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Skirts Debut First Single From Semesters EP

October 28, 2014

Rochester garage-pop act, Skirts (formerly the dorm room outfit Meanagers), dropped the first single from its forthcoming EP, Semesters (Dadstache Records), early this afternoon. Led by a bouncy surf rock lick, “Pink Hair” features a peppy, playful melody and bursting guy/girl vocals from Hayden Ford and Brianna Battista. The single and new EP are follow ups to the great, basement session filmed by Genesee Live this past summer, which you can view here. Listen to “Pink Hair” below and keep an eye out for Semesters later this fall.

Routine Involvements Release Music Video For “UFO”

October 21, 2014

Last week, Rochester-based two-piece, Routine Involvements, released its first music video for the single “UFO.” Featured on the band’s early 2014 release, Future Days (Dadstache Records),  the video for “UFO” is superbly cinematic, displaying the Routine Involvement boys breaking free from their sheltered vision to experience a well-choreographed dance routine to an almost blinding light show. The instrumental song is clear, cohesive, and incredibly driving, almost like Queens of the Stone Age sat down with a Cloud Nothings album prior to going into the studio. The video is a collaboration between Michael Schifino (Director) Aaron Gordon (Director of Photgraphy), and Ciera Carhart (Executive Producer), and without a doubt, it is the most well-produced and expertly directed video we’ve seen from a regional band to date (sans Joywave, but are they even a “local” band anymore?). Routine Involvements “UFO” from Michael Schifino on Vimeo.

Hawker M. James Premieres Glammy New Single, “Some Attention”

October 20, 2014

Hawker M. James, the moniker of Rochester every-man Mike James (Longwave, Demos, Admirers), had his latest single debut this afternoon on Wondering Sound. Produced by electronic musician Joel Ford (Tigercity, Ford & Lopatin), “Some Attention” sees James getting his best Mark Bolan on as the track is full of glam rock chords and in your face synths. The song is set to be included on James’ forthcoming new album (title and release date are unannounced), so in the mean time, rock out to “Some Attention” below and keep an eye out for future Hawker news.

Secret Pizza Releases New Song From Shark Tank Recording Session

October 20, 2014

Over the weekend, one of our favorite 585 acts, driving post-rockers Secret Pizza, released a new track as part of a (mostly) Rochester based compilation, The Shark Tank Sessions, from Brass Palace Recordings. The seven track collection features tracks cut from 4-hour recording sessions, many taking place in the living room and kitchen of Rochester’s Shark Tank. Secret Pizza’s contribution to the compilation, “Not About a Lover,” features drummer Giana Caliolo taking lead on the slow burner, guiding the sprawling introduction into a raucous, shoe-gaze jam. The full collection of recordings from the Shark Tank Sessions can be heard here. In the mean time, listen to “Not About a Lover” below.

Unearth at Rochester’s Montage Music Hall

October 17, 2014

With only a couple weeks away until the release of legendary metalcore outfit, Unearth’s, six full-length release, anticipation is steadily building. It has been several years since the groups last album, Darkness in the Light, and Watchers of Rule is poised to whip the metal community into yet another frenzy. It’s time for the kings to take back the crown…. Quite simply, Unearth are in a league of their own when it comes to metal. Crushing breakdowns, Maiden-esque melodies, and riffs that slink with so much groove and power, you’d be a fool not to jump right into the vortex Theirs is a rival unmatched. And the live shows?? Well that’s the stuff of legend. I’ve seen Unearth a dozen or so times, and they truly are one of the most energetic and exciting live bands going in the scene right now. Tonight, the band finds themselves at Montage Music[...]

New Look High Drags Release Latest Single, “Red White and Blue”

October 14, 2014

Our favorite (former)bi-coastal, brother/sister duo, High Drags, have reemerged this afternoon with their latest single, “Red White and Blue.” Marissa and James Longstreet, High Drags’ founding pair, have recently fleshed out to a five piece and permanently left their Western, NY hometown for the big city lights of Los Angeles. The first single from the new look High Drags is 6+ mins of smooth and sultry synth-pop that recalls Polica and Banks. Listen to “Red White and Blue” below.

Europa & The Great Red Spot – Inside Voices

October 13, 2014

This week brings us yet another Rochester Album of the Week nod. Europa & The Great Red Spot‘s Inside Voices is a wonderfully understated LP full of fuzzy lo-fi gems. Riding mysteriously on a heavy space theme, it might as well be the sound of Europa itself spinning around Jupiter. Album opener “Din” is an immediate highlight. Falling somewhere on the spectrum between TV on the Radio and Local Natives, “Din” is a simmering slow-burner, with beautiful lyrics that touch on love, space, tattoos, and conflicting weather patterns. It’s a fitting introduction for an album full of hazy, lo-fi beauty. Another great dowsing rod for this band is the title track, “Inside Voices” – a six-minute, almost-instrumental epic worth getting lost inside. E&TGRS specialize in songs like these – swirly synths, shy guitars, and a pleasant, washy mix. On the other hand, “Redshift” walks the line of psychedelic – think the[...]

Genesee Live Releases Latest Session feat. Rountine Involvements

October 13, 2014

Late last week, Rochester’s premiere live music session series, Genesee Live, debuted latest installment, this time around, featuring college rock duo, Routine Involvements. The two-piece’s sound ranges from grunge to garage, with shades of shoegaze and 90s alt-rock mixed in for good measure. If Lithium is your satellite radio channel of choice, then Routine Involvements may be up your alley. Watch the full session below, and if you want to catch up on past Genesee Live sessions, visit its tumblr page here.

