Kansas City rock ‘n rollers Berwanger are playing Mohawk Place tonight, celebrating their latest release, Exorcism Rock. You might recognize Josh Berwanger from emo stalwarts The Anniversary, who just completed a reunion tour (the band also features members of Limbeck and The Promise Ring). Urban Reverie and Elemantra are also in tow tonight. Doors are at 8pm and the cost to get in is $8. While you wait for this evening, check out the new video for “Exorcism Rock” below.
Warpaint is a sly quartet of women whose coolness seems unparalleled at times. Their style runs it’s course on you – it’s all-consuming, relaxed, sexy, slithery… Heads Up marks the band’s fourth release, with “New Song” as their debut single. “New Song” is Warpaint’s attempt at becoming a pseudo-electronica pop band. Roaring synths and malformed voices accompany typical soft vocals and a thumping bass. It’s safe the say the the chorus is catchy. A plate-y tambourine shakes on the one of every other measure serving the song as a calling card. The song eases from part to part, but maintains a form of pure excitement that consistently pulls you in. Other necessary listens are “Whiteout,” “So Good,” “Dre,” and “Today Dear”. “Whiteout” is this album’s first. Brilliant accented drums and distant guitar coo the listener. “You wouldn’t know it but you’re really in your prime,” is a sentiment one could[...]
Ugly Sun is off to a good start – we last checked in with them when they sent us their rowdy debut single, “Mock Me Out.” In case you live under a rock, this power trio has been a part of several well-respected local bands (including Nelson-Type, Arctic Death, Father Baron, and Mandy K). They are certainly keeping up the momentum with their new music video for “Burned Alive.” Ugly Sun’s sound recalls the recent wave of lo-fi garage rock bands like FIDLAR and Wavves but with a more expansive dynamic and melodic sound. It’s wildly infectious and had a wonderful manic energy to it that’s utterly winning. The video for “Burned Alive,” features frenetic editing and images of indulgence and reckless abandon perfectly capture the youthful spirit of the band’s music. This is a fresh arrival on the WNY music scene but on the basis of their latest release,[...]
Something For Us is a chilling inhale and a warm reprieve. This eight-song release serves as Suzanne Bonifacio’s most recent full length as Space Cubs, the one-woman experimental electronic project based out of Buffalo. With vocals that are pure, direct and at times otherworldly, Bonifacio constructs an atmosphere around her listener. Each song is a tapestry, thickly woven with minute detail, unique depictions interlaced into each one. The speaker on this album is adrift, dealing with the seemingly impossible burden of being unsure and living uncomfortably with the desire to change. On “That First Day”, she sings: “I’m planting myself tiny seeds / But picking them up cause they won’t be stomached today / I’m losing myself in another day’s due / Now watching the days growing old / To learn what is sweet is the greatest hill I am climbing / Now I sit within my findings / I[...]
YJY are a group of fuzz rockers with a charming new single, “Past My Prime.” If anyone else is lamenting their 10-year high school reunion, you might be able to relate to this one. “Past My Prime” reminds us all that (for some of us), high school was the best time of our lives. They do this via music video which highlights their cheeky lyrics and fuzzy, surfy guitar-pop. Fans of Wavves, Cloud Nothings, or Modern Baseball will dig it. Their latest, The Same Noise, is out now via Bandcamp.
Swedish trio Wildhart is tough to pin down, but that’s why we’re digging their latest track “Shake Off.” Their effervescent pop is jazzy with a touch of electronica. Though it doesn’t smart of traditional pop songwriting, Wildhart is one of those bands that simmers alongside of you. Comparisons include: Warpaint, Grace Potter, or Dum Dum Girls. Send Wildhart some love and visit them on Bandcamp. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/287123516″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Self-professed emo-kid pronoun is an indie-popper who we’ve been digging lately. “A Million Other Things” is the result of a few late night sessions spent holed in her Brooklyn apartment. We especially liked her use of hushed vocals and straightforward indie vibes. Pronoun sounds a bit like Tegan and Sara, Metro Station, or Say Hi. Check Pronoun out on iTunes… Her debut EP will be out Nov. 18th. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/283847843″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Schtum. It’s just one of those words that you want to say over and over. It’s the new offering from Lunacre, and we think their new single “[Re]Cycle” begs repeated listens as well. This song is a slow-burner all around, highlighting a simmering drum beat and far-off “ooohs.” Fans of HRVRD, From Indian lakes, or Local Natives will feel right at home. Find out more about Lunacre here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/287443965″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Last time we checked in with Astral Cloud Ashes, we were touting their debut “Get Real.” He (Antony Walker to be exact) caught our attention again with his latest alt-rock blitz, “Housing In A Bubble.” Unsurprisingly, the song is about the failures of capitalism and the affordability of housing in both the US and the UK. Preach, Walker! We think fans of Modern Baseball or Against Me! would dig this tune. You can buy Astral Cloud Ashes’ stuff on Bandcamp. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/286170603″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Pwest & Bast teamed up for their latest tropical-tinged banger, “Worse Things.” The video is a colorful love story set in their hometown of Los Angeles. We think this particular duo is operating in perfect harmony. Bast’s sultry vocal tones and Pwest’s raw talent work very well together on this self-produced jam. Find out more here.
Utah-based act Spirit City sent us their new video for “Do What You Want” and we thought it was worth sharing. They capitalize on a carefree power-pop sound, specializing in effervescent lyrics and upbeat vibes. The video itself is all about getting away from the things that are getting you down… In other words, “doing what you want.” Go figure! Give these guys a like on Facebook.
Santa Barbara producer Warm Binary sent us his track “Minus Horizon” and we think it’s worth a listen. “Minus Horizon” is an instrumental jam with an incredible ambient vibe. Binary himself describes his track as “a dreamy feel over a driving motorik beat.” Dead on, Binary. Warm Binary is offering their full length for a “pay what you want” rate on Bandcamp. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/286758657″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Last time we checked in with Cadence Kid, he was working with a 3x Grammy award winning producer for an extremely cinematic music video. This time, he sent us over a chill track that continues his laid back vibe a la MGMT or Grouplove. “The Darkness” is catchy, vibey, and uses a bunch of cool tape string synth patches – def worth a listen. Check “The Darkness” out below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/282230531″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Walkingshoe is a financial analyst by day an a Chicago hip hop producer/musician by night. Oddly enough, his upcoming solo release falls more in line with modern indie pop. “Can’t Sleep” is our recommendation – bubbly vibes, chimy guitars, and Walkingshoe’s distinct delivery are highlights for us. For fans of Peter, Bjorn, & John, The Kooks, or Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. Keep an eye out for Walkingshoe’s debut, Hennie & Me, due out sometime next month. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/284610202″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]
Lula, the fifth release of the year from Buffalo experimental hip hop artist Medusa presents an industrial, forward-thinking take on the genre. With vivid narratives on tracks like “Manic Depression” and “Suitcase,” the album balances unfeigned lyricism with sinister production. “Drowning In The Kiddie Pool” includes an ominous bass line, menacing percussion and Spanish lyrics while “Digitell” is an abrasive electronic track complete with jittery synths and mantra-like vocals. Never pursuing the same idea twice, Aula is an engaging work from an artist able to convey a distinctive sound throughout. Listen/download below.