Latest Posts

Ian McCuen – After I Descend from the Sky, Before I Return to the Dirt

December 4, 2025

Ian McCuen operates on a creative clock that ticks a little faster than the rest of us. For the past nine years, the Buffalo-based singer-songwriter has delivered a new full-length record on a nearly annual basis, a pace that would exhaust most musicians. Their latest offering, After I Descend from the Sky, Before I Return to the Dirt, arrives just a year after the electronic-tinged As the Oceans Rise and the Empire Falls. But where 2024 saw McCuen experimenting with synthetic textures, this massive 24-track collection marks a return to the soil. It is a sprawling, organic entry into the bedroom folk canon that Ian has honed in on over the past decade, and it’s our album of the week.   Despite the “bedroom” descriptor (the album was self-recorded), the sound here is far from sparse. McCuen has once again assembled a recurring cast of collaborators to flesh out their[...]

7 Acts to Catch at Elmwood Village Porchfest 2025

May 14, 2025

Ian McCuen @ 1pm 444 Forest Avenue   If you wanted to minimize your steps for the day, I would suggest bringing a lawn chair to 444 Forest Avenue and not leaving, as the lineup has some true talent from the emerging local scene. Starting the indie lineup is Ian McCuen, a singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalists who has somber and gripping songs that are reminiscent of Bright Eyes or Sufjan Stevens.   As the Oceans Rise and the Empire Falls by Ian McCuen Kriggy @ 3pm 390 Richmond Ave   New kids on the block Kriggy aim to prove what the buzz is all about on Richmond Ave mid-afternoon. The band has an angular, math-y messiness that is appealing and no-frills in the most charming way possible.   Sonny Baker Trio @ 3:30pm 1110 Elmwood Ave.   Buffalo music scene mainstay Sonny Baker teams up with his frequent collaborators for a rare trio[...]

Ian McCuen- As the Oceans Rise and the Empire Falls

January 24, 2025

Buffalo singer-songwriter Ian McCuen combines bedroom folk with jazzy synth pop in their latest album, As the Oceans Rise and the Empire Falls. Highlighting their personal struggle with understanding the socio-political state of the world, each of the 22 tracks speaks to a different emotion. From capitalistic nature to grief and search for individuality, this record has something for everyone.   Track one, “The Overture,” sets the overall tone with a haunting instrumental. It is unsettling and anxiety-inducing in a way that horror films have perfected and wonderfully portrays the turmoil expressed in later tracks. In addition to “The Overture,” nine other tracks act as ‘tone-shifters.’’ These instrumentals divide the album based on feeling and topic – going from unsettling depth (see “Indoctrinated, Propagandized”) to contemplative closure (see “Outerlude” and “Encore”) – with a unique utilization of piano, acoustics, Omnichord, and many others.   The first lyrics are seen in[...]

Must See Shows (1/22/25-1/28/25)

January 21, 2025

Thursday, January 23rd @ 8pm Adelaide @ Milkies Adelaide has been playing the Buffalo scene for the past few years as mostly a solo artist, however, this Thursday will be a special one as the project expands into a full band. With backing musicians, expect Adelaide’s powerful vocals to be complimented by a lusher sound. Fans of Diet Cig, The Beths, or Snail Mail would be into the expansion of the Adelaide team.   Also on the bill is introspective singer/songwriter Ian McCuen who will be playing in support of their latest album As the Oceans Rise and the Empire Falls, which came out at the tail end of November. Orange Dog Club, the original act announced on the lineup, had to sit this one out. Taking their place will be mystic solo outfit Amanda Bridges. $10 gets you VIP seating.   Fire by adelaide Friday, January 24th @ 9pm Looms[...]

Must See Shows (11.27.24-12.4.24)

November 26, 2024

Wednesday, November 27th @ 7pm FINICK @ 9th Ward FINICK is the performing name for 17-year-old singer/songwriter Josie Hasnik. Based out of Minneapolis, the young songstress has been playing live since 2023 with major support from Minnesota indie station Radio K among many others. Finick will be in Buffalo in support of her new single, “Selfish” which came out in October. Fans of Beach Bunny, Clairo, or Mitski should plan on heading down to Delaware Ave. before hitting Chippewa.  ‘ Joining the bill will be Buffalo DIY scene folk-artist Adelaide. Bring all your returning high school friends. $15 cover. Friday, November 29th @ 8pm Ian McCuen (Release Show) @ Mohawk Place Introspective singer/songwriter Ian McCuen has been on the scene for a minute, playing sad/pretty songs at all the local joint throughout Buffalo. This Friday, the delicate songsmith will be celebrating the release of their new album As the Oceans[...]

