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Pink Elephant Releases Grungy, Self-Titled Debut LP

July 8, 2014

The debut LP from Rochester’s Pink Elephant is a head-rush of grunge, punk, and psychedelia that fans of bands like Mudhoney and The Melvins will likely be quite fond of. For 10 songs, the band captures the energy of pre-mainstream grunge mixed with late-60s psych rock similar to the 13th Floor Elevator. The album makes a strong impression, and should do a fine job of introducing the band to a larger audience. The best track might be “Stupid Fuck,” which features the kind of self-lacerating rage that wouldn’t exactly be out of place on a Dinosaur, Jr. album, or maybe one of Soundgarden’s pre-fame efforts. Lyrics about putting a picture of your self on the wall “to remind myself that I’m a stupid fuck” is the kind of vitriol that Chris Cornell might have shrieked about back in 1989, long before the embarrassing Timbaland collaboration and Michael Jackson covers starting[...]

Scope & Figure Debut “Entropy Knows Best” Video

July 2, 2014

In late June, Rochester-based quartet, Scope  & Figure, released their debut video “Entropy Knows Best.” The video follows lead singer/guitarist, Thomas Varner, having an “oh shit!” moment, running down streets people in Rochester probably know, then arriving late to gig to an empty Bug Jar with only sketchy looking dude in a Carmen Sandiego jacket on. Based on some of my weekday ventures to the Bug Jar, this isn’t that far fetched. The band’s sound is definitely robust, sounding like a jazzy Okkervil River/Beirut hybrid. With plans for a late summer tour, keep Scope & Figure on your radar because they have plans to stop in town.

Mikaela Davis Releases “Out There Alone” Single

July 1, 2014

With a lengthy US tour on the horizon, Rochester-raised harp player, Mikaela Davis, has released her latest single, “Out There Alone.” One of her poppiest numbers yet, the track features fluttering, sunny harps backing Davis’ whistful cooing that should put her the category of indie-pop contemporaries like Joanna Newsom and Regina Spektor. Keep an eye out for Davis as she brings her tour through Buffalo on Friday, July 25th at Buffalo Iron Works.

Pony Hand Releases Debut Album

June 26, 2014

Raucous Rochester-based three-piece Pony Hand has been on radar for a bit since we’ve been spotting them on showcases with 585 located bands we are into for the greater part of a year. We finally associated a sound with a name last week with the trio’s debut self-titled release. The band’s sound is both psychedelic and garagey, sort of like if the Donnas shot dice in the alley and were produced by Jack White or if Karen O. had creative freedom on a Death From Above 1979 collaboration.  With plans for a physical tape release via Dadstache Records, you can grab a tape deck before the price is massively inflated due to the influx of bands releasing tapes/increasing demand, or stream on bandcamp. Check it out below.

Sea Planes Release Latest Single, “Right Now”

June 20, 2014

After a year plus wait between Sea Planes’ debut single and its superior follow up, the Rochester synth-pop duo has dropped its third track in the anthemic “Right Now.” Similar to last month’s “Young At Heart,” the new track finds the pair sticking with the big 80s sounds of drum machines, arena ready guitar solos, and shouting choruses. Fans of the Killers and M83 should like what they hear, especially as those “oh oh ohs” take us through the bridge. Check out “Right Now” below and visit Sea Planes’ bandcamp page to listen to past singles.

Mikaela Davis Arranges “Chicago” For Crane Harp Ensemble

June 19, 2014

A couple years ago, we caught wind of Rochester songtress, Mikaela Davis, and her rendition of Sufjan Steven’s “Casimir Pulaski Day.” The cover was a hit of sorts on Youtube and firmly entrenched the talented harp player on the blog’s radar. The buzz around Davis has been building over the years through cross-country touring and a SXSW appearance, all while becoming one of WNY’s best and most promising artists. In recent Davis news, she tackled another Stevens’ track, his breakthrough “Chicago,” this time rearranging the tune for the Crane Harp Ensemble out of SUNY Potsdam (Davis’ alma mater). The song is already getting some good burn on Soundcloud and you can listen for yourself below. Those wanting to catch Davis live in Buffalo should head down to Buffalo Iron Works on July 25th to see the real deal in person.

Arvid Releases Old Factory Living

June 13, 2014

Early last month, one man garage act, Arvid, released his lo-fi, debut album Old Factory Living. Recorded on a 4-track cassette player in the Rochester musician’s attic, the 90s alt-rock inspired album is ideal for fans of like era staples Stone Temple Pilots and the Presidents of the United States of America, as well fresher San Fran garage rock acts like Ty Segall and Mikal Cronin. Track 7, “Stage Fright,” sounds like a Mac Demarco/Ducktails collaboration that you wish would actually happen, while the Spaghetti Western-flavored “Wasted” could have been placed on a Tarantino soundtrack without missing a beat. You can download Old Factory Living in its entirety at Arvid’s bandcamp page. In the mean time, listen to the stand out, opening track “Phantoms of the Night” below. Old Factory Living by Arvid

Genesee Live Debuts New Session feat. Skirts

June 9, 2014

Early this Monday morning, Rochester’s live video session series, Genesee Live, debuted its latest installment featuring Skirts. Formally a dorm room act named Meanagers, Skirts has turned into a peppy five piece act, combining early Cloud Nothings, Pains of Being Pure at Heart, and Los Campesinos type vibes. You can watch the full, basement filmed session (keep an eye out for David Lynch) below. If you have missed any of Genny Live’s prior sessions, you can check out all of the former installments at GL’s Tumblr page.

