Latest Posts

Dolly Sods – “tupelogumswamp”

February 11, 2022

Hot new gloomy shoegaze band from Buffalo, Dolly Sods is making some literal noise with their debut single “tupelogumswamp.” Comprised of three members of other Buffalo-based bands, Jesse James, Nate Ward, and Andy Pothier, Dolly Sods hit at the very peak of bleak. Heavily reverbed vocals sound as if they’re coming from a cemetery within a church. The instrumental contains much reverb in itself which ties together the loose vocals in a very dark and ominous package. At seven-plus minutes, this one is as epic as it is sludgy in all its doom-and-gloom glory. Check out all the different ways you can listen to “tupelogumswamp” here. tupelogumswamp by dolly sods

Velvet Bethany – “Teamwork”

February 10, 2022

Movement of the hips guaranteed or your money back! Buffalo based singer-songwriter/producer Allison Mitchell (aka Velvet Bethany) created a peppy tune titled “Teamwork” that will surely jumpstart your heart. Lines like “I feel like I have superpowers” are truly contagious to the soul and inspire a better day. “Teamwork” reached streaming services at the turn of this past new year; and with it’s upbeat pop rock energy, will hopefully usher 2022 in as a new era of hope.  You can find “Teamwork” on both Bandcamp and Spotify. Teamwork by Velvet Bethany

Rafi Bloomberg – “Your Eyes”

February 8, 2022

Listening to Rafi Bloomberg’s latest drop “Your Eyes” with your eyes closed is not only meta, it’s also borderline dangerous. This sparkly indie-pop jam sounds as if you’re driving through a spiral where both space and time are obsolete. The icy, 80s-esque synthesizer cools down any hot-headed thoughts that it reaches. “Your Eyes” touched down just about one week ago on January 25th of 2022 but don’t fret, this track will stay fresh forever. “Your Eyes” was recorded at Bloomberg Audio by Rafi himself – preview “Your Eyes” using YouTube below, but be sure to add it to your favorite Spotify or Apple Music playlist.

Quit Yourself – “Get Better”

February 8, 2022

A righteous, twinkly guitar riff alone is enough to perk anyone’s head up. Buffalo-based act Quit Yourself is about to celebrate the first birthday of their double single, Get Better, originally dropped February 28th, 2021. The band is still kicking nowadays, shuffling lineups to make things work like any good, scrappy emo band should! Somehow, no matter what their formation, they always manage to sound like an army of midwest-emo rockstars. If you’re looking for some local grudge rock to roll your face off, or even just to “Get Better” on a personal level, then you’ve come to the right place. Check out Get Better via Bandcamp below – you can also stream it using Spotify. Get Better by Quit Yourself

Routine Fuss – “Canceled Plans”

February 8, 2022

If you’re looking for something punk-flavored with high energy, we recommend the latest offering from Routine Fuss (aka Avery Black). “Cancelled Plans” has the unbridled energy of Cap’n Jazz with the pop sensibility of modern-day emo… Fitting of the genre, it’s a song about social anxiety and navigating your way through inane conversations that aren’t always sincere, but realizing that there are a special group of people you can always fall back on. Get ready for an onslaught of guitar angst. Check out “Routine Fuss” via YouTube below – you can also find it on Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp.

sophie meiers – “collar”

February 6, 2022

Last time we checked in with sophie meiers, we were vibing on the downtrodden pulse of “Mutt.” This time around, we’re excited to share their latest single, “collar,” out now on Epitaph Records. Sophie blends lots of genres on “collar” – it sounds grungy, retro, and modern all at once, pairing 2022 bedroom-pop emotion with retro bass tones and grungy guitar tones. Their hushed delivery helps give it a simmering gothy flavor, perfect for fans that range anywhere from Soccer Mommy to Nine Inch Nails. Check out the music video for “collar” below – you can also stream it on Spotify and Apple Music.

Alex PGSV – “northern poetry”

February 6, 2022

“A song that covers mental health and the fear of growing up. Creating a nostalgia that was never even there.” The words from Charlotte-based act Alex PGSV sum up their latest single perfectly – “northern poetry” is dark and moody in a hauntingly familiar way. A hypnotic vocal cadence starts the song off with a memorable melody – a great way to get your ear hooked. It’s followed by emo-esque vocals dripping with anxiety. What’s most notable here is how the mostly electronic backbone somehow feels organic, adding to the deeply rooted tones of nostalgia.. You can listen to “northern poetry” via Soundcloud (below) or your preferred streaming service: Spotify or Apple Music. You can also check out Alex PGSV · northern poetry – Alex PGSV

Fake Space – “Cut It Loose”

February 4, 2022

Buffalo punk rock band Fake Space held absolutely nothing back in the rebellious banger “Cut it Loose” from their latest EP, Big Money Only (B$O). Released by Triple Hammer Records on November 17th, 2021, B$O serves as a blueprint to learn how to let loose in life. The vibrato in the vocals laid down on “Cut it Loose” are sharp enough to cut anything that’s keeping you tethered down. The face of Fake Space, Christian Adams has been percolating as an integral part of the Buffalo music scene for more than a decade. Although Christian isn’t afraid to branch out and use keyboards, acoustic guitars, and ukuleles to write his songs, make no mistake – Fake Space is still a punk band at heart. With the huge pop-punk hooks here on B$O, he’ll surely infiltrate the rest of the world sometime soon. Check out “Cut It Loose” via YouTube below,[...]

