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I went completely blind into this review of Urge Surfer and their genre of music. ‘Alphabet Archive’ is the band’s first EP since their 2022 album ‘Reach’. This band definitely has a unique sound that sets them apart. ‘Alphabet Archive’ contains five songs, each with a strong electronic element.  The first song is called Glass Ceilings, and I think this has to be my favorites on the EP. It has an almost eerie sound. The theme of this song is growing up and maturing in terms of personal beliefs. Just like the name suggests, there are a lot of connections

Read More EP REVIEW: “Alphabet Archive” by Urge Surfer

‘Blub Blub’ is Welk’s Mice second album release with 8 tracks. I had a lot of fun listening to this album as it had a very unique and distinctive sound. This duo, Max Weiss and Andre Welks-Fabritti, work incredibly well together, and their music is only made better by the contributions of the engineer/producer Derick Evens. The album starts with the song Showing Up. I was surprised to hear mallets in the songs, but they honestly add an interesting sound that works well. Showing Up deals with life and how people need to show up, and how sometimes that is

Read More REVIEW: “Blub Blub” by Welk’s Mice

Sleep Debt Ceiling is a Buffalo band that has just released their first Demo EP. This EP contains four stripped-down, acoustic songs that feel raw and emotional. James Stephenson, who handles guitar and vocals, touches on heavy topics using some humorous lyrics to lighten things up. The first track Narcan Supernova highlights the power in Stephenson’s voice. It’s about watching someone constantly overdose, showing that the artist may have experience with someone in his life going too far with drugs. It’s a dark song with an unexpected mix of humor. The second track is called Nightmare in the Daytime. If

Read More REVIEW: Sleep Debt Ceiling – Debut EP

‘Out West’ by Fuzzy and the Rustbelts is as good as advertised, combining country, folk, and rock. This was my first time listening to this band, and they absolutely blew me away. They somehow managed to encapsulate the hidden gem that is the New York State countryside. Expecting to hear more of traditional country music when I started this album, I was pleasantly surprised by their first track Dead & Gone. It starts with country elements, but slowly builds to rock. The lead vocalist has an amazing and unique voice that perfectly suits this genre. This is a great song

Read More REVIEW: “Out West” by Fuzzy and the Rustbelts

Hardcore is a mix of styles, and other music genres blend with hardcore. Wednesday night at the Town Ballroom, that mix was on display. It was a glorious hardcore hardpack put together with the help of Counterparts to celebrate their newest album ‘Heaven Let Them Die’. Not only did this night blend different styles across genres, but it also showcased how different cultures interpret hardcore—Counterparts is Canadian, Malevolence is from the United Kingdom and both Foreign Hands and Pain of Truth are from the American East Coast. The ensemble delivered coolness, swag, and hardcore chaos, enough to make a 90’s

Read More Counterparts Hardcore Hardpack at Town Ballroom

One strength of Buffalo that remains is its variety of music venues, from small to large, and DIY ones, too. This show was at the 9th Ward which is a part of Babeville. 9th Ward is a small, speakeasy-like club that holds 150 people. Thanks to terrible Buffalo weather, this show had about 50 attendees. This led to a very exclusive session with a heightened experience. The opener for the show was Ben Cottril who is a part of Cameron Whitcomb’s band. During his set, Ben told a little story of how he used to be a busker in the

Read More Up Close with Cameron Whitcomb and Ben Cottrill at Babeville

Buffalo is no stranger to hardcore. The birth of Buffalo-based metallic-hardcore bands in the 90s set the stage for the genre, and Buffalo is still considered a heavy influence on the genre today. Examples of these bands are Buried Alive, Slugfest, Snapcase, and Every Time I Die. What occurred on Friday, October 5 at Riverworks was a beautiful demonstration of those strong Buffalo roots in hardcore with an interesting turn, thanks to a mixed bill. The opener for the show was post-hardcore Los Angeles-based Militarie Gun. Unfortunately, I was unable to catch their opening while fighting to find a parking

Read More Get Drain(ed) and Knocked Loose: A Hardcore Exhibition at Riverworks

I typically don’t go into reviews completely blind. Even if I haven’t heard of the band, I’ll normally take some time to do research and see what it is I’m getting myself into. Having not written a review in a while, I decided to go into The Chameleons’ performance at Town Ballroom on Wednesday, August 14th blind, and I’m so happy that I did because I had my mind BLOWN.  Deluxxe, a local new wave band, opened the night with an exciting seven-song set. The group looked like a metal or punk band at first glance, with tattooed sleeves, shaved

Read More What’s Old is New Again: A Night at Town Ballroom with The Chameleons

Where to begin? This album is a fever dream of excellence I cannot describe in mere words. Between the spectacular production quality, flawless synchronicity of Johnny Manke on drums and Mikayla Manke singing and on keys, this sibling duo has created greatness! The entire album has a captivating, youthful innocence and overcast wonder to it. The first track, The Bridge, has got to be my favorite, by far. From its dynamic vocal melodies to its awe-inspiring lyricism, coupled with Mikayla’s hopscotch along the keys and Johnny’s subtle, high hat backing, it paints a magnificent scene. As if waltzing through a

Read More Spiria – “Where the Pink Blossoms Resonate” Review

After supporting Fall Out Boy in their “So Much For (2Our) Dust” Tour, Hot Mulligan kicked off their “Choose Your Fighter” Tour at Buffalo Riverworks with support from Free Throw, Just Friends, and Charmer. This was Hot Mulligan’s first time in Buffalo since 2021 when they supported New Found Glory’s “Pop Punk’s Still Not Dead” Tour. This time Hot Mulligan was backed with a light show, along with a more passionate and diverse fan base than ever.  This was my first time at Riverworks. The low stage was nice as it brought you into the action no matter where you

