Latest Posts

EKL’s Wza Releases New Video For “I Need That”

March 27, 2015

Do you know what you need? Wza of Buffalo’s Equality, Knowledge and Light (and Radarada) crew sure knows his short list. It includes money, weed, food, music, and basketball, but a pretty cool chick is working her way into the picture, as described on his latest single, “I Need That.” Wza tells us all about her in an animated video that features the clipped-together rapper walking about as the scenery behind him is changed up. The editing gives the rapper something like the head of a GoldenEye character and the torso of Milwaukee Bucks’ player Giannis Antetokounmpo. Wza is occasionally joined in the video by producer CUFK,  who crafted a perfectly playful beat for the rapper. “I Need That” comes off of EKL’s mixtape EKLephantz Vol. 2, and will appear on Wza’s upcoming solo EP DUCKPUPPY, later this year. Check out the video below.

Transfer in Jamaica Releases Speculative Dance Party Vol. 2

March 10, 2015

Known for eclectic, scatter-brained mixes and mashups, Buffalo artist, Transfer in Jamaica, brings together disparate tracks, shifting tempos and vocal pitches as well as placing club music side by side with more introspective genres like post-rock and ambient. The latest release from the artist, titled Speculative Dance Party Vol. 2: Too Drunk, continues this trend as an afro-beat intro leads to a track from Bow Wow and Ciara, creating an interesting juxtaposition to say the least, along with the sample of American composer Philip Glass which lays atop Flo Rida and T.Pain’s “Low.” The mix is separated into six parts each containing r&b and hip hop hits as well as more underground electronic productions from Caribou, Nicolas Jaar, Pantha Du Prince, and Burial. Transfer in Jamaica opens up a world of warped pop culture as a glitched-out track from pop singer Britney Spears begins one of the mix’s, blending hazily into[...]

Chauncey Tails Releases New Beat Collection

February 25, 2015

Gowanda producer Chauncey Tails has become known for his typically brief tracks that feature pitch-shifted vocals and hip hop samples alongside whimsical, lush sounds that create a smooth feel that often ranges from melancholy and introspective to soulful, club-inspired beats. The artist’s latest release, Collection IV, compiles nine tracks made over the last year and provides a comprehensive look at the sound he’s been able to cultivate in that time, with engaging vocal chops, recognizable samples, and visceral percussion and bass. Leading off with, “Only You,” a bouncing, bass-heavy cut, the collection opens with high-energy, ethereal beats before leading into the more melancholy progression on the aptly titled “I Feel Like Nothing But You Are Everything.” “Squirt” features uplifting piano stabs and various warm sounds reminiscent of Canadian producer Ryan Hemsworth’s tracks.Perhaps the most impressive drums and bass sounds are found on “Young Drop Top Lexus” that places a fiery hip hop[...]

Rick James – “Below The Fun (Pass The J)”

February 25, 2015

Not to belabor the point, but yes it has been cold in Buffalo this year, for weeks on end with little or no let up for the last month (months?) or so. And yes, it’s been grating on people, gradually rending our social fabric in direct proportion to the narrowing of our snowbank lined streets. But people are persevering and dealing with the most Buffalo winter we’ve had in a while like we do, and frankly, you deserve a break to kick back, warm up, and get funky, and thanks to our patron saint, Rick James, here is the perfect anthem for Buffalo winters: “Below The Fun (Pass The J).” This deep cut from Rick’s 1981 album, Street Songs, isn’t strictly speaking a love letter to his hometown; in fact, it’s an unvarnished vision of life on the East Side that’s still applicable 34 years after it’s release. But it also offers[...]

Tonight: Tribute to the Legendary Lance Diamond

January 9, 2015

My beginnings of seeing live music (and drinking while seeing said live music) will forever be intrinsically linked to the music and performances of Lance Diamond, and I doubt I am alone in this sentiment. While it was easy for me to get behind his James Brown-style groove mastery, almost all Buffalonians had a reason to see a Lance Diamond show, regardless of musical preference. The soul genre has always reached a higher level of expression from Lance, and his energy was infectious. His interactions with the crowd, especially one full of ladies, was always pure entertainment, and made the Elmwood Lounge (now Milkie’s) a spot of local heritage and funk for all our city to enjoy. And I haven’t even mentioned the costume changes! It would be admirable enough to wear sequined attire night after night, year after year, through all our Buffalo winters, but to also costume change,[...]

