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Humble Braggers at Nietzsche’s (9/1/18)

September 5, 2018

Synth-pop fan favorites Humble Braggers celebrated the release of their newest EP, Cycle (Admirable Traits Records), with a spectacular musical showcase at Nietzsche’s on September 1st, 2018. Eschewing guitars in favor of lush synth pads, and with a greater emphasis on dance rhythms, Cycle explores feelings of uncertainty and self-doubt over some of the most jubilant pop hooks the band has crafted yet. With a stunning light show from Shawn E. Lewis, Humble Braggers’ transcendent and impassioned tunes simply exploded onstage. The band were supported by experimental pop purveyors Space Cubs and effervescent jangle-pop quintet Little Summer, with a closing indie-dance set from DJ collective Dance Yrself Clean. Little Summer Space Cubs Humble Braggers

Tonight: Humble Braggers

September 1, 2018

Iconic Buffalo synth-pop quartet Humble Braggers is releasing their latest batch of songs tonight with the six-song Cycle EP, out now on Admirable Traits Records. Over the last 5+ years, the Braggers have released some of the most consistently excellent music Buffalo has to offer, and Cycle certainly continues that trend. Local support for this evening comes from jangle-pop act Little Summer and experimental synth act Space Cubs. Stick around to end your night out with a very dance-able DJ set from Buffalo mainstay collective, Dance Yrslf Clean. Tonight’s show is $10 – a copy of Cycle will be included with the price of admission. Doors are at 9pm. Remember kids, Nietzsche’s is a 21+ venue. Cycle by Humble Braggers

Humble Braggers Drop Lush New Single, “Reckless”

June 22, 2018

Buffalo’s resident synth-poppers Humble Braggers are gearing up for the release of their fourth EP, Cycle, with a phat new single. “Reckless” is another banger from Tom Burtless & co., anchored by an instantly memorable chorus, electronic drum samples, and lush layers of synth. “Reckless” is a not-so-subtle reminder of the high-quality song crafting that this quartet is capable of (and is a real earworm to boot) – give it a listen via the widget below or stream it on Spotify. Cycle is slated for release via Admirable Traits on 8/31 with an accompanying release show. Until then, be sure to pick up “Reckless” through iTunes.

5 Bands to Catch at Thin Man Brewery’s Summer Solstice

June 16, 2018

Today Thin Man Brewery celebrates their second annual Summer Solstice street festival, where the up-and-coming establishment takes over the Elmwood Village block between W. Utica and Hodge and provides ample tunes from talented locals as well plenty of craft beers to wet your whistle. Doors start at 12pm with the fun going until about 10pm. Tickets are $20 for the GA with a $30 VIP option for the high rollers. Here are five bands we recommend checking out today, beer in hand. The CPX (3pm) If there is a community festival in Buffalo, chance are the CPX will make an appearance on the bill – and with good reason. The Americana-country leaning outfit has been in the local scene for years with their accessible sound and commanding stage presence, the CPX is a good lead-in to an afternoon of brews and sunshine. Bold Folly (5:30pm) Bold Folly are an up-and-coming[...]

Tonight: Basic Printer

April 11, 2018

Two of Buffalo’s best bands are hosting a fantastic show tonight, featuring a set from experimental Nashville synth-poppers Basic Printer. Buffalo’s indie-rock-for-indie-rockers outfit dreambeaches will bring their impressive brand of baroque-pop… Synth masterminds Humble Braggers are also playing, and they always bring it home with their unique brand of irresistibly hooky synth-pop. Tonight’s show is at Mohawk Place and it starts at 7pm. Bring $7 for admission. Good Weird ft. Del Florida by Basic Printer

Tonight: Humble Braggers

December 9, 2017

Armed with some new tunes, synth pop heroes Humble Braggers headline an insanely stacked, can’t miss show tonight at Nietzsche’s that features some of the region’s best bands.  It’s a red hot Buffalo/Rochester showcase, with our friends KOPPS and The Demos representing for the 585, with KOPPS rocking their ever satisfying trashy electropop and The Demos bringing the glam power pop. Local garage rockers Ugly Sun are also thrown in their for good measure and will be sure to provide some righteously melted faces. Cover is $8 and doors open at 9pm. I Know Better, I’m No Better by Humble Braggers

Tonight: Lazlo Hollyfeld & Friends Play Arcade Fire

October 27, 2017

Beloved Buffalo experimental rockers Lazlo Hollyfeld have previously taken on the music of Talking Heads, LCD Soundsystem, and Radiohead, and tonight they’re playing twenty… yes twenty Arcade Fire songs at the Mohawk, which is the closest we’ve gotten to the real thing since the fancy dress loving Arcade Fire has chosen to skip playing Buffalo for the last 12 years. If you caught their Radiohead In Rainbows shows last year at Iron Works and The Bug Jar you know Lazlo Hollyfeld will do a very good job, and with a whole bunch of accomplices joining them to generate that big Arcade Fire sound, tonight could be a real pre Halloween treat. Meanwhile, NYC rock legends The Strokes, who have played WNY, will be honored with a set of covers by local all-star tribute band Different Strokes, featuring Tom (Humble Braggers) Burtless, Ben (Dance Yrself Clean) Parsons, John (Girl Jeans) Grace, Ryan (The Slums) Schilia, and[...]

