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Just Announced: Ratatat

June 10, 2015

The Rapids Theater up in Niagara Falls apparently decided to get on this ridiculous late summer fun and book Ratatat to perform on Thursday, September 3rd, as the NYC experimental, electro-rock duo will be on tour to support its latest record, Magnifique (7/17). The new material should be properly road tested after the pair runs through a shorter festival itinerary during the back half of summer as it moves on to a run of theater shows. Tickets for the September gig on sale this Friday, June 12th, at noon for $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

1809 Studios Premieres Latest Session feat. Hannah Weidner and the Doorway Talkers

June 9, 2015

We haven’t checked in with 1809 Sessions, the live video series from the Macedon, NY studio, for a few weeks, so it was very convenient timing (more on that below) to see that the studio’s latest session features Hannah Weidner and the Doorway Talkers. You may remember the Rochester singer/songwriter from back half of 2014 as we featured her  debut LP, Comfortable Existence, as our Album of the Week. Weidner later formed a backing band, featuring members of Secret Pizza and Passive Aggressives Anonymous, and filmed a session with Jon Lewis and Dave Drago at the studio, which just hit the interwebs this week. If you like what you see, then mark down July 25th on your calendar as Hannah Weidner and the Doorway Talkers, along with a cast of fellow Rochester acts, will invade Nietzsche’s as part of this year’s Infringement Festival. Full details on the event can be found here.[...]

Sleepys Hahas Release First Single from From the Bottom of a Warm Lake

June 9, 2015

Speaking of lineup changes, Sleepy Hahas has gone through a bunch in the group’s four year existence, most recently losing long time drummer Steve Tripi and is currently operating with its third bass player. We think? Anyways, the frequent changes have not stopped the band from refocusing its sound once again and dropping its latest song, “Deep River,” the first single from the group’s forthcoming, 11-track LP, From the Bottom of a Warm Lake, earlier this morning. Recorded with sound engineer Drew Vandenberg, whose impressive resume includes work with Deerhunter and Toro y Moi, “Deep River” is an industrial tinged cut of psych rock, maybe something Nine Inch Nails and of Montreal would record together it they collaborated. The track is long way from the group’s early sounds of Arctic Monkeys-esque garage rock, and is a further example of never knowing what to expect from Sleepy Hahas, not to mention[...]

Zak Ward Releases Music Video for “Who You Really Are”

June 8, 2015

Late last week, Niagara Falls born singer/songwriter and former Son of the Sun front man, Zak Ward, released the music video for his excellent song (and our #8 song out of Buffalo in 2014), “Who You Really Are,” the lead single to his latest EP, That’s What You Get. The clip, which gives a clever nod to That Thing You Do, finds Ward backed by a new band, the Glad Hands, as the songwriter delivers a performance of the M Ward-esque number. Maybe the Shrimp Shack Shooters weren’t available? Watch the video for “Who You Really Are” below.

The War on Drugs

June 8, 2015

After releasing one of 2014’s finest records in Lost in the Dream, Philadelphia’s The War on Drugs has extended its victory lap into the summer with a return engagement to the WNY area, this time at Rochester’s Water Street Music Hall. The hazy heartland rockers showed up on nearly every best of lists last year, hit the late night circuit hard, and with festival season upon us, tonight’s gig at Water Street should be a nice test run before the group hits Bonaroo later this week. Tickets are still available to purchase for $26 online and most likely at the door, which is set to open at 7pm, as well. New Jersey rockers, The Everyman, are set to open.

Tonight: The Demos

June 4, 2015

If a crowded Canalside isn’t your scene tonight, then stick to Allen St for a weekend pre-game bill made up of a trio of WNY rock acts. With a Genesee Live session on the way, in addition to a new EP set to drop sometime this summer, now is as good of a time as any to catch Rochester power pop act, The Demos, as the band is set to visit Nietzsche’s later on this evening. The band has been making a habit of visiting Buffalo lately, but with some new material under its belt ready to be road tested, you might as well start digging through your couch for $3 in change now to cover tonight’s door. Joining The Demos this evening will be The Soft Love and The Naturalists, two acts that will be a part of Quiet Country Audio’s Herd Fest showcase in a couple weeks at[...]

Jon Lewis Releases Lead Single for Panic Rock LP

June 4, 2015

Rochester singer/songwriter Jon Lewis (or Mr. Loops to our young readers) has announced his latest album, titled Panic Rock ( a nod to Watertown’s Black River), set to be released on July 14th. The album was recorded with Lewis’ 1809 Sessions partner, Dave Drago, at the Macedon studio, and features contributions from Rochester musicians Sam Snyder (OHS, Maybird), Mikaela Davis, John Valenti, and others. The album’s first single, “Right Now,” was released this morning. Backed by a care free melody and a 70’s singer/songwriter vibe (CSNY and Loudon Wainwright come to mind), the single is part of a collection of songs that act as a touching nod to Lewis’ close family. “Many of the songs have sentimental value and reflect on loved ones and experiences with my family, says Lewis of the album’s personal meaning. Listen to “Right Now” below (download here) and keep an eye out for Panic Rock to drop in[...]

