Latest Posts

Speed Dial – i, DUMBASS

April 9, 2023

Speed Dial bassist, John Carr, comically shout-sings through a low-fidelity telephone crunch, “What up, what up, what up bitch, it’s the dial.” On the other side of the call, the distinguishing lark is met with a gaggle of laughter, a proper greeting to the Buffalo four-piece’s debut EP, i DUMBASS. “Cannonball Waterslide” introduces themes of separation and identity. There is an energetic sense of freedom, but a remaining confrontation as lead singer, Cooper Taylor sings, “I like to think that you don’t know the half of what you claim you do.”  Flaunting a newfound sense of self over saucy guitar lines, Taylor is no longer bogged down by “judgements and assumptions.” Even still, a tender moment and some feverish guitar noodling and lyrics about self-improvement, show that moving forward isn’t that simple. In the remainder of the track, gang vocals shout prior lyrics back at Taylor while his head still[...]

Angus Wayne – “Blacksheep”

April 9, 2023

Straight outta Nyack, New York (say that 3x fast), Angus Wayne is here with their latest feel-good single, “Blacksheep.” The catchy vocals combined with their use of down-home tones and hypnotic drums create a song you’ll want to listen to every time there’s some sun in the sky. Fans of The Mountain Goats, Chad VanGaalen, and Alex G will definitely resonate with the vibe of “Blacksheep.” About the song, Angus says: “This song is about many things, and you can dissect each verse. But you might notice a theme of animals, birds and sheep and bears. I’d love for this song to be received well, thanks so much for listening!” You can find “Blacksheep” on Spotify, SoundCloud, and of course, don’t forget to follow their Instagram. Check out the YouTube embed below.

Cooler – Doom Spiral

March 13, 2023

Cooler, a Buffalo-based three-piece, creates deeply personal, ethereal indie rock fit for the most intimate of moments. Doom Spiral, the group’s 2023 release, is their best work to date. The album centers around themes of opposition and devotion while persistently shifting between a confessional love story. Throughout the project, distance between people is a constantly developing undulation. Cooler braves this emotional disparity while engaging in intricate heart-to-heart discussions. The group fills out their already-strong sound with layers of carefully-laid, familiar guitar lines, sludgy bass flavors, and newfound sleek electronics, resulting in a sound they describe as “dreamo.” The album’s intro, “Gentleman,” was the first recorded with their current lineup, currently consisting of Alley, Jake, and Nick Sessanna. Breaking through the mist, the song’s flagship guitar line is as sentimental as it is catchy, while Alley’s reserved, melancholic delivery dazzles amidst lyrical dejection. “Succulents” is a meditative groover that aims to[...]

Early Bird – “My Town”

January 24, 2023

Buffalo artist Early Bird’s hot new release “My Town” is the latest single following a year filled with numerous new tracks. “My Town” is a party song with smooth vocals featuring  heavy 808’s as well as a catchy hook with repeated lines that will have you singing along. Early Bird’s verses fit perfectly with the beat and carry the momentum through the whole track, creating a flow that feels like it has a current running through it. Early Bird’s music career started in 2016 as lead vocals for a metal group, but he shifted genres for his solo work. Taking influence from various genres including hip hop, rap, R&B, and metal, Early Bird eventually released his first single “Racks” in 2019. When he’s not working on his master’s degree, or locked in the studio, you can find Early Bird hanging out with his friends at the best local Buffalo spots.[...]

Eugene Palmer – “2014”

December 1, 2022

Buffalo’s Eugene Palmer is prepping for their debut record, Rut, and they’ve shared first single with us, a song they are calling “2014.” Showcasing their wide range of influences from 60s baroque pop, to psychedelic rock, to 90s slowcore, “2014” is a guitar-soaked barnburner full of heavy riffing; soaring falsetto; rollicking drum solos; and an angsty 90s vibe. About the song, singer Matt Distasio explains that he penned the song on a long drive from Buffalo to Montana back in the winter of 2014 – take us back! You can also find “2014” on Spotify.