JOYWAVE Premieres Video For “Tongues”

June 3, 2014

In April 2013, all-around WNY favorite electro-pop act, JOYWAVE, released the incredibly catchy single “Tongues” featuring a scatted sample Patricia Patrone of KOPPS (both buffaBLOG party artists I might add).  In between locking up their summer on the festival circuit and two opening gigs for the Killers, the band got around to dropping the video for the single, which at the time of this writing, is sitting pretty on the Billboard’s Top 50 Dance Club songs. Dubbed the number one song out of Rochester in 2013 on our top ten count down, “Tongues” has made waves across the blogosphere and eventually demanded the attention of satellite and commercial radio. Watch the boys shoot clothes on naked people below. Oh yeah, probably NSFW unless you have a chill boss.

Fat Africa – Monroe

June 2, 2014

Fat Africa’s Monroe is a weekend album for malcontents. Get stoned, bitter and fired Friday afternoon; hopeful in the evening just to be left alone; hopeless, hungover and depressed by Saturday morning, just to laugh at yourself in the afternoon and stare cavalierly into the night as soon as the sun sets, with no place, in particular, to go. At least, that’s how I chose to read it. Noah Masters, the mind behind Fat Africa, would probably tell me I am wrong, and he is probably right. My impulse is to stretch the album over a weekend, but in real life, it took three years to put Monroe together. The first track recorded, the heartbreaker “Inch,” was put to tape in 2011, and the rest were jammed out on a loop pedal from the bottom up over the next few years. In the mean time, Masters moved around quite a[...]

Mario Bee Releases New Jhnson & Jhnson EP

May 30, 2014

Brooklyn-via-Buffalo-via-Rochester DJ/producer Mario Bee has showed his combined influence of both North American and UK club music on his various soundcloud demos and the Tomb EP, released last December on Austrian label Tiefparterre Records. The latest collection from the artist comes via media brand Toats Orig and is a two-tracker aptly titled Jnson & Jhnson.  Lead cut, “BabyPowder,” brings a raucous three minutes of grime, trap, and southern-rap, with a menacing, detuned bassline. Bringing to mind producers like Darq E Freaker and Royal-T, the stripped-down, raw aesthetic combines elements of Jersey club and hip hop, making for an inventive sound still strongly rooted in club music culture. The B-side, “BabyOil,” brings a similar vibe, with a faster tempo and break beats scattered throughout. Listen below and check out the Malt Disney edited video for “BabyPowder.” [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/149713354″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=true&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /] [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/149714232″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=true&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]  

Tonight: Rootscollider

May 30, 2014

Imagine the deep beat of a fast-paced drum folded into the harmonious sound of a celestial synth. The music lifts you into the air, like you’re a sylph, guiding your hands and feet in motion. Subtle waves of bass creep around you and your accompaniment as you wander further and further into the fresh, funky sound. That’s a little bit what it’s like to listen to RootsCollider, the Rochester-based band coming to DBGB’s tonight. The four-piece collaborates their vibes into a chaotic and chill frenzy that’s perfect for letting the day go and getting down. This will be their last stop in Buffalo before they head into the Summer festival months–if you’re looking to dance, hover on down for the show, starting at 10:00 p.m. Whorehey and Lopro open the night with DJ sets, and Big Basha takes the stairs down with his final set closing the night.  $5 will[...]

Faux Leather Jacket Releases Debut EP, Sorry, Bud

May 27, 2014

On slow blog days like this, we thank the tireless Rochester musician Ben Morey for giving us some quality music to write about. Morey stepped into the producer role this time around to mix, master, engineer, shoot the cover photo, and who knows, maybe cooked a four course meal, for the recording of the new EP from Rochester act Faux Leather Jacket. Featuring songwriter Trevor Courneen and former Cottage Jefferson guitar player Erick Perrine, among others, the sextet’s four track Sorry, Bud is a laid back collection of jangly alt-country, full of sunny harmonies and a touch of 90s college rock. Fans of Uncle Tupelo, Beachwood Sparks, the Old 97s (Courneen sounds a bit like Rhett Miller), and even Buffalo acts like Roger Bryan & the Orphans and the Old Sweethearts (RIP) should be downloading this right about now. You can check out the full Sorry, Bud EP here and[...]

Sea Planes Premiere “Young At Heart” Single

May 20, 2014

Rochester’s Sea Planes have maintained radio silence for close to a year since releasing their debut single, “Lip Gloss.” The song made a huge impression on the buffaBLOG office, ranking as the fourth best song from our sister city in our 2013 countdown. So with this, we were delighted yesterday afternoon when Sea Planes warned us all via social media that a new song, “Young at Heart,” would debut “tomorrow,” or in other words, today. While “Lip Gloss” sounds like it could have been on Top of the Pops, “Young At Heart” aims to be much bigger. Shouting harmonies, anthemic riffs, 80s synths, and one giant chorus has Sea Planes sounding like former Buffalo act All Blondes Go To Heaven if they started covering The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Listen to “Young At Heart” below.

Admirers Remaster Night Night EP, Premiere Title Track

May 1, 2014

Ever since Mike James’ former band, Longwave, dropped its wonderful The Strangest Things LP, which included this all time great WNY jam (that’s James in the left rear) way back in 2003, the ever busy Rochester musician has been floating around my, and now the blog’s, radar for some time. Between his former work in Mikey Jukebox, and current projects Hawker M. James and the Demos, James has found the time to remaster his 2003 EP, Night Night, from his OTHER project, Admirers. Set to drop on May 13th, the EP will include some fresh takes on the original cuts, in addition to remixes. As for the title track, the song delves into the retro synth-pop vibe that fans of any Johnny Jewel project, chilled Holy Ghost, Chromeo, and the Drive soundtrack will eat right up. Check out Pet Shop Boys-esque “Night Night,” which features a subtle, Niles Rogers like[...]