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Tonight: Mitski

December 3, 2014

Hump day is upon us. And if you’re sitting at home thinking to yourself “I wish my hump day wasn’t such a drag…”, then read on, my friend. Brooklyn-based indie songstress Mitski will be performing at Northrup House tonight in support of her marvelous new record bury me at make out creek. There is a pleasing duality to the new record, sometimes folk-tinged and smooth like an early Jenny Lewis, other times angular and challenging like some of St. Vincent’s newer material. Mitski’s songs are equal parts beautiful, wounded, and weird, but her lyrical prowess is what drives it all home. bury me at make out creek is a buzz machine, so this may be one of the last opportunities to watch her play in such an intimate setting. Also on the bill for tonight: Portland’s psych-folker Johanna Warren, blog favorite Alex Berkley, Cobalt Blue, and Lawyer Sam. There is a $5[...]

Mountains and Valleys – Mountains and Valleys

November 17, 2014

This week’s AOTW feature comes at us all the way from Syracuse. We here at buffaBLOG are finding it increasingly difficult to ignore such compelling music from artists in WNY’s surrounding areas, and thusly, are expanding our reach. This week, neo-folk troubadour Merritt Harris and his collaborative project, Mountains and Valleys, has caught our ear, and for good reason. The indie-folk collective has just pulled the sheet off of their self-titled debut—a beautiful and cohesive collection of songs unmistakably suitable for those with curious, introspective souls. Also notable is the fact that the record is a full twelve tracks in length and each track holds up strong. In today’s digital age of online-only 3 – 6 track EPs, splits, and singles, it’s refreshing to see a full twelver every now and again, and the amount of work that went into this one is palpable—to say the least. Mountains and Valleys’ sound[...]

Tonight: Chris Forsyth & the Solar Motel Band

November 12, 2014

If you’re looking for a solid mid-weeknight blast of brilliant psychedelic rock, you’re definitely reading the right preview. Chris Forsyth & the Solar Motel Band will be bringing their eclectic and sonically diverse set of classic rock-tinged psychedelia to Mohawk Place tonight in support of their recently-released debut studio effort, Intensity Ghost. Their compositions draw comparisons to some pretty iconic artists including the likes of Television and the Grateful Dead. Experimental guitar duo The Actors, comprising of Nick Gordon and Eric Kendall, will be opening the show. The pair was last seen at Buffalo Iron Works during the Tins EP release show for Young Blame, and is a beyond worthy act to open the show up. Music kicks off tonight at 8pm. Cover is $6.

Crying

November 10, 2014

What do you get when you mix a Gameboy, three musicians with a penchant for writing endearing indie music, and a heaping pile of dream-worthy nostalgia? This is not a rhetorical question. You get Crying. The indie-electronic outfit out of Harrison, NY is raising eyebrows and drawing attention for their wildly unique blend of chiptune indie rock, and their fans are riding high on anticipation of their next release, Get Olde Second Wind, due out on Run for Cover records November 18th. buffaBLOG caught up with guitarist and Gameboy wizard Ryan Galloway before the band embarks on a full-US tour supporting Modern Baseball, set to hit Buffalo this Wednesday at the Waiting Room. buffaBLOG: Level 99 Modern Baseball tour approaches! How do you prepare? Ryan Galloway: We haven’t practiced as a band since some time before the last tour. We still need to put tires on our car. bB: What are[...]

101010 – We Are The Movie

November 3, 2014

Another month, another farewell album. Listening to an album known to be a band’s last is always a bittersweet experience, and 101010’s We Are The Movie was no different for me. The Buffalo band, having formed in 2012 from the ashes of Americana act Vox Humana, are no longer playing together, but, as a final gesture of good faith, decided to digitally release their swan song album for the fans of their decidedly post-rock loudness. Each of the respective members will be focusing on different projects beyond 101010’s dissolution; keep your ears to the ground. Though the curtain has called for 101010, We Are The Movie satisfies, and should not go unrecognized. Enter our Album of the Week. We Are The Movie explores the various intricacies of post-rock and shoegaze, landing somewhere between the cosmic thickness of 90’s band Hum and the hard-hitting fervor of Chevelle. But the album doesn’t[...]

