Latest Posts

Idaho Green – “Studs Up at the Suds Hut”

October 18, 2024

Idaho Green’s single “Studs Up at the Suds Hut” may hold the record for the shortest song we’ve covered at the blog. In fact, you may even linger longer on this page than listening to the song, which is pretty good for our backend stats so I would encourage you to do so. The band originates from Huntley Project, Montana and has been creating fuzzy diddies since 2008. In 2015, Idaho Green relocated to Brooklyn where they found themselves in a weird dichotomy, they were too artsy for Montana, but too redneck for Brooklyn. The single, “Studs Up at the Suds Hut” is a 40 second track that fans of Rozwell Kid, Sleeping Bag, or Diarrhea Planet would appreciate. Check it out below and give them a follow on Instagram.  Gems of the High Plains by Idaho Green

Must See Shows (10/16/24-10/22/24)

October 15, 2024

Friday, October 18th @ 8pm Makeout Tactics EP Release Show w/ Spud and Cheap Peach  @ The Cave Friday evening might be one of the most jam-packed calendars for quality music in Buffalo in recent memory. Every neighborhood in the city has something that I would recommend, however, not every showcase is celebrating an EP release show like Elmwood Village indie pop act, Makeout Tactics. The five-piece will be unveiling their new EP titled Skunk House, which chronicles the escapades of a bunch of friends in their twenties living together in a house that’s falling apart – almost like a co-ed Frat House. Makeout Tactics’ sound is high energy, and could be compared to Surf Curse or Los Campesinos with a hint of an edgier Max Bemis (Say Anything) accenting the gang choruses. Joining the bill will be singer/songwriter SPUD and a recently re-launched Cheap Peach. Doors are $10. Friday,[...]

A Days Wait – “Long Lines”

October 14, 2024

A Days Wait returns with their new indie pop single “Long Lines.” The band is no stranger to buffaBLOG as we’ve covered this project’s alliterative 2022 single “Tongue Tied” and 2023’s “Signals.” “Long Lines” continues with accessible college radio rriendly style that A Days Wait mastermind Adam Alfano has close to perfected. The latest single is all about trying to be a positive person, but constantly encountering negativity and hoping to bust through it.  A Days Wait continues its charitable mantra by donating proceeds for “Long Lines” again to a cause. Please don’t ask me what the charity is because I don’t know. I hope its a good one. A Days Wait · Long Lines

My Friend Noel – “Will Somebody Love Me?”

October 14, 2024

NYC -based quartet My Friend Noel have a new self-doubting single, “Will Somebody Love Me?” The premise of the track is highly relatable to all growing up and searching for happiness. Am I annoying? Will anyone find my quirks attractive? Does the person I bump into at the bodega four times a week getting my AM Celsius even notice me? The band formed in 2023 after the core trio of Katelyn Barr (vocals/guitar), Anna Young (bass), and Ivy Wang (drums) decided to flesh out their sound and head to the internet to get a lead guitarist. After numerous inquiries from online weirdos, the band found the refreshingly normal Kyle Redd. Since the expansion, My Friend Noel has been rising in the underground indie scene across Brooklyn and Manhattan. Fans of Snail Mail, Beach Bunny, or Diet Cig would be into these guys. Check out “Will Somebody Love Me” below and[...]

Orchid Mantis – “Dead Malls (ft. Cathedral Bells)”

October 14, 2024

Dreampop act Orchid Mantis returns with the hazy new track “Dead Malls.” Mantis, the moniker for Atlanta-based experimental musician Thomas Howard, has been cranking out lo-fi earworms since 2014. With the new single, Orchid Mantis combines creativity with Orlando bedroom-pop project, Cathedral Bells, on this collab. The track uses the metaphor of dead malls to parallel old memories and nostalgia which lands strong with these shoegaze elements. Fans of DIIV, Film School, with a touch of Future Islands rhythm section would be into this one. Check it out on Spotify and give Orchid Mantis a follow to keep up with their promising 2025. orchid mantis · Dead Malls (feat. Cathedral Bells)

Must See Shows (10/9/24-10/15/24)

October 8, 2024

Wednesday, October 9th @ 7pm Robert Ellis @ 9th Ward Houston-based singer/songwriter Robert Ellis makes a stop in the Babeville basement this Wednesday for an intimate performance. Touring in support of his latest album, Yesterday’s News, showgoers will be captivated by Ellis’ phenomenal story telling and alt country twang. Fans of Nick Drake, Justin Townes Earle, Jason Isbell, or Joe Pug should be up for a midweek foray onto the Delaware Strip. Tickets are $25. Friday, October 11th @ 7pm Ashford (Album Release Show) w/ Previous Love, The Weather Might Say Otherwise, & Robbery Club @ Mohawk Place Ashford are celebrating the release of their brand new full-length album, Pictures of Places I’ve Been, at what is bound to be the talk of Mohawk Ave. on Friday. The post-pop-punk project has been around for over eight years, but has really emerged as a a scene heavy-hitter after emerging from post-COVID[...]

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,[...]