Latest Posts

Llavz – “I’ve Been Waiting My Whole Life for It to Begin”

Take your life back from the grips of Mark Zuckerberg and social media with the authentic new single, “I’ve Been Waiting My Whole Life for It to Begin,” from NY singer, producer and songwriter, Llavz. Pronounced “jazz,” the Dominican American artist pulls from a variety of influences, including alt-rock, hip-hop, Latin American accents for a soulful rendition that will make you feel human again. Check it out below. For more Llavz, visit his Spotify here or follow him on Instagram here.

Ugly Sun Drops Single “Little Fire”

What the world needs now more than ever is an injection of feel good party music, and Buffalo’s own Ugly Sun has the prescription. The band, consisting of brothers John and Harrison Crook, is a duo hellbent on delivering catchy 70’s era rock riffs and infectious vocal melodies. Case in point, their new single ‘Little Fire’. The song starts with an airy guitar melody that steadily builds until it combusts into a full on arena rock guitar lick reminiscent of Nazareth’s ‘Hair of the Dog’. John Crook, bass and lead vocalist, delivers a flawless howl recounting possibly the steamiest of romantic encounters, as the proof is put on display front and center, ‘I’m hangin’ by a thread when you lick it up’. After a short and sweetly stripped down bridge the song’s chorus roars to life with rock ‘n roll tricks that always deliver; crashing cymbals, steady tambourine, and layered[...]

The Tins Drop Latest Single “City Lies II”

Buffalo indie darlings The Tins have returned with another new single, “City Lies II.” A follow-up to “City Lies” off the eponymous 2017 EP, the track is an excellent example of the Tins’ knack for mastering different sounds. “City Lies II” begins with a bare-bones guitar riff, begging the listener to wonder what could be around the corner. Soon enough, a drum beat and cymbal crash interrupt this wonderment as we enter the mind of lead singer Mike Santillo. Santillo’s vocals are exceedingly haunting in this particular track, mingling with developing guitar, ghostly harmonies, and sparkling synth to express the thoughts of disillusionment, stagnation, and mental entanglement that come with extended city life – not unlike the themes explored on previous singles from The Tins. What’s perhaps most compelling about this single is something the group gets right over and over again: the artful combination of energy and heart. You won’t[...]

Lauren Ruth Ward – “We Are Grown Ups”

Indie rocker, Lauren Ruth Ward, gets a lot off her chest in her awesome new release, “We Are Grown Ups.” Letting go of relationship frustrations and stresses, Ward lets her powerful voice rip over a wonderfully emotive melody grounded with folk, 60’s and garage rock influences. Flip your worries and problems the bird with this cathartic single below. For more Lauren Ruth Ward, check her out on SoundCloud here and Facebook here.

AKA Lui – “I Don’t Want That Anyway”

Dance along to the funky debut track, “Hey! I Don’t Want That Anyway,” from electro-funk newcomer, AKA Lui. The Aussie producer mixes airy vocals with a retro-sounding beat that’s filled with bassy undertones, catchy handclaps and sexy strings. Dust off those platform shoes and get yourself on the dance floor with this intoxicating track below. Keep an eye on this upcoming talent through his SoundCloud here and Facebook here.

Batavia Post-Rock Act Ever Onward Starts Song a Month Project

Batavia native Colin Berardini is a lifelong musician that has recently embarked on a song-a-month solo project with his new songwriting vehicle, Ever Onward. He specializes in instrumental post-rock epics; lyricless soundscapes meant to inspire daydreams and to encourage the listener to find their own thoughts to take away. His most recent effort is “Hindsight,” a sprawling, six-minute composition full of sparkling guitars, swelling synths, and an overwhelming sense of atmosphere. Fans of Explosions in the Sky, Sigur Ros, or Lights & Motion will enjoy Berardini’s work. Berardini is already hard at work on his next release, due out in early June. Until then, you can listen to Ever Onward via most platforms – check it out on Bandcamp and add it to your Spotify playlist. Hindsight by Ever Onward

Jamey Cummins – “Maybe Chicago”

Austin TX’s Jamey Cummins pieces together the best of indie rock in his single “Maybe Chicago.” His coffeeshop tranquility takes on a new life with the help of jangly guitars, meandering bass lines, and cementing keys to bolster the sound. It’s dreamy and wistful, with just the right amount of cynicism to keep one foot on the ground. Cummins’ range of influences, from jazz to surf rock, come together eloquently in the track to create an overall peaceful and introspective effect. Get a taste for his carefully comforting orchestration below.

