Latest Posts

Neighbourhood Youth – “Lately”

October 4, 2017

Buzzing Melbourne quartet Neighbourhood Youth recently hit us up with their video for “Lately” and we dug it a lot. The video gets the vintage-filter-treatment and shows a montage of the band at their best, touring the country and having fun both on and off stage. Beyond the official video, their particular brand of indie rock is loud, brash, swimmy, and most importantly, fun. Give it a look-see below. “Lately” is also available on Bandcamp for a very reasonable “pay what you want” rate.

Sego – “Whatever Forever”

October 4, 2017

Sego are an art-punk duo from LA who are currently on tour with El Ten Eleven… If you’re a millennial (or really anyone alive/existing in 2017), we’re sure you can find some common ground with the apathy found in their latest jam, “Whatever Forever.” Singer/guitarist Spencer Petersen finds himself numb to the world and laments about the varying extremes he’s willing to take to find feeling again… All the while pumping out minimalist, yet frantic indie-punk. “WF” is from a yet-to-be-announced LP, so stay tuned. If you’re picking up what Sego is putting down, add “Whatever Forever” to your Spotify playlist.

Rochester Indie-Emo Act Barbarosa Release Ambient New EP

October 4, 2017

Rochester’s Barbarosa are a talented duo who craft beautiful indie-pop tunes laced with synthesizers and well-thought-out male/female harmonies. Their new, self-titled release is no exception; fans of mid 2000’s emo like Lydia, Copeland, or MAE will find this lush EP hitting close to their heart. We recommend starting with opening track “A Step Back,” which combines the sentimental twang of late 90’s emo with atmospheric synth swells and cavernous reverb. Barbarosa’s pop songwriting is best demonstrated here, especially in the chorus, where they expertly expand a typical four-chord structure into something atmospheric and beautiful. Their male/female harmonies shine through strongest here, pairing a strong, catchy melody with inventive and jazzy drumming. Track two, “Pervitin,” might be the best juxtaposition of their Bandcamp bio – “loud and pretty.” Here, we find Barbarosa at their darkest… Bordering on menacing and mysterious, the duo have crafted a song more energetic than “A Step Back,” but no less beautiful.[...]

Tonight: The Get Up Kids

September 19, 2017

Legendary Kansas act The Get Up Kids are rolling through Buffalo tonight… So lace up your ratty old converse and dust off that threadbare band t-shirt, this is probably the coolest thing you could go do on a Tuesday. Often cited as (some of) the godfathers of the emo genre, the band is sure to perform an incredible set full of fan favorites and deep cuts from their impressive 20+ year career. They also have fellow emo-veteran Evan Weiss in tow in his buzzing emo-pop band Pet Symmetry. For those that haven’t heard, this show has been moved from the Waiting Room to Town Ballroom – tickets purchased for Waiting Room are valid and will be honored at the show. Doors are at 7pm. Tickets are $20 advance, $25 at the doors.  This show is 16+ with ID, under 16 will be let in with an adult.

KARMS – “River”

September 15, 2017

If you’re in the mood for some kick-ass rock and roll, we suggest you look no farther than the thundering four-piece that is KARMS. The Dublin-based quartet hit us up with the swagger of “River,” a four-minute, guitar-driven face puncher that is sure to get you feeling amped. Fans of Billy Talent and Biffy Clyro will dig KARMS’ chunky riffs and accessible vocal melodies (which remind us of Weezer’s “Hash Pipe” in the best possible way). Give “River” a whirl below. Swing by Bandcamp for some purchasing options if you dig “River.”

Pink Elephant Return with Grungy New Single, “Around Your Neck”

August 17, 2017

Rochester trash-wave veterans Pink Elephant are back at it again with a grungy new single called “Around Your Neck.” Recorded at More Sound Studios in Syracuse, “Around Your Neck” is a skulking rock banger with tinges of psych rock and garage twang. The song is about wanting to help someone who can’t be saved; rather than actually helping out, you just wind up getting sucked into their chaos and darkness. Fans of Portugal. The Man, The Pixies, or The White Stripes will like these guys’ dirty, yet nuanced rock n’ roll. Pink Elephant is on Bandcamp – you know what to do.

CASTLEBEAT – “Heart Still Beats”

August 16, 2017

This isn’t the first time we’ve written about the fantastic slacker-pop of CASTLEBEAT, and we’re pretty sure it won’t be the last. He’s back for more, this time with “Heart Still Beats.” 23-year-old wunderkind Josh Hwang is the brains behind CASTLEBEAT, writing and recording everything himself on “mediocre equipment” (his words) with a strong DIY ethos. Bum technology or not, we think this one is bomb. Have a listen below. You can snag “Heart Still Beats” for free via Bandcamp.

