Latest Posts

Tonight: Kevin Scoma

February 22, 2020

The 9th Ward at Babeville hosts a tremendous evening of local indie singer/songwriters featuring Kevin Scoma, heave, and Koko Neetz, and the dead perfect acoustics of that intimate and lovely brick performance space in the basement. Kevin Scoma will be playing tunes from his excellent Into The Weeping Sea EP, a deeply melodic and captivating fragment of dream folk pop that translates like a charm in a live setting, or at least it did last fall in the Cantina at Duende. Opening the show will be Emily Finlan’s heave., who are currently preparing to go on tour behind the achingly sweet chamber folk of their 2019 debut full length LP Pike, and the sweet, soothing sounds of Koko Neetz, Andrew Kothen’s (guitarist for dreambeaches)  solo project. Doors are at 7pm, cover is $10, and a portion of the proceeds will be used to plant trees throughout Western New York. Into the Weeping Sea by Kevin Scoma

Tonight: Stay Gold at the Burchfield Penney Art Center

January 10, 2020

Art and music intersect brilliantly and beautifully tonight when the Burchfield Penney Art Center hosts their annual Stay Gold party featuring some of Western New York’s hottest artists. Throughout the Burchfield Penney, au courant artists will be displaying site specific installations alongside the museum’s current ongoing exhibitions and performances by a plethora of up to the minute local acts including heave, Carmen & Izzy, The Burkharts, Tough Old Bird, Cooler, TVMTN, Sydney Jeanne, and MEDUSA. Admission is free, there’s a cash bar, and the museum is open to 10pm with music starting at 4pm. East Gallery heave – 4:05pm- 4:50pm Carmen & Lizzy – 6:05pm – 6:40pm Tough Old Bird – 8:45pm – 9:30pm Reception Space The Burkharts – 5:00pm – 5:50pm TVMTN – 6:40pm – 7:25pm Cooler – 8:05pm – 8:40pm Margaret L. Wendt Gallery Sidney Jeanne– 5:15pm – 6:00pm MEDUSA – 8:05pm – 8:40pm ET by MEDUSA

Tonight: heave

December 18, 2019

Do you need to escape the winter cold? Nietzsches has you covered this evening with a night of soulful folk by a Christmas Tree. Tonight’s lineup will feature Heave, who will play a solo set from lead singer Emily Finlan. A good portion from Heave’s catalog will translate well to a solo acoustic performance, as many tracks from their EP Pike are stripped back and subtle. That said, it will be nice to see Emily deliver a solo version of their full band Buddy Holly-esq tune ‘Boys’. Support acts, Sidney Jeanne, a punk rock carnation, and scene newcomers Blunted Lip will round out the night. Bundle up and make your way to out.. $5 cover and doors at 8:30pm. Pike by heaveWritten by Kevin Prentice

Preview: Koko Neetz EP Release

November 22, 2019

Head on out to Nietzsche’s tonight for a night to get lost in your thoughts. Buffalo’s residential existential pop star Koko Neetz is bringing the party favors and atmospheric scenery out to play in celebration of his EP release  i.t.t.i.p.  Neetz, the moniker for Buffalo-based musician Andrew Kothen, has been a staple of the local music scene these past couple years, mostly known for his efforts in dreambeaches. Sound wise, Neetz’ aura is reflective, perceptive, present. Guitar is light and complimentary, leaving you plenty of room for Neetz’ sweet, if not Socratic, lyrics. Joinng Neetz’ latest journey into the void will be heave, VR Sunset, and Humble Braggers doing a stripped down minimalist set. Doors start at 9pm. $10 gets you in along with a copy of the i.t.t.i.p. EP. Take a sneak peak below:

Heave – Pike

July 8, 2019

When Heave released their debut EP two years ago, it immediately made waves within the local singer-songwriter community. In the short time since, they have risen to become one of the most exciting new bands in Buffalo’s burgeoning indie scene. Initially the project of multi-instrumentalist Emily Finlan, they’re now a four-piece group with a cult of followers. Pike, Heave’s debut full length record, is a confirmation of their status as new standouts. The album opens with a quick instrumental intro track of gliding electric guitar that leads directly into the upbeat basement punk rocker “Boys”. Throughout the rest of the album, Heave churns through genre changes and tonal shifts seamlessly and with expertise. From breezy and bouncing jazz on “Bevels” to winding acoustic rock on “Paradigm” to apathetic bop “Big Shrug,” and all moments in between, the band turns in a masterful performance. Though it is varied and eclectic, Pike[...]

Tonight: Past Life

March 27, 2019

Celebrate getting over the hump tonight with a mid-week show of stellar and intimate tunes at Mohawk Place. Headlining and making the drive from Philly is the thrilling indie-rock quartet, Past Life. These four have crafted a robust and multi-textured sound that swells with crashing waves of emotion and energy. Expect personal lyrical reflections over electrifying riffs that will make your heart explode. Past Life has a reputation for a lively and rowdy set so don’t miss it. Dimming the lights and helping you to unwind is the tranquil bedroom folk act, Heave. Sit back and cozy up with singer/guitarist Emily Finlan’s warm, solemn lullabies over a lazy river of guitar string ambience. If you’ve never seen one of Heave’s atmospheric and pensive sets, now’s the perfect chance. Rounding out the bill like a good kick in the pants are the wild Buffalo art rockers, Venus Vacation. Show is at 8pm,[...]