TRACKY – “BOYS IN BLACK”

UK alt-pop newcomer TRACKY plays off his Liverpool roots and unbridled spunk in his debut single “BOYS IN BLACK.” Pairing buzzing synth lines with funk-inspired guitars, this track is all youthful defiance and angst wrapped up in an unwavering 80’s-inspired beat. Even at this early stage, TRACKY has gained recognition through a number of festival slots and nods from BBC Radio 1 and 6MUSIC. Get acquainted with the project’s northern industrial vivacity with the video for the single below.

Hunter As A Horse – “New Light”

Following their two year hiatus, South Africa’s Hunter As A Horse unlock a dreamy synthpop mentality in their track “New Light.” As the preface to their upcoming third EP, this track taps into youthful vitality as they dive headfirst into the present and shake off the weight of the future, if only for a moment. The mix of feathery vocals, thrumming guitars, and sizzling drum beats set the stage for untapped stamina and spontaneity. The band has gained traction over the years with sync placements in big name commercials and TV shows like Riverdale and American Horror Story with their penchant for dizzying melodies and interwoven instrumentals. Wait out their upcoming EP release with more from Hunter As A Horse here.

Maiah Manser – “See Thru It”

Rising alt-pop sensation Maiah Manser brings heat and moxie to the party in her track “See Thru It.” In an era where fiery pop songstresses like Tove Lo, Banks, and Billie Eillish reign supreme, Manser proves she deserves a spot among the stars by crafting a zesty and invigorating anthem for the ages. Her soaring vocal lines pair well with snappy percussion and sharp synth interjections, keeping things minimalistic and allowing for a powerful showcase of vocal range. With tours alongside Miranda Lambert, Ariana Grande, and Sam Smith under her belt, Manser is already off to a strong start at this stage in her burgeoning solo career. Find this soon-to-be banger and more from Maiah Manser here.

Portrayal – “Clearing Houses”

UK duo Portrayal funnel moody alt rock into the groundwork of their single “Clearing Houses.” Bringing in a haunting grit that only Brit Rock can really harness, the track combines robust guitar lines with stirring vocals and a frenetic beat, giving the band’s penchant for shoegaze a cloudier tint. This track, along with their recent single “Views” adds insight into Portrayal’s upcoming sophomore album, promising more broody and dark soundscapes to mull over. Until then, become well versed in the duo’s past releases here.

Super Paradise – “6:30”

Super Paradise’s latest grunge-laden anthem “6:30” is an energetic ball of fire, sonically venturing across peaks and valleys with the same unrelenting force from start to finish. The London expats bring hints of psych rock into their brand of beachy garageband influence and punk delivery. The inflection of this track is ever-evolving, starting off with a jolt of kineticism that gradually shifting into varying tonalities and shapes. The overall effect is a near 5 minute aural hurricane, picking up speed as it comes full circle in a bone-rattling conclusion. Brace yourself for the storm that is Super Paradise below.

Sonar.Suite – “Be Coool (Gon’ Take It So Easy)”

Sonar.Suite, the hip-hop/funk-fused brainchild of Brandon Thomas invites listeners to drop their serious guises in his latest track “Be Coool (Gon’ Take It So Easy).” While acknowledging the inherent negativity of the world, Thomas encourages embracing the collective ‘chill pill’ and simply letting go. It’s a heady mix of sizzling guitars, crisp percussion, and creamy synths, providing the ideal subdued foundation to his uplifting lyricism. Brighten up your outlook on life, if only for a moment with Sonar.Suite’s latest track below.

War Strings – “My Alien Heart”

LA outfit War Strings tee off with their latest raucously cinematic single, “My Alien Heart.” The overall effect is both noisily grating and symphonic, combining the edge of distorted guitars with gossamer suspended strings. Where the chorus is a crashing wave, the verses take a step back, allowing vocal lines to swim into the forefront and build in intensity. As the second in a series of recent single releases, we’re hoping for a similarly fervid follow up from Warstrings in the near future. Until then, find the rest of the band’s discography here.

Zoe Zobrist – “Someday”

Singer-songwriter Zoe Zobrist may be young, but her soulful voice and stirring lyricism belie her years in her latest track “Someday.” The track measures out nostalgia and introspection in heaps, finding comfort in the temporality of feeling lost. Twangy guitar lines and sweeping vocal layers hammer home a lulling sense of comfort amidst the chaos. With an array of experiences, from playing SXSW in 2014 to recording with Limp Bizkit’s DJ Lethal, Zobrist hits the ground running at an early age, with no signs of slowing down any time soon. Catch the haunting and personal video for “Someday” below, and become well-versed in her other tracks here.