Trippy! Night Talks sent us over the vid for “Mr. Bloom” which features them jamming over some swimmy, psychedelic imagery. Beyond the visuals, Night Talks specializes in alternative rock a la Field Mouse or Paramore with a touch of classic rock like Heart. We like their go-to hooks and classic alt-rock vibe. Night Talks’ debut is due out in 2017. Until then, you can catch them on Soundcloud.
Newmen is a Frankfurt act creating synthy indie rock tunes – we recommend “Camping Goods.” About “Camping Goods,” the band says, “The song describes the relieving moment of being alone, an escape, and the pointlessness [of the solitude representing] something meaningful.” Well said fellas. These guys remind us of Foster The People and Peter, Bjorn, & John. If you’re interested, you can check out their music video for “Camping Goods” here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/282888582″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Do you know who Garrett Klahn is? Klahn is known best for his seminal work as the frontman of emo figureheads Texas is the Reason. Klahn has had a long and storied career since (Solea, Atlantic/Pacific, and now his solo venture), and has sharpened his skills from a cathartic 18-year-old punk to a now-nuanced musician. Tonight he’s here as Garret Klahn & The Surrounding Areas with Buffalo emo kingpins Del Paxton and The Good in tow. Tonight’s show is at Mohawk Place. Bring $10 and show up at 8.
The Dig‘s “Simple Love” is quite the jam. The band initially conceived this song as a simple drum and bass session; it has since evolved into something very unique and catchy. The band specifically uses old-fashioned lyrics (think 1950s-style), which is a surprisingly refreshing change of pace. Check them out below. If you “dig” it (pun intended), You can buy The Dig’s stuff here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/285439108″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Potty Mouth are an all-female power trio crafting radio-ready punk hooks like their newest, “Smash Hit.” Hot off a tour with Against Me! and some supporting dates with CHVRCHES, Potty Mouth are looking like they’re about to get a come-up. “Smash Hit” is everything you could expect from a group of three brash punx – it’s hooky, a little snotty, and a lot of fun. For fans of The Breeders, The Donnas, or The Distillers. Fellow buffaBLOGGER Brendan O’Connor interviewed Potty Mouth not too long ago – check it out here.
I Don’t Speak French are a group of unpredictable Swedes making rough, funky indie rock. “The Mule” is their magnum opus, featuring spacy effects, a catchy chorus, and the funkiest bassline this (that?) side of the Atlantic. Fans of Imagine Dragons, Portugal. The Man, or Bastille would be into this band. If you like what you heard, you can listen to their full album here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/285981755″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
We dig this song. Magana sent us “Inches Apart” from her debut Golden Tongue. The Brooklynite has a haunting and emotional approach to the singer/songwriter approach that touches on the work of St. Vincent, Sharon Van Etten, and Still Corners. The sparse arrangement is sure to get you feeling chill. Head over to Bandcamp to grab Magana’s discog. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/283856380″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]
You would be hard pressed to find an artist in the indie realm that hasn’t been affected by Elliott Smith’s music in some way or another. On Say Yes! A Tribute to Elliott Smith, a collection of artists takes on the daunting task of interpreting the formidable singer-songwriter’s catalog. For this record, released through American Laundromat, a diverse group of acts is assembled, from Yuck to William Fitzsimmons. The wide range of Smith’s compositions are well represented, with new takes on everything from his most intimate hushed folk to his more symphonic basement pop. It is impossible to put a singular label on Smith’s songs because of how intricately he interweaves genres. The soul-crushing earnestness of his lyricism is undeniably relatable, providing a broad appeal that transcends just “rock” or “folk” music. Historically, his music is so difficult to cover because it is so complex, and so perfect in the[...]
Perth psych-poppers Ah Trees sent us “Team Sports” and we think it’s worth writing about. The Aussie act explores a hazy psychedelic sound, supported by frontman Ryan Adair’s moody vocals. Their tight, funk-influenced guitar hooks and groovy bass line mesh well with the disco rhythm that is all-together dark and danceable. Ah Trees is available on Bandcamp. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/275385400″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
East London trio False Heads have really been making waves… and noise. About the band, Iggy Pop himself said, “These kids make a lot of noise, I like it.” He’s not wrong – “All Eyes” is a standard garage punk banger, combining quiet/loud songwriting with growling guitars and bombastic drums. Fans of The Vines or The Libertines will be pleased. False Heads is on iTunes if you’d like to support. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/282258032″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Tyzo Bloom is the moniker for LA-based producer/songwriter Casey Chen. “Ukiyo” is his latest offering, boasting melodic tones, sharp samples, organic drums, and choppy vocals. Whereas most producers fall on an electronica spectrum, Tyzo Bloom sounds as if it has more indie-pop and soul influences. Fans of Mura Masa, Tycho, or Flume will feel right at home. “Ukiyo” is available for free. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/286809898″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
We really recommend the breathtaking video from LA twinklepop trio DESSERT. Truthfully, the description of this video is best left to the band’s own words: “The music was written as the video was shot, aware of each other but not meant for one another. It wasn’t until he passed that they began to bend towards each other. The video is an exploration of the life of our friend the late Emanuel Yarbrough, the great American Sumo wrestler who passed away tragically a year after filming. It’s a testament to his ambition that in the final months of his life he would do something so demanding.” Check out the vid below or peep DESSERT out on iTunes.
Montreal’s Wizaard are half psychedelic-spunk, half disco-funk, and we’ve been slipping into an endless k-hole of “The Spills.” This particular wonky quintet utilizes slinky guitars and ostentatious synths to create spiraling soundscapes to get lost in. Fans of Scissor Sisters, The Growlers, or Mika would dig Wizaard. Wizaard are on Bandcamp. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/281412819″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
2008 was a different world: Barry Obama wasn’t our President, we were still on our first iPhones, Christian Bale was Batman, buffaBLOG didn’t exist, and Florida new wave outfit Black Kids released Partie Traumatic. Produced by Suede’s Bernard Butler, the album album divided critics (actually, critics and Pitchfork’s critic) and reached 5 on the UK charts on the strength of the multi-racial band’s very Millennial update of British New Wave before the rather promising band pretty much disappeared off the face of the Earth after releasing a remix EP in 2009. Fast forward eight years to the final 100 days of the Obama Presidency, the worst Presidential election ever, and the release of the first new music from Black Kids in 7 years, the NSFW “Obligatory Drugs.” Trading the New Wave synths for Os Mutantes fuzzed out guitars and South American beats, “Obligatory Drugs” heralds the release of a full LP[...]
The first time I saw Mallwalkers, my cheeks hurt. I must’ve been smiling for a half hour straight. Not that their performance was comical, just incredibly infectious. There were about nine people on the stage (including horns, my favorite part of any ensemble), all seemingly under a moonstruck, punk-driven craze. Mallwalkers have this riotous ability to rally all the energy in the room, in their own bodies, and throw it all on the floor. By the sounds of “Dial ‘M’ For…”, that’s exactly where the new album is headed, too. The music video for the new tune, directed by FLATSITTER and choreographed by Michelle Merlo, is just as amusing. It features the band’s two main vocalists, Daniel Carosa and Jaz Frazier, cavorting around the city. There’s this flashy, desaturated overlay throughout the entire video that lends itself to the gritty, abrasive nature of the song. The band’s new album, which[...]