Latest Posts

Darryl Rahn – “Reason to Run”

Utica-born, Brooklyn-based Darryl Rahn sent us over the breathtaking folk of “Reason to Run” and we knew we had to share. Pairing a warm acoustic guitar with his soothing tenor vocals, “Reason to Run” continues Darryl’s trend of releasing solid material (having released three full-length albums independently). If you’re looking for the soundtrack to a peaceful fall day, you’ve found it – check it out below. Learn more about Darryl here.

The Fig Mints Reveal First Single From Forthcoming Split

In preparation for another well-anticipated split release via Dadstache Records, the Rochester tape label has graced us with a single on the forthcoming cassette from The Fig Mints (ongoing lo-fi indie rock project of ex-Comfy guitarist Bobby Rogan) / The Real Burnouts (Utica’s premiere psychedelic bedroom warriors). The track, titled “And So On” and delivered from The Fig Mints’ side of the tape, cashes in on the joys of lo-fi fuzz, bearing resemblance the likes of Sebadoh and Violent Femmes. The song leaves behind some of the bedroom vibes of The Fig Mints’ earlier material, but the indie charm still flows forth, blue and true. Screeching guitars, handclaps, and tambourine—what more could you ask for? The split, titled “Revitalized Parts / Halo Lacerations” drops on 3/25, and preorders for the tape are now active over at Dadstache. Slam play below to stream The Fig Mints’ “And So On,” and keep[...]

Comfy // Skirts Split

It can be difficult to view a split release as a singular piece of work, and in some sense, it’s much more common and appropriate to view each artist’s contribution of songs as an individual creation. Comfy and Skirts’ latest joint EP release from Miscreant and Dadstache Records seems way more accessible as one harmonious album than usual. These two bands work well on their own, but are also incredibly compatible with one another. To me, Comfy is the unkempt, rebel of a sibling and Skirts is the slightly more ordered, quirk-ridden one. Both are deliberate in their sound. Both are equally expressive. I saw Comfy, a lo-fi garage pop band out of Utica, for the first time at Nietzsche’s not too long ago. Their live performance involved swaddling a fake baby fashioned from a blanket full of red string and disassembling it in a frenzied manner (the fake baby was[...]

Comfy – “Poetic”

Utica and Rochester BFFs, Comfy and Skirts, respectively, are set to drop a split EP later this summer on August 7th through Miscreant Records and Rochester tape label, Dadstache. While the first listen from Skirts’ half of the EP won’t come until next week (stay tuned…), the Comfy boys (who you may have caught at our firth birthday party last March) dropped a tease this morning through Impose in the form of the less-than-a-minute track, “Poetic.” With Cap’n Jazz like vocals and a touch of Tim Kinsella-esque depression, “Poetic” is a perfect little morsel of the Comfy world, one that appears to be changing a bit as the group goes through some line-up changes (drummer Zeno Pittarelli is exiting the group this summer). You can now pre-order the record over at Miscreant’s bandcamp page for the very fair price of $5. In the mean time, listen to “Poetic” below.

Comfy

What would a birthday party be without some out-of-town charm? Well in the case of our fifth birthday party, it would be without Comfy, Utica’s buzzing indie-rock (and roll) sweethearts. We’ve had our ears on Comfy for a while now; their early 2014 debut Pillowhugger, an endearing collection of garage pop confessionals smothered in slacky indie-rock charm, is one of our favorites from last year. Think Rochester’s Cottage Jefferson (another one of our 2014 favorites) meets Krill and you’ve got a pretty good start. (If you can’t conjure that up, just scroll down right now and hit play.) The band is definitely worth your attention before they hit the back stage of Nietzsche’s this Saturday night. The Utica natives look to have a big year in the works. Comfy is rumored to be finishing up a fresh release for your patient ears and have begun plans for a summer tour (according to their[...]

Negative Death – “Burn” feat. Bad Cello

Consciousness and positivity is the mantra  of Negative Death, the new hip-hop pop duo combining Utica with Queens. Front man Paul Payabyab-Cruz channels the likes of Pharaoh Monch and Saul Williams in his poetic verses and Zeno Pittarella is the man behind the beats. Both have a history of musical ventures, with Utica’s Zeno coming from the acts Bad Cello (who gets the feature on the single) and Comfy. “Burn” is the lead single from Negative Death’s forthcoming project Conscious Pop. The track has evidence of Zeno’s poppy past, including the vocoder-y beginning of the track and the energetic electric beat. Paul brings the thoughtful heat the who time, with standout lines like “consider me Prometheus, yes I am somewhat heatheness, I’ve come to bring the fire down and make sure we are breathing it.” Great for both the ears and the mind, “Burn” is just one track of a great upcoming[...]

Comfy Releases New Singles

Utica, New York’s Comfy is a band that’s buzz, unlike Ebola, has been spreading all over New York State, from the jampacked DIY shows in Brooklyn to the dimly lit basements of Buffalo and every cool house show in between. Last week, while prepping for their super legit slot on the Miscreant & Father/Daughter co-sponsored showcase at Silent Barn, Comfy released two new tracks, “Dreamy” and “People Talking.” The band’s sound is in the same realm of Swearin’, The Babies, and Krill with a hint of Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks. With a forthcoming EP set to be released soon via Miscreant Records, Comfy is a band that you should have in your band vocabulary because there is a chance they may be playing top secret show in Buffalo at some point this week.

Bad Cello – “Cover Your Smiling”

What has been up with Utica lately? With impressive acts hailing from the region like Comfy  and Twin Speak, we’re beginning to think there is something unique in the Mohawk River. This week, we stumbled on an equally impressive act from the 315 under the moniker Bad Cello.  The project featuring Zeno Pitarelli and pals recently released the teaser for the grandiose sadcore single titled “Cover Your Smiling.” Set to be the starter single for an EP this summer via Miscreant Records, the song phases in and out of earnest vocals deserving of sympathetic back rubs and 90’s slack rock. Check out the  “Cover Your Smiling” below.