The Library, a college hangout nestled within the AMC theatre plaza in the wholesome town of Amherst, is where we meet. I spot Ryan “Arehouse” Howze walking towards the bar, so I follow behind him. I make my way through a bunch of heavy metal hooligans sporting pink hair and acid-washed jeans and biker bros with mohawks scattered about outside. There seems to be some sort of punk rock show going on next door at The Forvm. I get to the entrance of the bar. “I probably should have just waited in there instead of scoping you out like a creep,” I blurt out. Doh. Why did I just say that? But he’s as much of a nerd as I, so my awkward comment rolls off him as he shrugs. We make our way to the back of the bar to a cozy nook with shelves of novels. The lighting is dim and there’s nobody around.

We settle in and get to it. When Ryan begins speaking about what he loves, you can’t really stop him. It’s all esoteric-sounding to me as he throws out terms about syncopation and rhythm, and I just nod like I know what he’s talking about. I let him continue to talk while I gaze at his stunning visage, bathe in his pensiveness, and get lost in his deep-brown eyes as rose petals fall from the sky and tiny bubbles float in a sea of mist. I wet my pants. Seal’s “Kiss from a Rose” plays and I’m mesmerized. Wait, DJs are totally full of themselves. Snap out of it. Okay so that didn't really happen, but I've had my heart broken by a few musicians. What girl hasn't? Oh yeah, smart girls. But anyway, I digress. Ryan's one of Buffalo's more likeable DJ types. He's not the guido-esque Chip Strip DJ that people are probably use to. He's a music nerd, and an actual nerd. Not the social butterfly you'd expect someone working within the Buffalo bar scene to be. Ryan's modest about his craft, always keeping in mind that there's someone ten steps ahead of him. He immerses himself fully in music, holding down a job at Guitar Center where he “doesn‘t make shit" but he gets to fiddle with instruments all day, so it's cool. He claims he‘s not fashionable, although he did show up to our interview in a very clean cut-looking varsity sweater jacket from JC Penney (tag still on, by the way. Totally nerdy. Also, wearing clothes your mom gets you from JC Penney. Totally nerdy.) I'm done ragging. Really though, Ryan's got his shit together. And I was honored to chat with him about his latest moves.

Jessica Brant: I want to know how you got into the DJ thing. Do you come from a musical family? Did that influence you?
Ryan Howze: Well I always played instruments. I played in bands and stuff when I was in high school. My brother was a DJ at the time (DJ Greg "Twist".) So he introduced me to DJing and showed me how to DJ. But I never had any equipment or anything like that. So a few years later, when I graduated high school, like my first year in college, I met a couple guys at the radio station (at Buffalo State College, 91.3 WBNY), and they were all DJs, and I wanted to get into production. I really didn’t want to start out DJing. I didn’t like it. But I want to produce music, and once I started producing music I wanted to find a way to perform my music. So I figured I’ll just do it because it’ll be easier. And that’s how I fell into it. I just met different people and started playing out.

JB: Were you a theatre geek in high school?
RH: Yeah, I was a band geek and a drama nerd.

JB: What was your favorite play?
RH: I mean we didn’t really do anything that I particularly liked. We did “Bye Bye Birdie.” I was Hugo Peabody. I was a nerdy, self-loathing character. I had to play him and it was really interesting.

JB: So it wasn’t a departure for you?
RH: (Laughs) yeah, yeah…

JB: Do you remember your first set? What was that like?
RH: My first performance was at Merlins (now Blue Monk). I played a local showcase with Frosty Tone. They were guys that did Dubstep and drum and bass shows and I got forty minutes to play. And I was so excited and so nervous at the same time. And…I played my little short set and everybody liked it. I played some of my own music and music that I liked. It was really cool to see people react to what I was playing and people were dancing and having a good time and I was the one that was doing it.

