Latest Posts

Stephen Babcock – “Dumb Luck”

July 14, 2025

The Bab-man (aka Buffalo-based singer/songwriter Stephen Babcock) leans into song-of-the-summer vibes on his latest offering, “Dumb Luck.” Armed with his usual tools of the trade – an acoustic guitar, shuffling drums, and his soulful drawl, “Dumb Luck” touches on not ever knowing if things are getting better or staying exactly the same. It’s a shared Buffalonian experience – to wonder if our “small town” vibes are holding us back or propelling us forward faster than we can handle, so fellow WNYers should find solace in knowing that you’re not the only one wondering WTF is going on with your life. “Dumb Luck” is one of those songs that tackles something potentially heavy without ever losing that upbeat, feel-good feel, and for that reason, we think Babcock’s oeuvre is worth your time.   “Dumb Luck” is available on all your favorite streaming services. Preview it via YouTube (below), and then take[...]

Jacob King – Merry Locker

July 3, 2025

A fixture in Buffalo’s music scene for several years, folk artist Jacob King has been a restless creative, lending his talents to projects like T.T.T.T. and Hal & Pals while pouring his own steady stream of singles, EPs, ‘zines, and poetry. With his debut solo LP, Merry Locker, it feels like we’re finally getting the clearest transmission from his particular wavelength. The album, released June 27th on his own The New Disposable label, is pure psych-folk, and its sound is as raw and atmospheric as the foggy Lake Erie harbor pictured on its cover. It’s a direct invitation into King’s cryptic, hazy world, and it’s our album of the week.   What struck me first about Merry Locker is the texture. The entire album feels warm and lived-in, humming with the fuzzy crackle of an old vinyl record. The production is lo-fi at times, but never lazy. Most tracks are built around[...]

Root Cellar – Fermentations

June 26, 2025

For Buffalo’s Root Cellar, the act of creation is a patient one. The chamber quintet’s debut album, Fermentations, arrives via Erie’s Infrasonic Press with a backstory as interesting as its sound. The six expansive tracks were captured live in two distinct sessions at Revolution Gallery, separated by over a year. This lengthy process, engineered and mixed by Shaun Mullins, has produced a remarkably cohesive, hour-long album that breathes with the energy of its live origins yet feels brilliantly intentional in its construction. It’s a fitting title, as the album documents a sound that has been allowed to bubble, evolve, and mature, settling into something complex and potent. Fermentations is our album of the week.   The band’s “post-jazz” description is a starting point, but it hardly covers the ground they explore. The group, formed in 2017, operates at a compelling intersection of influences. There’s the structural sensibility of post-rock outfits like Tortoise,[...]

Science Man – Monarch Joy

June 12, 2025

Stage dive for cover because Buffalo’s diabolical Science Man returns with his latest hardcore punk abomination, Monarch Joy.   After a 5-year banishment touring the Rust Belt countryside, local scenester heavyweight John Toohill’s project has evolved from the lone multi-hyphenate and a drum machine to a full-blown and fully-realized ensemble. Recorded and mixed by Toohill and John Angelo, and mastered by the latter, the LP marks Science Man’s latest experiment as his most cohesive and focused work to date.   Monarch Joy is sutured together with chunks of hardcore punk, garage and noise rock and injected with expressionistic themes of moral decay, sacrifice and religion’s influence on society. Toohill breathes life into his bastard creation with barking vocals that rage with the ferocity of a feral, caged animal.   The record opens with the unsettling instrumental track, “S.C.I.M.N.” Featuring a grotesque cacophony of screeching horns, droning guitars and tumbling drums,[...]

Stephen Babcock – “Drunk”

May 28, 2025

Have you ever had a few too many Labatt Blues and not-so-accidentally told your friend off? Yeah, us too, and so has Stephen Babcock & co. It comes with being Buffalo-born.   “Drunk” is his latest offering, a natural continuation of his acoustic-driven indie folk that’s been building up buzz around town this spring. Gentle piano plinks in the background while a tasteful drumbeat taps out a perfectly-driven rhythm. Overtop it all is Babcock’s warm and inviting vocals – even if they are singing about being berated by a drunk bud. The chorus of “Why do you have to get drunk to say what’s wrong? Why can’t you just shoot straight for once?” hits like a Jägerbomb after a day at the Bills game – always remember folks, the truth will set you free.   Check out “Drunk” via the YouTube embed below, or, add it to your Spotify playlist.[...]

