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Humble Braggers – New Life

Humble Braggers have polished up some uncut gems. A heavy-hitter in Buffalo’s synthpop space, the band has just dropped their third full-length album, New Life, which–as the band describes on Instagram–isn’t just a collection of new tracks. Instead, their latest effort is a curated selection of songs spanning their eleven-year history, all of which originate from demos first recorded between 2014 and 2022. The songs, now repurposed and packaged into a tidy ten-song LP, give listeners a peek behind the curtain and a glimpse into the evolution of their sound over the last decade. New Life is our album of the week.   Singer Tom Burtless described the album’s genesis as a retrospective look at their unreleased material around the band’s tenth anniversary mark. Their guiding principle for completing these songs was one of restraint: minimal new elements were incorporated, existing arrangements were largely preserved, and any intelligible lyrics remained,[...]

Humble Braggers Release New Single, “So Alive”

Buffalo indietronica mainstays Humble Braggers are back again with another lush single they’re calling “So Alive.” By now (we hope!) you’re familiar with the quartet’s euphoric sound – songs filled with what seems like hundreds of synth textures; big vintage drum sounds; plucky guitar riffs; and Tom Burtless’ signature croon. “So Alive” continues that trend, complete with a set of lyrics about how good it feels to face your fears head-on. Check out “So Alive” below via Soundcloud. If you like it, you can also find their entire discography on Spotify and Apple Music. PS: Don’t forget to pre-save their full-length LP, Love & Fear, due out November 11th – here’s the link for you to do so. Humble Braggers · So Alive

Humble Braggers Release New Music Video for “Better”

Buffalo synthpop heroes Humble Braggers are back with a new music video for their reimagined jam, “Better.” The video finds the HB boys getting raucous in a backyard beer pong session, complete with NFL-quality can punting (Go Bills!), table flipping, and plenty of quasi-drunken bliss. Juxtaposed against the band’s tomfoolery is front man Tom Burtless, smoothly mouthing the lyrics and dressed to the nines in an expertly-decorated room. It’s a good look for the Buffalo mainstays, who continue to pump out mature and polished music (and evidently having a great time doing so). Like all of Humble Braggers’ work, “Better” is another absolute earworm, full of tasty synths, soaked in reverb, and tinged with just-enough vintage 1980s flavor. Check it out below – If you prefer to listen elsewhere, you can find all of the links here.

Humble Braggers Break Out With New Single “Locked Inside”

Buffalo synth pop quartet Humble Braggers have dropped a very tight new single “Locked Inside” that’s exactly what you need inside and out after an exceptionally sunless winter. Humble Braggers don’t play around on this single, with every element on song from the achingly vulnerable tenor and evocative lyrics of frontman and creative guru Tom Burtless,  a crystal clean guitar solo also from Burtless, “Locked Inside” breaks free to achieve proper lift off thanks to it’s genuine and meaningful empathy, it’s M83 worthy synth lines reaching for outer space, and some club friendly change ups and 80’s drum vibes encouraging you to get free. Check it out below and let some sunshine in. Locked Inside by Humble Braggers

denzelworldpeace Teams with Humble Braggers on New Single

Up-and-coming Buffalo beatsmith denzelworldpeace has teamed up with Humble Braggers mastermind Tom Burtless to drop the first local jam of 2020, “Time Can’t Help,” and takes us to church. The classically trained denzelworldpeace aka Denzel Crockett has been producing since he was a kid, quietly building a catalog of sexy bedroom electronica since late 2018, but he’s poised to come on strong this year with this exquisitely tasteful slab of electronic love wrapped up in Cathedralesque sonics and hymnlike blue eyed soul from Tom Burtless. This is it and it is everything..

Tonight: NYE @ Nietzsche’s

Tonight Nietzsche’s is hosting a stacked local music bill and  this year may truly be one for the record books. With acts ranging from synth-pop to psychedelia to moody indie-rock there’s most certainly plenty to go around. Headlining will be everyone’s favorite synth-pop act Humble Braggers. Known for their energetic live shows, they’re sure to make you dance the decade away in style. Also on the bill is local psychedelic heavyweights Deadwolf. True revivalists, their lush textures harken back to the “golden age” of psychedelic acts such as The 13thFloor Elevators or Strawberry Alarm Clock. Rounding out the local “heavys” on the bill is indie-rock outfit The Burkharts. With a distinctly lo-fi dreamy surf-pop sound, they’re a deeply fun band and certainly one to get you moving. Also on the bill is Urban Planning and relative newcomers to the scene The Best Strangers. Urban Planning plays jangly, moody indie-pop, with[...]

Preview: Koko Neetz EP Release

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:

Tonight: Kevin Scoma

Longtime Buffalo songwriter Kevin Scoma recently released his first solo EP Into The Dreaming Sea and will celebrate with a show tonight at Duende at Silo City. Full of lush harmony, gentle electronics and a deeply indie-folk vibe, Into The Dreaming Sea is an extremely strong showing from an already established songwriter. Scoma blends influences in a compelling way, especially on a track such as “I’ll Be Around,” a tranquil ballad that incorporates a lightly strummed guitar and banjo pattern accentuated with shimmering electronics. At the risk of comparing, the overall aesthetic of the EP fits neatly into Carrie & Lowell-era Sufjan Stevens. Another standout track is “I Was Never Afraid to Die,” which gradually builds to a brief yet stirring guitar solo. Lyrically, the album is deeply introspective and pairs beautifully and at times heart-wrenchingly with the music. Scoma has created a deeply cathartic release, further highlighting his talent[...]