JB: How do you describe your sound? I didn’t think you were really big on Dubstep. At the time, was it the thing to be into?
RH: When I first started playing…Dubstep was not the thing to be into. There was a select group of people who really knew what it was…there was only really one or two parties who played Dubstep, but people didn’t like it…but I fell into a group of people who loved it, Mario Bee and the Frosty Tone crew. I got to see a lot of different UK acts come in and different acts around the country come in and come to buffalo and play and dubstep started to get bigger and bigger. I would even challenge different parties. I played the Communist Party, which was all electro house. I would consider myself, to answer your question, a multi-genre DJ…I like to play all kinds of different genres of music. That’s just how I am. But I did start off only exclusively playing Dubstep…I remember playing with DJ Medison at Tigersapien. We opened for them at Pure Nightclub. Medison and I were going back to back and…we played Dubstep that night and it was kind of a bigger deal that we did it for such a long time and nobody thought it was going to go over well but we didn’t care at that point and it actually went over pretty well.

JB: What the Faaaaaaaaa…Sorry my recorder turned off I think…
Potty Break. Okay back to it…

JB: Who are some of your favorite Buffalo DJs?
RH: Mario Bee, Medison, Brotherbear, of course, Buzz Trillington, Criminal Sounds, who helps me a lot with some of my productions. Universally, Heartbreak and Munchi, those guys really help me out with my Moombahton stuff, my slower stuff.

JB: What’s up with Queen City Cartel (Production company he was a partner in)? Are you still a part of that?
RH: They disbanded. We all just sort of went our own separate ways…it was a fun ride. There’s no hard feelings…

JB: What did you do there?
RH: We would book acts and bring them to buffalo, arrange parties. We had a monthly party that did really well called FRICTION. It was at DBGBs. Honestly, We owe them a ton for what they helped us out with when we were first getting started.

JB: Nice, nice. ::gives weird stare:: You still have the tag on your jacket…
RH: Where?
JB: It’s underneath your armpit.
RH: Aw sick ::Blushes and looks at armpit::

JB: So how do I know when I’m at an Arehouse show? What is unique to you?
RH: I always liked higher energy music, even when I played Dubstep…I love syncopation and polyrhythms and a lot of percussive music, that‘s why I‘m a music nerd. A lot of tribal, kind of ethnic sounds, Latin-influenced stuff.

JB: Okay so tell me more about the Halloween costume idea.
RH: Well since I cut my hair (He rocks a frohawk, fro + mohawk)), there's been this joke that I'm going to be the DJ Green Velvet for Halloween and I think I'm actually going to do it. Green Velvet is this DJ that has a neon green mohawk. Black guy with a mohawk and he wears glasses. He's been to Buffalo twice within the past few years.

JB: Sounds like a male stripper name
RH: People have male stripper names. Basha? That's a male stripper name. (laughs)

JB: What are you working on right now?
RH: There’s a night my brother and I started called “Music Love” and that’s going to be at The Bend (on Allen) every Sat night. People have been asking us for years to play together, and we’ve never played together at the exact same time, back to back or anything, mostly because we use different formats. He plays on CDs or records and I always used a computer…but now we’ve kind of found a secret weapon, a way to mix together, and it works out well. I also host an open mic at the Gypsy Parlor on Grant Street every Tuesday night. I’ve always been a songwriter, try to be a singer…I just kind of wanted to add to what Buffalo already has as far as giving people a place where you can go and just walk in with a guitar and just go play. I just want to help out the music scene and help build that up.

And as the night wrapped up, we said our goodbyes, had a few laughs, and I whipped out his headshot. I wanted him to sign it, so and seal it with a kiss, so I would forever remember this day.

If partying on a boat is on your bucket list, then tonight is your lucky night.  The Queen City Cartel crew is hosting OVERBOARD. For each hour between 6-9, two DJs will be going back-to-back.  A healthy battle, the musicians will be demonstrating their skill work, techniques, and impeccable track selection.  Start dancing once the boat sets sail.   

1st Round: D. Cal vs. Rufus Gibson
2nd Round: Stuntman vs. Mario Bee
3rd Round: Esbie vs. Medison

Tickets are $10 and can be bought before boarding.
Boarding the Miss Buffalo II promptly at 5:30 pm.  Be on time, the boat will leave without you.
Erie Basin Marina (329 Erie Street)
21+

Hold on to your ticket and get into the after-party at The Vault (700 Main Street) for free.
9 pm - 2 am
general admission $3
18+

Check out the event page on Facebook.
Queen City Cartel on Facebook.
@QueenCityCartel
#Overboard

We'd also like to give a thank you to everyone who participated in our Twitter ticket giveaway and a special shout out to the winners!

