Latest Posts

Cardiac Cassette Releases Three Song EPSnow Birds

February 3, 2020

Buffalo pop-punkers Cardiac Cassette dropped their first three-song single, Snow Birds. Made up of former members of local bands Go Glorious and Better Now, Cardiac Cassette has spent the past year playing shows and recording their first release with Orlando bands Our Escape and Audio Creep.  Snow Birds has the hallmarks of a modern pop-punk release: catchy hooks, heavy power chords off-set by upbeat drumming, and relationship-centric lyrical themes. Cardiac Cassette is the kind of band that’ll reel in fans of mainstays like Saves the Day and The Story So Far, but they’re no carbon copy of what’s already been done. Frontman Pat Kerr’s vocals are resonant and full, with thoughtful, often poetic lyrics, and the guitars offer fresh, ear-pleasing chord progressions. Overall,Snow Birds is a promising first release from a fairly new band on the block. It’s available on all streaming platforms, and below, too. Check it out. Snow Birds by[...]

argonaut&wasp – “TVS”

January 30, 2020

argonaut&wasp and buffaBLOG go way back – we’ve featured them multiple times before (for obvious reasons). This time around, we’re digging the impeccable synth-pop of “TVs.” This one is a super contemporary indie rock jam with hints of retro synth flavor, jammed full of sunny pop melodies and a dance-able pulse… All wrapped up in a succinct 2:30 package. Check this one out below, you won’t regret it.

Hex Smokers – “From Beyond”

January 30, 2020

Indiana act Hex Smokers got us feeling rowdy with their latest offering, “From Beyond.” A retro organ laces this one with hints of creepy 70s horror punk… But there’s more to this jam than meets the eye. Some blistering guitar leads and mysterious vocals really help to bring this one home. Fans of The Denzels, The Stooges, and even The Strokes will find something to dig here. Check it out below via Bandcamp. Hex Smokers by Hex Smokers

Soobie – “Tell Me What”

January 29, 2020

Soobie is a 21-year-old singer/songwriter from Chennai, India. Her latest earworm is “Tell Me What,” a squiggly synthy bedroom-pop jam about the inner workings of her mind. The chorus of “don’t tell me what to do” pairs perfectly with the quasi-clavi riffing that comes afterward. This one is full of sugary, bubblegum melodies – check it out below and give Soobie a follow on the ‘gram.

Floral – “This Year”

January 28, 2020

Floral is a California-based math-rock duo whose “This Year” blew us away with its sheer demonstration of musicianship. Pairing math-rock riffing with the sentimentality of midwest emo is a genius move by these two musicians. Hints of American Football can be heard among the otherwise blistering riffing that is reminiscent of Topshelf heroes Toe, Maps & Atlases at their most shreddy, or even post-hardcore greats The Fall of Troy. Despite its lyricless nature, this one has palpable emotion – check it out below.

Super American Drops New EPYOBWOC

January 28, 2020

Pop punk duo Super American just dropped their newest EP YOBWOC. Where their 2017 release Disposable gave us an angsty unabashed pop punk sound, their 2018 full length Tequila Sunrise showed us a more mature, refined sound. Clocking in at just over five minutes, YOBWOC is a perfect hybrid of their two previous releases. Super American 2.5 shows us their ability to write deeply infectious and energetic pop punk songs, that still have the nuance a maturity of Tequila Sunrise. YOBWOC opens up with the blistering “Chlorine Fight Song” which at only :40 definitely leaves us wanting more, in the best possible way. Next up is “Untitled” which blends early Blink-182 energy with the nuance of a band like The Story So Far. Finally, “Tangerine + Guava” simmers along with energetic outbursts in the midst of a restrained energy. I sincerely hope that YOBWOC is leading to another full-length release[...]

