Latest Posts

Johnny & The Man Kids Release Raucous New Single, “Before”

March 11, 2019

Buffalo lo-fi pop-rockers Johnny & The Man Kids are gearing up for a new release later this spring. In anticipation, they’ve just dropped the first single from their upcoming EP, You Made Me Hurt. “Before” is an energetic blast of overblown distortion, fleshed out with tastefully distorted vocals that sling earworm pop hooks. Fans of The Strokes, Twin Peaks, or Diarrhea Planet will find something to like here – be sure to check it out through the convenient widget below. Johnny & the Man Kids’ new EP, You Made Me Hurt, is due to be released on 4/12/19 via Admirable Traits Records.

Hazey Eyes – “Emotion (ft. Panama)”

March 9, 2019

Emotional dance producer Hazey Eyes may have struck gold with his newest collaboration with Panama, “Emotion.” Hazey Eyes is the stage-name for 22-year-old producer Thomas Michel. “Emotion” shows a complexity and vulnerability that the emerging artist has. It is moody, vulnerable, and a growing earworm, all in one. The song is the first single off of Hazey Eyes’ new album Love Lost, out now. Stream “Emotion” below and add it to your Spotify playlists.

Bruiser & Bicycle – Woods Come Find Me

March 7, 2019

Any musician knows the trials and tribulations of being in a band, perhaps no one better than the remaining two members of Albany psych-folk act Bruiser & Bicycle. Their latest album, Woods Come Find Me, is a transition of sorts. It’s a step away from their full-fledged rock band roots. They are a duo now, and they have accepted their fate as a two-piece. Sure, only having two band members certainly brings its own set of limitations… But the opportunity has come for co-songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Nick Whittemore and Keegan Graziane to spread their wings – they’ve used this chance to reinvent themselves, and in doing so, explore themes of existentialism, transitional disorientation, and restless spirits. Say what you will about the current state of indie rock – but Woods Come Find Me, with all its exploration of suspended animation and arrested development, exists in a sort of time warp. Imagine it’s 2005 again –[...]

The Sunset Kids – “Fantasy”

March 5, 2019

New kids on the Vancouver dreampop scene, The Sunset Kids released their first single “Fantasy” a couple of days ago and its straight fire. The Sunset Kids is the working partnership between Canadian singer-guitarist Josh Palmer and Russian-born songwriter Ellaya Zampier. The duo’s new track has an unmistakeable epic M83 feel. Subject-wise, “Fantasy” is all about escapism, whether it be to a hobby or device, or even an intense love. Keep a lookout for the duo’s first album, Volcano, set for release this spring.

Seatbelts – “Spanish Songs”

March 4, 2019

UK indie pop act Seatbelts have a new track called “Spanish Songs” which we can’t get out of our ears. The new band is a side project from James Madden and Ryan Murphy of Liverpool quartet Hooton Tennis Club. “Spanish Songs” is the second single from the act’s new EP Please Slow Down. Lyrics-wise, the single is all about the simple life, dreaming of moving out to the country and away from the busy grind of city life. Our favorite part are the dueling bilingual vocals. Check it out below and be on the lookout for the band’s new EP.

Saltwater Sun – “Blood”

March 3, 2019

On Valentines Day, Saltwater Sun dropped their latest single “Blood,” just in time for the holiday. The band’s new track “Blood” dabbles in elements of indie pop and garage rock. Lyrically, it’s all about the loss of a relative and realizing you are their mark on the world. You are the way their legacy will continue, through their life lessons and influence. This is the first single off their forthcoming EP, The Great Deceiver, due out this April. Take a listen below and keep your ears peeled for The Great Deceiver.

Yandi – “My Name is Yandi”

March 2, 2019

Up-and-coming emcee Yandi released his introductory track “My Name is Yandi” yesterday and it’s raw sound is the soundtrack of our weekend. Yandi is a 24-year-old rapper emerging from Southern California’s rap scene. Produced by Jedi808, “My Name Is Yandi” is the first track off of Yandi’s new full-length and it highlights Yandi’s smooth flow and quick wit.  Check out the title track below or stream the full-length over on Spotify.

Jake Tittle – “Dirty Television”

February 28, 2019

LA-based singer/songwriter Jake Tittle is back with his new single “Dirty Television.” We first discovered Jake Tittle over two years ago, where his nonchalant delivery and clever lyrics were incredibly captivating. With “Dirty Telvision” Tittle continues with his slacker roots. “Dirty Television” is all about being overstimulated with smart phones and Netflix and not appreciating life in general. Delivery-wise Tittle has a mix of Connor Oberst’s more upbeat works coupled with Pedro the Lion. Check it out below.

