Latest Posts

Must See Shows (5/21/25-5/27/25)

Wednesday, May 21st @ 7pm Low Cut Connie @ Town Ballroom   Philly-based vintage rock and rollers Low Cut Connie play mid-week in the Theatre District. Since forming in 2010, the project has evolved from the early days of playing karaoke bars and honky tonks to getting the presidential rub by landing a slot on President Obama’s coveted Spotify playlist. Fans of J. Roddy Walston and the Business, King Tuff, or Har Mar Superstar would be enthralled with LCC’s encapsulating lyrics and their twangy, no-frills western saunter. Tickets are $37.25.   Low Cut Connie – Audiotree Live by Low Cut Connie Friday, May 23rd @ 7pm Smoking Popes @ Rec Room   Influential Chicago-based punk act Smoking Popes play the Chip Strip for a night of nostalgia and familiar tunes. Since forming in 1991, the band has been largely influential to the punk/indie scene with their earnest pseudo-Morrissey delivery and[...]

Must See Shows (5/7/25-5/13/25)

Wednesday, May 7th @ 7pm M.A.G.S. @ Rec Room   Arguably one of the biggest Buffalo musical exports in the past decade, M.A.G.S., returns to his home turf on Wednesday for mid week rager on Chippewa. M.A.G.S. is the moniker for multi-instrumentalist/songwriter Elliott Douglas, who has nurturing the project since 2014 and has achieved numerous accolades under the flag. Pre-pandemic, Douglas relocated to the West Coast, where M.A.G.S. really took off, sparking numerous sold out shows, multiple national tours, and even catching the attention of Polyvinyl Records, who invited Douglas to cover one of American Football’s classics on their 25th anniversary tribute album.   If you’re a longtime reader of the blog, we’ve been covering Douglas’ evolution as an artist, going back to the days of DIY shows with the Malones or even short-lived projects like Marie Antionette. Regardless of the banner, Douglas has consistently pumped out high quality, heart-on-your-sleeve[...]

Must See Shows (4/30/25-5/6/25)

Thursday, May 1st @ 7pm Michigan Rattlers @ Rec Room   Michigan Rattlers make a stop on the Chip Strip in support of their third studio album, Waving From a Sea, this Thursday. Hailing from Michigan (shocking), the band’s unique blend of Americana, rock, and indie-folk has been capturing the attention from critics since their formation in 2016. Fans of American Aquarium, Tommy Prine, or Driftwood would be into the band’s twangy and rootsy sound coupled. Michigan Ratttlers with earnest vocals and gripping story telling make this an easy Must See Show this week. 7pm with a $26.70 cover, get there early for locals VOYAGR.   Saturday, May 3rd @ 8pm Wild Once @ The Attic @ Mr.  Goodbar   The Upstairs at Mr. Goodbar plays host to a local rager on Friday night, headlined by local indiemos Wild Once. We try to focus on an all-locals lineup once a[...]

Must See Shows (3/19/25-3/25/25)

Thursday, March 20th @ 8pm Kenzie Cait @ Rec Room   Erie County repatriate/Nashville-based emerging sad girlie act Kenzie Cait will be returning to the stage on Thursday. After an impressive showing last summer with her gig at Buffalo Iron Works, the city was clamoring to see the buzzing pop singer/songwriter return. Cait’s sound is familiar, as it would nestle nicely on a playlist with Taylor Swift’s later repertoire, Olivia Rodrigo, or even Chappell Roan.   Ultimately. Kenzie Cait’s discography is full of bangers that could easily super-break into the super-mainstream – the project is swelling and about to burst. This may be your last chance to see Kenzie Cait before graduating to Terminal B. $21.06 doors.   Friday, March 21st @ 8pm Elemantra * @ Milkies   Milkies is set to host a certified banger™ on Friday evening with a loaded local lineup that will surely be worth your[...]

buffaBLOG Sessions: Skulking Ghost

We are so excited to unveil our latest iteration of buffaBLOG sessions to the public. Previously, the blog had done different live sessions series, ranging from simple cell phone videos, to live-to-tape recordings, to DIY pop-ups with a temporary set-up. This batch of sessions will be the first time we’ve partnered with a studio, Mammoth Recording Studio, based out of the First Ward. The videographer from the series is the very talented Devin Chavanne, whose work spans across Buffalo and beyond. Likely, if you pay attention to anything coming out of Buffalo’s start-up industry, you’ve seen his handiwork.   This past fall, we gathered 22 people to execute the session which went off seemingly flawlessly and it excites us to continue the project and continue to showcase up-and-coming musicians from Western New York that need to be on your radar.   Our fourth and final session features prog rock stoner metal[...]

