Latest Posts

Chris Scamurra and Nick Reynolds of Portland is the New Portland

October 7, 2024

The blog doesn’t voyage into the film realm often because, well, we are a music blog. However, Chris Scamurra and Nick Reynolds’ new short-film, Portland is the New Portland, blurs the lines too much for us to ignore. The duo was a staple of Buffalo’s music scene in the first half of the 2010s, and were heavily featured here on the blog with their project, Space Wolves. The short-film’s premise of a do-it-yourself musician juggling multiple projects has the potential to connect deeply with so many involved in the local scene. Moreover, the protagonist in the feature is Matthew Danger Lippman, another buffaBLOG favorite from the 2010s. We had a chance to speak with the co-creators of Portland is the New Portland  in the midst of their media blitz for the short film. The picture has been making the rounds for the past month in the national film festival circuit,[...]

Must See Shows (10/2/24-10/8/24)

October 1, 2024

Thursday, October 3rd @ 7pm Coral Moons w/ Johnny & the Man Kids & tuesday nite @ Buffalo Iron Works Boston-born turned upstate New York transplants, Coral Moons, bring their indie pop goodness to Buffalo this Thursday. Fronted by lead singer and primary songwriter, Carly Kraft, Coral Moons sound is reminiscent of Alvvays, Best Coast, or Melody’s Echo Chamber. Since forming in 2018, the project has continuously toured, filled, and headlined venues and festivals throughout the continental states. Also on bill are legit local indie acts Johnny & the Man Kids and tuesday nite. Looks like there’s nothing at the Keybank Center, so parking should be a breeze. Tickets are $20 summer of u by Coral Moons Friday, October 4th @ 8pm The Curls w/ Patchwrok & The Hartwell Hospice House Band @ Milkies The Curls return to the Buffalo this Friday with some support from the locals listed above.[...]

Must See Shows (9/25/24-10/1/24)

September 24, 2024

Wednesday, 9/25 @ 7pm Great Lake Swimmers w/ Tough Old Bird & Abe Partridge @ Buffalo Iron Works Indie folk outfit Great Lake Swimmers makes a mid-week stop in Buffalo on Wednesday 9/25. Based out of Toronto, Buffalo might be the easiest gig logistically for the band to reach, so expect the Swim team to be on their A-game. Since forming in the early 2000s, Great Lake Swimmers have received high praise from critics and fans alike with their earnest and homespun Americana sound. If you’re a fan of Iron & Wine, Sufjan Stevens, or Fleet Foxes, plan on heading down to the Cobblestone District. Opening up the night are Buffalo-based indie folk act, Tough Old Bird, and Alabama singer/songwriter Abe Partridge. Tickets are $25. Thursday, 9/26 @ 7pm The Japanese House @ Electric City English pop star The Japanese House will be in town this week at downtown Buffalo’s[...]

10 Acts to Catch Music is Art 2024

September 19, 2024

Music is Art is a dream come true for Buffalo music fans looking to Kobayashi the local scene in 12 hours. The list of local talents playing this year can be a bit overwhelming if you don’t know what to look for, so we put together a compilation of ten bands to add to your must-see list this weekend. If you’re a blog-reading regular, you may notice we aren’t writing about the many established local acts that are great and we’ve covered ad hoc. There are dozens of bands playing that we won’t discuss today, as we’ve already exhausted hundreds of adverbs over the past ten-plus years via album reviews and show previews. The purpose of this article is to add some newer bands to your knowledge base and expand everyone’s horizons. Should you see bands that aren’t on this list? For sure. One of the best aspects of this[...]

Must See Shows (9/18/24-9/24/24)

September 17, 2024

Wednesday, 9/18 @ 7pm STRFKR w/ Happy Sad Face @ Electric City Ever-evolving Portland electro-pop act STRFKR returns to Buffalo mid-week to deliver ear worms from the band’s deep catalog. Since forming in 2007, the outfit has seen massive success on the indie scene with their knack for melodies that live inside your head and never seem to reach an expiration date. STRFKR is touring in support of their seventh album, Parallel Realms, released via the band’s long-term partner Polyvinyl Records. If STRFKR isn’t already a staple on your playlist, then it would be recommended for fans of Passion Pit, Toro y Moi, or the synth-heavy side of of Montreal. Also sharing the stage will be Joshua Tree-based psych-pop act, Happy Sad Face. Doors are somewhere around $29 to get in.   Friday, 9/20 @ 7pm Man on Man w/ Star Theory @ Mohawk Place Polyvinyl really makes a splash[...]

Must See Shows (9/11/24-9/17/24)

September 10, 2024

Saturday, 9/14 @ 7pm Elemantra w/ Patchwork @ Black Dots The west side is set to host a double banger with locals Elemantra and Patchwork this Saturday night at one of Buffalo’s best record stores. The lineup consists of two locals at the top of Buffalo’s indie scene. Elemantra may be up your alley if you are a fan of a shoeagaze-y Mew meets Slowdive vibes, while Patchwork will impress followers of the 90’s college radio scene. Both bands are worth the field trip and it’s just $10 to support local artists.   Photo: Adam Parshall Monday, 9/16/24 @ 7pm Pile w/ Oceanator @ Buffalo Iron Works It’ll be a Monday night ripper with the return of Boston’s Pile to the 716. The heavy hitting act will be debuting at the highest capacity venue they’ve played in the city, coming a long way from the days of playing on Niagara[...]