Forest Ray – “Always”

February 4, 2022

We’re really loving this psyched-out take on indie-folk from Forest Ray. Bringing to mind the work of Kurt Vile, Jeff Tweedy, or The War On Drugs, “Always” pairs lush acoustic guitar work with an electric piano and noodly slide guitars – they also captured the song using a 24-track, which ultimately gave the finished product a sincere, vintage sound. This one is pure enough to appeal to any diehard folk enthusiast with just enough warble and swirl to please a modern ear more tuned to bedroom pop slackerdom. You can preview “Always” using Bandcamp below, but you can also find it on Spotify. Always by Forest Ray

Gillian – “Who Are You?”

February 4, 2022

It’s been a minute since we’ve heard from Gillian – the funky indie-poppers have swung through Buffalo a few times on their travels. They’re back with another effortlessly-cool (and startlingly unique) take on indie rock with “Who Are You?” There’s a definite funk-based swing to this song, full of twisting and turning guitar parts; lush and layered vocals; and a distinct attitude that really brings the song to life. On “Who Are You?,” the band encourages people to learn a little bit more about their neighbor… In doing so, maybe it would lead to more outcomes rather than outrage. Check out the song via YouTube below – you can find an exhaustive list of how to listen to their new album, Put It Back Together (on which “Who Are You?” resides), by using this link.

Stress Dolls – “Alone”

February 1, 2022

The transparency that Buffalo punk artist Stress Dolls possesses is as evident in her music as it is on social media. The last words in her Spotify bio read, “Currently I’m back in the studio with Marc working on a new release that I hope to get out sometime in 2021…” And boy did she deliver. With the single “Alone,” released January 7th (accompanied by a stunning music video just three days later), Chelsea O’Donnell shows off her near decade of experience by screaming both authenticity and relatability with straightforward lyrics like “I’d rather be alone,” showcasing that sometimes our complex thoughts are best relayed in simple terms. It’s done through the simple-yet-effective use of jangly guitar rock and synth lead flourishes, highlighted of course by O’Donnell’s one-of-a-kind vocal prowess. You can find all the different ways to enjoy “Alone” (as well as her newest EP, FORWARD) via this link.[...]

Tough Old Bird – “‘The Jaybird Lives!'”

February 1, 2022

You can almost hear the blowing of a breeze and rustling leaves while gazing at the nature-esque cover art for Buffalo indie folk duo Tough Old Bird’s latest EP, A Mantle for the Lantern. Buffalo brothers Matthew and Nathan Corrigan recorded the entire EP in their home while the rest of the world was shut down due to COVID-19. The intro to the EP, “‘The Jaybird Lives!’,” creates a very delicate, yet safe atmosphere for the audience to float through. With a breezy folk vibe that sways back and forth, A Mantle for the Lantern is akin to a rhythmic river running under the sunset. The only two words needed to sum up the ambience of the EP are peace and harmony. First, preview “‘The Jaybird Lives!'” via YouTube below, but be sure to check their entire (lengthy!) discography on Spotify as well.

Hyperview – “I Used To Be Normal”

January 31, 2022

The breath of vocalist AJ Newman from pop-punk band Hyperview is frosty enough to give an audience chills. Their most recent addition to their catalog is an EP, I Used to be Normal, featuring a music video for the project’s title-track. This was a big leap forward for both Hyperview and their fans, being the first ever music video they posted. The on-set video perfectly captures how one feels “trapped” inside of what/who they thought they were, even as normal life continues to happen around them. It runs perfectly parallel with the haunting lullaby blend of vibey emo-punk that is “I Used to be Normal.” Check out the music video for “I Used to Be Normal” below – you can also find the EP of the same name on Bandcamp and Spotify.

Rosie Quartz – Astral Bodies

January 31, 2022

Way back in 2020, singer/songwriter Sean Pratt linked up with guitarist Adam Cwynar and bassist Ron Walczyk to form the breath of fresh air you didn’t know you needed; Rosie Quartz. Their latest project, Astral Bodies, is a sonic transcendence for ears all across the world to enjoy. The overall tone of Astral Bodies is blue skies shimmering over blankets of snow. With influences drawing from Alvvays, to Bright Eyes, to Tigers Jaw, this project brings it all to the table. The EP’s material was conceived during the peak of the pandemic, where practices were infrequent, but efficient. They worked with drummer Steve Tripi to bring these songs to life: they came out with a six-song EP of sparkling indie-pop, full of chorus-laden guitar work; a rock-solid bass presence; and icy-cold vocal melodies. The first thirty seconds of the intro track, “Sleep Now (Love You Later),” emit tones of an[...]

Trentemøller – “No More Kissing In The Rain”

January 26, 2022

We’re checking back in with Danish songwriter Trentemøller for his new single, “No More Kissing In The Rain.” Just like “All Too Soon” (which we featured on the blog last year), “Kissing” is an expansive, dark-pop composition that utilizes synth leads, gauzy textures, swelling guitars, and lots and lots of reverb. Bringing to mind a synthier version of Slowdive, “Kissing” plays with somber-but-hopeful emotions, exploring themes of darkness vs. light. The music video is a fitting accompaniment, showing the doldrums of daily life juxtaposed against the importance of having someone important to experience them with. Check out the music video for “No More Kissing In The Rain” below – you can also find the song on Spotify and Apple Music.