The Shallows Release First Single

December 26, 2018

Members of local bedroom folk acts Heave and Oats Holy Roller have teamed up to form a new group, The Shallows. In anticipation of their debut album, Hold Out For Love, they’ve released their first single. Titled “joan + lily” it’s an excellent foray into delicate and heartfelt Americana. Recorded at Sunwood Recording Studios in, Trumansburg, NY, “joan + lily” pairs multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Emily Finlan of heave with singer-songwriter Joe Myers of Oats Holy Roller. The song is a gorgeous modern folk ballad that chronicles two people who’ve grown apart, getting away from it all and working with your hands, and the feelings associated with trying to piece together a new life. Myers’ low gravelly voice and storyteller prose are the bedrock here, with Finlan providing ethereal backing vocals and haunting cello that gracefully adorn the compositional surface. Overall, its a contemplative and melancholic affair, and a brooding and stirring[...]

Tonight: Seafox

October 18, 2018

Ethereal folk act Seafox is returning from a romp on the west coast for a night of beautiful, intimate music. Seafox (aka William Fortier) specializes in lush compositions that sound beautiful fleshed-out, but could also certainly stand on their own. Support tonight comes from bedroom folk quartet heave and solo-act (and purveyor of sorrow), Ian McCuen. Tonight’s show is $7. Show up early at 7pm – music will end by 10pm. A friendly reminder that Sugar City is an all-ages venue with no drugs/alcohol/bad attitudes.

Tonight: Zigtebra

July 18, 2018

Electric Avenue hosts an eclectic night tonight which will be the music destination for downtown Buffalo. Topping the bill, and making a stop on their exhaustive US tour, is the dancey Chicago synthpop duo, Zigtebra. Creative partners Emily Rose and Joe Zeph will get your body moving with their quirky, diary-entry love songs overcast with sparkling melancholia. Everything may seem like rainbows and butterflies with bubbly synth beats and Rose’s warm, romantic vocals, but below the surface, there’s longing and heartache. It’s what makes Zigtebra so authentic and appealing. If you like dancing and have a heart, you won’t want to miss these two. Sharing the spotlight will be Buffalo’s freshest alternative folk act, Heave. Song writer Emily Finlan’s gorgeous and moody voice entwines with awesomely atmospheric instruments to create superb alt-ballads your ears need to ear. Give them one song and you’ll feel like you’re floating down a lazy river[...]

Tonight: Lina Tullgren

May 15, 2018

Looking for something fun to do with your Tuesday?  Head down to Sewing Souls for a night packed with some sweet tunes.   Two acts from New York City are making the long trek to Buffalo, Lina Tullgren and Kateboard.  Lina Tullgren recently released an LP, titled Won, on NYC label Captured Tracks before the end of last year, which sounds both haunting and complex.  Kateboard utilizes a unique DIY sounding lo-fi approach, and has one full length tape under their belt from back in 2014.  The rest of the bill is stacked with three local acts. Jesse Kaufman will be doing an acoustic solo set, Heave will be making their debut as a four piece, and slow core duo Award Show will be closing things out. Doors open for the gig at 7pm, and there’s a $5 suggested donation for the touring band.  Feel free to BYOB if you’re over[...]

Tonight: Marigold

January 23, 2018

Marigold (aka Ben Lieber from Buffalo cosmic rockers Head North) is kicking off a solo tour tonight with a set of acoustic tunes. His songs are emotional and understated, combining the catharsis of bedroom-emo with the warmness and intimacy of an acoustic guitar. Support tonight comes from fellow Buffalonians heave (aka the hushed and ethereal musings of Emily Finlan) and Greg Priester/Mike Rakiecki from heavy-hitters Into the Wake, whose songs translate surprisingly well to the acoustic format. Tonight’s show is at Mohawk Place. Doors are at 7pm, bring $10 to get in. Counterfeit Art (Reprise) by Marigold

Tonight: Strawberry Runners

October 30, 2017

Buffalo’s Sugar City is the host to a jam packed line up full of folk pop acts, both touring and local. Heave, Joseph Meyers, and Honey Coma will be repping Buffalo, ranging in genre from experimental folk to stripped down post rock. Acoustic folk act Ben Morey will also be making a trip down the 90 from Rochester, and Strawberry Runners will also be rolling out. A collaborative effort spanning Brooklyn, Denver, and Philly, the tender pop act will be stopping in Buffalo in support of the new five song EP, titled In The Garden, In The Night. Doors open for the show at 6pm, and while there is no cost listed on the event page, I would bring somewhere from 5-10 dollars for the touring band. Sugar City is an all ages alcohol / drug free space located at 1239 Niagara street, across the street from the Resurgence Brewing Company.

heave – S/T

October 6, 2017

Buffalo musician Emily Finlan has released her first EP via bandcamp. Recording under the name heave, the self-titled EP is a quick three-song debut. Here, she acts as lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter, with accompaniment from Jake Galenski on drums, slide guitar and organ. Having been recorded in an attic, the EP has deep DIY indie vibes, which lends itself to the laid back nature of these tunes. The smooth reverberant tone of the electric guitar provides a gliding effect that coasts throughout the not quite 8 minute release. The lightest organ and second guitar flourishes ebb and flow at just the right moments to bring each track to life. For being only three songs long, there is quite a bit of range here. Opening track, “beveled,” has a loose jazz groove to it, with a slide guitar refrain that teases a lazy beach afternoon. The second track, “cape squad,”[...]