features a variety of artists that bring a heavier and hauntingly intriguing vibe. This album is not the type where I am going to break down each track one by one. The tracks, unique in their own way, makes the compilation just that: a product of previously separate items coming together to create something bigger. This one specifically inspires visions of dark alleyways strewn with faint, hazy light. One you would want to dance down. “As the influx of cross mutations of club music became more and more evident to catch the ears of party goers. I wanted to bring my take with a spin on it and see how it would do showcasing a label with predominately[...]

Tonight: Louis Prima Jr. and the Witnesses

July 12, 2014

To carry a legacy on decade after decade is quite a feat. Louis Prima was a pivital musician during the New Orleans jazz era. He became notable for classic Italian tunes to his starring vocal role as King Louie in the Disney film The Jungle Book. With Vegas experiences and collaborations with Frank Sinatra’s Rat Pack, Prima became known for his “Wildest!” signature. If you think you don’t know Prima, think again, especially if you’ve wandered Hertel Avenue for Buffalo’s Italian Festival. And if that doesn’t strike your memory, take a listen to his famous song from The Jungle Book. His son, Louis Prima Jr., is continuing the legacy but rather than recreating the past and following a set path led by his father, he is amping it up with a modern vibe. The band’s album Blow scored a #25 rank on CMJ‘s Jazz charts. Along with his eight-piece band,[...]

Today and Tonight: Red, White & Igloo – Queen City Cartel Boombox 003

July 4, 2014

America. Political stances aside, the Fourth of July is the one day a year where mostly everyone will bust out their patriotic attire, fire up the grills and shoot off those fireworks they scored from Pennsylvania (or trek downtown to watch regulated ones). For a while, my family and I had the same tradition each year. We would camp at Southwick Beach, which was just outside of Syracuse. I have the fondest memories as a child of chasing fireflies, spending time with my grandparents, the smell of the campfire and the exciting but almost terrifying feeling of holding a sparkler and running wild. My “Uncle Kenny” (we weren’t blood related) would gather the family, head to the beach and we would walk a decently far way down, where the campsites ended and there was hardly anyone in sight. My entire family and I, under the starlight ,with the sound of the[...]

Grimes – “Go”

June 26, 2014

I would be lying if I said I didn’t get chills while listening to the latest Grimes release for the first time. “Go,” released today, has that ethereal sound and angelic vocals that the Canadian musician is iconic for. The production work for the track, however, hits much harder and heavier than her usual dreamspace sound. The lyrics are powerful, the build-ups are perfect, all with an overall XXX feeling. The track features Blood Diamonds, a DJ and producer from Los Angeles, who has collaborated with Grimes in the past. A perfect match with a clear ability to diversify, a year later and their collaboration for “Phone Sex” is a tune I found myself never losing interest in. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/156075705″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Only Comrades

June 19, 2014

Only Comrades have become known as the crew adorned in base tones, with classically gothic-inspired design and a vibe that sings dark and sweet and tempestuously divine. Since the clique’s European travels, the Comrades’ artistic work reflects that much more poetic prowess. For their Herd Fest showcase, the street wear crew will present Tanner Caldwell, hailing from Philadelphia. As a DJ and producer, he travels nearly consistently and has releases under names such as Top Billin, Gold Whistle, creator of DICKSQUAD, and more. His sound is expansive and unique, whether you’re looking to bounce to some jersey club, or get melodically lifted with songs like his remix of Télépopmusik. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/119188090″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /] Sharing in the camaraderie are Buffalo’s SwaggleRock, comprised by Buzz Trillington and Shooter McNappin. These two and Caldwell have shared the stage before and will again during Comrades’ showcase at Hardware. SwaggleRock just recently[...]

Tonight: The Bloody Beetroots

June 5, 2014

When I think of The Bloody Beetroots, I hear “1, 2, WOOP, WOOP,” a humming scratching, a ticking clock and the guttural screams of “Warp.” [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/18855122″ params=”color=00aabb&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=true&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /] From Italy, Sir Bob Cornelius Rifo is known for his punk influence on the electronic world. He adorns a mask during performance and is known to many as The Bloody Beetroots. Whether it be a DJ set or a live performance, it is more than just dance music. The art of the Beetroots spans time and history, and incorporates cultural influences that set the sound apart from the rest. Last year, The Bloody Beetroots did a collaboration with Paul McCartney. The music video for that song, “Out of Sight,” truly captures the poetic essence of who Rifo is. “Electronic dance music is the bridge that spans my musical influences. My intention was to use the energy of punk[...]