Arvid Releases First Song From Forthcoming Album

October 9, 2014

We haven’t heard much from Rochester act, Arvid, since this past spring when he released the 90’s alt-rock tinged album, Old Factory Living. Early this morning, the one man band returned to tease his forthcoming album with a new song titled “Fever Dream.” Moving away from the garage rock sounds of his past work, “Fever Dream” has a dreamy rockabilly feel, recalling early Girls or some of the more accessible yet lo-fi sounds of Ariel Pink. Arvid gave no word on when the album may drop, so in the mean time, listen to the track below.

Jon Lewis Releases Animated Video For “Tomorrow”

October 2, 2014

Earlier this week, we came across the new music video for “Tomorrow,” a Jens Lekman-esque track from Rochester singer/songwriter, Jon Lewis. The animated clip, which was directed by Johnny Mchone (Adult Swim’s Mr. Pickles), features a reflective, gumby-like man looking at past memories and getting sucked into the drawing. Kids who grew up on Nickelodeon in the early 90s should get a nice shot of nostalgia from the clip. Check out Lewis’ material on bandcamp and watch the video for “Tomorrow” below.

Sunny Union Premieres New Single, “Wild Mountain Thyme”

September 30, 2014

Late last week, Rochester born folk act, Sunny Union (the moniker of Sunny Zaman), released the first track from his forthcoming album, Wollstonecraft II, the follow up to the January released Wollstonecraft. Titled “Wild Mountain Thyme,” the rustic number is full of gorgeous, Fleet Foxes harmonies, and contemplative acoustic plucking. The song was originally written by folk singer Francis McPeake and has been covered by White Antelope, the solo project of Robin Pecknold (speaking of Fleet Foxes). The now Brooklyn-based musician plans to release the full album sometime next month, so keep an eye out. Listen to Zaman’s take of “Wild Mountain Thyme” below.

Machine Gun English – I’m Too Tall For My Time Machine These Days

September 29, 2014

“They” say that rock n’ roll is dead; I think the Stainds and Creeds and Puddle of Mudds of the world are just getting smarter. Rock music is now led by bands like Black Keys and Cage the Elephant – its less about machismo and brain dead guitar distortion and more about bluesy goodness. Machine Gun English is kind of like a mix between the Arctic Monkeys and Wild Beasts. The Rochester three-piece is all about rock n’ roll and good times, and it shows through their music. “Body Shots” is an accurate representation of the band and a great way to open the EP. A chorus chant of “Are you ready to go?” coupled with a classic rock guitar riff is plenty to power through the four-minute banger. The band hits their stride hardest on “Thanks, But No Thanks,” the Wild Beast-iest of their tracks. I am reminded of[...]

Such Gold Premieres New Single, “Faced”

September 23, 2014

Arguably one of the most popular up-and-coming pop-punk bands in upstate New York, Such Gold released its new single today via Alternative Press. The track “Faced,” is a great sample of what is to come with the band’s upcoming album, The New Sidewalk (Out November 10 via Razor and Tie). Listen to the song below and make sure to catch Such Gold on November 21st as the quartet plays the Waiting Room with Four Year Strong, Transit, and Seaway.

Hannah Weidner – Comfortable Existence

September 22, 2014

Rochester is having a good September as far as buffaBLOG is concerned. Earlier this month we saw the release of Cottage Jefferson’s fantastic new album B-Side, which deservingly snagged the blog’s first Album of the Week spot of September. This week we have another Rochester artist grabbing the spot—meet singer/songwriter Hannah Weidner. The DIY songbird’s debut album, Comfortable Existence, is a harmony-rich acoustic beaut, drawing comparisons to earlier tracks of sister-songwriter duo First Aid Kit. Now, as aforementioned, Comfortable Existence is an acoustic album at its core, consisting primarily of folksy acoustic tracks with beautifully-crafted vocal harmonies. (Take the ‘love-is-in-the-air’ album-opener “Your Essence” for example.)  A more focused listen reveals a certain intricacy to the songs that adds serious depth to the album, making Hannah Weidner and her songcraft stand out among other folk contemporaries. The subtle inclusion of horns and air organ in a few of the songs adds[...]

Overhand Sam Releases Debut EP

September 18, 2014

We’re a little late to the game on this one. Rochester multi-instrumentalist (and Maybird member) “Overhand” Sam Snyder released Debut EP back in July, a deliciously fresh take on contemporary blues rock that gives off a faint Besnyo vibe. The four-track banger contains a few previously released songs, including single “For Better / For Worse” and an excellent full-band version of the formerly acoustic “Feel So Bad.” Stand-out track, “Just Don’t Know,” pairs a light, ghostly piano riff with a soaring guitar lead comparable to the sounds of Fuse.tv-era band Snow Patrol. However, OHS’ studio effort comes off as more than your typical blues-tinged alt rock, blending lush, piano-peppered instrumentation (highlighted by Snyder’s quality guitar leads) with a wispy vocal style and elements of blues, folk, and even R&B. It’s refreshing how much ground the four tracks are able to cover. Check out the NYC-mobster vibes of “For Better /[...]