Brothers John and Tyler Marciniak formed what was later to be called Johnny and the Man Kids in 2014. Through the musical talents of guitarist Andy Pszonak, and drummer Alex Bogart, the original bad boys of Buffalo create catchy, dance-y rock and roll music. They’re just trying to make music their friends and them enjoy, and they do so with style. Home, Wherever That May Be by Johnny & the Man Kids
North Tonawanda-based indie quartet echolocator has been making a splash as of late with their first wave rock sounds that has been nestled nicely on many of the DIY shows in Erie County and Fredonia. With all the members being under 21 years old (with one even in high school), the band has talent beyond their years. If you are a fan of The Smiths or The Cure then you should keep an eye out for this act.
Buffalo-based indie pop quintet Makeout Tactics has been making their name for themselves since emerging onto the scene in 2021. The band has an ability to switch directions and sounds based on who is taking lead, and combines into a Los Campesinos meets Say Anything megazord with their end product. The band dabbles in jangle-pop and indie rock and is quickly becoming a must-have name on bills with their live show performances.
Matt Smith’s Nervous System is a Buffalo-based project led by Matt Smith (guitar/vocals) alongside Roddy Potter (drums) and Colin Pratt (bass/vocals).The band is composed of three long-time music scene veterans whose sound is much akin to The Velvet Underground or The National. In essence, the end product is bluesy power-pop centric with some themes of “black magic, natural disasters, memory loss, deep depressions, and love gone forever wrong.” Today And Tomorrow Too by Matt Smith’s Nervous System
Buffalo, NY’s indie rock group Elemantra blends somber and sincere melodies with the lush aura of dream pop and shoegaze. Formed by childhood best friends Justin Woodmancy, Nick Beiling and Brent Bergstrom, the ensemble has consistently crafted creamy, reverb-drenched and infectious tunes. Their swirling pop sound is highlighted by dense, warm walls of guitars that are offset by transparent and introspective lyrics that bare all. Elemantra has curated a sonic atmosphere that is comforting, fresh and nostalgic. Only Momentary by elemantra
Welks Mice is Buffalo’s premier vibraphone – vocal DIY pop duo. Songwriter Max Weiss and vibraphonist Andre Welks-Fabretti explore themes of openness, positivity, and hope. The anxious and incessant edges of the duo’s sound give way to softer song forms while maintaining their signature stark and minimalist pop aesthetic that keeps Max’s lyrics central for the listener.
For the past 16 years, Roger Bryan and the Orphans have been foraging a path merging classic american songwriting with both grace and recklessness. Over the fourse of four albums, multiple EPs, and singles, they have created a catolog of ragged glory that continues to grow and evolve while managing to keep a heart stil stitched on it’s well worn sleeve. – RBATO Days Or Nights/That’s Life! by Roger Bryan and The Orphans
After more than a decade of writing and performing with indie rock band, The Tins, Mike Santillo is creatingmusic under a new moniker. Primarily a recording project, Matches Laces combines electronic and natural elements, including moody sci- synths, dark acoustic guitar, retro drum machines, eld recording samples and layered vocal harmonies to create a mix of somber and upbeat pop-leaning songs. In an interview with1120 Press, Santillo says, “everything I’m writing, I kind of write and record as I write. The songs kind of write themselves as I’m recording and adding layers. “These recorded layers have come together to form an 8 song EP. In the self-titled debut, Santillo explores heart break by examining past relationship dynamics, contemplates the nite nature of existence while re-solving to focus on the love there is in the moment, and tracks time just existing in mundanity, “sitting down by the water to pass the[...]
“Tough Old Bird was formed by songwriting brothers Matthew and Nathan Corrigan in a rural corner of Western New York. Since releasing ‘Gambling Days’ in 2016, the duo has taken their singular style of modern folk music to coffee shops, listening rooms, music clubs, dive bars, campgrounds and front porches across the United States. The band’s newly expanded lineup features Ricky Bechard on drums and Brendan O’Shea on bass.” – Tough Old Bird
Zak Ward is another familiar name that blog has been covering since its inception in 2010. Back then, Ward was buzzing with his work with Son of the Sun. Summer 2024 saw a Son of the Sun reunion, which delivered tenfold with their packed show at Fountain Plaza. Ward is debuting a new project many are excited about, Zak Ward and the Million Dollar Question. Without any recordings of the project online yet, we are left to anticipate and prognosticate. All we know is it’s going to be good.
Addisyn Logan has been another one of our post-COVID favorites. A mix between Clairo and Phoebe Bridgers, this singer/songwriter truly delivers with her iconic sad girl energy. If you’re going to break up with someone, double check that it’s not Addisyn Logan with an alias, because she will make a biting song about it… And worst of all, it will have a really pretty melody.
Prairie Pavement is still in their pre-responsibility phase, the band’s youthful energy is truly infectious as they bring quite a commanding live show. There are many talented songwriters in this collective who each have their own identity and direction and frequently take turns taking lead. If Ween, GIRLS, and MGMT forgot their synthesizers, you’d have the essence of Prairie Pavement.
Indie-pop duo Spiria has been blowing us away over the past couple years after we discovered them on Nickel City B-Sides. The band is a sibling act, performing fairly stripped down sets with a lineup of just keyboard and drums. Lead singer Mikayla Manke’s dreamy delivery is both enchanting and mesmerizing, so if you’re a fan of Regina Spektor or Laura Marling, then make sure you catch Spiria.
C’mon Thunder, the new release from San Francisco’s Thunderegg, is the album we just might deserve. Full of lyrical real life experiences, as in the way they actually happen and not the way we thought they would happen, sometimes a creative licence is just a cop out. The California band is led by singer/songwriter Will Georgantas, the artist that Conor Oberst has always dreamed of being. With an unprecedented output since the mid nineties, and a revolving door of band members (himself being one of the only constants), Georgantas writes the songs you only dreamed of writing at 14. They are chockfull of truth, consequence, and awkwardness. Even if the music you fell in love with as a teen isn’t as relevant as it once was, C’mon Thunder manages to avoid that problem. The album comes on like a tornado: slow and unassuming. Songs like “We Kissed and Ran Some[...]