Latest Posts

Falconcat Releases Debut Single Via LIPS Records

October 14, 2014

This morning, Buffalo/Philadelphia based label, LIPS Records, announced the release of the debut album from Falconcat, the new project/moniker of Buffalo musician Tylor Colby (Imperials, Victory for Poland). The forthcoming album, titled Year of the Wooden Horse, is set to drop via LIPS on November 4th. Also this morning, LIPS debuted the album’s first single, “Death of a Patron St.” While the record was inspired by smaller pysch pop projects and folk rock acts, “Death of a Patron St.,” seems to favor the latter influences, ditching the youthful pop sounds of V4P for bouncy, folk stylings that recall stripped down yet uppity Okkervil River or Neutral Milk Hotel. Listen to “Death of a Patron St.” below.

Genesee Live Releases Latest Session feat. Rountine Involvements

October 13, 2014

Late last week, Rochester’s premiere live music session series, Genesee Live, debuted latest installment, this time around, featuring college rock duo, Routine Involvements. The two-piece’s sound ranges from grunge to garage, with shades of shoegaze and 90s alt-rock mixed in for good measure. If Lithium is your satellite radio channel of choice, then Routine Involvements may be up your alley. Watch the full session below, and if you want to catch up on past Genesee Live sessions, visit its tumblr page here.

Tonight: Pump It Up

October 10, 2014

Transmission Dance Party is returning to the back room of Hardware tonight for its latest event, Pump It Up. Unlike some other Transmission parties, Pump It Up doesn’t have a specific theme (see Cure vs. Smiths Dance party), but rather the broad scope of indie and electronic dance music so most jams will be in play. If you want to get down anything in particular this evening, post your requests over on the event’s facebook page. Pump It Up begins tonight at 11pm, with a $5 cover.

Difficult Night

October 9, 2014

The Elmwood Village sure tried this past Saturday, but the weather was not on its side during the third installment of the Buffalo Porchfest. The skies started to clear up around 11am, and hope was in the air, but just as quickly, the clouds and rain returned and the day was a bit of a wash. We had plans to do our latest installment of buffaBLOG Video with local slacker rockers, Difficult Night, on a Richmond Ave balcony, but the weather forced us to change plans, clear out a kitchen, and put the show on in there. Our frequent blog collaborator, Lesionread, who you may have remembered did another Porchfest video for us last year, was on hand to record the set. Check out the clip below.

Just Announced: Jeffrey Lewis

October 9, 2014

Kind of a slow day here in Buffalo so it may be worth noting that the up and coming Medina venue, Boiler 54, just booked a pretty cool act that should be on your radar. Jeffrey Lewis, the wordy folk-punk pocket philosopher, will be playing the venue on Wednesday, October 22nd. Lewis will be joined at Boiler 54 by his backing band, the Jrams. Tickets are currently available for $10 for the all ages show. Doors are at 7pm. Rochester’s freak-folk collective, Seth Faergolzia and the 23 Psaegz, are set to open. Leave right after work so you have some time to grab some pre-show tacos while you are at it.

Arvid Releases First Song From Forthcoming Album

October 9, 2014

We haven’t heard much from Rochester act, Arvid, since this past spring when he released the 90’s alt-rock tinged album, Old Factory Living. Early this morning, the one man band returned to tease his forthcoming album with a new song titled “Fever Dream.” Moving away from the garage rock sounds of his past work, “Fever Dream” has a dreamy rockabilly feel, recalling early Girls or some of the more accessible yet lo-fi sounds of Ariel Pink. Arvid gave no word on when the album may drop, so in the mean time, listen to the track below.

Bryan Johnson & Family Signs to Admirable Traits, Releases “Dead Fox” Single

October 8, 2014

Local lake-pop act, Bryan Johnson & Family, have announced that their new EP, Cool Your Jets, will be released next month via Admirable Traits, a record label with Buffalo and Brooklyn roots. The album’s first single, “Dead Fox,” just premiered this morning, and BJ & crew absolutely kill it. The guitar and vocals are pristine, the melody as bouncy as expected, and the production is wonderful. The song is a fantastic power-pop jam that refuses to let summer die. Bryan Johnson & Family will be celebrating the release of Cool Your Jets on Thursday, November 6th at the Waiting Room’s newly opened upstairs studio. The $10 cover includes a physcal copy of the EP. Mallwalkers and Del Paxton will be providing support. Listen to “Dead Fox” below.

Tonight: We/Ours

October 6, 2014

Minnapolis noise quartet, We/Ours, will be making a West Side stop this evening as part of a solid showcase down at the Glitter Box. Featuring members of Casual Users, Frozen Teens and the Sundowners, We/Ours are a fuzz-noise band with the ability create hooks that sound like the Besnard Lakes if they never left the basement. Take a few minutes to listen their demo to get a better idea. Glitter Box regulars Aaron & the Burrs and Mink help round out the bill along with a fresh local act, SHEDS, making its debut live appearance. $5 will get you into the basement tonight. Doors at 6pm, music at 7pm, leave at 10pm. Very economical.