M.A.G.S. & The Slums at Mohawk Place (9/8/17)

September 12, 2017

Two of Buffalo’s biggest local bands—righteous indie-punks M.A.G.S. and hardcore heavyweights The Slums—celebrated the release of their new, highly-anticipated albums with a stunning double release show at Mohawk Place on September 8th. MAGS’ self-titled debut for Admirable Traits Records showcases Elliott Douglas’ knack for razor-sharp riffs and hooks that deliver like a knockout punch. Likewise, The Slums’ latest EP, Bloodsucker, refines their signature amalgam of knotty math-rock riffs, driving rhythms, and Steven Floyd’s caustic howl. Having rigorously road-tested their new material for months, M.A.G.S. and The Slums blew the roof off Mohawk Place with unrivaled abandon. Joining them that evening were local synth-pop heroes (and M.A.G.S.’ labelmates) Humble Braggers, and the Albany-based “dreamo” quartet Jouska, making their return to Buffalo since their Dreamland show this past February. Humble Braggers Jouska The Slums M.A.G.S.

Tonight: MAGS and The Slums Double Release Show

September 8, 2017

You might want to clear up your schedule and head down to Mohawk Place tonight.  Two great local acts, MAGS and the Slums, are both dropping new projects today, and are having one big party to celebrate.  MAGS are dropping their first full length on Admitrable Traits Records, titled M.A.G.S., and the Slums are putting out their final(??) EP, titled Bloodsucker. If I were you, I’d show up early because this one will probably be packed. Buffalo’s own Humble Braggers will be kicking things off, and Albany’s Jouska will also be returning to Buffalo to perform. Doors open at the Mohawk at 8PM, and it is $12 at the door.  Admission comes with one free MAGS CD, and the first 50 people though the door get a free “mystery swag bag” via The Slums. Photo by Brendan O’Connor

Tonight: Humble Braggers

August 12, 2017

Nietzsche’s is set to host a night of up-and-coming acts tonight for undoubtedly a well-rounded show set to the brim with local talent. Set to headline is mysterious art rock project from the minds that brought us Well Worn Boot, Smokin’ Black Tar. The band is still in its infancy and has not released any recorded material yet. Also on the docket are local electro pop trio Humble Braggers, who by this point you should be very familiar with by reading our blog. Poughkeepsie-based chamber rock act The Warp/The Weft will be making their Buffalo debut as the opener on the back stage. The band is touring in support of their new album Mapping an Absence which came out at the end of July.  Sprinkled in with performances in the front are the avant garde act Green Schwinn. Doors are at 9pm with a $5 cover. I Know Better, I’m[...]

The Naked and Famous at the Town Ballroom (06/12/17)

June 14, 2017

All in attendance at the Naked and Famous show earlier this week we treated to a very special night.  Since their formation, the LA based synth pop has seldom played the Buffalo area, and they brought their A game to the Town Ballroom.  They played a set featuring tracks focusing on their last full length, Simple Forms, as well as a plethora of tracks from their popular 2010 debut album, Passive Me, Aggressive You. Buffalo’s own Humble Braggers kicked off the night with a tight set as well.  Check out some photos from the night below. Humble Braggers The Naked and Famous

Tonight: The Naked And Famous

June 12, 2017

All you synth pop lovers out there need to get down to the Town Ballroom tonight. New Zealand turned Los Angeles based act, The Naked and Famous, are finally making a stop in Buffalo. From what I can see, it looks like the band has never actually made it out to Buffalo since they formed in 2008. Since their formation, The Naked and Famous have been pumping out hits almost every year. Even if you don’t actively listen to the band, you have to have heard a lot of their songs in passing over the years. While they are sure to be prepping up a new release sometime soon, they are still on tour supporting their 2016 LP, Simpler Forms. Opening up the show will be Buffalo’s own Humble Braggers, who recently released their debut LP, I Know Better, I’m No Better. Doors are set to open at 7pm, and tickets are still[...]

Tonight: The Leones

June 2, 2017

Tonight Batavia based psych rockers The Leones celebrate the release of their latest release, Songs From The Canyon at the Ninth Ward at Babeville with the busy as hell Humble Braggers and art rock outfit Parade Chic. Fans of vintage synths, spacious jams, and songs that conjure sensations of a beating sun over the low desert and yearning freedom won’t want to miss this one. Doors are at 8pm and cover is $5. Songs From The Canyon by The Leones

Tonight: Kopps

April 29, 2017

Rochester electro-pop outfit Kopps return to Buffalo after a near yearlong absence from playing New York’s Queen City. The band has remained very active over the past year, playing a slew of dates with Joywave and pumping out four new singles (one of which we will be featuring later in the week). As usual, expect Kopps’ live performance to be tight, complete with synched dance moves and smooth transitions, making the band ‘s vibe come across extremely professional. Kopps’ slot should be the icing on the cake for a stacked bill. Also set to perform are synth act fresh off the release of their new album, Humble Braggers, recently-out-of-hibernation indie rockers M.A.G.S., and cloud pop outfit Mutual Friends. Doors are at 9pm with a $6 cover.

Tonight: Operators

April 14, 2017

Tonight Canadian New Wavers Operators make a stop in Buffalo with blog favorites Humble Braggers for a night of synthed out electronic bliss and tasteful ass shaking. One of the many projects Dan (Wolf Parade, Divine Fits) Boeckner has going at any given moment, Operators released their terrific debut Blue Wave last year. Recorded in “a vintage barn in the middle of nowhere” of Southern Ontario, it’s a terrific slice of smart 80’s New Wave pop with an up to the minute sensibility that speaks to our immediate times with songs like “Mission Creep” and “Bring Me The Head.” Really, with the bombs falling in the Middle East and quite possibly North Korea by the time this post gets published, Operators couldn’t have come at a better time. Meanwhile, local openers Humble Braggers have had a busy few months, playing shows in Fredtown, Rochester, and the city in support of their fine debut[...]