Kod!e – Cycle of Man

November 15, 2022

On October 1st, 2002, an artist named Kod!e was born into a life of makeshift homes & painstaking anxiety. To celebrate making it 20 years through this journey of life he calls the Cycle of Man, Kod!e decided to drop a 13 track album titled just that on his twentieth birthday, October 1st 2022. The alt rock/hyperpop inspired album has distinctive vocal textures. On tracks such as “Burn This Town” and “STAY AWAY,” the Buffalo-based artist’s vocals carry similar timbre to a chainsaw in a horror film. Respectively, on tracks like “What is wrong with me” and “Descending,” Kod!e’s voice floats through the atmosphere he’s engineered for himself. The wide range in dynamics and delivery over Cycle of Man is what distinguishes Kod!e from peers in the Buffalo alt rock/hyperpop demographic. A music video with scenes ranging from a cemetery to a Buffalo loft for track six, “I Knew it[...]

West Ferry Releases New EP, ‘Out Of Reach’

August 24, 2022

Buffalo’s West Ferry are back with another EP, the five-song Out of Reach. Out Of Touch finds the band further fleshing out their emo-punk sound. Vocally, the band brings to mind the sneering delivery of Conor Oberst in his Desaparecidos days, dripping with just enough sauce to keep things angsty. Musically, the band explores the spectrum of punk, ranging from the fleeting emo-tinged opener of “Everyone/Everytime;” the Pinkerton-era Weezer flavor of the title-track; all the way to the more straightforward punk of “Picked Apart.” You can find Out of Reach on Bandcamp (below), Spotify, and Apple Music. Out of Reach by west ferry

Urge Surfer Releases Debut EP, Music Video for “Cursed”

August 18, 2022

Urge Surfer is a brand new Buffalo-based project created by former coworkers Chelsea O’Donnell (Stress Dolls) and Jordan Smith. The duo used the itchiness of pandemic-era angst to inspire their new musical brew – a blippy and hazy blend of modular synth sighs and squelches with hints of guitar. O’Donnell’s distinct vocals lay on top of the music, often sassy and angsty, offering a unique counterpoint to Smith’s dark and calculated creations. The duo exchanged hundreds of emails with no real intention other than to write music… Telling, as their music could fit comfortably next to any Postal Service song (who pioneered this email-based approach back in the early aughts). Fans of Purity Ring, Phantogram, and even Grimes will find lots to like here, as well as synth-heads who can appreciate a tasteful use of arpeggiation and custom-curated patches. They’ve just released a video to accompany lead single, “Cursed.” O’Donnell[...]

Amateur Hockey Club – “Boxed Wine”

June 21, 2022

Buffalo’s Amateur Hockey Club explore a new, tightly-wound pop rock sound on their latest offering, “Boxed Wine.” Bringing to mind the super-polished and sugary-sweet melodies of genre frontrunners like Fall Out Boy and Panic! At The Disco (with a splash of the endearing self-awareness of The Front Bottoms), “Boxed Wine” explores a relationship that is aging poorly – like a Bota Box left in the sun. It’s clear that AHC are aiming for that archetypal sing-along summer jam here on “Wine,” so if you’re looking for a song to roll your windows down and throw devil horns to, here’s a good place to start. Check it out on Soundcloud below, or, find “Boxed Wine” on Spotify. Amateur Hockey Club · Boxed Wine

Pr0 Social – “3%”

May 27, 2022

Bringing yet another bubbly bop with his latest single “3%,” the-Buffalo based hip-hop/R&B artist Pr0 Social is a professional at his craft to say the least. Pr0 Social, born Jerrell Lanos, flaunts his caption-worthy bars with such unpredictable flows on the verses and a hook that comes with a harmony you couldn’t forget if you tried. Production-wise, the beat is impeccable, coming at you with dramatic pauses and some sort of clinking noise that has no business sounding as perfect as it does. As smooth as the Pink Panther, Pr0 Social has been popping out to perform at venues such as the Town Ballroom, which makes you wonder: is this a victory lap for his latest single? Or is he gearing up to drop something more? Stay tuned. Stream it on Spotify and Apple Music

tøbin – “Can’t Explain”