Tonight: KOPPS’ Y2K End Of The World Dance Party

The state of the world got you down? Are all of the trendlines pointing to a big honking anxiety attack? Well get ready to dance away all of your mounting apocalyptic fears away by celebrating and commemorating the last time we all thought the world was going to end, in the one place I want to be when the end comes, the beloved Mohawk, with some tasteful DJ sets from Tom Burtless (Humble Braggers) and Jacob Asher (Ben Bailey of Joywave)  and a special performance by Rochester electro trash disco gods KOPPS. Go back in time to the turn of the millennium with all the hottest 1999-2000 jams and a Y2K costume contest for the sexy party people dressed to impress, so be sure to leave your smartphones at home (just kidding). Doors are at 8:30pm, music starts at 9pm and cover at the door is $12.

Tonight: Space Cubs

Indietronica multimedia ensemble Space Cubs will be releasing their hotly anticipated LP The 4th Age, with a show tonight at Mohawk Place. Originally born in 2011 as a venture of songwriter/producer Suzanne Bonifacio, the group grew with the addition of multimedia whiz Shawn Lewis (Lesionread), and guitarist and visual artist Adam Pressley (Frenchpressley). It’s been fascinating to see how the band has progressed, growing their sound with each release anchored consistently by Bonifacio’s powerful, otherworldly vocals. Most recently, the band released three singles leading up to their new album; “Shelves” in November 2018, “Sideways” and “Circular” which were both released a few weeks ago. If the singles are any gauge, this new album is going to be special. With the ability to channel early period Eno ambient, as well as the jagged, angular art-rock of Radiohead, Space Cubs have consistently proven themselves to be one of the most interesting bands[...]

Wild Once at Mohawk Place (5/10/19)

Fans of local music were treated to a superb showcase of the quality and diversity of Buffalo’s rock scene with Wild Once’s EP Release at Mohawk Place this past Friday, May 10th. Equal parts heartfelt and headstrong, Wild Once’s debut EP, Perennials (Admirable Traits Records), taps into the emotional ambivalence and messy uncertainty that define our lives and interpersonal relationships. Intertwining the dramatic thrust of midwestern emo with indie’s unvarnished charm, the band evoke heavy emotions without succumbing to melodramatics. Heavy-hitting supporting acts included Humble Braggers’ jubilant electronic-rock, Cooler’s gossamer cacophony, and Worse Things’ fuzzed-out fury. Worse Things Cooler Humble Braggers Wild Once  

Tonight: Wild Once

Tonight, you need to get down to Mohawk Place to see one of the best all-local lineups this year has to offer so far. Wild Once is kicking off the weekend by celebrating the release of their new EP Perennials. If that wasn’t enough to get you out the door, let us remind you that you will receive a FREE copy of the release with a ticket purchase. In case that doesn’t get you jazzed enough, keep in mind that the lineup absolutely rules. Synth-pop titans Humble Braggers are playing their first show in quite some time, which, in and of itself, is a good reason to attend. Joining them as well are rising post-emo acts Cooler as well as Worse Things. Doors are at 8pm, tickets are $10.  In the meantime, check out Wild Once right here: Perennials by Wild OnceWritten by Mike Rakiecki

Tonight: Humble Braggers

Tonight Buffalo’s Lockhouse Distillery hosts the show of your dreams with an evening of local ethereal pop and rock acts. Headlining and returning for their first show in five months is the atmospheric synth-pop four-piece, Humble Braggers. These hometown heroes will thrill you and get you moving with their vibrant vocals, bouncy bass lines, killer keys and dancy drum beats. Expect a fun and exhilarating set full of dreamy records that will give you a head rush. Don’t miss it or the opportunity to show off on the dance floor. Showing their support and taking you on a trip through your subconscious is the nostalgic psych-rock ensemble, Deadwolf. If you’ve never heard these guys before, imagine if the Beach Boys grew up into grizzled, burnt out beach bums. Their 70’s roach clip riffs and chilled out vocals contribute to vagabond melodies that make for surreal head nodders. Check them out[...]

Tonight: The Leones

Get in the haunting holiday spirit with The Leones as they host their second annual Halloween show tonight at Buffalo’s Mohawk Place. The Leones are a phantasmic piano-dream-rock act from Western, NY. Their spooky sound is the perfect score for a lonely midnight stroll down a foggy, shadowy road. Justin Bachulak’s ominous vocals and chilling keys are punctuated like a knife through a shower curtain by Dustin Lau’s ethereal guitar chords. These two will give you the willies and leave you looking over your shoulder on your way home tonight. Expect an eerie performance including ghastly new material. Hometown synth-pop four-piece, Humble Braggers, will also be stalking the stage. Reanimated by the release of their thrilling new EP, Cycle, Humble Braggers conjure spine-tingling dance tracks that could raise the dead. You might want to stretch beforehand because their exhilarating synths, punchy percussions and dazzling vocals will possess you to bust[...]

Humble Braggers – Cycle

Cycle, the latest EP from synth-pop quartet Humble Braggers, is excellent, danceable and almost entirely bereft of hope. The cycle that the album title alludes to goes something like this: Feel lonely, feel desire; Take a risk, regret the consequences; Find connection, find out that it’s torturous; End up alone; Repeat. Sounds depressing, right? But it’s not. Even as the lyrics dwell on despair, the songs themselves carve out a euphoric space where pain gets put on hold as we give ourselves over to the music. We start with “Reckless.” In a stripped-down verse, bass and a simple beat drive us forward as vocalist Tom Burtless softly intones: “You’ll never get what you want it’s pointless… It’s rinse wash and repeat. It’s the cycle you wish you could defeat.” But instead of collapsing into despair, the synths bubble up and explode into the chorus, with Burtless chanting “I know, I[...]