Latest Posts

Jong SL Releases New Track “Driving Away”

September 20, 2018

Alt. pop artist Jong SL is back this year with promising new material. The Toronto via Buffalo singer-songwriter is following up his 2017 EP Ice Cream with a new single, “Driving Away,” foreshadowing an upcoming full length project. Known for his cross-genre blending, the track is Jong’s most fine-tuned and musically diverse release to date. The once light and bouncy air of Jong’s music is now treated with a heavier shade. His previous sound of coffee shop pop meets blue-eyed soul is amplified here with darker and more ambient elements. The tune itself floats through different phases, borrowing from both alt. rock and contemporary R&B, and pairs acoustic guitars with electric ones, and ethereal synth embellishments with a tight modern R&B groove. Even from a lyrically standpoint, “Driving Away” moves in a more melancholic direction, hinting at what is to come from Jong in the future. In regards to the[...]

Nylon Otters Drop Two New Singles

September 19, 2018

Buffalo three-piece Nylon Otters are back with a double dose of indie rock goodness. Their dual release of “Pollenblonde” and “Loose Ends” are comparable to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in their volatility. The former is postured with a lazily hypnotic rock beat and mumbly, apathetic vocals while the latter is boisterous and crass with drunken outbursts of raspy hollering. What both have in common however is their catchiness and the ability to crawl inside your head and hang out for a few hours. Do yourself a favor and give these rocking Siamese tracks a listen below. For more Nylon Otters, check them out on bandcamp or check out their show this Friday at Mr. Goodbar. Pollenblonde by Nylon Otters

San Holo – “Brighter Days (feat. Bipolar Sunshine)”

September 18, 2018

The multi-talented San Holo (not to be confused with Star Wars alum Han Solo) teamed up with fellow producer Bipolar Sunshine to release the infectious “Brighter Days.” It has the sunny message that despite the trials and hardships that comes along with being alive, better days are always on the horizon. Fun fact: Holo and Sunshine met up in an airbnb and tracked most of the song in one session. Check out their shared virtuosity below. San Holo has lots of different listening options – check them out here.

Teen Ravine – “Friend of a Friend”

September 18, 2018

Toronto duo Teen Ravine have a hot new single on their hands with their latest jam, “Friend of a Friend.” Inspired by a soul-crushing break up and a debilitating concussion respectively, Teen Ravine pooled their collective misery to create their debut LP, released this past August. We were drawn to “Friend of a Friend” by its ethereal pop vibes – pairing electric piano with tight 80’s drum and synth tones. Their entire debut is currently on Spotify – check it out.

Welks Mice Release New Single “Your Heart is the Purple Sage”

September 18, 2018

Feel good vibraphone heroes Welks Mice dropped a new single “Your Heart is the Purple Sage” that, in true  Welks form,  is virtually indescribable yet deeply affecting. Maybe it’s the naked, searching purity of Max Weiss’s vocals and the distinct sense that’s he singing TO YOU or his poetic and philosophical lyrics that come at you fast and insistent; maybe it’s the Andre Welks vibraphone that seem to gradually harmonize with your soul, or the intimate immediacy of the lo-fi production. In any case “Your Heart is the Purple Sage” is a refreshingly cathartic balm for the soul that feels just right, and it’s definitely worth a listen. Your Heart is the Purple Sage by Welks Mice

Fresh – Nighttime

September 17, 2018

The UK’s indie punk rising stars, Fresh, give apathy a monochromatic face in the video for their recent single “Nighttime.” The Londoners playfully exude their situational angst, traipsing around the woods in a strictly all-black dress code. Lyrically, the track touches on deep-rooted insecurities and thoughts, giving a voice to that negativity while whittling it away. It’s a jumpstart of distortion, drive, and distress, utilizing powerful vocals, measured percussion, and smoggy guitar lines to hammer their message home. If you’re lucky, you caught the band on one of their recent tours with Camp Cope, Caves, Me Rex, and other DIY punk outfits throughout the UK. Find this, along with the track’s B side “Daytime” and other releases here.

Nikki & The Phantom Callers – “Prodigal Daughter”

September 17, 2018

Jangly indie rock band Nikki & The Phantom Callers stir up dust and reflect on the past in their track “Prodigal Daughter.” An evolutionized take on the tales of a wayward drifter, the song glosses over life’s highs and lows by way of buzzy guitar solos, tinny drum lines, and a rustic vocal duet. Vocalists Nikki Speake and Anna Kramer play into each other’s strengths, matching sweeping melodies with grounding harmonies and sharing the stage from verse to verse. In the grand scheme of it all, “Prodigal Daughter” provides that soft place to land when the best laid plans fall through. Take in the band’s homespun toe-tapper below, and find more where that came from here.

Fishing in Japan – “Here For You”

September 15, 2018

Dallas indie rock trio Fishing in Japan throw some sunshine and emotional support our way with their track “Here For You.” This song is a rolling ball of energy, gradually building in vitality and force over its nearly four minute long time frame. For anyone feeling down in the dumps as of late, this is the sonic hug you could probably use right about now. Intrinsic guitar and bass countermelodies are joined by stalwart drum fills and enduring vocal lines, oozing positivity in a way that’s consolatory and encouraging. Find “Here For You” and more from the band here.