Just Announced: The Tragically Hip

October 6, 2014

Buffalo’s favorite Canadian act, the Tragically Hip, will be returning to town this spring, Saturday, April 18th, with a show set for the First Niagara Center. After a triumphant solo set this past summer at Canalside, Gord Downie and crew will be making their annual trip to the Queen City, back into the arms of a fan base that has pretty much adopted the band as its own. Geography aside, the Hip is a Buffalo band. Don’t let a silly border tell you other wise. The band will be on tour to commemorate the reissue of its third album, Fully Completely (originally released in 1992). The 2-disc reissue is set to drop on November 18th. As for the show, tickets go on sale Saturday, October 18th at 10am. Prices range from $32.50 – $99.00

Today: Buffalo Porchfest

October 4, 2014

Well, its pretty awful out. After almost two straight weeks of nearly perfect weather, its currently pouring. But, the Elmwood Village’s third installment of the Buffalo Porchfest will continue on. Many of the porches that volunteer do have some sort of covering. Mine, unfortunately, does not, so I may have to get a little creative. Bands will be scattered all over the Elmwood Village this afternoon, stretching from Allentown to almost Buff State. You can reference the map and full band schedule, which includes sets from blog favorites like Difficult Night and Pine Fever’s Andy Pothier, here to start planning your soggy afternoon. Music begins at noon and runs staggered until 4pm.

Jon Lewis Releases Animated Video For “Tomorrow”

October 2, 2014

Earlier this week, we came across the new music video for “Tomorrow,” a Jens Lekman-esque track from Rochester singer/songwriter, Jon Lewis. The animated clip, which was directed by Johnny Mchone (Adult Swim’s Mr. Pickles), features a reflective, gumby-like man looking at past memories and getting sucked into the drawing. Kids who grew up on Nickelodeon in the early 90s should get a nice shot of nostalgia from the clip. Check out Lewis’ material on bandcamp and watch the video for “Tomorrow” below.

Sunny Union Premieres New Single, “Wild Mountain Thyme”

September 30, 2014

Late last week, Rochester born folk act, Sunny Union (the moniker of Sunny Zaman), released the first track from his forthcoming album, Wollstonecraft II, the follow up to the January released Wollstonecraft. Titled “Wild Mountain Thyme,” the rustic number is full of gorgeous, Fleet Foxes harmonies, and contemplative acoustic plucking. The song was originally written by folk singer Francis McPeake and has been covered by White Antelope, the solo project of Robin Pecknold (speaking of Fleet Foxes). The now Brooklyn-based musician plans to release the full album sometime next month, so keep an eye out. Listen to Zaman’s take of “Wild Mountain Thyme” below.

Wild Bear Drops New Track, “Bloody Lips”

September 29, 2014

After getting our attention with the Grizzly Bear/CANT-esque debut single, “Glass Ceilings,” the intriguing new electro project, Wild Bear, quickly returned with its follow up track over the weekend.  Titled “Bloody Lips,” the song is eerie and vocalless, with an air of menace that never quite surfaces, reminding me quite a bit of former Buffalo project, Camp Counselors. Check out the song below.

Tonight: Cliffs

September 25, 2014

Buffalo Iron Works is sporting a formative bill of indie rock later on tonight, highlighted by Columbus duo, Cliffs. The pair is on night two of its first tour and Iron Works is as good of a place to keep the good times rolling. Cliff’s crunchy brand of garage pop and shouting vocals evoke bands like Jeff the Brotherhood, Free Energy and a touch of Japandroids. The local support is all over the place in terms of sounds. You have the manic, steamfolk Mr. Boneless, some looping singer/songwriter material from Matt Script, and the always pleasing peppy surf-rock from Bryan Johnson & Family, who just yesterday finally announced their long awaited, new EP. Music begins this evening at 8pm. Cover is probably $5.

Tonight: Ava Luna

September 18, 2014

As you should know by now, Mohawk Place officially reopened its doors last week with a three night, grand reopening weekend that saw bands from the venue’s past and, until it closed up shop in early 2013, present return to start a new era of live music at the downtown stomping ground. While I haven’t been back since they reopened, I heard that the woman’s bathroom already successfully flooded, so some things never change… Anyways, tonight is as good of a night as any to make a return stop as Brooklyn’s Ava Luna will be hitting the stage. The band is new-era hipster soul, combining elements of doo-wop and the DIY spirit. Fans of the Talking Heads, Dirty Projectors, and Mayer Hawthorne would gladly get down to Ava Luna. Supporting Ava Luna this evening is the shimmering pysch pop of Celestial Shore and local indie act Mink, which features past members of[...]