Latest Posts

Hundred Plus Club Drop Music Video for “Cooler”

Buffalo indie rock act Hundred Plus Club have dropped a new visual for “Cooler,” the latest single off their upcoming EP Everybody’s Friend, a video that manages to capture the band’s true lo-fi essence. Nestled between a giant projection screen and projector, the band churns out their latest indie rock entry as a myriad of hazy colors, including plenty of blues and reds, and shapes dance across their faces. Angular guitars and cymbal crashes swell and build to a satisfying crescendo as the video fades out with the band’s name and song title flashed across the screen in a familial 80’s graphic font. The new clip was shot by James Carriero, directed by drummer Burak Spoth and co-directed by singer Zain Shirazi. Everybody’s Friend, Hundred Plus Club’s sophomore EP and first since 2016’s For You, will be released November 24 via Admirable Traits Records. In honor of the album’s release,[...]

Tommie King – “Dead Up”

Hip hop newcomer Tommie King provides a swift followup to his praised debut single with his latest track, “Dead Up.” King explores a new sound with dulcet backing vocals, cavernous bass beats, and crafty vocal interplay. “Dead Up” has a laid-back feel that’s just as unrelenting and brimming with life as any, approaching the tempo with stamina and a melodic emphasis. For such a young project, he still manages to lay down the eloquent delivery and polished production of a seasoned artist. This track, along with his first single “Diamonds,” is set for release on Tommie King’s upcoming album Axiom.

Kill Tuco – “Drift Catcher”

Hawaiian indie rockers Kill Tuco prove they can jam with the best of them in their track “Drift Catcher.” Starting off strong with a 30-second guitar-bound intro, the band sweeps some pop punk angst into their mix of light distortion, commanding bass lines, and thick layers of guitars. It’s a bright burst of energy from start to finish, kept afloat with unrelenting drum fills and some spunky group shouts. “Drift Catcher” comes straight from Kill Tuco’s debut EP Kill Tuco And The Sorcerer’s Fellowship Of The Return Of The Jedi.

Mt. Joy – “Silver Lining”

Mt. Joy reached out to us with the powerful sentiment of their alt-folk anthem, “Silver Lining.” The song is about coping with the feelings of loss after losing friends to addiction. The heavy subject matter is touching and eloquently-delivered… And its hard to deny the powerful chorus of “But if it’s the drugs, the women, the wine, the weed.” Recommended for fans of Mumford & Sons, Edward Sharpe, or Noah and the Whale. Drop Mt. Joy a like on Instagram while you’re at it.

Twin Ritual – “Hand Through The Mist”

San Diego act Twin Ritual are an indie rock band specializing in frantic danceable tunes with a notable early-80s tinge – almost as if Heart and The Bravery had a child (figuratively speaking, of course). “Hand Through The Mist” is our personal recommendation – the spastic guitar playing is a true highlight, bolstered by fantastic vocals, dreamy vocals, and a rock-solid dance beat. You dig Twin Ritual? Bandcamp it up.

Pet Envy – “For Keeps”

Get your Monday started off right with a funky pop-rock jam from Nashville act Pet Envy. “For Keeps” is truly the goodest-of-times, full of disco-influenced bass lines, flashy synth lines, choppy funk guitar, and a fun vocal melody. We’re especially digging their unique combination of r&b, pop, funk, and indie-pop sentiment. Peep their Bandcamp if you’re feeling the good vibes.

A Relative Term – The Bleak

Indie folk singer-songwriter Mark Longolucco is back with his third full length record. Recording under the name A Relative Term, the Buffalo-based multi-instrumentalist is known for his exploration of varying genres. On The Bleak, he further expands his sonic palette, building off of his past releases. Having started out as a straight-ahead indie folk artist, on his second album Longolucco began to play with combining synthetic sounds with acoustic ones. Here, he takes it fully into the realm of folktronica, striking a perfect balance between warm finger-picked acoustic guitars and lush electronic soundscapes. It is reminiscent of notable hushed folk singers the likes of Sufjan Stevens or Bon Iver venturing into this electric-meets-acoustic realm. Although Longolucco’s synthesis of the styles isn’t quite as erratic as the former’s, and not quite as glitchy as the latter’s. On this album, he isn’t afraid to get pretty heavy at times, with moments of[...]

Why a fox – “we hate it here”

One man band Why a fox is retiring from music, but not before he releases the last two songs he has left. “We hate it here” is the first of the two songs from the Austrailian artist. Originally from Brisbane, Why a fox has made his way around Japan, settling down in Fukushima and had played shows throughout Fukushima and Sendai. The single carries a mixture of elements from genres. The gently plucked guitar is reminiscent of most folk acoustics. The vocals were similar to The Front Bottoms lead singer Brian Sella because they were raw and told a story as the song went on. The song serves as a fitting end to Why a fox’s career, giving his fans a chance to get one last look at his music before he gives it up. Check out Why a fox’s entire collection Everything below. Everything by Why a fox

argonaut&wasp- “Prove It to You”

“Prove It to You,” a new track from argonaut&wasp, is pretty much as close to indietronica as musicians can get. The Brooklyn duo follows on the trail of bands like Hot Chip with the track’s undulating rhythm and velvety vocal stylings. The song oozes confidence, with a cool-as-can-be assertion of “let’s get it on,” while admitting to feeling lonely. The recurrent keyboard lines toward the end of the song serve to build the song to an energy-raising climax before ending somewhat abruptly beneath its propeller-sounding finish. Check out “Prove It To You” below.