Read More Hot Mulligan Steps Into the Ring at Riverworks (April 9th, 2024)

One may not expect Amy’s Place, a top-notch vegan diner along Buffalo’s Main Street in the heart of the University District, to be much of a music venue, but this “hole in the wall” proves to be a perfect destination for local music. The gallery room, situated alongside the diner with table spaces for gaming and creativity, has set at its front window a stage and sound system for performing. The walls are nearly filled with stunning and even jarring artwork, making it a cozy atmosphere. Amy’s Place was the perfect setting for the evening’s entertainment. At this all-ages show,

Read More Amy’s Place Packed to the Brim with Local Music on March 9th, 2024

Ending the leg of their tour opening for Softcult, Glixen played a memorable set at Mohawk Place for a packed house. Hailing from Phoenix, AZ, Glixen (Isleen, lead guitar and vocals; Estabon, rhythm guitar; Sonia, bass guitar; and Kiare, drums) proved to be a powerful and enduring shoegaze band worth a vibrant spotlight. A stunning combination of elements akin to the vocalizations of Cocteau Twins, the dirge of Hum’s guitar stylings, and the heartbeat drums of La Dispute, Glixen provides a truly atmospheric dreamscape of perfectly synchronized noise. Their stunning command of reverb, feedback, and distortion, coupled with a seemingly

Read More REVIEW: Glixen at Mohawk Place (2/23/24)

Soviet Dolls, who originate from Rochester, is a dynamic synth-pop trio that have a unique sound that combines everything you love about 80’s soundtracks and modern pops.  “After the Night”  is the band’s latest effort and showcases the evolution of their synth-driven sound, delivering 6 tracks that take you on an adventure and immerse you into an unforgettable experience. As said by the band and producers, “The album ‘After the Night’ is a testament to the bands growth and commitment to creating art that pushes the boundaries of pop music.” If this is your first experience with ‘Soviet Dolls’, it

Read More Review: “After the Night” by Soviet Dolls

Before I was accepted into the Music Industry program at SUNY Fredonia, I remember hearing about HAIL! Fredonia Records, an entirely student-run record label on campus. This piqued my interest in a big way, and ended up being part of what drew me to the Music Industry program at Fredonia.  Now, in my senior year of college, I have the chance to work with HAIL! Fredonia Records to finish my degree, and I find myself looking back on my first impression of the record label and comparing it to how things really work at the label.  Even when talking to

Read More An Insider’s Look at HAIL! Fredonia Records

Shelby Sigrist reviews a dreamy night of sound at Arpark, featuring Alex G, Alvvays, and Tanukichan.

Real Movement, a cosmic indie rock band, combines deep grooves with intentional but playful songwriting. They land somewhere between P-Funk and Pavement, playing off of their interests in indie rock, jazz, funk, and soul. Real Movement’s newest album, ‘Trash Talk’ was recently released on September 2, 2022. The band says, “This transformation has pushed Real Movement into its most collaborative and most creative period yet.” Singles – Track Review The Worm – The song goes right to work with 46 seconds of funky grooves mixed with very uplifting beats. When the vocals kick in, a soft but intentional voice paints

Read More Review: ‘Trash Talk’ by Real Movement

When I walked into Mohawk Place on January 7th, my former, seventh-grade emo kid came out. I don’t think you ever really grow out of your emo phase, and it was quite nice getting to bond with the rest of the crowd during Emo Night at Mohawk Place. I got there a little early, and the doors weren’t open yet, but there was a crowd of people starting to line up to get their night started. DJ Alexis Valentine kicked off the night by playing the most popular hits from bands such as Bowling for Soup and Paramore. She made

Read More Mohawk Emo Night with Cut Me Up Genny

Mohawk Place on January 6th was THE place to be, I feel bad if you missed out! This show was the most packed and energetic I’ve seen at Mohawk Place thus far. The lineup for the night was awesome, as openers Lynz, Kira Zappy, and Reese Daniels got the crowd warmed up for the main headliner, Sunday Reign.  Reese Daniels really got the crowd going with his incredible piano skills, and a mixture of different vocals, playing covers such as Ahead by a Century by The Tragically Hip. Reese was playful and energetic with the crowd and would laugh whenever

Read More Sunday Reign Mohawk Place

Mohawk Place rang in the new year with a banger of a lineup on December 30th. With plenty of band interaction and an electric energy, it was no surprise that the crowd kept getting bigger by the minute to see the main attraction, Post Prom, perform their newly released EP.  Buffalo Talent on Display The night started off with Tuesday Nite, featuring the elegant vocal harmonies and dreamy instrumentals of singer/guitarists Sara Elizabeth and Courtney Ann. The crowd was treated to some comedy after that as comedian Katarina Valentine took that stage. It is not easy to perform jokes to

Read More Post Prom Crushes their EP Release

As I went into Mohawk Place on January 14th, it was a bittersweet moment knowing it would be my last live review for a while. It was the release of MIMIC’s newest EP and I wanted to make this one count. And, boy, did the bands make it unforgettable. Setting the Stage for a Great Night The openers started things strong. Oh, Summer Days! took the stage with funky and killer grooves. The crowd was just getting into it as the band Ashford encouraged people to move forward. With songs such as Hypocrite, Flying, and First, the crowd was literally

Read More ‘A Thief, Not a Liar’ Debuts at Mohawk Place