Must See Shows (2/26/25-3/4/25)

Thursday, February 27th @ 7pm Ted Leo and the Pharmacists @ Rec Room   Time flies in the indie rock universe. Just 20 years ago, Ted Leo released his highly acclaimed album Shake the Sheets, which tore up the early blogosphere and nestled nicely into the airwaves of many college radio stations. This Thursday, Leo and his gang of Pharmacists celebrate the anniversary at the Rec Room.   Formed in Washington, D.C. in 1999, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists is head songwriter Ted Leo’s most recognizable outfit. Although the singer/songwriter has been a constant creative for over 35 years dabbling in more than a dozen projects, the Pharmacists is the longest spanning project and may be Leo’s north star, with over eleven years worth of material in the project.   Go for the nostalgia and expect to see many of Buffalo’s music scene of yesteryear in attendance. $38.51 SHAKE THE[...]

buffaBLOG Sessions: Makeout Tactics

We are so excited to unveil our latest iteration of buffaBLOG sessions to the public. Previously, the blog had done different live sessions series, ranging from simple cell phone videos, to live-to-tape recordings, to DIY pop-ups with a temporary set-up. This batch of sessions will be the first time we’ve partnered with a studio, Mammoth Recording Studio, based out of the First Ward. The videographer from the series is the very talented Devin Chavanne, whose work spans across Buffalo and beyond. Likely, if you pay attention to anything coming out of Buffalo’s start-up industry, you’ve seen his handiwork.   This past fall, we gathered 22 people to execute the session which went off seemingly flawlessly and it excites us to continue the project and continue to showcase up-and-coming musicians from Western New York that need to be on your radar.   Our third session features Elmwood Village indie pop collective act[...]

Jack Xander – “Listen 2 My Heart”

Los Angeles self-producer Jack Xander has a fun pop song that should nestle nicely on your next Friday night “going out” playlist. The new single “Listen 2 My Heart” features the punchy delivery from Xander over electro-pop beats with lyrics about being vulnerable and listening to his heart couple accented with a falsetto Metronomy-esque delivery on the hook. The song builds into a crescendo where Xander sings about wishing he had listened to himself and trusted his intuition. Fans of LANY or Cherub would be into Xander’s accessible sound complete with tinkering keys and have bass synths. Check it out.

PYNKIE – “Februarylove”

New Jersey dream-pop act PYNKIE released a slow-burner last week that’s been the office stereo since it’s unveiling on February 13th. PYNKIE is the moniker for full-time nurse and part-time indie pop songstress Lindsey Radice, who has been writing songs since she was a freshman in college. Initially starting as a way to tinker with Audacity, the singer/songwriter evolved her style and network to produce three full-length records and breakout singles on Spotify.   PYNKIE’s latest “Februarylove” is a hazy love song with nods to early 00s acts like The Clientele and Brittle Stars. The single has a it of a trudging melancholy that has a reflective dreariness to it with some longing undertones. If you are a fan of Mitski, Sparklehorse, or Azure Ray, you would dig PYNKIE’s sound. Check it out below.       PYNKIE · Februarylove

buffaBLOG Sessions: echolocator

We are so excited to unveil our latest iteration of buffaBLOG sessions to the public. Previously, the blog had done different live sessions series, ranging from simple cell phone videos, to live-to-tape recordings, to DIY pop-ups with a temporary set-up. This batch of sessions will be the first time we’ve partnered with a studio, Mammoth Recording Studio, based out of the First Ward. The videographer from the series is the very talented Devin Chavanne, whose work spans across Buffalo and beyond. Likely, if you pay attention to anything coming out of Buffalo’s start-up industry, you’ve seen his handiwork.   This past fall, we gathered 22 people to execute the session which went off seemingly flawlessly and it excites us to continue the project and continue to showcase up-and-coming musicians from Western New York that need to be on your radar.   Our second session features North Tonawanda indie act echolocator, who[...]

