Latest Posts

midnight Premieres Single Feat. The Internet

June 2, 2016

Rochester singer midnight returns his electric-soul sound to us by way of his new single “Native America.” In his controlled falsetto, midnight gently navigates through the bounding synths and kicks of the beat. “Native America” is driven upon the sin and dishonesty that resulted in the foundation of our country. The title and track reference both the atrocities committed against the indigenous people of the Americas, and how how the normalcy of violence and stubbornness is engrained in our being. “We’re in Native America,” midnight sings “where the lies are infamous, but the truth, it lives in us.” It is charged and sharp while remaining beautiful and delicate. The track features production from the Internet, well-known for rising up with the hip hop collective Odd Future and receiving acclaim for their 2015 album Ego Death .“Native America” comes ahead of the midnight’s July 1st release of his EP 0:00. midnight describes the project[...]

partycat9000 & awkward island & bimyo – “Hyperdrive”

June 1, 2016

Talk about a slice of TRAP heaven! partycat9000, awkward island, and bimyo. all found each other over the internet (what a glorious time to be alive, right?). Their collective electronica skills turned into a fantastic collaboration titled “Hyperdrive,” a hyper catchy number full of synth swells and dubstep wobbles. Ironically, the album art to this futuristic sounding track is a screenshot of a long-outdated operating system. “Hyperdrive” is up for free download via partycat9000’s Soundcloud page. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/262821187″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

2ndly – “Ionic Wind”

June 1, 2016

2ndly is a post-EDM act out of NYC whose “Ionic Wind” gets us feeling pumped up. The lyricless track has a very cinematic feel, almost as if a hero is in his preparation montage, ready to take down the evil villain. Dramatic? Maybe on our part… But 2ndly’s dancewave is chill, and it reminds us of Justice, MSTRKRFT, or Daft Punk in the best way. You can pick up “Ionic Wind” on 2ndly’s Soundcloud page for free. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/253680744″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Go Periscope – “Solar Flares”

June 1, 2016

Seattle and Buffalo may be on the opposite sides of the country, but our brutal winters are surely the same. “Solar Flares” from Go Periscope is the result of a few, frigid indie rockers yearning for warmer days. As it turns out, blurring genres out of winter boredom can often result in excellent synth-pop. “Solar Flares” is a purposely sun-soaked dance song in the vein of Van She, The Knocks, or St. Lucia. “Solar Flares” is currently available via Go Periscope’s Soundcloud for free download. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/261701776″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Lesionread – “Listen To Me”

May 31, 2016

Local multi-media artist Lesionread (aka Shawn/Sean Lewis/Louis) seems to be everywhere lately, playing shows with a band, gearing up for his split release with Space Cubs, and most recently, releasing a wonderfully trippy video for “Listen To Me.” The gorgeous kaleidoscopic visuals are cut perfectly in time to the sweetest sounds we’ve gotten this far from Lesionread, so perfect that one can pleasingly anticipate when the soothingly psychedelic visuals will change. Even the LR psycho sound and vision breakdown seems pleasantly mesmerizing in execution for this preternaturally satisfying slab of art. Lesionread has a mixtape release party with Space Cubs coming up at the Mohawk this Friday featuring Mooses, Dogs In Ecstacy, Little Cake and Jack Toft, as well as a headlining spot at the Herd Fest 2016 kickoff June 16th, also at the Mohawk. Check out the clip for “Listen to Me” below. Lesionread – Listen To Me (Official Music Video) from Shawn[...]

PUP – The Dream Is Over

May 31, 2016

Toronto punk rockers PUP are back with their second full-length album. The title, The Dream Is Over, is apparently a jab at vocalist-guitarist Stefan Babcock’s doctor. After incessant touring following their 2014 self-titled debut, Babcock’s vocal cords were shredded. His doctor informed him that the dream was, in fact, over. Instead of calling it quits, the group defiantly pushed forward, bringing forth a sophomore album full of dark wit and in your face punk rock. The record opens with a gradual ascension into chaos as “If This Tour Doesn’t Kill You, I Will” asserts a severe and earnest sentiment towards life on the road. From there, it’s a non-stop parade of heavy guitars, aggressive drums, yelled gang-vocals, and self-loathing. The riffs are satisfyingly catchy, suggesting a pop inflection on their unapologetic edginess. The album possesses a drunken swagger and laments life’s many failed relationships and endeavors. The Dream Is Over feels like the youthful melancholy of The Front Bottoms combined[...]

Secret Pizza – Nothing Needs to Happen

May 29, 2016

Rochester’s Secret Pizza doesn’t sound cheesy like their name might imply. Instead, they embody badassitude, something the sweet, old lady with sunglasses on the black and white cover of SP’s upcoming release, Nothing Needs to Happen, carries. Nothing Needs to Happen is the group’s first proper LP, wrangling in tracks from previously released EPs and sessions, and man does it hit home. The albums starts of with “Where do we go from here?” a roaring, feedback-filled swarm of music. “No, I’m not that steady,” sings Phil Shaw, admitting to a feeling many know well. The song continues by raveling you into a fuzzy blanket of guitars, keeping you awake with a kickass bassline. “Where do we go from here?” is answered by, “Anywhere!” The screams and fighting of the instruments turn the listener into a well-understood pile of mush. “Oh my my,” is hushed at first, at least before Secret Pizza[...]

