Latest Posts

Tonight: Justin Roeland & Lady D

November 6, 2019

Indie-folk bard Justin Roeland joins a stacked bill of local songwriters tonight at Nietzsche’s. Currently based in Ithaca, Roeland along with his band Nightswimmers has been a fairly regular sight in lineups recently. With deeply poetic, quasi lethargic lyricism, and captivating melodies, Roeland has proven himself to be a standout member of a sometimes crowded field of songwriters. Joining Roeland tonight are Sonny Baker, known for both his solo work and his work with Lazlo Hollyfeld,  Oats Holy Roller, the moniker of Joe Myers most recently known for his project The Shallows, and Andy Pothier, lead singer of Passed Out. Tonight is a night for deeply cathartic, moderately melancholy music presented by four of the most talented songwriters this city has seen in years. This event will sure to be a hit for fans of Jeff Tweedy, Andy Shauf, Big Thief, and Slaughter Beach, Dog. 8:30pm doors, $5, 21+ Doomed To Bloom[...]

Tonight: Kevin Scoma

October 18, 2019

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: 21 & Under Battle of the Bands

October 11, 2019

Local DIY powerhouse label Steak and Cake Records will be hosting the first official matchup in their 21 & Under Battle of the Bands tonight at Sugar City. The winners will be determined via an audience choice secret ballot. The winner from tonight will square off against the winner from another battle in March 2020, at a final battle in June of 2020 which will feature a panel of guest judges. An often-overlooked demographic, label mastermind Brandon Schlia is once again showing his commitment to the local scene by highlighting and elevating these emerging talents. Tonight’s matchup will feature 4 emerging local bands: Muddle, Gunther’s Radio, Not For Nothing, and Oscar’s Cash. Muddle plays a grungy style of pop-punk, akin to early Green Day or Foo Fighters. Gunther’s Radio leans more towards a 90s alt-rock style, in the vein of Spacehog or Sponge. Not For Nothing is a buzzy indie[...]

Tonight: Alex Berkley

October 2, 2019

Poetic indie-folk bard Alex Berkley headlines a very diverse bill tonight at Nietzsche’s. A mainstay of the local scene for many years, Berkley has been devoting his time to other pursuits, namely marriage and fatherhood. Among his more interesting projects is his 3 part Days of Fun series; where he wrote a song every day for the month of February in 2013, 2014, and 2015 respectively. But it was his 2008 debut Lists and Listlessness that still garners widespread acclaim. With his everyman persona and deeply poetic and relatable lyrics, Berkley has cemented his status as one of the finest singer-songwriters in the Buffalo music scene. Those who have been lucky enough to catch one of Berkley’s rare appearances in the past few years have been treated to intimate performances with a deep emotional staying power. It’s very exciting to see his return to the circuit, and one would hope[...]

Tonight: Cat Power

September 27, 2019

Indie-folk songwriter Cat Power will be making a stop at the Rapids Theater tonight. After the release of her critically acclaimed third album, 1996’s What Would the Community Think, Power has become one of the most celebrated voices in the indie scene. Her powerfully soft voice and deeply poetic lyrics have put her into a class of musicians such as Fiona Apple, Tori Amos, and P.J. Harvey. Her most recent release, 2018’s Wanderer, marks a departure from her longtime label Matador. Instrumentally simple featuring very little beyond piano, guitar, and voice the record feels very intimate. Power has an uncanny ability to summon and convey an array of moods, and that is extremely apparent on Wanderer. Lou Reed inspired songwriter Arsun will open the show. Doors at 7pm, music at 8pm. Tickets are $40 Day of Show. \ Written by John Smigielski

Roger Bryan and the Orphans – Keep You in Mind

September 3, 2019

Veteran americana indie rock outfit Roger Bryan and the Orphans recently released their new record Keep You in Mind. The quartet’s first release since 2017’s 9er EP, Keep You in Mind is quite simply a gorgeous record that further cements Bryan’s status as one of the most talented songwriters in Buffalo’s music scene. Bryan’s deep vocals have an extraordinary ability to feel brooding, exuberant, wistful, or contemplative as each song progresses. The title track, which kicks off the album does a nice job of setting the tone, with an upbeat sound and a thoroughly catchy hook. I must also make special note of the standout lead guitar work on this record by Bryan’s fellow Harvestsum alum David Calos. Another fabulous track is the blistering “Faster Than Forward” which almost begs to be played with the windows down. “Roll It” shows a slower side of the band, with mournful pedal steel underscoring[...]

Tonight: Interpol

August 6, 2019

New York City post-punk act Interpol makes their return to the area with a show at Town Ballroom tonight. After forming in 1997, they burst onto the scene with 2002’s Turn on the Bright Lights which forever cemented them into the indie-rock canon. Along with The Strokes and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, they defined the sound of the early 2000’s NYC scene. After a hiatus the band is back with the 2018 release of Matador. While not as strong as Turn on the Bright Lights, it’s very clearly the band’s strongest release in a decade. The band followed this up most recently with A Fine Mess, a five track EP they released in May 2019. With an instantly recognizable sound and catchy, danceable hooks, this concert is sure to appeal to long time listeners as well as recent converts. Expect to hear a mix of songs, but focused heavily on Turn[...]