Dr. Doctor – “Turbulence”

August 16, 2017

Dr. Doctor ain’t no newbie – the project helmed by mastermind Ralph Torrefranca has been in the works for years. Originally born from heartache and pain, Dr. Doctor has evolved into a one man journey to embrace poetic storytelling with chorus-laden guitars and low-key vibes. “Turbulence” is a perfect example, a simmering indie-rock jam that showcases Dr. Doctor’s unique lyrical delivery. Learn more about Dr. Doctor here.

Canon Blue – “Beholden”

August 16, 2017

“Beholden” is the worldly new jam from Canon Blue, the solo project from Nashville-based writer producer Daniel James. We dig the simmering, rolling drums and left-field instrumentals, but we’ll let Daniel sell you on this one with a direct quote: “‘[Beholden]’ was one of the first songs I wrote for the record and is a song of reconciling the ideals and dreams of my youth with my adult reality – the idea of being forced into one direction in life where you can either accept the reality and truth of your life or you can live in denial in a futile fight against it.” Deep… But oh, so relatable. We know you’ll like this one, so preorder it here.

Have You Ever Seen the Jane Fonda Aerobic VHS? – “Magic Swimming Pants”

August 16, 2017

Like the curiously-named Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and Portugal. The Man before them, Finnish garage-pop band Have You Ever Seen the Jane Fonda Aerobic VHS? are here with an effervescent and surreal single in the form of “Magic Swimming Pants.” Squiggly Keyboards and buzzing bass guitars propel this one-of-a-kind track that truly needs to be heard to be fully understood. These guys’ brand of sunshine-and-rainbows grunge falls somewhere on the spectrum between Horse The Band, Garbage, and Death From Above… Wherever that is. “Magic Swimming Pants” is out now via VILD Music.

NOTNO – “Body feat. Freda James”

August 11, 2017

The 80s have never been dead, and NOTNO is proving it. Conjuring images of pink and teal windbreakers, neon signs, and big hair, “Body” is all 80s, combining blown-out percussion samples, swirly reverb, and retro synth pads. Freda James adds a flirty, female touch to this already sexy song. Put it on and roll your windows down. If you’re diggin’ it, NOTNO is offering “Body” here.

Prism Tats – “Used To Be Cool”

August 10, 2017

ANTI-records means business with this next one… “Used To Be Cool” is one hell of a jam from raucous rocker, Prism Tats. Tats is a one-man-band who injects the spirit of rock n’ roll into his garage-fueled jams. We’re picking up notes of rock legends like David Bowie, but this one also has a very distinct, modern-alternative sound packed with booming drums and angular guitar riffs. Recommended to fans of The War on Drugs, Mikal Cronin, or Smith Westerns. “Used To Be Cool” is on Spotify, add it to your playlist.

Camino 84 – “Sounds Fake But OK (ft. Sidney Gish)”

August 9, 2017

Groovy! If you’re a fan of nu-disco or songs that make you want to dance, we seriously recommend “Sound Fake But OK” by wunderkind Camino 84. A notably discoish beat and bass line form the spine of this track, featuring the tasteful vocal stylings of Sidney Gish. We dig the retro vibe here, even though Camino 84 keeps it very contemporary. Have a listen below. Snag a free download here.

Elovay – “Sort It Out”

August 9, 2017

We checked out the new single from Elovay and we liked it so much, we’re now sharing it with you. “Sort It Out” continues Elovay’s trend of writing fun, catchy, and accessible indie rock with a sharp, surfy edge. The quartet recently recorded their latest EP in Venice Beach and the summery and beachy weather clearly made its impact on their jams… Give it a listen via the widget below. Check it out on iTunes if you’re jiving on it.

Pop Punkers Kill The Clock Release New Music Video

August 7, 2017

Buffalonian pop-punk act Kill The Clock are on fire right now. The quartet is buzzing, having just played a massive gig with alt-rock mainstays Theory of a Deadman at Canalside. With what seems like perfect timing, the group has just released a music video for their new jam “Ode to Cheating Death.” Fans of Knuckle Puck, New Found Glory, or Four Year Strong will definitely dig this one. Click play below and prep yourself for blistering punk riffs, major chord progressions, and urgent vibes. Do KTC a solid and head over to their Bandcamp page. There, you can pick up their latest EP, Southgate, for a very reasonable “pay what you want” rate.