Latest Posts

Tonight: Steak & Cake Records 9th Anniversary

The brainchild of local musician, producer and budding impresario Brandon Schlia, Steak & Cake Records has been a vital to the Buffalo music scene, and tonight area record label Steak & Cake Records celebrates nine years at Curly’s with a killer lineup of acts from their troupe of artists and an album release from Buffalo by way of Philadelphia grunge rockers Wylie Something. Spacey and pleasingly gnarly, Wylie Something is the latest project from Jacob Smolinski, previously of Cascos and Local Onlys, and he’s back in town to celebrate the release of his sophomore LP Welcome? which arrives today for your listening pleasure. Tonight’s lineup also features indie pop duo Olmsted, indie power pop duo Patchwork (one half of which is the boss Schlia himself), budding rock heroes Johnny & the Man Kids, garage punks Personal Style, and soulful art rocker outfit The Best Strangers will also be on hand to[...]

Helmsley – East HIlls #1

If you have not yet heard the newest effort by Steak and Cake Records’ foot soldier Helmsley, then you should brace yourself for impact. In the vein of surrealist and expressionistic art, Helmsley wrote East Hills #1, a record full of songs that drastically distort, amplify, and warp traditional musical practices to invoke an emotional response. The first track off of the record, and the first single released, “Narcotic,” introduces the heavy Deerhoof influence that is heard through out. The song’s first five seconds blast a siren that acts as wake-up alarm. Sit up and take notice. From there it delivers a delicious bass line groove that is coated in fuzz effects. Combined with the underlying siren and back beat drums, the EDM-esque track makes it near impossible to keep one’s head from bobbing. “Narcotic” fades seamlessly into track two, “Pratt Fall.” Usually meant to refer to a humiliating instance, “Pratt Fall”[...]

Tonight: 21 & Under Battle of the Bands

Local DIY powerhouse label Steak and Cake Records will be hosting the first official matchup in their 21 & Under Battle of the Bands tonight at Sugar City. The winners will be determined via an audience choice secret ballot. The winner from tonight will square off against the winner from another battle in March 2020, at a final battle in June of 2020 which will feature a panel of guest judges. An often-overlooked demographic, label mastermind Brandon Schlia is once again showing his commitment to the local scene by highlighting and elevating these emerging talents. Tonight’s matchup will feature 4 emerging local bands: Muddle, Gunther’s Radio, Not For Nothing, and Oscar’s Cash. Muddle plays a grungy style of pop-punk, akin to early Green Day or Foo Fighters. Gunther’s Radio leans more towards a 90s alt-rock style, in the vein of Spacehog or Sponge. Not For Nothing is a buzzy indie[...]

Kelli Bobbi Drops New Video “MY WKND”

Indie synth-pop duo Kelli Bobbi just dropped their third single (and video) “MY WKND.” Comprised of all-star frontwoman Jaz Frazier (Hop Hop) and Steak and Cake mastermind Brandon Schlia, their latest project is a perfect dose of ‘80s nostalgia. “MY WKND” is irresistibly catchy, with hooks that will stay with you long after you’ve finished listening. Frazier is a real standout on this track, with her vocals floating effortlessly over a glistening urban funk backdrop. An unabashed party anthem, it’s a perfect if not mandatory addition to your Summer playlist. Fans of Billie Eilish, Robyn, and Janelle Monáe would be into this one. Written by John Smigielski

Kelli Bobbi Drops Second Single/Video “July Rush”

Buffalo label Steak & Cake Records is back with another summer single and video by pop act Kelli Bobbi. “July Rush,” directed by Brandon Schlia and starring singer Jazmine Frazier, epitomizes the youthful defiance of summer days and nights. Kelli Bobbi embodies 1980s revival. The name alone sounds like it belongs to an ‘80s pop icon, and the video for “July Rush” serves some fashion nostalgia with oversized jackets, bright high-waisted shorts, crew socks, smoky purple eyeshadow, neon shades, and denim – though you’d probably see these styles walking around the city right here in summer 2019. This then-meets-now aesthetic also comes through in the music, and it’s infectiously fun. The track has an instant, understated catchiness from the beginning; synth, a simple drum beat, and Frazier’s breezy vocals evoke the timeless feelings of optimism and excitement that come when the summer really starts to get going every year. The[...]

Kelli Bobbi Releases Debut “Cruising”

Steak And Cake Records has a fresh new video and single out that’s destined to be your jam of the summer that’s also more than a little bit mind blowing. Going under the cheeky alias Kelli Bobbi, label mastermind and genuine artistic polymath Brandon Schlia and Jazmine Frazier (aka Hop Hop) go above and beyond on “Cruising,” a supernaturally crisp slab of urban funk that feels super good in your ears thanks to some choice next level grooves, frequencies, and techniques from each half of our dynamic duo. The video, directed by Schlia, is chill, pleasantly trippy, and a swell drive around town. If there’s more where this came from, yes please.

18 & Under Battle of the Bands Registration Starts Sunday

Are you 18 & under and looking for an opportunity to hop onto the local scene? Brandon Schlia, brains behind local label Steak & Cake Records, hopes to fast track your interest by organizing an 18 & Under Battle of the Bands set for this summer. The registration for the event starts this Sunday, May 19th at local all-ages space Sugar City between 5pm and 8pm. Inspired by monthly all-ages shows put on at his local YMCA, Schlia hopes to pass it forward with creating and fostering a younger demographic to the Buffalo music scene. Sunday’s registration will be the initial round of the event. In July, there will be a showcase featuring some of registered bands. In October 2019, this will all come to head with a Battle of the Bands, winner going on to battle a separate bracket of Spring 2020 bands. If you are interested in participating,[...]

Stress Dolls Drops After the Party

Stress Dolls and Steak & Cake Records have teamed up on two tender, confessing gentle electronic tunes. These songs were written by  Chelsea O’Donnell of Stress Dolls  and punched up and arranged by label owner/producer Brandon Schlia. The first track on After the Party, “Bruises,” lights up the room with a like a light shining through flesh. The drums pop and bounces from the speakers with delay proving to be the most utilized effect. When the chorus comes in, O’Donnell’s unique vocals spill a message desperate with indecision. “Your bruises…” is ooh-ed delicately atop a failing synth note. Following “Bruises” is “Alaska 2.0,” a sub-two minute ticker that promises to keep your mind locked in space. The sound crawls, but the atmospheric synths are enthralling. This is the second incarnation of “Alaska,” previously released with an indie rock flavor on O’Donnell’s retired moniker Wolf. The new rendition of “Alaska 2.0”[...]

Wylie Something – untitled, unfinished, yet mastered?

The latest offering from Wylie Something is a compilation called untitled, unfinished, yet mastered?, presumably a take on Kendrick Lamar’s untitled/unmastered. Wylie Something is the moniker for Buffalo-native turned Philadelphia-based college student, Jacob Smolinski. If you have been exposed to Smolinski’s other works (The Cascos, or most recently Local Onlys), then you know the musician is keen to writing features catchy and danceable indie rock. Released through local label Steak & Cake Records, it consists of songs he wrote over the past few years but didn’t know what to do with, assembled and mastered by producer Brandon Schila. Schila’s work extends beyond the production. He lends a hand on the compositions as well, taking on the role of bassist and drummer. Also present are backing vocals from Maggie Maloney. These contributions help round out the songs and bring Wylie’s tunes to life. Virtually every song is tight and compact, with[...]