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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[...]

Julie Byrne – Not Even Happiness

January 27, 2017

There’s something about the songcraft of downstate-based singer-songwriter Julie Byrne that appeals to more than just the ears. Her music, at once spectral and tangible, whisks the listener to Byrne’s weightless place of soft melodies and personal experience. And it is this very suspension in which Byrne spends most of her latest album, Not Even Happiness. A sprawling musical simplicity contrasts the album’s deepest exploration of feeling, in what can be considered one of the most striking collections of songs so far this year. Musically, Byrne channels artists like Cat Power, Leonard Cohen, and Sufjan Stevens, all of whom with music that shares innate, personal elements. Not Even Happiness uses that element liberally, with tracks that explore the places, namely the Pacific Northwest, and feelings of Byrne’s most recent years. The expansive skies and ebbing tides of this record almost purposefully paint it a faint blue, with songs that breathe[...]

Tonight: Julien Lamb Benefit Concert

September 20, 2014

Julien Lamb is your typical Allentown kid, except that his battles aren’t with action figures, but with an aggressive type of cancer that, after chemotherapy, numerous spinal taps, and a bone marrow transplant, is still present in his young body. Tonight, Buffalo bands together to support this brave boy by throwing a benefit concert in his honor. According to the event’s Facebook page, you should “come out to Buffalo Iron Works where a night of magic, blissful folk music, and solidarity for this young warrior is in store.” There aren’t many ways to spend a better Saturday night in the city than this. Acts include Buffalo native Julie Byrne, Fredonia trio Dirt Commission, Oats Holy Roller, as well as an appearance from Red Man (not the one from Brick City) and some close magic with Justin Braddock. This all ages event begins at 7. Tickets are still available at Ticketfly[...]

Tonight: Julie Byrne

April 15, 2014

I would like to compare Julie Byrne’s music to that of a bird in flight. The chords swoop in from the clouds, barely audible to the ear. Then, the wings of the track flap, move closer, creating a delicate ripple as the sweet trill of her voice is heard. It’s like she’s constantly walking further away from you, murmuring to herself, quietly expressing what’s suppressed within her mind. The nightingale is originally a Buffalo native, recently making the move from Chicago to Seattle. 2014 brings us her latest work, Rooms With Walls And Windows, that begins with a spacious balance between strumming and plucking, her words barely coming through until a more distinct ruffle bubbles up. Not every song of hers is a tease. “Emeralds” and “Holiday” clearly define Byrne’s ability to create a captivating melody in classic singer/songwriter form. Lyrically, she poeticizes about fleeting moments that suits her singing style[...]