May 27, 2022

The intro to the Lost Soul EP via Buffalo artist tøbin seems as if it’s the intro to something more; something bigger. The 18-year-old singer/songwriter speaks on what he “Can’t Explain” in a way anyone can relate to. It sounds almost as if tøbin has found comfort in the numbing concept within the sample saying, “it feels just right, I love it” as he joins in with a haunting yet euphoric “Can’t Explain it.” The verses take you through the thoughts of a Lost Soul and where those thoughts take them. Oh, let’s not forget that this was his debut project; see what I mean when I say it’s something more? Stream it on Spotify and Apple Music tøbin · Can’t Explain

B-rent – Everything For Paige

May 25, 2022

Somewhere in the up & coming hip/hop scene in Buffalo, a voice can be heard with sounds of sincerity; the voice comes from B-rent on his debut LP: Everything for Paige. The album resembles something like a modern day Shakespeare tragedy reflecting the beauty in despair. He shows his fans what rock bottom has taught him before he reaches the mountain top he’s climbing. The fuel to the flame of “Everything For Paige” was unmistakably gifted from his late sister, Paige Casillo. Tracks like “This Broke” resemble how hollow a heart that was once full still beats with as much purpose as the percussion in his music. While tracks like “Exposed” demonstrate how to run through problems (or brick walls)  head-on. The theme of the eleven track LP burns the brightest on track 10, “WITH ME, WITH YOU,” as B-rent belts out lines like “freestyle flows ain’t no need for[...]

Hussalonia – The Somewhat Surprising Re-Recording of Marsupial Garamond Hussalonia

May 18, 2022

Legend says in the year of 1997, a pop music cult was born via the Nefarico soap company and named Hussalonia. A quarter century later, Hussalonia has given us The Somewhat Surprising Re-Recording of Marsupial Garamond Hussalonia… A project that was dropped about sixteen years ago re-recorded, mixed, and mastered to the complete satisfaction of not only Nefarico & Hussalonia; but their fanbase as well. For those unfamiliar with Hussalonia, the riveting backstory and completely immersive worldbuilding are a part of the charm. In addition to their uniquely-told origins coming from a dystopian (or, surprisingly and unsettlingly current) world, their music is incredibly pristine and well-written. A truly all-around experience from this one-of-a-kind Buffalo-based artist. The album starts with the riveting “Time and Place,” in which Hussalonia bellows for the one he once loved. Conceptually continuing the tale throughout the entirety of the rest of The Somewhat Surprising Re-Recording of[...]

Conway the Machine – God Don’t Make Mistakes

May 2, 2022

The spirit of Buffalo is a very real concept that only true Buffalonians could understand; a sense of community, validity, and authenticity. The legendary rap group Griselda managed to spread the spirit of Buffalo on an international level – one third of this hip-hop superpower, Conway the Machine, recently dropped what is easily his best work to date, an LP entitled God Don’t Make Mistakes. Conway’s cutthroat delivery intersects the eloquent piano keys laid over his beats with pinpoint perpendicularity. Listening to God Don’t Make Mistakes takes you into a hip hop classroom and Conway the Machine is the coolest teacher you’ve ever had. The diversity of emotion Conway has the power to convey is infinite, especially when comparing the vulnerable “Stressed” to the triumphant “So Much More.” When he says “Don’t let em’ put me in no box, I’m so much more,” it hits hard. It’s a very surreal experience[...]

TTB Donntae – “START IT UP 2”

April 30, 2022

Buffalo-based artist TTB Donntae saw a lack of hip hop percolation in the local rap scene and decided to capitalize on the situation. Bringing in relentless flows, memorable lyrics, and standout delivery all on a bomb-ass beat; allow me to introduce “START IT UP PART 2.” TTB Donntae is currently working on his third project titled Seven6teen and has released a plethora of singles leading up to it, most notably, the sequel to his song “START UP” released on previous project The Fall of Man. It’s exciting to see where TTB Donntae will take his upcoming LP after listening to his latest work; tune in. Stream it on YouTube and SoundCloud