The Ant Hill Kids – All Together Now!

May 22, 2025

Buffalo lofi-folk act The Ant Hill Kids have surfaced again with their second full-length album, All Together Now!, which officially saw the light of day back in March. This collection finds the group digging deeper into their unique “cult-folk” niche, a space where the unstructured spirit of freak folk meets the unhurried, reflective nature of slowcore. From the get-go, the album wraps you in a warm, fuzzy blanket of lo-fi production. It has that unmistakable, intimate feel of a passion project born in a bedroom or basement, where the raw edges are part of the charm. All Together Now! is our album of the week.   All Together Now! takes a noticeably moodier path than the band’s 2024 self-titled debut. The Ant Hill Kids embrace this darker vibe, building their songs around an instrumental core that feels both earthy and subtly inventive. Acoustic guitars pull double duty as the primary instrumentation and[...]

Fear Of Sleep – “Quirks”

May 19, 2025

Fear Of Sleep combine the flashiness of math rock with a penchant for punk rock energy on their first two singles – “Quirks” and “Crimes.” Fans of previous Buffalo-born stalwarts Feverbox may recognize a few members, and while those super-tight and familiar aspects return with Fear Of Sleep, the group is forging new ground with blistering fretwork, super-sweet melodies, and a fun guitar-driven energy. “Quirks,” with it’s sub-two-minute run time, is packed with nimble riffs, packaged up neatly in a pop rock package, complete with big choruses and overall anthemic vibes. “Crimes” leans more into their punk rock energies, leaning more into riff-rock territory, without sacrificing any of the tasty riffs that make “Quirks” so fun.   Check out “Quirks” via the YouTube embed below – you can find both available songs on Spotify if that’s more your speed.  

Hal & Pals – “Not the Champ (I’m Alright, Ma)”

May 5, 2025

Former WNYer Halle Ruth Cook’s folk outfit Hal & Pals blends eras on the new single “Not the Champ (I’m Alright, Ma).” The track marries 60s Greenwich Village folk instrumentation–fingerpicked guitar and harmonica–with Cook’s distinctively light and quirky vocal delivery, which adds a contemporary charm to the mix. In just over two minutes, the song paints a picture of strained family ties with evocative, personal lyrics. Fans of legends like Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell with feel at home here, but it won’t be lost on fans of contemporary folk artists like Sierra Farrell or The Tallest Man On Earth, either. A refreshing folk sound with local roots, “Not the Champ” is a compelling listen. Check it out below.  

Devantier Rain – “Melatonin”

May 2, 2025

German-Cameroonian artist Devantier Rain is back with another standout track, building off of the momentum of March’s “PHANTOM OF THE DRAMA.” Rain’s latest single “MELATONIN” compares the song’s namesake to his relationship. Is it time to stop putting up a fight; time to just accept that the night or relationship’s over? He begs the question “Tell me, we gon’ ride or die?” knowing that the answer’s clear to both parties. Rain’s smooth delivery remains a highlight — his slick voice delivering stories that have you hanging on each line. Check out more from Devantier on Spotify and Soundcloud, and check out his contributions to our Underground and Emerging Hip Hop playlist. 

Thought Trials – EARTHRISE/GAIA

May 2, 2025

Buffalo post-metal act Thought Trials are here to blacken your heart with their latest, two-song EP/split, EARTHRISE/GAIA. If you’re expecting a quick, six-minute listen – think again… This quartet specializes in the kind of epic, meandering, atmospheric black metal that journeys on and on through a never ending abyss… or at least 17 minutes worth of the abyss.   Guttural vocals from singer Lauren Davis ring out angrily over drop-tuned guitars from Josh Martin and Erin Malone, while an epic drum performance from Chris Wall thunders underneath. Track one “EARTHRISE,” may be the archetypal Thought Trials song – it crescendos endlessly, with an epic (if aptly creepy) climax that cuts straight to the bone. “GAIA” shows the wide width of the band’s range, running the spectrum from ambient to crushing, channeling everything from Explosions in the Sky to Deafheaven along the way.   As with most sprawling and/or atmospheric projects, this[...]

