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Pitchfork Music Festival – Five Acts to Watch on Sunday

July 17, 2014

For the second time, buffaBLOG has been given the opportunity to attend and cover Pitchfork’s annual festival in the heart of Chicago. This year, we will be sending buffaBLOG writers Michael Moretti and Alyssa Gottlieb to preview, cover, and review the festival to clue some of us in as to what to expect or in many cases, what we are missing out on. Each day, the two will preview five acts to make sure you are in attendance for.  It would be easy and obvious to say “You need to check out Beck,” or “Make sure you don’t miss Neutral Milk Hotel,” but the writers will focus on the lesser known bands to check out and pay attention to.  Here are Friday’s and Saturday’s recommendations in case you missed it.  Speedy Ortiz (1pm, Blue Stage) Northampton, Massachusetts  based quartet, Speedy Ortiz, are another one of the many buzzed about newcomers playing the festival this year.[...]

Pitchfork Music Festival – Five Acts to Watch on Saturday

July 15, 2014

For the second time, buffaBLOG has been given the opportunity to attend and cover Pitchfork’s annual festival in the heart of Chicago. This year, we will be sending buffaBLOG writers Michael Moretti and Alyssa Gottlieb to preview, cover, and review the festival to clue some of us in as to what to expect or in many cases, what we are missing out on. Each day, the two will preview five acts to make sure you are in attendance for.  It would be easy and obvious to say “You need to check out Beck,” or “Make sure you don’t miss Neutral Milk Hotel,” but the writers will focus on the lesser known bands to check out and pay attention to.  Here are Friday’s recommendations in case you missed it.  The Range (4:45pm, Blue Stage) The Range (aka James Hinton) may be on your radar already thanks to clutch opening slots for CHVRCHES and[...]

Pitchfork Music Festival – Five Acts to Watch on Friday

July 13, 2014

For the second time, buffaBLOG has been given the opportunity to attend and cover Pitchfork’s annual festival in the heart of Chicago. This year, we will be sending buffaBLOG writers Michael Moretti and Alyssa Gottlieb to preview, cover, and review the festival to clue some of us in as to what to expect or in many cases, what we are missing out on. Each day, the two will preview five acts to make sure you are in attendance for.  It would be easy and obvious to say “You need to check out Beck,” or “Make sure you don’t miss Neutral Milk Hotel,” but the writers will focus on the lesser known bands to check out and pay attention to. Friday, July 18 Hundred Waters (3:30pm, Red Stage) Gainesville, Florida’s Hundred Waters exploded onto the blogosphere with their 2012 critically acclaimed self-titled debut.  Best described as a mix between Four Tet, Bjork, and[...]

Tonight: Transmission Dance Party DJs the 2000s

July 11, 2014

Tonight at 11pm, Hardware will host one of the top three events to go to tonight (it’s a pretty stacked Friday), with Transmission Dance Party taking over the backroom to deliver you some of your favorite dance punk must-haves from the 2000s. If you still have a fondness for Peaches, The Rapture, LCD Soundsystem, Le Tigre, Hot Hot Heat, !!!,  Franz Ferdinand, Shiny Toy Guns, Shout Out Out Out Out, Fischerspooner, The Faint, and a bunch of other bands that I’m sure you’ll say “Oh yeah, I haven’t heard that in a while,” then you need to head on down to Allen. If you don’t care for the music, you can just stand out front and get in the way of people trying to get in. Doors are at 11pm with a $5 cover.

Mountain of Youth – “Thinkin’ Bout Love”

July 7, 2014

Over the weekend we received an e-mail from delicate chillhouse artist, Mountain of Youth. Hailing from the incredibly vague “United States,” this downtempo electro rework musician has recently achieved a following via Hype Machine, ranking in at a high of number six on the charts at some point in June.  “Thinkin’ Bout Love” is the followup to his previous success  and is equally soulful, sweet, and hypnotic.  Mountain of Youth reconstructs THE NIGHT VI’s cover of Frank Ocean’s “Thinking Bout You,” to make it something more palpable to fans of Hot Chip or Poolside. Check it out below or above. Formatting for ‘Listen Ups” is a work in progress.  [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/156704270″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Today: Tony Flaminio/Spiral Scratch Sidewalk Sale

July 6, 2014

If I were hired to be a music supervisor for an HBO series dramatizing life in Western NY, the first person I would contact is Tony Flaminio. The second would probably be Nick Reynolds (Space Wolves, Aaron and the Burrs, Bad People). The third would probably be… I could go on forever, but that’s besides the point. Tony Flaminio is a longtime staple in Buffalo’s music scene, with a well respected resume which includes first and foremost Failures’ Union, as well as supporting roles in Malllwalkers and Returners.  If you have not taken the time to digest his incredibly earnest songwriting style. then make your way down to Spiral Scratch this afternoon. Word on the Facebook is that it started fifteen minutes ago (12:00pm ET) and goes til 6:30pm, but I’m sure Flaminio will go on later this afternoon as there are supporting acts. Get there by 4:30pm to be safe.

Scope & Figure Debut “Entropy Knows Best” Video

July 2, 2014

In late June, Rochester-based quartet, Scope  & Figure, released their debut video “Entropy Knows Best.” The video follows lead singer/guitarist, Thomas Varner, having an “oh shit!” moment, running down streets people in Rochester probably know, then arriving late to gig to an empty Bug Jar with only sketchy looking dude in a Carmen Sandiego jacket on. Based on some of my weekday ventures to the Bug Jar, this isn’t that far fetched. The band’s sound is definitely robust, sounding like a jazzy Okkervil River/Beirut hybrid. With plans for a late summer tour, keep Scope & Figure on your radar because they have plans to stop in town.

