by Ailsa Forlenza | May 30, 2014 | Preview
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...
by Ailsa Forlenza | May 28, 2014 | Album Review
I am afraid that my fingers will have kelp on them from my time spent in the sea. The humid tendrils of wind make me crave a fresh, cold drink. Immersed in the salty water, I hear an echo of a glorious sound, coming closer with each vibration. After I raise my head...
by Ailsa Forlenza | May 23, 2014 | Preview
Ever wanted to dissolve into a bubble of sound and feel effaced by the grains of noise? Tonight, The Wash Project presents a throng of experimental sound and noise artists both from Buffalo and parts of Ohio that connect and twist the notion of what music is and how...
by Ailsa Forlenza | May 14, 2014 | Album Review
There are very few new albums in 2014 that have struck me song by song. The War On Drugs’ Lost In The Dream and Porches’ Lost In The Cosmos are two of those. It pleases me to say that I have found a third. Sylvan Esso, comprised of former acapella-folk...
by Ailsa Forlenza | May 13, 2014 | Preview
“Let’s pretend we don’t exist, let’s pretend we’re in Antarctica.” I’m sure you are familiar with these two lyrical lines, sung by Kevin Barnes in a droll tone supported by a roaring, peppy synth. If you haven’t, they...
by Ailsa Forlenza | May 9, 2014 | Preview
Rubblebucket. Rubblebucket. Rubblebucket. Say the word three times and all your wishes will be granted! Not really, but the Brooklyn-based band’s name is a catchy one. It brings to mind a magical spell that can be cast anywhere, from the dirty city streets to...
by Ailsa Forlenza | May 7, 2014 | Album Review
Andrew Jackson Jihad is the type of group that can make you want to laugh and cry at the same time. Their lyrics are undeniably witty and hit you with a punch, and after settle in with a pinch of reality. Christmas Island, their latest album-length release, is both...
by Ailsa Forlenza | Apr 28, 2014 | Preview
Keir Neuringer is what you could call a jack-of-all-trades. He doesn’t limit his mind to one form of artistic expression. Instead, it blends together and crosses over into one experimental golden nugget. Initially Neuringer focused on developing a idiosyncratic...
by Ailsa Forlenza | Apr 23, 2014 | Album Review
Medeski, Martin, & Wood sure like their fair share of jazz guitarists. Recently, they teamed up with Nels Cline, who if you weren’t aware of, is the guitarist for one of the U.S.’ most famous bands, Wilco. On this collaboration, Woodstock Sessions Vol....
by Ailsa Forlenza | Apr 18, 2014 | Buffalo
Kristachuwan’s latest release Beachers ranks, in my books, as the best ambient album I’ve heard while living in Buffalo. It’s not pushing any heavy beats in my face, forcing my hand when it comes to dancing. “Dill’s Pick” is a good...
by Ailsa Forlenza | Apr 16, 2014 | Album Review
“Do it–don’t try it” could be Japanther’s motto. The duo, consisting of Matt Reilly and Ian Vanek, have proven they can keep creating fresh, innovative material again and again. Their approach is just as avant-garde as it is rooted in...
by Ailsa Forlenza | Apr 15, 2014 | Preview
I would like to compare Julie Byrne’s music to that of a bird in flight. The chords swoop in from the clouds, barely audible to the ear. Then, the wings of the track flap, move closer, creating a delicate ripple as the sweet trill of her voice is heard....
by Ailsa Forlenza | Apr 12, 2014 | Preview
If you’re ready to set the pace for the upcoming months, as the weather becomes a little kinder, the electro-rock grooves of Jimkata would be the right place to start. Even though the quartet is a staple within the jam circuit, with the release of their...
by Ailsa Forlenza | Apr 9, 2014 | Album Review
Let’s be honest–New York City is still a main hub of culture when it comes to the arts, but it’s changing rapidly. A constant topic of discussion is gentrification, basically, in more simple terms, the ‘neighborhood is changing.’ Defining...
by Ailsa Forlenza | Apr 4, 2014 | Preview
We have a triple threat on our hands tonight. Each act offers a mind-bending exploration of sound, that is, if you choose to let go. Think of them as a triple-layer popsicle–flavors blending and melting together, yet distinguishable by taste and age. First on...