Ghostpool & Hand Out – NYLA

February 28, 2019

A good ol’ fashioned split goes a long way; both bands get the out-of-town rub. In this case, Buffalo’s Ghostpool have teamed up with New Orleans pop-punkers Hand Out for NYLA, a four-song offering that highlights two brand new songs from each band. Hometown reps Ghostpool kick things off with “Bug,” a mid-tempo banger with the strongest of the emo elements across this EP. Both bands straddle that hard-to-define pop-punk/emo line, but “Bug’s” strong dynamic range gives it a true emotional edge. It pairs forlorn lyrics with guitars that switch from reverb-ed and forlorn to fuzzed-out. Lyrically, Ghostpool laments about being existentially annoying – a babbling nobody with a racing mind, eternally buzzing in someone else’s ear like a god damn bug. It’s a touching and sincere sentiment, even if it’s executed with huge guitars and gravel-voiced, pop-punk brattiness. “Feels Bad” (maybe a reference to the ever-memed “feelsbadman”) is another song[...]

Unwed Sailor – “Moon Coin”

February 26, 2019

In high school, I used to drive a lot of places just to escape the boredom of AOL Instant Messenger and Age of Empires II. I would download new artists on Kazaa, burn them onto a CD-R, and drive 25 minutes to a burger place three towns over just to leave the monotony of the small town I grew up in. Through this, I discovered Pedro the Lion, whose somber songs about divorce and existentialism oddly connected with me as a junior in high school. Enter Unwed Sailor, a band who was heavily featured on my burger journeys/Salvation Army trips.  Unwed Sailor is the moniker for multi-instrumentalist and former Pedro the Lion member, Johnathan Ford. After laying low for the past ten plus years, the post-rock band has returned with a new single off their forthcoming album Heavy Age.  The single “Moon Coin” is atmospheric and frantic at times, but all[...]

Talkboy – “Someone Else For You”

February 25, 2019

Rising Leeds-based indie act Talkboy dropped their new single “Someone Else for You” earlier this month. Released on February 8th via Come Play with Me / LAB Records, Talkboy’s new single has a mix of Bully and The Cranberries on it, channeling the 90s slightly while maintaining a modern edge. “Someone Else For You” is about losing yourself in a relationship/the courting process. Lead singer Katie Harp croons about coming to her senses and going back to her true self. Check it out below and add it your Spotify playlist.

Camarino – “When I Had Infinity”

February 24, 2019

Hazy singer/songwriter Camarino sent over their latest single “When I Had Infinity” earlier in the month and it’s been on repeat ever since. Don’t let the gentle sunny feel fool you with the vibe, “When I Had Infinity” is all about self-doubt and lacking confidence. At times it can grip you, but one must learn to overcome and just live. Produce art, don’t second guess it.  Sound-wise it’s a blend of Mating Ritual and The War on Drugs. Camarino’s new EP is out this April, so keep your ears peeled. <iframe width=”100%” height=”166″ scrolling=”no” frameborder=”no” allow=”autoplay” src=”https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/548057190&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true”></iframe>

Tonight: Bad Bad Hats

February 24, 2019

Catch indie rock group Bad Bad Hats tonight at the 9th Ward at Babeville.   From Minneapolis, Minnesota, Bad Bad Hats formed in 2012 when Kerry Alexander, Chris Hoge, and Noah Boswell attended Macalester College.  Shortly after, the trio signed to Afternoon Records through which they’ve released some singles and 2 LPs: Psychic Reader (2015), and Lightning Round (2018). Lightning Round is significant to Bad Bad Hats in numerous ways.  Notably, this recent release was recorded live in studio, differing from Psychic Reader.  Producer and collaborator Brett Bullion encouraged this.  As a result, Lightning Round demonstrates a musicality that now compares more so to Kerry Alexander’s lyricism.  Second, Connor Davison was invited to play drums on the LP, then invited to become a permanent member.  Unfortunately, the announcement of a new member is bittersweet.  Lightning Round is the last album to which bassist Noah Boswell will contribute.  He’s decided to further his education and pursue a master’s degree.[...]

Benz – “Erazor”

February 22, 2019

Benz is the moniker for dreamy Sweden-based artist Ebba Salomonsson. Growing up playing in multiple bands, Salomonsson had always been a support role until moving to Malmö and exploring songwriting on her own. Benz has a sweet, gentle delivery in her vocals which are complimented by a driving instrumental and horns. Signed to Better Call Rob, Benz recently released an EP that shares the same name as the song. You can check out the full thing over on Spotify. In the meantime, enjoy “Erazor” below.

Torpid – “For Your Health”

February 21, 2019

Driving post punk act Torpid sent us a real earworm earlier in the month that we haven’t been able to put down. “For Your Health” is all about exiting your twenties and feeling not very pumped about it. Vibe wise, the vocals are reminiscent of She Wants Revenge or Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode with a bit of No Knife vibes on the instrumental. The song builds a ton of tension and finally delivers in the last thirty seconds. Check it out for yourself and keep and eye out for these guys.