Latest Posts

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,”[...]

Zan Strumfeld – Book of Belonging

September 29, 2017

It has been a bit a journey for singer-songwriter Zan Strumfeld to get to her latest release. The new effort, Book of Belonging, was written after the dissolving of a long term relationship this past winter. The Troy-based artist had been on a hiatus from music since releasing two EPs in 2013. Working as a full-time writer, Strumfeld was thrust back into the world of songwriting this year as the story of her heartbreak unexpectedly presented itself in album form. Book of Belonging was recorded in a living room with the assistance of a small, tight band; only a light peppering of upright bass, acoustic guitars and percussion round out these arrangements. Having been recorded on an 8-track, there is an added warmth and intimacy to the album; a warmth that provides respite when paired with the wintery nature of Strumfeld’s words. The mixing is precise and focused, putting every[...]

Tonight: Quicksand

September 24, 2017

Post-hardcore veterans Quicksand make a stop at the Town Ballroom tonight. In 1995, the group broke up while at the height of their success, and after only two albums. Now over 20 years later, they are gearing up for the November release of their long-awaited third album, Interiors. They’ve been back on the road the last few years after a 2012 reunion, and tonight make their triumphant return to Buffalo. Canadian shoegaze duo No Joy will open the show. Creep, the second installment in a planned series of EPs, was released earlier this year. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office for $22. Doors open at 7pm.

Damian – Back When I Was Marc Bolan

September 18, 2017

“It don’t fuckin matter / it’s so fuckin absurd.” This line repeats several times on the track “To Never Get Back Home Again,” the second track from Damian Weber’s new album, Back When I Was Marc Bolan. It is a sentiment that seems to define the record, as well as Weber’s own outlook. The moody and introspective singer-songwriter, who goes simply by Damian, possesses an unencumbered and carefree unrest that oozes from his music. Weber is a veteran of the mumblecore folk scene, having released several records that, at their heart, embody a bashful yet charismatic, understated quality. Having been bred by the Buffalo indie scene, he now (reluctantly) resides in Brooklyn. With the new scenery comes a new approach; Back When I Was Marc Bolan operates as a sync to the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. When viewing his synched up version of the film, it is[...]

Iron & Wine – Beast Epic

September 1, 2017

On his sixth studio album, Sam Beam feels like he’s come full circle. When he first started out, Iron & Wine was a solo acoustic vehicle, defined by his DIY lo-fi home recordings. With each subsequent release, his sound evolved and his band expanded, all the while helping to define the indie folk movement of the last decade. On Beast Epic, there is a shift back to an acoustic-centric focus, but with years of experience now giving both fresh weight and familiarity to this set of songs. Beam’s poignant, narrative lyricism and trademark hushed-vocals have always been the winning ingredient to Iron & Wine’s music. It is what has allowed him to glide seamlessly through different styles and sonic palettes during his career without losing the warmth and immediacy of his songwriting. No matter what’s happening on the surface, whether it’s the orchestral jazz-folk of 2013’s Ghost On Ghost, or[...]

Jong SL – Ice Cream

August 21, 2017

Recording under the name Jong SL, Buffalo-based musician Jong Lee has released his debut EP, Ice Cream. With roots as an acoustic singer-songwriter, on this seven track EP Jong’s compositions are rounded out with full-band arrangements and careful production. On top of an acoustic guitar bedrock, he layers influences of R&B, pop, jazz and blue-eyed soul. Ice Cream features 5 original tunes recorded at True Sound Studios, plus home recording renditions of 2 of the tracks that act as a pseudo-behind the scenes look at Jong’s writing and arranging process. The production here is polished, offering a smooth and bright exterior. The instrumentation is varied and eclectic, pairing acoustic guitars with electric ones, piano with electric organ and synth, as well as drum pad samples and layers of speaker candy. Compositionally, his jazz influences can be heard in the chord structures and the way his tight vocals are layered and[...]

Tonight: Floral Print

August 9, 2017

Tonight, an eclectic array of musicians is slated to play Sewing Souls Studios. The fashion & costume design studio and multipurpose venue will host a night of quirky and experimental music. Five different acts will be gracing the stage, four of which are from the WNY area. Headlining the night is Floral Print, an experimental rock band from Atlanta, Georgia presenting elements of pop psych jazz and indie in a deconstructed manner. Buffalo native Little Cake (Ana Vafail) is an eccentric project combining classical, pop, comedy and spoken word with a show tunes inflection. Jesse Kaufman is a dark electronic and noise artist hailing from the West Side. Rounding out the evening are Patrick Weil’s lo-fi soul project Ex-Pat and Marilla based lizard rockers Planet Three. Doors are at 7pm with music starting at 8. There is a $3-$5 suggested donation at the door. running joke & alice arm by[...]

Manchester Orchestra – A Black Mile to the Surface

August 4, 2017

Indie rock stalwarts Manchester Orchestra have returned with their fifth album, A Black Mile to the Surface. It follows a several year gap that saw the departure of multi-instrumentalist Chris Freeman, the birth of founding member Andy Hull’s daughter, as well as Hull and lead-guitarist Robert McDowell scoring the Daniel Radcliffe-Paul Dano led film Swiss Army Man. The new record is yet another departure in sonic aesthetic, something the band has done with every release throughout their career. Starting out in the emo realm with I’m Like a Virgin Losing a Child in 2006, it has been a meteoric rise the last 11 years, with the band expanding and advancing their sound every step of the way, as they became one of alternative music’s more beloved acts. Each record has been a new experience that both builds on and pivots away from the previous one, first with supercharged alt.-rock (Mean[...]

