Latest Posts

Tonight: River City Extension

April 14, 2015 Shauna Presto

River City Extension’s sound is anything but stale. With the addition of melodic guitar, strings, keys, and refreshing structural changes, this New Jersey based group offers an invigorating approach to rootsy blended indie rock. Though unique in their own respect, they share the same propulsive, positive feel that a band like The Mowglis possesses, and have similar rhythmic variance of 2011 era Bombay Bicycle Club on their newest release, Deliverance. There is this overall pleasant assuredness that shines through their tightly wound sound that is quite contagious for a listener. Naturally, if I were to make one suggestion for what you should do on this lovely Tuesday, it would be to stop by the Studio at Waiting Room for this show. Philly natives, Cold Fronts, will be opening with their bedroomy riff rock, along with locals, Our Modern Moloch. Doors are at 7pm, and you can still get a ticket[...]

Tonight: Wilder Maker

April 9, 2015 Shauna Presto

Sometimes the best musical landscapes are painted through the most seemingly simple songs. With all the pleasantries of easygoing alt-country mixed with harmonious folk influences, Wilder Maker steadily leads you through that landscape, introducing you to the treasure-like intricacies along the way. This Brooklyn based group is unmistakably good at capturing a sweeping and pensive Americana vibe. The band’s founder and lead vocalist, Gabriel Birnbaum, shares a similar baritone croon to Matt Berninger of The National, which is both vulnerable and inviting. Catch Wilder Maker at Mohawk Place tonight, along with Sharon Mok of Tiny Rhymes, another solid alt-folk artist. Doors for the show are at 7pm, and admission is only $5. (Note: Hussalonia was originally scheduled to play but will not be on the bill tonight in case you were expecting them.) Check out the Facebook event for more information.

Zak Ward

March 25, 2015 Shauna Presto

Birthday parties for people are overrated. Birthday parties for music blogs guarantee a jam packed night with kick-ass bands. If you haven’t already caught wind, buffaBLOG is celebrating its 5th year this Saturday at Nietzsche’s. Kicking off the merriment is Zak Ward, who will be joined by former Son of the Sun band mate Jeremy Franklin, as well as Sonny Baker (Wooden Waves, Lazlo Hollyfeld, A Hotel Nourishing). Ward delivers his tender acoustic indie-folk songs with a sufficient dose of grit. His voice has comparable tone quality to Thom Yorke when it comes to soaring vocal lines, apparent in songs like “That’s What You Get,” and sounds like a healthy mixture of David Bazan and Gregory Alan Isakov during quieter moments. The addition of ethereal sounding synth parts and swelling, twangy instrumentals makes for a very even-tempered, enjoyable listen. This year’s bill will not disappoint, so come early and pack[...]

Five Year Rewind: Staff Picks – Part 1

March 23, 2015 Admin

Since the blog debuted on March 28th, 2010, with a truly horrible post about a Passion Pit show (sorry Bill), our ever revolving staff of writers and contributors have spun hundreds of albums and songs, and attended more shows in and out of Buffalo than I dare to count. To commemorate our upcoming five year anniversary this Saturday night. we have assembled a cast blog writers from past and present, each discussing their favorite albums, songs, shows, and even some memories since the blog’s inception. Today is Part 1. – Mac McGuire Steven Gordon (Staff Writer) Favorite Album: Thee Oh Sees – Castlemania (2011) There are so many good things about Thee Oh Sees: an insane rate of musical output, notorious live performances, profoundly debauched aesthetics, and a propensity for gradual innovation despite inherent stylistic simplicity. The group started a decade or two ago as the artistic vehicle for guitarist/vocalist/flutist John Dwyer.[...]

Tonight: Made Violent

March 6, 2015 Shauna Presto

Though the trio’s local appearances have been somewhat sparse, Made Violent is finally bringing their signature refined slack-rock sound to the Studio at Waiting Room tonight. The group’s recent self-titled EP release has been nothing short of well received, and is yet more tangible proof that these guys have carved themselves a comfortable spot in the upper echelon of bands on the rise. In addition to successfully managing to bust out of the Buffalo scene, they’ve already broken the U.S. seal in terms of touring, all while garnering attention from major music publications like NME. They have the essence of early Cage the Elephant paired with all the best Brit-pop big wigs like the Kooks and Arctic Monkeys. You can tell MV’s music is built for a live setting and a large crowd. The EP is chock full of raw, punchy grunge tunes that leave me amped for the prospects[...]

Tonight: Knife the Symphony

February 20, 2015 Shauna Presto

Hang tight Buffalo; we’re slowly but surely rounding this hellish corner of freezing temps and heading toward springtime and sanity. If you’re feeling a little cabin feverish lately, consider expending some energy (or pent-up aggression) with some heavy jams. Catch Cincinnati-born band, Knife the Symphony, at Ocean Garden Oriental Foods tonight. These guys deliver discordant post-hardcore reminiscent of 90’s bands like Unwound and Jawbox, through a rhythmically driven punk filter. It’s dense and intense in all the right ways. Opening the show are locals Softlines, Alien Three, and Blobs. Doors are at 7pm, music starts at 8pm, admission is $5. You can check out the Facebook event here.