Tonight: Allison Pipitone and Kevin Lewis

January 24, 2020

Back beyond the tall grass and among the ghosts of Buffalo’s silos sits the rustic venue Duende. A burgeoning spot for Buffalo’s cream of the crop musicians has a ‘must-see’ show this evening. Buffalo songbird and leader of the Alison Pipitone Band, Alison Pipitone, and Kevin Lewis, lead-singer and guitarist of The Space, present an evening of acoustic originals. The two share a unique relationship that had been forged through the Buffalo music scene, as Pipitone has taken Lewis under her wing. Both talented musicians and storytellers will delight and conjure up spirits of the past and present. Doors at 6:30pm. Written by Kevin Prentice

Soviet Dolls Release Cover of 80’s Classic “Cruel Summer”

January 23, 2020

Rochester synth-pop act Soviet Dolls has released a cover of the classic Bananarama hit “Cruel Summer.” Set to clips of Night of the Comet, the Dolls’ take on “Cruel Summer” keeps the synthy magic but gives it a polished, 2020 feel. Their take on the song is just a bit darker, with a slightly more industrial feel. Listen for yourself – check out the vid below and check out their latest release here.

Phobia Quartet – “1995”

January 23, 2020

Something about “1995” screams late 90s. Maybe its the charming lo-fi mix or the emo-pop musings of singer Adam Hood, but Phobia Quartet really seem to have captured a moment here. Full of the charming indie rock you’d expect to hear on Vagrant or Deep Elm Records in the early 2000s, “1995” nails it with blistering guitar leads and vaguely nostalgic lyrics – check it out below.

Hanter Dro – “Turtle Man”

January 23, 2020

It’s been a hot minute since we’ve heard an inspiring slice of post-hardcore angst. Hanter Dro is a talented Swiss act whose “Turtle Man” has been a mainstay on our playlists. Full of discordant guitars, powerfully emotional vocals, and huge drums, “Turtle Man” is perfect post-hardcore for fans of La Dispute, Balance and Composure, or Pile.

Kadeema – “Gotta Get It”

January 17, 2020

Out of the ashes of Ascot Royals comes Kadeema – the longtime songwriting partnership of Jimmy Chauveau and Tal Vaisman have come together to create “Gotta Get It.” Inspired by the underwhelming monotony of the day-to-day grind, “Gotta Get It” is more about dancing away your problems than letting them get the best of you. This one is certainly full of danceable energy – check out the music video below and see for yourself.

Mint Julep – “Stray Fantasies”

January 14, 2020

Last time we checked in with Mint Julep, we were jazzed on the lovely synth-pop of “Blinded.” Their latest offering, “Stray Fantasies” is the title track from their upcoming LP – it stays on-trend with pulsing synth textures, ethereal vocals, and a hint of wintry energy. “Fantasies” and “Blinded” are both going to be included on Stray Fantasies, out later this month (1/31/2020). Stay up to date with the married duo via their Instagram.

Stray Fossa – “Are You Gonna Be Okay

January 14, 2020

If you’re an avid buffaBLOGGER, you know we’ve been paying close attention to shoegazy VA act Stray Fossa for at least a few years now. Their latest jam is “Are you Gonna Be Okay” – continuing their trend of bedroom-pop greatness, the trio pairs hush-hush vocals with blasts of synth, warbled out guitar twinkling, and big snazzy basslines. Stick around for the end of the song for an exceptionally cool aural treat – check it out below or snag it from Bandcamp.

Valentin Marx – “Fair”

January 7, 2020

Brooklyn based trio Valentin Marx aren’t messing around – their latest banger is “Fair,” a big indie rock jam that owes as much to Wilco as it does Sufjan Stevens. A rip roaring electric piano opener leads into impassioned, wistful vocals before finally breaking into a guitar-based chorus. Full of surprisingly melodic moments, “Fair” is an excellent listen start-to-finish – check it out below or give them a little lovin’ via Bandcamp.

Future Ghost – “Took My Chance”

January 7, 2020

We think Florida indie pop duo Future Ghost are onto something – their debut single “Took My Chance” is full of sugary melodies and a beautifully sunny disposition. Powered by bursts of crunchy guitar and squiggly synth flourishes, “Took My Chance” is reminiscent of Charly Bliss, Diet Cig, or even Speedy Ortiz with a delightful sheen of shiny pop-minded greatness. Check it out below and then add it to your Spotify playlist.