Latest Posts

JOYWAVE Makes Network TV Debut on Late Night with Seth Meyers

July 31, 2014

After the explosion of their 2013 track “Tongues” and a couple of opening gigs for the Killers, Rochester’s JOYWAVE continued their excellent 2014 last night as the band made their network television debut on Late Night with Seth Meyers. The electro pop quintet, led by Daniel Armbruster, closed out the show with a head bobbing rendition of said single, sadly without fellow Rochester siren Patricia Petrone of KOPPS providing her infectious scat in person. Armbruster also joined electro cohorts and recent Kefuffle act, Big Data, earlier in the program to play “Dangerous,” a song that you can not escape as of late if you have any alternative music channel or Doritos commercial on. While we are unsure where JOYWAVE will ride this high next, we over at the blog sure wouldn’t mind a proper full length down the road. Until then, we will continue to wear out Koda Vista over in the[...]

Small Signals Drops Music Video to “Whiskers” Single

July 23, 2014

Yesterday, Small Signals, aka Rochester-based, multi-instrumentalist Stephen Roessner, released the first single, “Whiskers,” off of his debut EP, The Aimless. Currently operating as the drummer to jangle-rock band, Pleistocene, Roessner heads in a different direction with his Small Signals project, channeling aspects of Rivers Cuomo, Archers of Loaf, and Fugazi on the seven track release. The video to “Whiskers” finds Roessner fighting the urge to cut his very impressive beard until he finds some hairy, kindred spirits to boost his self esteem. If you are feeling uncomfortable about having a beard, you’re more than welcome to come to Buffalo. I’m sure there are a number of girls at the Pink that wouldn’t think your beard is weird. You can stream the entire EP over at Small Signals’ bandcamp page and in the mean time, watch the video for “Whiskers” below.

Buffalo Sex Change Premieres New Single, “Black Circle”

July 22, 2014

Upstart Rochester label, Dadstache Records, has been keeping busy this summer with solid releases from bands like Pony Hand and Fat Africa. Their next release will be the debut full length from post-punk act, Buffalo Sex Change, a Rochester based group (don’t let the name fool you) who has been on our distance radar for a little while as their inclusion on some solid 585 area bills has peaked our interest. The first single from Buffalo Sex Change, which is set to drop on August 5th, debuted today on bandcamp. Titled “Black Circle,” the crawling, reverb drenched track sounds like Okkervil River’s Will Sheff moonlighting with Crystal Stilts, or even Ariel Pink at his less weird of moments. Check it out below.

Tonight: Queens of the Stone Age w/Brody Dalle

July 18, 2014

It’s safe to say that 2013 was THE year for Queens of the Stone Age. Not only was their …Like Clockwork album wildly received by fans, it was their most critically acclaimed album to date; a perfect blend of sleaze, longing, grit and desperation. All the puzzle pieces fit on this one, and many fans of the band count it among their best. Since that time Queens have been touring in support of Clockwork, continuing to build their rep as one of rock’n’roll’s premier live acts. Tonight, along with QOTSA, is Brody Dalle, Australian singer-songwriter, formerly of the Distillers and Spinnerette. Dalle has been at this game a number of years first as the snarly punk rocker vocalist in popular Hell-Cat band the Distillers, then incorporating indie sounds into her repertoire to develop a fuller, more unique sound, first with Spinnerette and now on her first solo release; 2014’s Diploid Love.[...]

MD WOODS Releases First Installment of Young and Vain Series

July 11, 2014

Early last month, Rochester folk act, MD WOODS, released the first installment of a four-part series titled Young and Vain. Part 1, logically titled Young and Vain 1., is four tracks of sparse, haunting folk that fans of Bonnie Prince Billy, Amen Dunes, and the Low Anthem would be wise to check out. No word on when Part 2 will be released, but you can follow MD WOODS bandcamp page to keep an eye out. In the mean time, listen to Part 1 standout “Bird” below.

Pink Elephant Releases Grungy, Self-Titled Debut LP

July 8, 2014

The debut LP from Rochester’s Pink Elephant is a head-rush of grunge, punk, and psychedelia that fans of bands like Mudhoney and The Melvins will likely be quite fond of. For 10 songs, the band captures the energy of pre-mainstream grunge mixed with late-60s psych rock similar to the 13th Floor Elevator. The album makes a strong impression, and should do a fine job of introducing the band to a larger audience. The best track might be “Stupid Fuck,” which features the kind of self-lacerating rage that wouldn’t exactly be out of place on a Dinosaur, Jr. album, or maybe one of Soundgarden’s pre-fame efforts. Lyrics about putting a picture of your self on the wall “to remind myself that I’m a stupid fuck” is the kind of vitriol that Chris Cornell might have shrieked about back in 1989, long before the embarrassing Timbaland collaboration and Michael Jackson covers starting[...]

Scope & Figure Debut “Entropy Knows Best” Video

July 2, 2014

In late June, Rochester-based quartet, Scope  & Figure, released their debut video “Entropy Knows Best.” The video follows lead singer/guitarist, Thomas Varner, having an “oh shit!” moment, running down streets people in Rochester probably know, then arriving late to gig to an empty Bug Jar with only sketchy looking dude in a Carmen Sandiego jacket on. Based on some of my weekday ventures to the Bug Jar, this isn’t that far fetched. The band’s sound is definitely robust, sounding like a jazzy Okkervil River/Beirut hybrid. With plans for a late summer tour, keep Scope & Figure on your radar because they have plans to stop in town.