Tonight: The Tins

December 18, 2014

With the advent of 107.7’s Kerfuffle event becoming the start of a Buffalo tradition, so too is the local after-party that surrounds the event. These after-parties have been marked by bands much in-tune with indie/alt-pop sound of the Kerfuffle events themselves and often by artists who easily could be slated for the event itself. This season that after-party takes place at Buffalo Iron Works with local act, The Tins, headlining. The band has increasingly making a name for themselves with their brand of indie rock, gaining attention from major UK trendsetter, NME, and popular indie blog, PopMatters. The band have a tight-layered pop sound reminiscent of bands like The Shins and Peter, Bjorn, and John. The local act’s arrives on the strength of their highly-impressive new Young Blame EP, a hint of things to come from a Buffalo-based band well and truly on the rise. Doors at Iron Works open[...]

Top 20 Buffalo Tracks: 10 – 1

December 18, 2014

We know we say this every year but Buffalo had an amazing year. We haven’t been around long enough to know whether or not these things are cyclical, or if we are just hyper aware of the local scene, but since we’ve been established in 2010, 2014 was the most impressive year for the local scene. In 2013, things were looking grim, but the local music, like the city of Buffalo, knows a little something about overcoming adversity. This year saw the (re)opening of Mohawk Place, the debut of the Studio at Waiting Room Studio, and finally gave the nomadic Sugar City a place to call their own after being baseless for close to two years. Over the last couple of days, we have been highlighting our favorite 25 songs from 2014. We had 66 different songs that went into consideration for our writers favorite tracks, not to mention the hundreds and[...]

Tonight: Bro Safari

December 16, 2014

Texas based producer Nick Weiller, better known as Bro Safari, has been producing trap, dubstep, and moombahton tracks since 2008 and has since become a mainstay in the American EDM scene with appearances on Mad Decent’s Jeffree’s imprint and BBC Radio 1’s Diplo and Friends mix show. With a versatile approach to production, Weiller is able to create sinister, stark sounding tracks with an underlying melodic sensibility that makes for a maximalist, relentless listening experience. Tonight, the DJ/producer with perform at Buffalo’s Town Ballroom along with Miami turntablist and DMC world champion DJ Craze. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here. Doors open at 8pm. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/73982474″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Top 20 Buffalo Tracks: 20 – 11

December 16, 2014

We know we say this every year but Buffalo had an amazing year. We haven’t been around long enough to know whether or not these things are cyclical, or if we are just hyper aware of the local scene, but since we’ve been established in 2010, 2014 was the most impressive year for the local scene. In 2013, things were looking grim, but the local music, like the city of Buffalo, knows a little something about overcoming adversity. This year saw the (re)opening of Mohawk Place, the debut of the Studio at Waiting Room Studio, and finally gave the nomadic Sugar City a place to call their own after being baseless for close to two years. Over the next couple of days, we’ll be highlighting our favorite 25 songs from 2014. We had 66 different songs that went into consideration for our writers favorite tracks, not to mention the hundreds and hundreds[...]

Top 20 Buffalo Tracks: Five Close Calls

December 15, 2014

We know we say this every year but Buffalo had an amazing year. We haven’t been around long enough to know whether or not these things are cyclical, or if we are just hyper aware of the local scene, but since we’ve been established in 2010, 2014 was the most impressive year for the local scene. In 2013, things were looking grim, but the local music, like the city of Buffalo, knows a little something about overcoming adversity. This year saw the (re)opening of Mohawk Place, the debut of the Studio at Waiting Room Studio, and finally gave the nomadic Sugar City a place to call their own after being baseless for close to two years. In the next couple of days, we’ll be highlighting our favorite 25 songs from 2014. We had 66 different songs that went into consideration for our writers favorite tracks, not to mention the hundreds and hundreds[...]

