Latest Posts

Mooses – Tales From The Elephant’s Nest

May 5, 2014

There’s definitely something going on down the 90 in Fredonia. The proximity of Dave Fridmann’s Tarbox Road Studios in nearby Cassadaga, NY has contaminated the water or affected the electromagnetic fields emanating in that area in a way that wildness and psychedelia have become hallmarks of Fredonia’s music scene, which is of course a huge boon for WNY’s music scene. Case in point: Mooses, a young four piece from Fredonia who dropped itsdebut EP, Tales From The Elephant’s Nest, a tight and bold five song collection that sounds sweet in the ears and screams “POTENTIAL,” last week. Mooses get things started with the snarling, schadenfreude and 90’s drenched “Hypocrite’s Fall,” a slow burner that lures you in with restrained buildup before unleashing evocative new wave vocals reminiscent of Robert Smith and stirring Bends worthy guitars. The new wave swagger continues on the exuberant “Bette Davis,” a straight ahead rave up complete with[...]

Admirers Remaster Night Night EP, Premiere Title Track

May 1, 2014

Ever since Mike James’ former band, Longwave, dropped its wonderful The Strangest Things LP, which included this all time great WNY jam (that’s James in the left rear) way back in 2003, the ever busy Rochester musician has been floating around my, and now the blog’s, radar for some time. Between his former work in Mikey Jukebox, and current projects Hawker M. James and the Demos, James has found the time to remaster his 2003 EP, Night Night, from his OTHER project, Admirers. Set to drop on May 13th, the EP will include some fresh takes on the original cuts, in addition to remixes. As for the title track, the song delves into the retro synth-pop vibe that fans of any Johnny Jewel project, chilled Holy Ghost, Chromeo, and the Drive soundtrack will eat right up. Check out Pet Shop Boys-esque “Night Night,” which features a subtle, Niles Rogers like[...]

Ben Morey Releases Howlo Project EP

April 29, 2014

Rochester’s Ben Morey appears to be trying to rival Buffalo’s Sonny Baker for busiest musician in WNY. Between his inviting solo work, including this solid live session with Genesee Live, and being a featured member of fellow 585 acts like Dumb Angel, New Socks (we think), and the Wallpaper, his latest project Howlo, released its three song EP, Attic Tapes, via bandcamp this weekend. Howlo’s sound is reminiscent of a pre-diva Kevin Barnes/of Montreal, equally lo fi and catchy. Listen to the capturing “Blanka” below.

Pluto Brady- The Beat Tape

April 28, 2014

Rochester producer Pluto Brady balances hazy, melodic textures with sinister elements of trap, bass, and hip-hop on his self-titled debut beat tape. The 18-year-old artist  has been previously credited for tracks on rapper Donzelly’s DMS mixtape as well as Black Kray’s Goth Luv mixtape and various other MCs. Bringing to mind producers like Clams Casino, Ryan Hemsworth, and Suicideyear, Brady’s instrumentals place emphasis on slow paced, patient melodic builds, making for an immersive experience that reveals new layers with each listen. Throughout the tape’s eight tracks, the vibe ranges from ethereal, reverb-laden hip hop on tracks like “Without You” to futuristic r&b on “I Don’t Know What to Say.” The lush “Alone Forever” starts off the collection with a captivating hybrid of menacing trap -inspired percussion and fluid melodic synth swells behind a soulful piano riff. “Internet Eyes” builds around a similar style of elegant keys, but heads in a slightly darker[...]

Secret Pizza Releases Debut EP

April 28, 2014

We’ve been reading about Secret Pizza for the past six months or so, but could only attribute their sound to grainy facebook videos. Needless to say, we were delighted to stumble upon their debut EP, Self Titled E.P.. The Rochester post-rock outfit sounds like a more driving Frightened Rabbit or if the Men decided to dabble in shoegaze rock on their next album. Listen to EP stand out “Oh My My” below.

The Devil Makes Three at Rochester’s Zeppa Auditorium (4/23/14)

April 25, 2014

At 8 o’clock on Wednesday night, Rochester’s bare-boned but strongly underrated Zeppa Auditorium is only starting to fill. At 8:15, opening band Joe Fletcher and the Wrong Reasons take the stage, and at 9:45, my mind is just minutes from being blown. It is my first time seeing a show at this venue, but more importantly, it is my first time seeing acoustic-Americana act The Devil Makes Three, and I have no idea what kind of sinister grooves are about to be thrown down. It was easy to tell I was in for a something special almost as soon as I arrived. Walking up to the doors, we were immediately confronted with a bouncer’s unapologetic yells, warnings of a sold out show, in his vain attempt to get rid of the large crowds of brazen country misfits amassing in various clusters around the venue grounds. Filing unfittingly neat into a parking lot queue, it seemed there were just[...]

Genesee Live Releases New Session Feat. Overhead Sam Snyder

April 21, 2014

Rochester’s premiere live session series, Genesee Live, has released its latest installment this morning, this time showcasing Overhead Sam Snyder. The Rochester singer/songwriter, who is a featured member of 585 acts Maybird, Thunder Body, and Plastic Sun, delivers a stark, intimate performance that follows suit with the recent GL video recordings. Past sessions may be viewed the Genny Live’s tumblr. In the mean time, watch the full session from Overhand Sam Snyder below and see how Snyder lives up to his name.

Mooses Debut “In Case They’re Wonderin'” Single

April 17, 2014

Mooses have been on our radar for a little while now. The Fredonia based four-piece has only released a couple tracks over at their bandcamp page, but it wasn’t until they dropped the single “In Case They’re Wonderin’,” that we really stopped and took note. The track is a cut of 90s psychedelia, with a dash of Brit Rock thrown in for good measure. The reverb heavy song is a loose sprawling mess in the best use of those terms. Fans of Blind Melon, early Verve, the Black Angels, and Ty Segall should give the track a spin. The track can be found on the band’s upcoming EP, set to drop May 1st. In the mean time, listen to “In Case They’re Wonderin'” below.

Attic Abasement Teases Upcoming Split LP

March 27, 2014

Carbon Records, a 20 + year Rochester indie rock mainstay, is prepping the release of a split LP from 585 act Attic Abasement and Nod. Earlier this week, the label dropped a couple teaser tracks from the record via bandcamp. “Pretty Teeth,” part of the Attic Abasement half of the LP, is a cut of jangly 90’s college rock from the bedroom indie rockers, led by lead singer Mike Rheinheimer’s pleaing vocals. Fans of Yuck, Silver Jews, Smog, and Pavement should check the track out. The full release appears to be dropping in early April. In the mean time, listen to “Pretty Teeth” below.