Pleistocene Premieres First Track from Forthcoming 7″ Space Trap

June 3, 2015

Rochester’s fuzzy, female fronted indie rock act, Pleistocene, is prepping the release of its forthcoming 7″ Space Trap, released a music video “Pulp,” one of the four tracks featured on the record. The band plans to release a music video for each of the the concept album’s tracks. For those new to Pleistocene, think Alvvays, Beat Coast, and Speedy Ortiz. The clip for “Pulp” features the band performing in a bustling living room while a pretty serious game of musical chairs, only to be later taken down by one of the more dangerous paper airplanes you will come across. Keep an eye out for some cameos from members of Rochester’s emerging music scene throughout the party video. For those in the Rochester area this Saturday night, Space Trap will be available to pick up at Smugtown Mushrooms beginning at 7pm, while the digital version will be released next Tuesday, June 9th. Watch[...]

Just Announced: Toro y Moi

June 2, 2015

Toro y Moi, the ever evolving project from musician Chaz Bundick, will be making its Buffalo debut later this fall on Tuesday, September 29th at Waiting Room. One of the leaders of the rather defunct and frequently mocked chillwave movement, Bundick’s sound been constantly tinkered with over the years, most recently settling in on soulful pop for his latest release. What For?, which dropped earlier this spring. Tickets for the After Dark presented show will go on sale this Friday, June 5th, at noon for $20 in advance, $22 day of. Oakland’s dreamy Astronauts, etc is set to open.

Pizza Club Productions Premieres Latest Cool Little Music Session feat. Zealot

June 2, 2015

While we wait for that ever elusive release from Fredonia bred fuzz act, Zealot, the band has been busy filming a Cool Little Music Session with Pizza Club Productions, which has previously featured sessions from fellow Fred-town act, Mooses, as well as Buffalo trio Wolf. The new, North Buffalo filmed clip is once again presented by Fredonia’s Cool Little Music Shop and captures the threesome performing cuts “Spent” and 2013 debut single “Magic Eye,” in addition to an interview with Zealot singer/guitarist, Jesse McMahon Eagan. Look for the forth installment in the series, featuring Buffalo emcee Bagel Jesus, in the near future. In the mean time, watch Zealot’s Cool Little Music Session below and make sure to catch the band performing at Record Theatre on June 20th as part of the Steak & Cake Herd Fest showcase.

Lesionread Unveils Massive Summer Tour

June 2, 2015

The ever restless pop artist Lesionread has unveiled a summer tour itinerary that is frankly ridiculous. The nearly 50 city, 10,000 mile cross-country tour (see route map here) begins next Monday, June 8th, and will feature fellow local (and formally local) musician friends – Space Cubs, Logan Locking, and Kristachuwan – joining Shawn Lewis on various legs of the summer tour. The just announced tour will include a couple Buffalo dates to start out, beginning Monday night supporting Yawn at Sugar City and an afternoon set at Record Theatre on June 20th as part of the Steak & Cake Herd Fest lineup. In addition, while not a Lesionread show, Lewis’ lotto band, ELVIRA, will makes its live debut at the Queen City Music Lottery #2 Showcase this Saturday, also at Sugar City. PUSH by Lesionread + Jon Bap

Maybird Releases New Single, Music Video For “Turning Into Water”

June 1, 2015

Rochester/Brooklyn psych rockers, Maybird, have released its first single in nearly two years and an accompanying music video to go long with it. The track, “Turning Into Water,” has some Tame Impala freak outs mixed with just a touch of early 90’s Brit Pop (think Supergrass), and is set to be included on the band’s forthcoming Turning Into Water EP, with a proper full length to follow. Directed by band member  Adam Netsky, the video for “Turning Into Water” features the band playing in front of some rather trippy green screens and backdrops as the projections wash over the members while performing. “‘Turning Into Water’ is about a melting feeling of being ignored by someone you admire, and the self consciousness and anxiety that accompany it. The video uses clips of rushing water to visualize that feeling, they start as projections and gradually take over the visual plane in superimposed layers[...]

Black Sol’s Dean Chatham Drops “Enrollment” Video

May 28, 2015

The very active, but until recently, somewhat visually lacking Black Sol hip hop collective has been a regular feature on the blog over the last couple months as tracks from Saint Opal, Melo-Nymbus, and [ez amädi] have been keeping our hip hop writers quite busy. Collective all-star, Dean Chatham, just dropped the music video to the track “Enrollment” which can be found on his recently released Dean’s List EP. The well timed video is just begging to be played at commencement ceremonies for students entering the post-grad world. “The concept for the video is that I’m encouraging people to follow their passions/talents and to take action to make things happen for whatever those passions may be.” Chatham explains of the clip’s uplifting message. Watch the video for “Enrollment,” which features the whole Black Sol crew backing Chatham, below and follow all of Black Sol’s activity of the group’s soundcloud page.

Tonight: Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas

May 27, 2015

After the absolute blast that was last Friday’s sold out !!! show, Babeville’s basement venue, the Ninth Ward, looks to keep things rolling tonight as it welcomes the buzzing act, Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas. The Detroit born Hernandez, a sultry, rock and roll version of Amy Winehouse, will be in town to support the group’s debut album, Secret Evil. Tickets are still available to grab at the door for $10. The Albrights will open the show beginning at 8pm.

Just Announced: Beach House

May 26, 2015

All has been a bit quiet on the Beach House front lately as the duo has been prepping the follow up album to 2012’s Bloom. Since its debut back in 2006, the Baltimore group has released a string of stellar, and at most times, flat out gorgeous albums, establishing itself one of the best acts of the dream pop genre. And with said new album, titled Depression Cherry, dropping on August 28th, Beach House has just announced a massive world tour, one whose itinerary includes a date at Town Ballroom on Friday, August 21st, the band’s first Buffalo date since June of 2010. Tickets go on sale this Friday, May 29th, at noon for $26 in advance, $29 at the door.