by Ian McCuen | Aug 21, 2017 | Album of the Week
Recording under the name Jong SL, Buffalo-based musician Jong Lee has released his debut EP, Ice Cream. With roots as an acoustic singer-songwriter, on this seven track EP Jong’s compositions are rounded out with full-band arrangements and careful production. On...
by Ian McCuen | Aug 9, 2017 | Preview
Tonight, an eclectic array of musicians is slated to play Sewing Souls Studios. The fashion & costume design studio and multipurpose venue will host a night of quirky and experimental music. Five different acts will be gracing the stage, four of which are from the...
by Ian McCuen | Aug 4, 2017 | Album Review
Indie rock stalwarts Manchester Orchestra have returned with their fifth album, A Black Mile to the Surface. It follows a several year gap that saw the departure of multi-instrumentalist Chris Freeman, the birth of founding member Andy Hull’s daughter, as well as Hull...
by Ian McCuen | Jul 28, 2017 | Preview
Fans of ambient art folk are in for a treat tonight. In a special event at unorthodox venue Silo City, singer-songwriter Julie Byrne makes her return to Buffalo. Joining her are natives Lara Buckley and Noah Falck. Julie Byrne, who was born and raised in Buffalo, is...
by Ian McCuen | Jul 10, 2017 | Album of the Week
Tough Old Bird’s description on Facebook reads, “good folk for good folks.” It is a simple yet effective statement. Their music has a relatable weight to it that reflects back the small town heart of their native Fillmore, NY. Their latest release,...
by Ronald Walczyk | May 29, 2017 | Album of the Week
Sometimes it’s not easy to be a musician. There is an element of vulnerability you must subject yourself to in order to find even a marginal amount of success. This, of course, rings true with most aspects of art in general, but there exist certain musicians who go...
by Ian McCuen | May 3, 2017 | Preview
Fans of garage indie-rock will be treated to a solid bill tonight. Two local groups will be joining New Jersey singer-songwriter Francie Moon at Mohawk Place. The three acts offer an array of DIY sounds sure to get you grooving. Francie Moon blends elements of rock,...
by Ian McCuen | Apr 26, 2017 | Preview
Tonight, Atlanta punk rockers The Coathangers will be hitting up The Tralf. Joining the Suicide Squeeze Records group will be Buffalo native’s honey COMA. Together, it should make for an evening of heavy hitting hard rock. The Coathangers are known for having an...
by Ian McCuen | Apr 13, 2017 | Buffalo
Buffalo garage pop group American Low have been rather quiet for a while, but frontman Mike Brady has reemerged with a more stripped down approach with their new single “settle_down.” The track is pop infused Americana, combining a folky compositional vibe...
by Ian McCuen | Apr 7, 2017 | Album Review
Apparently, last year’s Ruminations was just an appetizer, as Conor Oberst is back with a new, fuller record (both in sound and length). The over-an-hour-long Salutations sees him shift from solo acoustic guitar/piano sparseness to rounded out, full band arrangements....
by Ian McCuen | Apr 5, 2017 | Preview
Two Orindal Records label mates are slated to hit Buffalo tonight. Advance Base and Karima Walker both bring their own unique brands of lo-fi pop to Mohawk Place. Joining them will be two local solo acts, Lara Buckley and Matt Script. Headlining the show is...
by Ian McCuen | Mar 17, 2017 | Album Review
For Americana singer-songwriter Alynda Lee Segarra, her career has been a ten-year cross-country journey. Now on her sixth studio album with her indie folk group Hurray for the Riff Raff, that journey has taken her to the upper tier of modern roots music. Titled The...
by Ian McCuen | Mar 3, 2017 | Album Review
Less than a year after the release of her duets album with Sam Beam, Jesca Hoop is back with an album of her own. Memories Are Now is the singer-songwriter’s fourth overall solo studio album, and solo debut for Sub Pop records. The new release is arguably her most...
by Ian McCuen | Feb 9, 2017 | Album Review
Recording under the alter ego Henry’s Rifle, John Alfred’s music is rooted in backroom Americana and weathered country-blues. The Albany native singer-songwriter’s latest EP, titled Arkansas, is raw and completely stripped down, both in tone and subject matter. With...
by Ian McCuen | Feb 3, 2017 | Album Review
With a career spanning over 20 years, Sleater-Kinney has left an indelible mark on modern alternative music. As pioneers of the riot grrrl movement, they helped usher in a new era of female powered rock that is edgy, raw and empowering. However, even after a long...