Just Announced: Kishi Bashi

June 30, 2014

This morning, buzz band bookers ESI Events announced an additional act to their already packed indie summer lineup. On Sunday, August 24, the Tralf will play host to anti-pop, orchestral mastermind, Kishi Bashi. Reigning as one of NPR’s golden children, Kishi Bashi’s performance at the Tralf will be one of the numerous “gotta be there” summer shows wedging into your already packed calendar. Tickets are available via TicketMaster for $14 advanced or if you find yourself walking around Main Street, pop into the Tralf’s ticket office.

Pony Hand Releases Debut Album

June 26, 2014

Raucous Rochester-based three-piece Pony Hand has been on radar for a bit since we’ve been spotting them on showcases with 585 located bands we are into for the greater part of a year. We finally associated a sound with a name last week with the trio’s debut self-titled release. The band’s sound is both psychedelic and garagey, sort of like if the Donnas shot dice in the alley and were produced by Jack White or if Karen O. had creative freedom on a Death From Above 1979 collaboration.  With plans for a physical tape release via Dadstache Records, you can grab a tape deck before the price is massively inflated due to the influx of bands releasing tapes/increasing demand, or stream on bandcamp. Check it out below.

The Modern Electric – “All We Have Is Now”

June 12, 2014

Cleveland natives, The Modern Electric, took over our office speakers this morning with their driving single “All We Have Is Now.” Part manlier Keane, part vaudeville Jens Lekman, and a pinch of Spoon, the band’s sound is both whimsical and exuberant, channeling classic rock legends like Jeff Lynne of ELO. The Modern Electric will be making a stop in Rochester next Thursday (6/19) at Sticky Lips as part of their national tour. This post is geared to our Rochester readers and Buffalo readers that like driving 80 miles to see bands. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/69973526″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Yesterday vs. Tomorrow Releases “Mark Rothko” Single

June 3, 2014

Yesterday vs. Tomorrow peaked our interest since we caught a glimpse of their discography via an early leak for this year’s Infringement lineup (which by the way, is set to blow the previous years out of the water). The duo’s single, “Mark Rothko,” is a soaring mix between whiney Taking Back Sunday and melodic Muse anthem rock. Currently in the studio working on their upcoming double album titled Aurora Borealis, Yesterday vs. Tomorrow will be keeping busy this summer with a string of June gigs.  Check out the building single “Mark Rothko” below.

Tonight: Steak & Cake Records Presents Parlor Trix #1

June 1, 2014

Local DIY label, Steak & Cake Records, is set to present an evening showcase featuring some of Buffalo’s very best up-and-coming talents in the comfort of the CEO’s living room (410 Potomoc). If the lineup correlates with the order given on the event page, first up is Joey Mason, an East Aurora raised one-man band who teeter between Phoenix influenced psych-pop with a healthy dose of Strokes vibes mixed throughout. Next is Sonny Baker, a musician that by now needs no introduction or writeup because he is mentioned here weekly via one of his many projects (solo, A Hotel Nourishing, Wooden Waves, Lazlo Holyfeld, Alex Berkley and the Atlanta Falcons). Just expect that he will be playing guitar and singing tonight. Third on the lineup is mumble core savant, Damian Weber. Fresh off the heel’s of March’s incredible You Don’t Need It (recorded with Steak & Cake), Weber will be[...]

Tijuana Panthers – “Cherry Street”

May 27, 2014

SoCal garage punk trio, Tijuana Panthers, have made quite the name for themselves since their 2010 inception by routinely delivering high-energy performances ranging from sold-out concert halls to drop ceiling basements shows. Their latest single, “Cherry Street,” off of the upcoming June release Wayne Interest (Innovative Leisure), is a testament to the band’s staying power, both as a group and in your ears. “Cherry Street,” sounds like a mix between melody friendly Thee Oh See’s with early Drums riffs. The video is even more grabbing, highlighting a homicide detective’s appetite for blood and donuts at some vague time period in the 1980s. Check it out below.

Tonight: SMART HOUSE and Mooses

May 22, 2014

We usually don’t cover events at the Forvm (4224 Maple Rd), as the venue is inconveniently located if you are in the heart of Buffalo and the booking is usually wash/rinse/repeat, but this evening’s showcase is fairly noteworthy. Tonight the Forvm will host two bands we have been hyping, Mooses and SMART HOUSE. Mooses, if you haven’t been paying attention to our content for the past month, are a buzzing  psychrock band with a knack for ooo’s and aaah’s. Also on the bill is SMART HOUSE, an electro-pop band fronted by Alek Ogadzhanov (also of Brat’ya).  You may be familiar with SMART HOUSE based on the band’s landing of the song “Car Ride” on the blog’s top 20 countdown of Buffalo-based jams for 2013. Cover is a beyond reasonable $10 and doors are at 6pm, so I hope you brought a change of clothes in your car.

PASTEL GHOST – “Skeleton”

May 20, 2014

This morning, we received an e-mail from Oakland-based dream-wave artist, PASTEL GHOST. The fourth song off of the band’s Shadows EP, “Skeleton,” is enchanting, sucking the listener into a shoe-gaze trance backed by “dreamtrap” instrumentations. If you want to start making your cool summer playlist, this should be the first song on it.