Johnny & the Man Kids – Everything is From Now On

April 24, 2025

Buffalo’s Johnny & the Man Kids have been a reliable source of garage pop goodness for about a decade now, and their foothold in the local scene is both established and well-deserved. Following up on 2023’s It’s Nice to Meet You Again, the now five-piece indie rock outfit of siblings Johnny, Jake, and Tyler Marciniak along with Andi Pszonak and Alex Bogart have returned with Everything is From Now On, their latest EP and our album of the week. It’s another welcome entry from a band that has gotten deservedly comfortable in the realm of indie rock, showcasing their unique ability to blend songs that feel light and easy with astonishing levels of heart.   That brand is immediately apparent on Everything is From Now On. The EP confidently navigates the band’s strengths, from the riff-driven energy of opener “The Way Things Go,” to the layered, party-like atmosphere of “Mr.[...]

Foothands – Off of the Roof

April 3, 2025

Buffalo-based songwriter Erik Happ, operating under the solo moniker Foothands, recently unveiled his third EP, Off of the Roof. Self-released on March 10th, this six-song EP follows 2021’s Gentle but Firm and 2023’s Year of the Year, further developing the project Happ launched after his time in groups like False Pockets and Pomelo. The release continues the trajectory of his distinctive brand of intricate acoustic math rock and snags our album of the week.   The defining characteristic of Off of the Roof is its intricate density. Happ masterfully layers acoustic guitar lines, creating complex rhythmic patterns and rich textures that often feel like output from a fully-kitted band. Comparisons could be drawn to the rhythmic propulsion of The Dodos, the textural layering of early Animal Collective, and the melodic acoustic sensibilities of Owen, yet the combination feels distinct, especially for the WNY region.   Listeners familiar with Foothands’ earlier[...]

Bryan Dubay – “Call Your Mother”

March 31, 2025

Man of many talents/genres Bryan Dubay is back with another song – this one called “Call Your Mother.” Not known to pigeonhole himself into one genre, Bryan’s latest is folk-forward, showcasing sighing steel guitars and acoustic strumming as the buttresses for his pleasant vocal timbre. His influences, think Elliott Smith and Fleet Foxes, come together perfectly here, melding the former’s intimate singer/songwriter presence with the modern-day folksy sensibilities of the latter. “Call Your Mother” is more for an evening spent fireside (since we’re all still freezing up here in Buffalo) rather than a dive bar barnburner, so brew yourself a nice cup of cocoa, bundle up, and enjoy Dubay’s latest this evening.   “Call Your Mother” is available now via your preferred streaming service.  

Torture Agenda – Another Fine Day

March 24, 2025

Irreverent Buffalo grindcore favorites, Torture Agenda, have unleashed their bruising debut full-length, Another Fine Day. For the uninitiated, band members Bryan, Adria and V tangle sludge, grind, and hardcore influences together into a blood knot of raw, sonic physicality. Their brutal sound, dubbed “Rust Belt Wrath,” is confrontational and chaotic and not for the weak of heart nor hearing. Listen for Bryan’s overdrive guitar riffs quaking under Adria’s frenzied blast beats while V screams socio-conscious verses with the intensity of a rabid pitbull.   Standing at 13-tracks, 38-minutes, Another Fine Day includes abrasive new material as well as fresh recordings of oldies such as “Occupational Hazard” and “Skull Magnet.” The record opens with “Ravenous,” a foreboding ambient noise track from featured Arizona artist ScreamingLake that sets an ominous tone before kicking into high gear with the raging “Marlboro Man Smokes Turkish Royals.”   Throughout the album, Torture Agenda skillfully balances[...]

Rattlesnake Jake – Oh, How Easy

March 20, 2025

Rattlesnake Jake, the moniker of Buffalo-based songwriter Jake Marciniak, has unveiled their debut EP, Oh, How Easy, a vibrant collection of five tracks that navigate the complex terrain of love, loss, and self-discovery. Released independently on March 1st, the EP arrives as a welcome spring offering, it’s colorful wildflower cover mirroring the warmth and eclectic energy found within. Following a single released last November, the EP introduces Marciniak as a main player in the power pop scene. Oh, How Easy is our album of the week.   Oh, How Easy showcases Marciniak’s self-sufficient approach, as they wrote, recorded, and produced the entire EP themselves. The sonic landscape traverses a range of genres, from the punchy power pop of “Needed,” to the emotionally charged indie rock of “Three Little Words,” which incorporates synth alongside massive group vocals. Album opener “Through the Walls” dives immediately into the EP’s themes, showcasing the artist’s[...]