Oooh yeah, calmness and simplicity are two words that come to mind when listening to Catalina’s newest jam, “Alvarado.” The duo of Jakob Shaw and Eric Poretsky have filled the song with subtlety; the plunking bass and the gentle swelling of keyboards throughout the track is ultra-pleasant to the ears… Put this one on during a mid-afternoon chill sesh, we think you’ll be better off for it. Add it to your “chill” playlist on Spotify.
In the early to mid 2000s, Tonawanda act This Day & Age were hometown heroes. After inking a record deal with One Eleven records, they released two beloved albums, 2004’s Always Leave The Ground and 2006’s The Bell and the Hammer. Between that time, TD&A evolved from a light-hearted, emo-pop band to a nuanced and jazzy quintet, lush with electric piano and complex arrangements. After a 10+ year absence, they are finally reuniting tonight at the Town Ballroom for a long-overdue revisit to those two albums. Opening up the show are fellow 2006-ers Common Kings, as well as americana-rockers The Eaves and indie-rock mainstay MAGS. Tickets are $20 presale and $25 at the door. Doors are at 6pm, music starts at 7pm.
Typhoon is an octet (!) from Portland, OR whose latest single has us in somewhat of a tizzy. “Rorschach” is a great starter point for the group’s unique post-pop approach, acting a single which is actually a snippet of a greater movement (titled Floodplains) that the band released back in October. The full album, titled Offerings, will be out in October… Until then, start digesting the intricate guitar work, intimate vocal delivery, and left-field instrumentation that “Rorschach” has to offer. Fans of Manchester Orchestra, Dear and the Headlights, or Floodplains is currently on Spotify, be sure to add “Rorschach” to your playlist.
Don’t be fooled by the moniker L.A. Salami – he’s actually a prolific songwriter from London. His latest music video for “Generation L(ost)” is a series of live clips that bring his frantic and urgent indie rock to life. In summation, lyrically the track is “about feeling lost during the journey of finding yourself,” whilst the accompanying video “is what you do whilst on that journey.” Do yourself a favor and check it out below. If you like Salami, he’s got you covered… You can purchase/stream/enjoy his music via a variety of platforms, all located here.
The Whiskey Circle just released a new album called Into The Valley, and their first single, “Sweet Darlin” is getting us amped. This is a guitar-driven banger if we’ve ever heard one, pairing jangly tones, angelic female vocals, and big pop hooks. About the song, the band says: “It’s about all the things you do throughout the day to take your mind off being away from your significant other and how you long for their return. It’s about that young, foolish big love that has no bounds and inspires.” Here is the link to The Whiskey Circle’s Bandcamp. Be sure to stop by.
Holy Golden are a spacey duo who juxtapose dream-pop vibes with lo-fi garage sentiment. We’d like to draw attention to their latest single, “Arrival,” which has been rubbing us in just the right way all week. The duo is more formally known as Leslie Schott and Andrew Valenti; their compositions have drawn comparisons to groups like The Cranberries, The Cardigans, and Cocteau Twins backed by grungy acts like The Jesus and Mary Chain. Holy Golden has an entire website where you can learn more about them… Check it out here.
Manchester synth-pop duo KOALAS sent us over their track “Lover” and we’re digging it a lot. Sincere 80s vibes permeate the entirety of this track – think lots of synths with tight and springy snare hits… Not to mention the duo’s close attention to pop melodies via catchy male/female harmonies. Fans of Caribou, Daft Punk, or Empire of the Sun will like this song. If you like “Lover,” head over to iTunes to snag a digital download.
We’re excited to spotlight acoustic duo Carmen & Lizzy, who have been making lots of waves in the WNY music scene as of late. C&L (more specifically cousins Carmen O’Keefe and Lizzy Bassler) specialize in crafting a gentle brand of acoustic folk, reminiscent of acts like The Staves, Nickel Creek, or HAIM. We’re jazzed on their latest offering, “Runnin’ Away,” which features an emotion-filled guitar line and lush harmonies sure to warm even the coldest of hearts. Where Are We Now? is out now via Nonexistant Records. If you like what you hear, head over to Bandcamp for a digital download.
Sometimes there’s nothing more therapeutic than a bluesy guitar riff blaring out of your speakers… We think Londoner Michael Jablonka might be your latest fix, especially his latest single “I Found You.” Blending modern day indie rock feels with bluesy and soulful backbone, “I Found You” pairs a noodly guitar riff with an explosive chorus. Give it a whirl below. If you dig it, do Jablonka a solid and head over to iTunes.
Mmmm, what a groove! We’re digging the funky pop vibes of Swedish producer Light Orange on his debut release, “Hypnotized.” The rolling rhythms and lush harmonies bring to mind equal parts Beck, MGMT, and Prince. With a pedigree like that, it’s no wonder this got the buffaBLOG offices dancing… Oh, and be sure to stick around for the blistering guitar solo at the end. Check ’em out on the IG too.
Does anyone else miss the summer yet? Scared of Girls are here to remedy your seasonal affective disorder woes with their summery new single “Waihi Beach.” According to the New Zealand based quartet, they are here for a good time, not a long time… and that sentiment is echoed pretty well through “Waihi Beach’s” peppy vibes. Lots of reverb-soaked guitar and bass shreds within. You can visit “Waihi Beach” too… Via Bandcamp that is.
The last time we checked in with lilting songstress JNNA, we were gushing over the left-field instrumentation of her last single, “Waking Up With You.” Her latest offering is the equally-gushable “Feel So Alone;” again produced by electronica mastermind Tyzo Bloom (who we’ve also blogged about in the past), “Feel So Alone” explores the profoundness of being with someone and still feeling alone. Learn more about JNNA from her website.
Mysterious San Francisco trio Raised by Dinosaurs has us feeling existential after listening to their spacey new single, “Sleepless.” Tackling the everyman’s problem of feeling essentially irrelevant, “Sleepless” explores the concepts of coming of age and gradually growing wiser as one’s youth fades away. Beyond their lyrical ennui, RBD has composed a fantastic indietronica song here, with singer Sol Diaz’ voice fading in and out with the song’s gentle use of synths and atmosphere. Give it a listen via the widget below.
YIP YOPS are buzzing hard right now, particularly over the raw indie-pop energy of “Sugar.” Having formed within earshot of the Coachella music festival, these dudes were inspired by the best-of-the-best and have thus crafted some great indie rock music. Pairing a persistent bleep-bloop, traffic-signal background synth with a dancy drum beat and undeniable vocal hooks, “Sugar” might just be the next big thing… We think fans of The Rapture, Phoenix, or MGMT will agree. Don’t be stingy! If you dig “Sugar” (and we think you will), buy it on Bandcamp. Sugar by YIP YOPS
Anglo-French synth-pop disco-house duo Loframes are back with their first new single in over a year. Having successfully remixed songs for the likes of M83, Erasure, and many more, “Real Life” continues their trend of deeply groovy house jams that pulse ever-so-pleasantly. Fans of the aforementioned bands will find solace in this one, but be sure to give it a listen via the widget for good vibes regardless. “Real Life” is available to download for free. Check it out here.