Ian McCuen – Permanent Ending

March 3, 2022

The ever-so-gentle acoustic tones of Buffalo based multi-instrumentalist Ian McCuen recently brought closure to their project, Songs of Fleeting Permanence, originally started pre-pandemic in April of 2019. Their latest installment, Permanent Ending, features songs such as “Five Year Plan” which is guaranteed to lift every hair on your body from the whispered vocals (which are expertly mixed by the way) reminiscent of Bon Iver or Sufjan Stevens. Ian invented the sonic equivalent of a lazy river with instrumental track “Desultory,” and the final and title-track to the EP, “Permanent Ending,” provides a warm and nostalgic ending to this long-running project. You can find Permanent Ending on Bandcamp (below) or on Spotify. Permanent Ending by Ian McCuen

Ian McCuen – Songs of Fleeting Permanence, Vol. III

January 29, 2020

Beware the quiet man, for when others speak, he plots. Buffalo singer/songwriter with an overflow of empathy, Ian McCuen, has just completed the final step of his greatly laid plans. Volume three of Songs of Fleeting Permanence has been released. The thirty-three song collection spans three separate releases , and chronicles a period in McCuen’s life where isolation lead to great reflection and self-discovery. The album begins with the track “Buried at Sea.” A strummed chord progression played on acoustic guitar drives the song, which starts stripped down until other elements are artfully added to the mix. McCuen’s signature vocal styling, which register above a whisper but pack enough diction and emphasis to level a room, cut straight to the chase. The first lyric, “I went looking for myself/Descended straight into hell,” is as wildly creative as it is poetic, scary, and enticing. As the track progresses a piano and[...]

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[...]

Ian McCuen – Songs of Fleeting Permanence, Vol. II

June 10, 2019

Beware the quiet man. When others speak, he watches. When others act, he plans. When others rest, he strikes. Ian McCuen is our modern day quiet man. He began his journey almost a decade ago when he entered an intense six year period of self-reflection and discovery. The light at the end of that tunnel turned out to be an epic three volume set of indie-folk music entitled Songs of Fleeting Permanence. He recently released Vol. II. Volume II’s lead off track, “Drowning,” sets the emotionally heavy tone that serves as the release’s foundation. A vocal melody, reminiscent of a church choir in terms of depth and haunting feel, bolsters the melancholy lyrics. In a near-whisper, McCuen sings, “Keep your head up/treading water/keep your head up/just stay afloat.” “Facade,” the second track, gives the listener reason as to why one may find themselves struggling to not go under. In a[...]

Ian McCuen – Seasons Fleeting

January 14, 2019

Ian McCuen is a self-proclaimed “purveyor of sorrow,” and now may be a better time than ever to introduce his latest offering. For the depressed and the downtrodden, his somber, three-song EP, Seasons Fleeting, is here to queue in the bleak January blues. What better accompaniment to the false optimism of new year resolutions and the passing of the insincere holiday cheer than McCuen’s acoustic-guitar driven laments about the recently passed “most wonderful time of the year.” Title-track “Seasons Fleeting” is a sleigh-bell tinged ditty about the paradoxical nature of the holidays. Opening line “the tree is covered in twinkling lights” is imagery that directly opposes McCuen’s choice of album cover – a garbage can in a dingy kitchen, wrapped in cheap Christmas lights. Through vibes reminiscent of Bon Iver and Elliot Smith, McCuen gently strums his acoustic guitar and delicately shakes his sleigh bells to describe his hatred of the fleeting seasons. Christmas time[...]

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: Great Lake Swimmers

October 13, 2018

Tonight, Toronto indie group Great Lake Swimmers stops by Iron Works. The Juno Award nominated band is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2018, marked by the release of both an EP and full length record earlier in the year. The new album, The Waves, The Wake, was recorded in the 145-year Bishop Cronyn Memorial Church and released via Nettwerk. Opening the show is Newburgh, NY group Native Harrow. The folk duo recently released a 90-minute 2X album, Sorores, expanding their sound into a darker, more avant-garde realm. Doors are open at 8pm, with music at 9pm. Tickets are $18 at the door.

Tonight: Jacob Peter

September 27, 2018

Tonight, the Burchfield Penny Art Center will host an installment of their newly established concert series, ReSoundings. Designed as a live video recording session, the series focuses on providing a unique environment for composers and musicians to explore the acoustics of the Center. The session will be presented in the east gallery, where the ceilings are 28′ high and boasts a five and a half second reverb. Audiences are treated to the opportunity to witness the recording as an intimate performance within an unconventional space. The featured performer this evening is local composer Jacob Peter. A fixture among the Buffalo music scene, the multi-instrumentalist has meticulously crafted a body of intricate and delicate contemporary songs across 3 EPs (all of which are available for free via bandcamp). Jacob Peter will be joined live by keyboardist Harry Graser and drummer Gabriel Wells. Doors will open at 6:30pm with a show start[...]

Jong SL Releases New Track “Driving Away”

September 20, 2018

Alt. pop artist Jong SL is back this year with promising new material. The Toronto via Buffalo singer-songwriter is following up his 2017 EP Ice Cream with a new single, “Driving Away,” foreshadowing an upcoming full length project. Known for his cross-genre blending, the track is Jong’s most fine-tuned and musically diverse release to date. The once light and bouncy air of Jong’s music is now treated with a heavier shade. His previous sound of coffee shop pop meets blue-eyed soul is amplified here with darker and more ambient elements. The tune itself floats through different phases, borrowing from both alt. rock and contemporary R&B, and pairs acoustic guitars with electric ones, and ethereal synth embellishments with a tight modern R&B groove. Even from a lyrically standpoint, “Driving Away” moves in a more melancholic direction, hinting at what is to come from Jong in the future. In regards to the[...]