Tonight: Applennium, Strange Acres, Lazlo Hollyfeld

November 1, 2014

On what appears to be another one of the best local bills of the nearing winter season, three revered Buffalo acts will be taking over Mohawk Place this Saturday night. The all-too-elusive Applennium will be bringing their affecting, dreamy blend of indie folk to the stage, joined by symphonic mood-rockers Strange Acres and the cerebral instrumentals of Lazlo Hollyfeld. Each of these three talented Buffalo acts really pulls out all the stops to ensure that their live shows are not easily forgettable, so if you’re not in a candy coma from last night’s shenanigans, you better make sure you’re at Mohawk Place tonight. Yes, it might snow—but this is Buffalo. Don’t be a wuss. The ‘hawk will open its doors tonight at 8pm for this all-ages event, and admission through those doors will cost you five bucks—probably the best five bucks you’ll spend all weekend. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/67736557″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″[...]

Diarrhea Planet

October 23, 2014

Diarrhea Planet is the best rock band out of Nashville right now. And I realize ‘rock’ is a relative term, but you would be hard-pressed to find another band out there currently that embodies the spirit of rock and roll more than Diarrhea Planet does. Their shredtastic blend of torrential punk rock packs some serious heat, and the band’s four guitarists, bassist, and drummer are slinging it across the Northeast as you read this intro. Diarrhea Planet makes their stop in Buffalo on October 27th at the recently reopened Mohawk Place. buffaBLOG had some words with guitarist Evan Bird before their arrival in the Nickel City, highlighting their current tour, Nashville’s music scene, and, uh.. Keegan Hestdalen. Enjoy. buffaBLOG: How is your tour going? Evan Bird: This tour has been going really well! It’s nice to be back on the road in the northeast and even nicer to be back[...]

Stepfriends Releases New Album, All We’ve Got

October 22, 2014

The dudes (and dudettes) in Buffalo emo-pop collab-group Stepfriends have just digitally released their debut full-length album All We’ve Got. The eleven-track record, mostly recorded at The Square Studio in Syracuse, gives emo a little soul–think a jazzier Into It. Over It. with a dash of Circa Survive. Vocalist Johnny Lucas has a smooth and solid range, and his clear, handsome tenor takes the forefront in many of the songs. The tracks are expertly arranged; some of my favorite points on the record are the atmospheric bridges and breakdowns that give All We’ve Got it’s unique sound. Check out the angular riffs and crisp drumwork on track “Renovation” below, and go visit the band’s Bandcamp page for digital downloads and vinyl preorders.

Know Your Opener: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard

October 19, 2014

It’s not every day that us Buffalonians are privileged to see musical acts from other continents, but if you’re planning on hitting up the White Fence show tonight at the Tralf, you would be so lucky. Opening for the psychedelic singer-songwriter is a grand seven-piece from Melbourne, Australia—meet King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard. The band’s sound is, for a lack of better word, tremendous, walking heavy-footed on the border of neo-psychedelia and garage rock. Not only do King Gizzard’s songs easily draw comparisons to 1960’s psychedelic bands such as The Yardbirds and The Beatles, but do so without beating the genre like a dead horse. The songs are fresh, fuzzy, lush, and fun, all the while maintaining that 60’s vibe that gives King Gizzard their flavor. A lot of their songs have an unbridled energy to them (think The Hives), and if their live show is anything like the[...]

Tonight: Roger Bryan & the Orphans

October 18, 2014

The weekend has landed. That means, if you haven’t already, finding something to do that will wipe clean your pent up nine-to-five weekday stress. Well, if you’re reading this, you’ve come to the right place. Tonight, the second-floor stage of Elmwood watering hole Mr. Goodbar will host a variety of talent to satisfy your Saturday. Tonight’s bill includes local alt-country heroes Roger Bryan & the Orphans, the Niagara Falls natives in No Wounded Soldiers (think Arctic Monkeys meets Generationals), and the rhythmic explorations of experimental electronic artist Ay Fast, otherwise known as Adrian Bertalone. Pop-punkers The Revenge Therapists will be opening the show and kicking things off. If you caught RB&tO’s set at Harvest Sum’s showcase at Herdfest earlier this year, then you know their live set is not one to miss. Their organized blend of alt-country and rootsy college rock permeates down to the core for a feel-good sound[...]

