A hybrid of experimental electronic and offbeat performance art, Lesionread has just released her new EP. Dogs was released in two parts, the first containing Lesionread's avant-electronic at its finest, and Pt. 2 being a collection of jumbled and contorted love songs. The EP will be for sale at the show in the form of a Lesionread flash drive. Dogs is a perfect showcase for Lesionread's successful marriage of soul gripping vocals and playful, violent electronic chaos.

Dogs Pt 1 heads off with the track "If/Then/Therefore" which is the most inspiring song I've heard in a long time. Lesionread shows determination in the face of opposition and disbelief, and kicks snow at it. This one will bobble around your head for quite a while, perhaps motivating you to step out of your boundaries and pursue your dreams. The track "Snowball Fight!" has a backbone comprised of dancy- brainwave, and stands strong as the EP's only instrumental.

Dogs Pt 2 may be the most accurate aural representation of the actual experience of love that I've ever heard. The highs, lows, excitement, confusion and anxiety are all present. On SoundCloud, lyrics are available for all of the songs except the one titled, "I Want to Fall in Love." Instead, the curious party is privy to this interesting message:  "(YOU WISH YOU COULD READ THESE LYRICS BUT NO THEY ARE PERSONAL I'M NOT GUNNA TYPE EM UP ON BANDCAMP."

This statement could be in place for nearly all of the tracks, as many of Lesionread's lyrics come across as the innocent, slightly awkward mental narrations of a torn lover with a shredded heart. You can connect with the songs on a basic human level, even as the instrumentation glitches around you like a bad tape, teasing at different strains while consistently remaining danceable. If Aphex Twin had a kid cousin who was a soulful singer, the music would sound sort of like this.

Tonight's performance (hint: click hyperlink for more info) consists of Lesionread, UVB-76, Kristachuwan, and Copy Manager, and promises to be a mind bending adventure the likes of which may never be reproduced. Lesionread is constantly topping her strange live performances which are thrashing wild and unpredictable. Past shows have contained props, lights, silly string, projectors, and audience interaction. If you walk through the door, you'd better be prepared to play. Come out to the show tonight and expect nothing less but to leave with a lust for enjoyable insanity.

Entrance is free, with a recommendation to donate or support the artists by purchasing their work.

The holiday hangover is starting to wear off here in Buffalo and it seems people are ready to for a new year in local music. In 2013, acts like the Malones, Jack Toft, Forealists, Mallwalkers, and Del Paxton helped to define the year in music. As for this year, we have a few acts in mind that could be making some waves. Here are our predications for the top acts you will be talking about in 2014.



Copy Manager
Former Cheesecats front woman, Copy Manager, has emerged from the band’s death  as a standout star with the capability of becoming a name in the Buffalo music scene. Although not as cutesy as Cheesecats and a hell of a lot more sardonic, Copy Manager maintains her previous works catchiness and adorability. With her debut solo full-length dropping this past December, Copy Manager is already recording another album anticipated for early Spring. If you haven’t heard Copy Manager’s lo-fi, organ-driven, brittle, Karen O-y songs about mistrust and heartache, now is about time. Catch her first solo set at Steak and Cake’s three year anniversary party on February 15th. - MJM


Zealot 
Post-punk trio, Zealot, is the youngest band on our top bands to watch in 2014. With just one recorded song (“Magic Eye”), their debut was so eye-opening and attention-demanding that editor Mac McGuire proudly deemed the band one of the best discoveries of 2013. As a freshman band, Zealot has a lot of growing to do (promotion + release wise), but like most promising bands, they will get there eventually. Fans of local talents Mapmaker, Del Paxton or Wooden Waves should take note, and fans of national acts like No Age, Japandroids, or Cloud Nothings should take a chance. - MJM

Matt Script
Returning home after a stint in Chicago, Buffalo native Matt Script might not be a name that rings a bell but I’m sure you’ll hear about him very soon. Whether this multi-instrumentalist brings his full- band compositions or his solo looped songs, Script will without a doubt jump head first into Buffalo’s scene. His music can best be described as Matt Pond’s earnestness with Blood Orange’s range, topped by Will Scheff’s sensibilities and Strokes appeal. I have a feeling Matt Script with a full-band could fill that Malones void that Buffalo is craving. - MJM