The Hubbards – “Easy Go”

Leeds-based four-piece The Hubbards released the second single “Easy Go.”  The Hubbards released Body Confident on September 27 through Scruff of the Neck Records. Gaining notice from supports slots for Foals and The 1975, the band has enjoyed a nice transition to the mainstream. With a punchy guitar and smooth transitional vocals, the band encompasses the spirit of punk and indie pop. Continuing the narrative from “Just Touch,” the single continues the story through its lyrical content. Listen to “Easy Go” below via SoundCloud.

Canshaker Pi – “Pressure From Above”

Amsterdam quartet Canshaker Pi bring out heavy Dutch rock influences in their new single “Pressure From Above.” The single will be released on November 3 via RIP Records.  Canshaker Pi has also announced a UK tour in December, including  supporting dates with The Cribs in London, Manchester, Glasgow and Leeds. The influences in production from Pavement’s Stephen Malkmus can be heard including the dead-pan vocals and heavy guitar play on the track. Canshaker Pi also incorporates Dutch rock into the mix with some heavy guitar riffs throughout the single. Listen to “Pressure From Above” via SoundCloud.

Bryde – “Desire”

Welsh songwriter Bryde employs her newest single “Desire” as a means to grapple with impulsiveness and the by-any-means-necessary approach to self-gratification inherent in humankind.  As told by the song’s ardently delivered lyrics, “we tie ourselves up and we tear ourselves down” while “we paint our faces and we tear our hair out” all in the name of desire. The rhythmic guitar laced throughout the verses inhabits a brooding quality but escalates to more anthemic, power pop-esque riffage once the track reaches the chorus. Chris Sorum and CJ Marks, the latter credited with assistance on recent works from PJ Harvey, St. Vincent and Wolf Alice, are responsible for the song’s pleasingly raw-sounding production. The almost undetectable utterance of “yeah” once the song ends points to satisfaction with the end result, like a weight was lifted. Listeners could, and should, foreseeably feel the same. Bryde’s debut album is slated for release in[...]

Johnny Paglino- “Psalms on Contempt and Incarceration”

Seasoned Floridian recording artist Johnny Paglino holds no reservations about expletives, it seems. But considering his aim was to write a breakup album with America, tackling such subject matter as child trafficking and oppression, why would he? His time in jail and vigilance toward what he views, in so many words, as the declining state of the country inspired such an endeavor. The new single, “Psalms on Contempt and Incarceration,” due out in January on Paglino’s upcoming EP A Collection of Crows, features airy instrumentation throughout, with notable inclusion of a pipe flute solo toward its closing. With the mindset of a shattered relationship with America applied, Johnny Paglino asks his country, “why’d you let yourself go?” as he pins down the metaphor of growing out of one’s jean size. The track also consists of unorthodox lines that make the song stand out even more, like “the meme lives on[...]

Rose Tiger – “Submarine (Where Have You Been?)”

Rose Tiger delves into his personal brand of DIY new wave, set to the glitter and pastel of the video for his single “Submarine (Where Have You Been?)” Vetting a reverence for 1980’s British electropop, 90’s synthwave, and vintage anime soundscapes, Wendy Killmann as Rose Tiger explores the glory of electronica past, while embracing an independent, DIY ethos. The track could easily be at home on the soundtrack of an old Molly Ringwald classic, painting with color via cavernous synth lines, pointillistic guitar support, and bubbling electronic elements. The video itself blurs the distinction between realism and whimsy, taking full advantage of all of the creative opportunities provided by a green screen. Get the full immersive experience with “Submarine (Where Have You Been?)” below.

Rust Belt Brigade Release Spin on “Low Bridge (Erie Canal)”

Buffalo’s own Rust Belt Brigade have released a new single from their forthcoming release Rhythm & Roll. This track is their take on the classic regional folk tune “Low Bridge (Erie Canal),” a song familiar to many of those who’ve attended grade school in western New York. Originally a folk-punk duo, Rust Belt Brigade is shifting its sound slightly, blending in new influences from the world of bluegrass roots. The band now includes a bassist and a banjo player, while this song features local violinist Sally Schaefer. The music is as rustic and lilting as you’d expect from a classic folk group, while still maintaining the group punk side. Lead singer Victor Castillo’s raspy, half-shout voice gives this centuries old dirge a new anthemic edginess. Rhythm & Roll is set for release on December 16th, with a release show happening on December 2nd at Nietzsche’s. In the meantime, check out Rust Belt Brigade’s[...]