Mikaela Davis Releases “Out There Alone” Single

July 1, 2014

With a lengthy US tour on the horizon, Rochester-raised harp player, Mikaela Davis, has released her latest single, “Out There Alone.” One of her poppiest numbers yet, the track features fluttering, sunny harps backing Davis’ whistful cooing that should put her the category of indie-pop contemporaries like Joanna Newsom and Regina Spektor. Keep an eye out for Davis as she brings her tour through Buffalo on Friday, July 25th at Buffalo Iron Works.

Pony Hand Releases Debut Album

June 26, 2014

Raucous Rochester-based three-piece Pony Hand has been on radar for a bit since we’ve been spotting them on showcases with 585 located bands we are into for the greater part of a year. We finally associated a sound with a name last week with the trio’s debut self-titled release. The band’s sound is both psychedelic and garagey, sort of like if the Donnas shot dice in the alley and were produced by Jack White or if Karen O. had creative freedom on a Death From Above 1979 collaboration.  With plans for a physical tape release via Dadstache Records, you can grab a tape deck before the price is massively inflated due to the influx of bands releasing tapes/increasing demand, or stream on bandcamp. Check it out below.

Sea Planes Release Latest Single, “Right Now”

June 20, 2014

After a year plus wait between Sea Planes’ debut single and its superior follow up, the Rochester synth-pop duo has dropped its third track in the anthemic “Right Now.” Similar to last month’s “Young At Heart,” the new track finds the pair sticking with the big 80s sounds of drum machines, arena ready guitar solos, and shouting choruses. Fans of the Killers and M83 should like what they hear, especially as those “oh oh ohs” take us through the bridge. Check out “Right Now” below and visit Sea Planes’ bandcamp page to listen to past singles.

Mikaela Davis Arranges “Chicago” For Crane Harp Ensemble

June 19, 2014

A couple years ago, we caught wind of Rochester songtress, Mikaela Davis, and her rendition of Sufjan Steven’s “Casimir Pulaski Day.” The cover was a hit of sorts on Youtube and firmly entrenched the talented harp player on the blog’s radar. The buzz around Davis has been building over the years through cross-country touring and a SXSW appearance, all while becoming one of WNY’s best and most promising artists. In recent Davis news, she tackled another Stevens’ track, his breakthrough “Chicago,” this time rearranging the tune for the Crane Harp Ensemble out of SUNY Potsdam (Davis’ alma mater). The song is already getting some good burn on Soundcloud and you can listen for yourself below. Those wanting to catch Davis live in Buffalo should head down to Buffalo Iron Works on July 25th to see the real deal in person.

Arvid Releases Old Factory Living

June 13, 2014

Early last month, one man garage act, Arvid, released his lo-fi, debut album Old Factory Living. Recorded on a 4-track cassette player in the Rochester musician’s attic, the 90s alt-rock inspired album is ideal for fans of like era staples Stone Temple Pilots and the Presidents of the United States of America, as well fresher San Fran garage rock acts like Ty Segall and Mikal Cronin. Track 7, “Stage Fright,” sounds like a Mac Demarco/Ducktails collaboration that you wish would actually happen, while the Spaghetti Western-flavored “Wasted” could have been placed on a Tarantino soundtrack without missing a beat. You can download Old Factory Living in its entirety at Arvid’s bandcamp page. In the mean time, listen to the stand out, opening track “Phantoms of the Night” below. Old Factory Living by Arvid

Genesee Live Debuts New Session feat. Skirts

June 9, 2014

Early this Monday morning, Rochester’s live video session series, Genesee Live, debuted its latest installment featuring Skirts. Formally a dorm room act named Meanagers, Skirts has turned into a peppy five piece act, combining early Cloud Nothings, Pains of Being Pure at Heart, and Los Campesinos type vibes. You can watch the full, basement filmed session (keep an eye out for David Lynch) below. If you have missed any of Genny Live’s prior sessions, you can check out all of the former installments at GL’s Tumblr page.

JOYWAVE Premieres Video For “Tongues”

June 3, 2014

In April 2013, all-around WNY favorite electro-pop act, JOYWAVE, released the incredibly catchy single “Tongues” featuring a scatted sample Patricia Patrone of KOPPS (both buffaBLOG party artists I might add).  In between locking up their summer on the festival circuit and two opening gigs for the Killers, the band got around to dropping the video for the single, which at the time of this writing, is sitting pretty on the Billboard’s Top 50 Dance Club songs. Dubbed the number one song out of Rochester in 2013 on our top ten count down, “Tongues” has made waves across the blogosphere and eventually demanded the attention of satellite and commercial radio. Watch the boys shoot clothes on naked people below. Oh yeah, probably NSFW unless you have a chill boss.

Fat Africa – Monroe

June 2, 2014

Fat Africa’s Monroe is a weekend album for malcontents. Get stoned, bitter and fired Friday afternoon; hopeful in the evening just to be left alone; hopeless, hungover and depressed by Saturday morning, just to laugh at yourself in the afternoon and stare cavalierly into the night as soon as the sun sets, with no place, in particular, to go. At least, that’s how I chose to read it. Noah Masters, the mind behind Fat Africa, would probably tell me I am wrong, and he is probably right. My impulse is to stretch the album over a weekend, but in real life, it took three years to put Monroe together. The first track recorded, the heartbreaker “Inch,” was put to tape in 2011, and the rest were jammed out on a loop pedal from the bottom up over the next few years. In the mean time, Masters moved around quite a[...]