There is a new artist management company in town. On Friday, Blue Stream Productions is set to officially launch. The company will allow local up-and-coming bands to sign on for management, merchandising, social media, and public relations services. Run by local merchandising/management guru Josh Holtzman, the company's initial lineup of artists features three giants from Buffalo's prog-jam scene: Aqueous, Peanut Brittle Satellite, and Slip Madigan.

Holtzman said the company's roster will eventually expand to include artists of all types of genres, but the focus for now is on progressive, psychedelic rock bands - and the Buffalo/Upstate area has plenty to boast.

"We want to have a wide collection of music that we, as managers, stand behind," Holtzman said. "I never want to represent a band I don't fully believe in or have a love for."

Before Blue Stream, Holtzman managed Aqueous and produced merchandise at local outlet Park Avenue Imprints for a wide variety of bands. Also on the Blue Stream team are Ryan Bress, Carolyn Lesniak, and Amy Badger.