Tonight: Stars

November 23, 2014

Over the better part of the last decade, Montreal has hosted something of an indie rock renaissance. While a lot of great bands have come from this city, from Arcade Fire to Tegan and Sara to Wolf Parade, there’s been one scene at the heart of Canada’s musical revival and that’s the Arts & Crafts scene. The label was co-created by Broken Social Scene co-founder Kevin Drew and quickly hosted a bevy of talented Canadian artists who would work together in Broken Social Scene while creating exciting works in their own bands. At the core of this scene was Stars, a band who often traded members with Broken Social Scene while producing memorable albums like Heart, In Our Bedroom After the War, and their 2004, masterpiece, Set Yourself on Fire. The band has been consistently turning out charming albums of their brand of theatrical hyper-literate pop ever since. Tonight, the Montreal 5-piece return to[...]

Tonight: Sloan

November 9, 2014

Sloan are no strangers to Buffalo. Returning for their fourth show in the past five years, the Canadian power-pop legends make their way back to The Tralf again tonight in support of their latest album, Commonwealth. The four-piece is famous for their shared songwriting credits and the latest double-album perhaps offers the clearest distillation of Sloan’s sound with all four band members offering a collection of songs. One can expect  plenty of new rockers from the storied Canadian band as well as classics from seminal albums like Twice Removed and Pretty Together. With recent (and upcoming( appearances from other Canadian Indie Rockers like Tokyo Police Club and Stars, Sloan’s appearance tonight is yet another chapter in the great Canadian/Buffalo musical tradition and one not to be missed. Doors at the Tralf open at 7:00 PM tonight and tickets are $24 at the door.

Tonight: RL Grime

November 8, 2014

Well, the show sold out a few days prior to tonight and people were in a frenzy trying to find tickets. Waiting Room will be packed to the legal capacity brim for three heavy-hitting DJs. RL Grime is headlining the evening. With the WEDIDIT Collective, he kick started his career in the electronic realm. Further releases gained him recognition from Fool’s Gold, Ministry of Sound, Boiler Room and more. On tour for Void, his most recent album release, his track “Core” had people losing their minds after the first listen.   [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/158827653″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]   Also playing will be Branchez and Tommy Kruise. Hailing from New York City, Branchez has become acclaimed for his productions and supported by names like Diplo and Skrillex as well as  touring with Zeds Dead, Paper Diamond and Giraffage. Tommy Kruise has been rising as a big talent within the pool of Quebecois[...]

Tonight: J.Phlip and Monty Luke

November 7, 2014

Dirtybird is not just a record label. The people that comprise dirtybird are your friends. Whether it is one of the dirtybird players performing solo, or all of them at their touring dirtybird BBQ, there is no doubt that you will have an experience. J.Phlip, the dirtybird duchess, returns to Buffalo again tonight. When not monikered she is known as Jessica Phillippe. Given her Chicago house influences from growing up in Champaign, Ill., the sounds of her sets and productions have a depth, complexity and smoothness to them, you might as well be drinking a well-aged scotch. J.Phlip has the ability to draw you in with sound and take you to another place. Don’t believe it? Just take a listen to her set closing down the Beatport stage at DEMF last year. Also on tour with her is Monty Luke. From Brooklyn, he made his way to the West Coast[...]

Garrett Klahn Returns Home with New Solo Project

November 4, 2014

Garrett Klahn hasn’t lived in Buffalo in nearly 20 years. “I just moved back at the end of the summer.” Klahn says. “My mother is here, so for the past 20 years I’d come home for at least two holidays every year, and for weddings, babies all that normal shit. So I was here a lot.” Klahn is best known for his involvement in a little band from New York City, Texas is the Reason, as well as a multitude of other projects. Klahn is now back in his native city of Buffalo calling the Elmwood Village and Allentown neighborhoods home, which do not resemble the humble districts they once were in his younger days. “The changes are black and white really.” He says of the now bustling Elmwood Village neighborhood. “I left in ’93, and then you didn’t really venture much past Lafayette.” So what brings Klahn back to[...]