Tonight: Brief Candles

October 10, 2014

Hold your PBRs to the sky—Milwaukee shoegaze indie-rockers Brief Candles will be taking over Buffalo’s Mohawk Place later this evening for a night of droning and blissful dreamrock. Their music—thick, sludgy, and actually very pretty—does not easily draw comparisons, so you’ll have to head on over to the ‘hawk and check them out for yourself. The 90’s-tinged indie jams of Buffalo-based Supergoner will be flavoring the bill in the opening slot, making the legendary Mohawk Place exactly where you want to be tonight. Doors at 8pm, $5 cover.

A Hotel Nourishing – Empty Gesture EP

October 6, 2014

For those of you who still cannot comprehend how A Hotel Nourishing is just two people—guitarist Sonny Baker and drummer Cameron Rogers—you’re not alone. I, too, have struggled with this concept since the band’s conception over seven years ago. Anyone who has seen the duo play a live show knows what I am talking about; it sounds like there are four or five of them onstage. Yet with a single guitar, a pedal or two, and a drum kit, the pair pulls off a sound so rich and intricately arranged that your double take will do a double take. That roughly equates to a quadruple take, mathematically speaking. This past Friday saw the release of A Hotel Nourishing’s long-awaited Empty Gesture EP, a six-song scorcher that, like their 2007 debut Deux Ex Machina, features that familiar original blend of “almost” math rock and post-punk artistry that made them so buzzworthy[...]

Tweedy w/Hospitality @ Town Ballroom (10/1/14)

October 3, 2014

Jeff Tweedy was met with an uproar of approval after telling the packed Town Ballroom “You guys are the best audience we’ve had, hands down.” No doubt his claim was validated—the Wilco frontman played over a two hour set for the adoring crowd. His new solo outfit, Tweedy, featuring his 18-year-old son on drums, played the intimate Buffalo venue Wednesday night in support of the band’s 20-track beauty debut Sukierae, and stole the night with that powerful, entrancing magic that Jeff Tweedy is known for. Brooklyn avant-pop three-piece Hospitality started the show, launching right into a fresh adaptation of “Inauguration,” a whimsical slow-burner off the band’s latest full-length, Trouble. This particular version presented a much more organic take on the song, highlighted by a slick little solo played by singer/guitarist Amber Papini towards the latter half. Other highlights of their set included the smooth and cool “Going Out,” rhythmic new[...]

Hospitality

September 24, 2014

On October 1st, Buffalo will welcome Jeff Tweedy (and his son Spencer) to the stage of the Town Ballroom for a performance in support of the frontman’s (of Wilco fame, for the few of you who didn’t know) solo album, Sukierae. Opening support on their fall tour comes from Hospitality, a buzzy avant-pop three-piece from Brooklyn, and buffaBLOG was lucky enough to catch up with the band’s bassist, Brian Betancourt, for a little Q&A a few days before the show. Touching on subjects including Hospitality’s 2014 full-length Trouble and ambidexterity, Brian and the blog hit it off well. A warning: both Brian and the blog have the same initials (BB / bB), so read carefully! buffaBLOG: Your latest album Trouble is decidedly spacious and even dark at times, which is a bit of a stylistic departure from your self-titled. I read that the new sound was intentional, what kind of efforts went into[...]

Hannah Weidner – Comfortable Existence

September 22, 2014

Rochester is having a good September as far as buffaBLOG is concerned. Earlier this month we saw the release of Cottage Jefferson’s fantastic new album B-Side, which deservingly snagged the blog’s first Album of the Week spot of September. This week we have another Rochester artist grabbing the spot—meet singer/songwriter Hannah Weidner. The DIY songbird’s debut album, Comfortable Existence, is a harmony-rich acoustic beaut, drawing comparisons to earlier tracks of sister-songwriter duo First Aid Kit. Now, as aforementioned, Comfortable Existence is an acoustic album at its core, consisting primarily of folksy acoustic tracks with beautifully-crafted vocal harmonies. (Take the ‘love-is-in-the-air’ album-opener “Your Essence” for example.)  A more focused listen reveals a certain intricacy to the songs that adds serious depth to the album, making Hannah Weidner and her songcraft stand out among other folk contemporaries. The subtle inclusion of horns and air organ in a few of the songs adds[...]