Tonight: Pearson Sound

May 17, 2014

Part two of Club Phenomenology will stir up Buffalo tonight. It’s subtitle? “The Grid.” Put on by Sean Feiner and Nick States of Infinite Zone Productions, in addition to their other crew Cool Dad Records, which additionally comprises Kyle Tatum and Brian Doyle of Eyes Everywhere and Alex Morrison, the tight-knit group is out to bring an aspect of music that is not new to the dance scene. Rather, they’re out to enhance it further, and explore the opportunities. Headliner Pearson Sound, a UK producer and DJ, will take the stage at Buffalo Iron Works. Originally, this event was planned to be at The Wastelands (located at 700 Main St.) but due to unfortunate – and uncertain – circumstances, that venue closed. Execution of the event was shaky, but only momentarily. In the same day that it was “cancelled,” it was announced to be back on and taking place at Iron Works,[...]

Tonight: Shlohmo

May 4, 2014

A blend of heaven and hell, Shlohmo has a way of lifting the black lace veil. Vocals drowning in slowing syrup and echoing sounds, reminiscent of the acoustical ambiance of a cathedral’s vaulted ceilings. He relaxes the hyphy. Un-monikered, he goes by Henry Laufer. He is only in his early 20s and under his WEDIDIT collective, has been signed to labels (Friends of Friends, Error Broadcast) and with his  Jeremih remix, became a crate staple for DJs from all over. Initially a collegiate student of fine art, he dropped out, began producing on a serious level and eventually turned out his EP, Bad Vibes. His Myspace account got him signed to the Los Angeles-based label Friends of Friends, where he is among the likes of Daedelus, LOL Boys, Groundislava, Jerome LOL, and Salva. Shlohmo incorporates unconventional experimental sounds to his lo-fi melodically straight forward produced tracks, which makes them a bit more[...]

Tonight: Ani DiFranco

May 2, 2014

Ani DiFranco has built up quite the history in my heart, and I’m sure many others. One of my first CDs was a mix made by my cousin. Although I have this underlying feeling that listening to Ani’s music at the youthful age of 11 years old may have prematurely added to both my romantic vulnerability and jadedness, she played a significant part in the development of my poetic state of mind, my endless search for meaning and truth and the drive to become who I want to be. Perhaps many people can agree with that statement, or maybe they have reasons otherwise. Regardless, Ani DiFranco lovers from the Queen City share her Buffalonian heritage. Seeing a concert of hers in Buffalo, particularly Babeville – a 19th century Gothic-revival church she saved, rehabed, and turned into a venue hall – is a special moment, in and of itself. The “little[...]

Tonight: Claude VonStroke

April 24, 2014

In 2005, Barclay Crenshaw took on the moniker Claude VonStroke and helped create what is now known today as the “dirtybird.” Dirtybird is a record label, a player among a crew of like-minded folks, a sound that is in and of it’s own. Dirtybird, I daresay, is a way of life, at least in regard to music. The sound vibe is bass influenced house. Signature sounds of dirtybird music include pitched down vocal samples, low-toned “uhs” and staccato beats. A dirtybird song may be easily spotted as a piece of the genre, but is undeniably in a league of its own. VonStroke, along with fellow DJs Justin and Christian Martin and Justin’s roommate Worthy, gathered together with a sound system and began playing shows at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Dirtybird players are a group of friends. At a dirtybird show, you feel like you are their friend too.[...]

Still Diggin’: Discover, Explore, Dance On It

April 18, 2014

Since my last Record Store Day post, my collection has taken on a life of its own. I have sought out vinyl from my wishlist, in addition to some records that have seemed to just come into my life. Initially, digging for records was a solo mission of mine; occasionally my little brother and I would go on an excursion to Sound Garden in Syracuse, my hometown. But just recently I experienced that camaraderie that can grow from a visit to the record store. A couple friends invited me to go to Record Theatre. Surprisingly, this was my first time there. I am shocked (and others as well) that it was my first, mostly because it’s located smack dab in my old neighborhood, when I went to Canisius College. I went seeking the newest Tycho album, but, to my dismay it was on backorder. So we wandered. Another group joined[...]