Folkfaces – Fat Ol’ Rat

August 5, 2019

Buffalo’s rowdy roots rock quartet Folkfaces just released their sophomore album Fat Ol’ Rat. With their signature blend of raucous jazz and blues, the quartet has further refined their sound since their debut release How Long? in 2017. Anchored by the virtuosic multi-instrumentalist Tyler Westcott, the group also features local sax powerhouse Ellen Pieroni, upright bassist Patrick Jackson, and washboard wunderkind Dan Schwach. It’s fairly easy to hear the influences of Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, Dave Van Ronk, and Django Reinhardt on the band’s sound, but to stop there would be fairly limiting. There’s also a healthy dose of jazz, jug band, and even punk that round out their very eclectic sound. Without doubt I believe Fat Ol’ Rat is the band’s most successful album, as it captures the high energy and intensity that is ever present at their live shows. An absolute barn-burner from start to finish, Westcott’s rambling[...]

Borger Releases Debut EP Titled Camp

July 17, 2019

Lo-fi dream pop outfit Borger just released their debut EP titled Camp. With a healthy amount of fuzzy DIY vibes, it’s a must listen for fans of Beach House, Cults, and Real Estate. The album opens with “when you smile,” which features a gradually building texture, and does an excellent job of setting the vibe. On “nat geo,” lead singer Mackenzie Harris’ vocals float effortlessly over the hypnotic textures. “pollen,” drifts along with a gentle lilt as does “vineyard” although both songs achieve this through different means. “mr. rogers” brings us back to the subtle driving textures present at the beginning of the album. One of the most interesting tracks on the album is the closer “strawberry.” An instrumental ambient track, it stands in stark contrast to the rest of the album in the best way. In a way, it’s almost teasing “when you smile” in the way it gradually[...]

Halo Nellie Debuts Second Single “Sick on the Floor”

July 10, 2019

Indie-rockers Halo Nellie have just released their new single “Sick on the Floor,” following up last month’s release of “Cold Room.” With a driving beat, the band creates an energetic texture that does an excellent job of showcasing the vocals. With the perfect amount of jangle and fuzz, it’s a very fun listen and a worthy addition to your Summer playlist. Hopefully this is leading up to the release of a full length, and that will definitely be worth checking out. Catch them at their next show on July 18th at Mohawk Place alongside The Vaughns, Clever Girls, and Velvet Bethany. Sick on the Floor by Halo NellieWritten by John Smigielski

Tonight: Buffalo Sex Change

June 30, 2019

Tonight, catch two bands from the far-off city of Rochester, NY; Buffalo Sex Change, and honeymoonphase. While they may share a home base, they certainly each have a unique sound. Buffalo Sex Change is an energetic post-punk, garage rock duo, with a sound reminiscent of Buddy Holly fronting a shoegaze band. Their most recent release was 2018’s Searching Hands, which was released on Admirable Traits Records. Right out of the gate, the title track grabs you with a noisy riff, and really sets the tone for the album. While the tone may shift from track to track, there is an intensity and energy that is effortlessly carried through the album. With dirty, danceable hook, this will most certainly appeal to fans of Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground. Alternately, honeymoonphase brings a slightly darker, brooding sound to the table. They recently released two tracks in anticipation of their full album,[...]

The Burkharts Drop Debut EP Lazy Dazing

June 26, 2019

Alt rockers The Burkharts just released their EP Lazy Dazing. After dropping their single (also titled “Lazy Dazing,” back in November) the band has fleshed out their unique mix of lo-fi dreamy surf pop. Think The Beach Boys meet Beach House. The first track “Oh, Dreamer” floats along with a bouncy guitar riff, and gentle swells, before being joined by synths and luscious harmonies. This tune really seems to capture their aesthetic, and is a great way to kick off the record. “Flower City Nights,” a lo-fi dream pop tune, finds the band fusing their jangly surf rock with a driving beat that shows their versatility and ability to find diversity within their sound. The EP closer is their single “Lazy Dazing,” which once again finds the band melding their influences to create a bubbly song that is the perfect kick off to the Summer season. All in all, a[...]

No Glitter – The Old City

June 3, 2019

Rochester based outfit No Glitter released their album The Old City this past February. No Glitter is the solo project of drummer Billy Martin, best known for his work with The Ginger Faye Bakers and Vacation Daze. In 2018, Martin entered the studio after a visit to his hometown of Syracuse, NY. Aside from several guitar solos, Martin recorded all the music on the album. The result is a riff heavy 90s influenced alt-rock sound that deserves to be played loud. Throughout the record, Martin maintains a high energy and demonstrates his ability to write compelling hooks and anthemic choruses. A perfect example of this would be “Window Seat,” which builds a call and response structure throughout the verse and explodes into the chorus. There’s also a fair amount of brooding as well, such as “Ladybug | Little Squid” which drips with stoner metal sludge. A true standout is “Cherry[...]

Tonight: Space Cubs

June 1, 2019

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[...]

Tonight: VR Sunset

May 24, 2019

Local synth-pop group VR Sunset will be headlining a stacked local bill tonight at Nietzsche’s. VR Sunset is the brainchild of Reggie Clark, known for his past contributions  with Lesionread and Planet Three. In January they released their debut album Artifact which drips with new-wave psychedelia. Standout tracks include “Tame The Beast,” “Clear Views,” and “Tidal Wave.” With plenty of fuzz and de-tuned synths it’s surely a must listen for fans of Tame Impala, The Flaming Lips, and Neon Indian. Also on the bill tonight are alt-rockers Nylon Otters, indie stalwarts Hundred Plus Club, shoegaze outfit Chevron Bloom, and bummer punks Talking In My Sleep. With such a diverse lineup, there’s surely something for everyone. $7, Doors at 9pm. Artifact by VR Sunset Photo by Zach Anderson Written by John Smigielski