Must See Shows (2/12/25-2/18/25)

Friday February 14th @ 7pm Hot 8 Brass Band @ Rec Room   New Orleans-based 8-piece brass band, the Hot 8 Brass Band,  will be bringing their Mardi Gras party sound to Chippewa this Friday. Since forming in 1995, the Hot 8 have made a name for themselves reimagining classics and putting their own unique and engaging spin on very familiar songs such as “Sexual Healing,”and  “Love Will Tear Us Apart.” The band will be sure to bring their hits and slip in some familiar re-worked covers along wth some of their own original material. If you’re feeling romantic, bring your partner. If you aren’t feeling romantic, bring a co-worker. $29.27.   Love Will Tear Us Apart by Hot 8 Brass Band Saturday, February 15th @ 7pm Lowspot @ Hot Mama’s Canteen   Traveling Cleveland grunge-punk quartet, Lowspot, makes a stop in Black Rock Saturday night. The Ohio band combines[...]

Velvet Bethany – “Forbidden Fruit”

Buffalo-based punk project Velvet Bethany is back with a new music video for their single, “Forbidden Fruit.” Velvet Bethany is the band moniker for singer/songwriter Allison Mitchell, who has been on the scene for close to a decade, playing many  noteworthy indie bills and underground gigs throughout their tenure. The current line-up includes Romcom Victims members Kam Plotner and Nate Miller, who are both featured in the video.   “Forbidden Fruit” begins with a semi-monotonous conversation about different types of fruits then spins into an 8-bit intro where the track finally launches into the punk-y body of the single. The driving sound of “Forbidden Fruit” is coupled with playful vocals, reminiscent of surf-y Le Tigre with a B-52’s staccato delivery. Lyrics-wise, the song is about being excited about a new love, being head-over-heels in the honeymoon stage of a relationship/situationship.   The video was edited and directed by Jacob Smolinksi[...]

buffaBLOG Sessions: Addisyn Logan

We are so excited to unveil our latest iteration of buffaBLOG sessions to the public. Previously, the blog had done different live sessions series, ranging from simple cell phone videos, to live-to-tape recordings, to DIY pop-ups with a temporary set-up. This batch of sessions will be the first time we’ve partnered with a studio, Mammoth Recording Studio, based out of the First Ward. The videographer from the series is the very talented Devin Chavanne, whose work spans across Buffalo and beyond. Likely, if you pay attention to anything coming out of Buffalo’s start-up industry, you’ve seen his handiwork. This past fall, we gathered 22 people to execute the session which went off seemingly flawlessly and it excites us to continue the project and continue to showcase up-and-coming musicians from Western New York that need to be on your radar. Our first session features singer/songwriter Addisyn Logan, who has been steadily[...]

Jacob King – Drink From a Fox’s Head

Buffalo-based music scene staple Jacob King released two singles under his solo name earlier this month and it’s full to the brim with freak-folk psych-pop elements. Jacob King may be a familiar face/name, as he’s been gaining much buzz with his project T.T.T.T., as well as numerous stints in different bands throughout the local scene (most recently with Hal & Pals and Cramps tribute act, Side Stitches). The new batch of singles highlights King’s dexterity as a musician and ability to chameleon his style.   The first song, “Drink From A Fox’s Head,”  has a sun-soaked start that leans heavily into the more psych-y elements of the release, showcasing a bit of a Blind Melon tinge with some Burger Records parallels. Let’s hope the lyrics are a metaphor, as the chorus has King wailing “I drink my tea from a Fox’s head…” That’s just gross if it’s true and it’s[...]

Two-Man Giant Squid – “Weird Recordings (you’ve got some)”

Brooklyn post-punk act Two-Man Giant Squid released their driving new song “Weird Recordings (you’ve got some)” earlier this week. The track is the lead single off the band’s forthcoming self-titled album, out March 7, 2025 via Mint 400 Records.   The band started as a faceless solo bedrom project from Mitchell Vonikur, eventually fleshing out to a live fivetet. The new single is about the frustrations of the creative process, letting dead ends take up too much time and effort. Not everything has to be perfect, it’s important to embrace creativity and the voice-in-your-head isn’t always right.   “Weird Recordings (you’ve got some)” has the post-punk rawness of Parquet Courts, the crescendo indie groove of early Modest Mouse, and the franticness of LCD Soundsystem when they are giving Nancy Whang a rest. Check it out below.   Weird Recordings (you’ve got some) by Two-Man Giant Squid