Rokenri – “Sullied Tide”

May 29, 2016

Rokenri is a Brooklyn-based band whose laid-back aesthetic is both haunting and intriguing. Their song “Sullied Tide” caught our ears this week, and for good reason. The tune is about trying to relax despite knowing there is an insane amount of chaos happening in the world. Rokenri’s songs are uniquely composed, but if we had to compare them, we’d say that they have the chill vibe of a Real Estate song, the choppy math-rock sensibilities of Maps & Atlases, and a slight tinge of Fleet Foxes’ knack for harmonies. Rokenri’s debut full length, Donkey Donkey, is out now. Pick it up for $1 at their Bandcamp page.  

Swimming Tapes – “Set the Fire”

May 29, 2016

Swimming Tapes are a group of London newcomers making sun-drenched indie rock along the lines of Real Estate, The War on Drugs, or Smith Westerns. If our comparisons weren’t enough, “Set The Fire” sounds like woozy nonchalance on a summer day. Seeing as how this is only their second single, if Swimming Tapes continues on with this knack for writing reverb-drenched indie rock gold, their future will surely be bright. “Set The Fire” is out now via London’s Hand in Hive records. You can pick up the single on iTunes here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/265473294″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Sunday – “Waiting For You”

May 28, 2016

“Waiting For You” is Sunday‘s first cut, inspired by the heat of the Californian desert. In reality, Sunday is the brainchild of Aaron Shanahan who has spent half a decade performing and composing music. “Waiting For You” could be a subdued club hit – a skittering beat blooms into cascading synth arpeggios, breathy vocals, and a strong pop sensibility. Fans of Washed Out or M83 might find solace in the lush texture of Sunday’s music. You can pick up “Waiting For You” for free via Sunday’s Soundcloud page. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/264540604″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Crystal Shipsss – “Holly”

May 28, 2016

Crystal Shipsss is one of those bands that can mix bubblegum pop and weird, lo-fi indie and get away with it flawlessly. “Holly” is a breathy number reminiscent of Galaxie 500, Slowdive, or even Of Montreal. What’s more is that “Holly” is a high-quality bedroom recording which gives Crystal Shipsss an even deeper sense of oddness and loneliness. Crystal Shipsss’ latest release, Holly, is available exclusively on Bandcamp for a “pay what you want” rate. The album’s official release is June 10th. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/262847601″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Masasolo – “Really Thought She Loved Me”

May 28, 2016

Denmark’s Masasolo has a new video that has been really tugging at our heartstrings. For their debut single, the band hoped to capture the bittersweetness of looking back on a happy memory that involves a lost lover (and they did an incredible job). As if that weren’t enough, Masasolo’s brand of calming, psych-tinged indie rock has us hooked; it’s swirly and dreamy like their peers in Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Tame Impala. Brace yourself for the feels and check out their new video below.    

The Wild Reeds – “Everything Looks Better (In Hindsight)”

May 28, 2016

Great singers are hard to come by, so when you find a band with three incredible singers, it’s worth a second glance. The Wild Reeds are a California trio/occasional quintet who write exceptionally beautiful folk music with a tangible Cali twist. “Everything Looks Better (in Hindsight)” is an epic buildup of wicked female harmonies with a forlorn vibe. Wait till the end for an epic climax. “Everything Looks Better (In Hindsight)” is out now on The Wild Reeds’ latest release, Best Wishes. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/255853863″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Tonight: Dreambeaches

May 28, 2016

Sunny Buffalo-based indie rock act, Dreambeaches, will be celebrating their EP release, titled Habits, tonight at Nietzsche’s. The baroque-rs have been on the scene for over a year, so waiting this long for an EP is rare in an era of home recordings. From what I’ve heard, this release is well worth the wait.  Also on the bill are synth-pop outfit Humble Braggers, psych-pop band Mooses, and cave-rock band Bold Folly. Doors open at 9pm and there is a $5 cover.

The Faint – “Young and Realistic”

May 27, 2016

Omaha dance-punk act The Faint are back yet again with a new song “Young and Realistic.” The indie scene vets has been a staple of the scene since their critically acclaimed debut album Danse Macabre close to fifteen years ago on Saddle Creek Records.”Young and Realistic” is a lot more dance-y than their past releases over their decade, meshing into something more of the style of LCD Soundsystem or other acts affiliated with DFA Records. The synth-heavy track is perfect for the middle of a foggy dance floor with pink, red, and orange swirling lights. Check out the track below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/264856931″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]