Tonight: Julie Byrne

July 28, 2017

Fans of ambient art folk are in for a treat tonight. In a special event at unorthodox venue Silo City, singer-songwriter Julie Byrne makes her return to Buffalo. Joining her are natives Lara Buckley and Noah Falck. Julie Byrne, who was born and raised in Buffalo, is touring in support of her acclaimed sophomore album Not Even Happiness. Byrne’s compositions here are earthy and intimate, making use of intricate guitar fingerpicking with occasional light string accompaniment or samples. Her cross-country travels are inherent in these songs, and especially evident in her picturesque and poetic lyricism. Local artist Lara Buckley is known for her bombastic and spiritual sound collages, combining layers of vocals, synthetic instrumentation and natural field recordings. Noah Falck is the education director at Just Buffalo Literary Center, and he’ll be reading some of his own opaque-yet-poignant style poetry. The show begins at 8pm at Silo City. Tickets are[...]

Tough Old Bird – Where the Great Beasts Are Buried

July 10, 2017

Tough Old Bird’s description on Facebook reads, “good folk for good folks.” It is a simple yet effective statement. Their music has a relatable weight to it that reflects back the small town heart of their native Fillmore, NY. Their latest release, Where the Great Beasts Are Buried, is an EP containing 6 tracks recorded at their home throughout late 2016. The duo of Matthew and Nathan Corrigan draw influences from traditional folk music that maps out dusty and sepia-tinted landscapes with its songwriting, as well as the modern context of rust belt melancholia. They achieve a full and rich sound despite this being a home recording, while still maintaining a stripped-down and raw nature at the core of their songs. Matthew’s instrumental work is delicate yet commanding, while Nathan’s vocals have a road-weary heft to them, especially when paired with the rustic poeticism of his lyrics Americana, blues, indie[...]

Ian McCuen – Songs of Fleeting Permanence, Vol. 1

May 29, 2017

Sometimes it’s not easy to be a musician. There is an element of vulnerability you must subject yourself to in order to find even a marginal amount of success. This, of course, rings true with most aspects of art in general, but there exist certain musicians who go beyond this unspoken requirement, laying all cards on the table face-up in an effort to further substantiate their craft. Ian McCuen is one of those musicians. In his first solo release–the exceptionally reflective Songs of Fleeting Permanence, Vol. 1–McCuen stirs up the acoustic singer-songwriter archetype with an interesting concept series chronicling a pivotal period in his life. Volume 1 of that series is our Album of the Week. It is through McCuen’s Fleeting Permanence series in which one can vicariously live (or relive) these moments of self-discovery. The tangibility of heartbreak, uncomfortable social situations, mortality, regret, alcohol–Fleeting Permanence grapples each of these[...]

Tonight: Francie Moon

May 3, 2017

Fans of garage indie-rock will be treated to a solid bill tonight. Two local groups will be joining New Jersey singer-songwriter Francie Moon at Mohawk Place. The three acts offer an array of DIY sounds sure to get you grooving. Francie Moon blends elements of rock, surf and punk for an effervescent basement sound. She’ll be hitting the stage with her full band, fresh off the release of her moody, ambient, and fuzz dripped record So This Is Life. Buffalo’s Bold Folly are a cavernous psych rock group who put out two new singles this year, highlighting their marriage of lo-fi and gritty music. Rounding out the evening will be rockers The Sofa Kingz. Show starts at 8, with tickets for $5.

Tonight: The Coathangers

April 26, 2017

Tonight, Atlanta punk rockers The Coathangers will be hitting up The Tralf. Joining the Suicide Squeeze Records group will be Buffalo native’s honey COMA. Together, it should make for an evening of heavy hitting hard rock. The Coathangers are known for having an irreverent playfulness to their songwriting. They combine that with a classic minimalist garage punk sound, reminiscent of some of the earliest female punk acts, while still having a foot in the modern indie sphere. The group is coming off the release of their 2016 full length Nosebleed Weekend, which landed on Paste Magazine’s 50 Best Albums of 2016 year end list. Openers honey COMA are a local supergroup, comprised of Mallwalkers’ Norelle Christiani, Humble Braggers’ Tom Burtless and Bryan Johnson & the Family’s Bryan Johnson. The collaboration describes themselves as slowcore sad rockers, and it fits. Their debut release 7 Songs features a blend of alt emo[...]

American Low Return with “settle_down”

April 13, 2017

Buffalo garage pop group American Low have been rather quiet for a while, but frontman Mike Brady has reemerged with a more stripped down approach with their new single “settle_down.” The track is pop infused Americana, combining a folky compositional vibe with a polished and radio friendly production. Its a fun little tune, complete with uptempo strummed acoustic guitars, shaker and tambourine accents, a catchy melody and just the right amount of speaker candy. Check out the song below and keep up to date with American Low over on Facebook. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/315782702″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Conor Oberst – Salutations

April 7, 2017

Apparently, last year’s Ruminations was just an appetizer, as Conor Oberst is back with a new, fuller record (both in sound and length). The over-an-hour-long Salutations sees him shift from solo acoustic guitar/piano sparseness to rounded out, full band arrangements. The album includes reworked renditions of all ten tracks from Ruminations, in addition to seven brand new songs. There is a stark contrast to these songs compared to last year’s counterparts. Ruminations was stripped down and bare, and felt almost like a cry for help in its startling isolation. Instead, Salutations is amblin’ Americana rock, finding company with organs, strings, accordion and percussion, as well as additional voices. Songs like “Tachycardia,” “Next of Kin” and “Mamah Borthwick (A Sketch)” turn into swooning ballads, while “Till St. Dymphna Kicks Us Out,” “Barbary Coast (Later)” and “A Little Uncanny” become torch-bearing anthems. There are also the seven additional new songs, essentially another[...]