Tonight: Goon

November 18, 2019

LA-based touring act, Goon is making a stop tonight at 9th Ward. The quartet has been making a name for themselves in the blogosphere after releasing their new album Heaven is Humming via Partisan Records (Cigarettes After Sex, Craig Finn) this past summer. The band’s sound is reminiscent of Ovlov or B Boys. with a driving and experimental indie sound with a 90s slacker vibe. Joining the quartet will be locals Cooler, who word on the street is have a new single popping up soon. Get out of the house while you still can. Doors are at 7pm with a $10 cover.

Tonight: Operators

October 7, 2019

Canadian electro-pop outfit Operators return to Buffalo this evening for an upbeat dance music at the Rec Room. Fronted by Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade, Handsome Furs), the band has quickly amassed a loyal following with their eighties new wave pop hits and certified jammers. Operators will be in town in support of their May 2019 album, Radiant Dawn. Released through Last Gang Records, the new album is a bit more cinematic than previous efforts, with a bit more of a dark sci-fi feel. i Opening the night will be Buffalo’s Shallow State, a new electronic project headed by scene veteran Brian Gorman. Doors are at 7pm with a $20 cover.

18 & Under Battle of the Bands Registration Starts Sunday

May 16, 2019

Are you 18 & under and looking for an opportunity to hop onto the local scene? Brandon Schlia, brains behind local label Steak & Cake Records, hopes to fast track your interest by organizing an 18 & Under Battle of the Bands set for this summer. The registration for the event starts this Sunday, May 19th at local all-ages space Sugar City between 5pm and 8pm. Inspired by monthly all-ages shows put on at his local YMCA, Schlia hopes to pass it forward with creating and fostering a younger demographic to the Buffalo music scene. Sunday’s registration will be the initial round of the event. In July, there will be a showcase featuring some of registered bands. In October 2019, this will all come to head with a Battle of the Bands, winner going on to battle a separate bracket of Spring 2020 bands. If you are interested in participating,[...]

Tonight: Eels

April 29, 2019

Town Ballroom is hosting an evening of indie nostalgia by way of California rock’n rollers, Eels. Fronted by multi-instrumentalist and project mastermind, E (aka Mark Oliver Everett), Eels has been a working project since 1995, evolving in sound and vision. Currently, the band is touring in support of their latest album, The Deconstruction. Expect to hear a range of sounds from orchestral pop, psych-rock, and indie rock from the heyday of college radio. Doors are at 7pm with a $36 cover. Get there early to check out opener The Inspector Cluzo. 

Sipper – “N.J.F.D”

April 18, 2019

Sipper have a new bummer pop track titled “N.J.F.D.” which has been repeat in the buffaBLOG office this week. In the video, Sipper gets into a fight with a partner at an amusement park, giving many of us some PTSD. With the change of the weather, “N.J.F.D.” is the anthem of the beginnings of a bounce-y summer. Check out the video below and keep a lookout for future material from Sipper over on Facebook. 

Ladysse – “Heartbreak Hollywood”

April 16, 2019

Ladysse’s “Heartbreak Hotel” is like an itch that finally gets scratched. The project is fronted by Stephanie Lauren, a current Detroit resident and former Californian. Since moving east, she been hitting the ground running, embedding herself in the local scene, even landing a spot in AP magazine’s “10 Detroit Artists You Need to Hear” article. Formerly of the band Golden Youth, Ladysse draws comparisons to Charlie XCX or Metric, however we think “Heartbreak Hotel” could easily be a secret track on Yeah Yeah Yeahs 2009 album It’s Blitz. Check out the single below and be on the lookout for new material that should be equally as promising.

flowerbed – “hyacinth”

April 11, 2019

Denton-based shoegaze act “Flowerbed” have a new single that caught our ear last month titled “hyacinth.” The track has a moody layer to it, accented by the lulls of singer Bailey Biggs. “Hyacinth” triggers comparisons to My Bloody Valentine, Lush, or Big Bite. This is the dreampop act’s first single and with that they set the bar pretty high for any followup. Check out flowerbed below and like them over on Facebook for future material. hyacinth by flowerbed

Onni Boi – “Tides”

April 10, 2019

Relatively underground newcomer Onni Boi has a new electro pop track that truly delivers an infectious melody. The Helsinki-based musician blurs pop, electro, indie, and house and wraps it all into an impressive package. “Tides”is Onni Boi’s return to the scene after an impressive debut in 2017 with OB EP.  The single is all about the apprehension of letting someone in on a deeper level, and wanting to protect yourself from being too vulnerable. Check out the single below and try not to dance, I dare you.

Hot Pocket – “Live Without (ft. Lautier)”

April 9, 2019

Funky UK act Hot Pocket teamed up with Lautier to deliver a dance floor must for your spring 2018 playlist. The video for the single gives you a fly-on-the-wall experience, being a largely unnoticed bystander in a busy apartment. If you are into Jamiroquai, then buckle up because Hot Pocket might be your newest obsession. Check out “Live Without” below and keep up with the band’s Spotify for future material.