Space Cubs Unveil New Video For “Shelves”

September 13, 2018

Space Cubs, one of the Buffalo’s most buzzed about local bands, is back with a new configuration, new music, and a video for their latest single “Shelves” that is almost reassuringly excellent in it’s completeness. Conjuring sensations of early aughts Radiohead and the ethereal vibes of Sigur Ros but with Suzanne Bonifacio seemingly holding the universe together with her searchingly primal and haunting vocals, “Shelves” as a single would’ve been enough, but the video by the band and Jeanette Chwan takes it all to another level. Beautifully shot and edited, it’s a flawless synthesis of vibes and visuals, and there’s something tremendous about seeing Bonifacio really lean into the role of buzz band frontwoman, taking all that on, and connecting with audiences. Definitely keep an eye out for them, playing in and around town and dropping new music, and be sure to check out Chance Operations, Space Cub Shawn Lewis’s first gallery show[...]

Henry Nowhere – “Not Going Back”

September 11, 2018

The lo-fi bedroom pop stylings of Henry Nowhere smooth cares away in his single “Not Going Back.” The recent L.A. transplant gives a nod towards his west coast upbringing with sun-bleached guitar lines, hazy vocals, and translucent synths. The track provides a drowsy escape from life’s monotony, however wistful that may be. Henry Nowhere’s sound has as much staying power as any other names in the bedroom pop space, with a bit of a throwback surf rock vibe that will have you sticking around for more. His time spent touring with Day Wave really shines through in the track’s production, taking on a similarly faded vocal delivery and swirling instrumentals. Plan your getaway with “Not Going Back” and the rest of Henry’s second wave of releases.

Church Girls – “Just Like You”

September 11, 2018

Philly indie rockers Church Girls head up the release of their recent EP with their broody single “Just Like You.” The band combine a post-punk zeal with expressive lyricism, introspectively mulling things over, only to hit back hard with each return of the chorus. That initial guitar melody immediately hooks you, while frontwoman Mariel Beaumont’s vocals rise and fall over a kinetic instrumental foundation. It’s a raw and holistic approach to working through emotion, honing in on the bitterness and nostalgia, and fleshing it all out with some group vocals and hearty rhythm guitar. Get a taste for the track below, and find the band’s entire EP Home here.

DIET – “Game Plan”

September 11, 2018

Beloved Melbourne quintet DIET. sent over the effervescent “Game Plan” and we’ve been hooked ever since. Finding a nice balance between the fervent punk of Cloud Nothings and a vague 80s Smiths vibe, “Game Plan” pairs frantic drums with equally peppy guitar riffs and airy synth flourishes. Have a listen for yourself via the Bandcamp widget below. “Game Plan” is on Spotify – add it to the playlist of your choice. Sundown EP by DIET

The 1984 Draft – “Honest”

September 11, 2018

The 1984 Draft tugged on our heartstrings with the frank, figurative thank you note of “Honest.” Driven by good-old-fashioned guitars and heart-on-your-sleeve lyrics, “Honest” finds singer/songwriter Joe Anderl thanking his audience for giving him a reason to go on. It’s a touching tribute to the reason musicians exist in the first place… Fans of Beach Slang, The Appleseed Cast, or The Gaslight Anthem will find common ground here. Makes Good Choices is available now via Poptek Records. Check it out here.

Humble Braggers – Cycle

September 10, 2018

Cycle, the latest EP from synth-pop quartet Humble Braggers, is excellent, danceable and almost entirely bereft of hope. The cycle that the album title alludes to goes something like this: Feel lonely, feel desire; Take a risk, regret the consequences; Find connection, find out that it’s torturous; End up alone; Repeat. Sounds depressing, right? But it’s not. Even as the lyrics dwell on despair, the songs themselves carve out a euphoric space where pain gets put on hold as we give ourselves over to the music. We start with “Reckless.” In a stripped-down verse, bass and a simple beat drive us forward as vocalist Tom Burtless softly intones: “You’ll never get what you want it’s pointless… It’s rinse wash and repeat. It’s the cycle you wish you could defeat.” But instead of collapsing into despair, the synths bubble up and explode into the chorus, with Burtless chanting “I know, I[...]

Catnip Cloud- “Buried in the Snow”

September 8, 2018

Catnip Cloud is a Norwegian artist whose “Buried in the Snow” caught our ears in just the right way. Anyone from Buffalo knows how brutal our winters can be, so this one will surely strike a nerve with some of our locals. About the song, Catnip says, “I made it in my bedroom in Norway on a dark winter night, something that was a crucial factor for the song’s emotion and atmosphere.” We can’t help but agree – dig into the delicious arpeggios and open-throated guitar and bass tones via the widget below. Catnip Cloud is on Spotify. Add it to your playlist here.