In and out of Buffalo like she's the main B. Everybody's try to get out and hit the road for that Summer rush. Camp Bisco is this weekend, and NYC is a hotbed every weekend from here until Labor Day. So if the Queen City's got you clogged up, it may be time to cleanse out on the road for a few days. But for those who are staying put and wanna party there's a lot going on. The Harbor shows this weekend are huge attractions, and for those who wanna hit the late-night paths of this fair City this is where it's at.
friday 7/13
saturday 7/14

The Queen City Cartel wants to throw four lucky winners OVERBOARD on Monday, July 16 for their boat party, for free.  All you have to do is follow this link, follow us on Twitter and reply with a tweet that has #QCCoverboard to enter.  Simple as that.  We'll direct message the randomly chosen winners on Friday, July 13th.

Since the event is 21+, you can only enter if you're 21 or older.  Sorry youngins.  

Not only is it 7/16 (get it Buffalo? 716), it's also one of the last events our beloved Cartel is throwing. For more information on the event, click here.  You know you want to.

Do that thing, do that thing, do it! This weekend is gonna be HOT. No, literraly hot. Humans have been known to suffer from convulsions brought on by heat stroke. This can often be confused for dancing. The main solution for this ailment is water, but some times cooling adult beverages can be refreshing as well.  Pelvic thrusting may be resumed after suffering heat stroke, but only after hydration. A couple events are on the radar this weekend for the Dance and Electronica scene, including three weekly events in the Chippewa district that will tickle your fancy.

thursday 6/21
10p-4a
$3/21+ $5/18+
BIG BAD WOLF
252 allen st. Buffalo, NY.
Poppin off again at the BBW this Basscentric night will feature some basment dwellers including DA BUTCHA, SQUINTZ, POTENT J vs. NECKBRACE, MEDISON, and STUNTMAN. Stunt's been talking up his set big on the internets, he's scheduled to go on around 12am followed by Medison.
saturday 6/23
10p-4a
21+
DBGB's
253 allen st. Buffalo, NY
RipRoc invades Buffalo for a mixed night of guest DJs featuring MICSEE, KETO, SKANNTRON, and PAPI CHULO. The later is one of the coolest DJs in the region right now; playing a ton of mixed up party music, and really having a grasp for how the room and party is feeling. Maybe their bringing us an alien message of collaboration from down the Interstate 90.
Also going on this Saturday are two weekly events that may be worth checking out; one thats been going on for a couple of weeks and one just starting up.

The first of which is SWAGGLEROCK on the patio (weather determined) at Social every Saturday night in the summer. Playing their own mix of House, Dubstep, PartyRock and Moombahton. Super-swaggy Social patio is always a hit. 228 franklin st. Buffalo, NY

Next is Pertucci's patio sessions starting up this Saturday at the Buffalo Tap House featuring ANGELO PETRUCCI. Not really sure where the fuck this spot is because I've never been there before. But this House night features weekly special guests, and this week will be PAUL KUENZI and CHUCK ABBOTT. No cover 85 w. chippewa st. Buffalo, NY

Stay cool and smart. The heat can raise both anxiety and apathy, so tip-toe the line and KEEP THE BALANCE. lol. Much love.

It's that time of year again. Buffalo's 55th annual Allentown Art Festival (Saturday and Sunday 11am-6pm) kicks into high gear this weekend and buffaBLOG is going to be on the scene, bouncing between vendors, parties and bars, soaking in the creative atmosphere. I'm sure most of you have been down to the festival before and already know what to expect. For those who haven't, picture a sea of people and art everywhere. Artists will have booths set up on either side of the street where you can purchase art work or just do some heavy browsing. There's food, games and, of course, music. You're bound to see plentiful amounts of drunks, and about 3,000 Golden Retrievers so the people/animal watching will be in full effect as well. Here's a list of some things you might want to check out if you're in the Allentown area. (side note: Many of these artists don't have transferrable soundfiles. Go to the included websites to hear some of their music).


SATURDAY

THE STEAM DONKEY's - DBGB's. Americana lover's unite. For over ten years, the Steam Donkeys have been coloring the rust belt's palette with a fine mix of roots-flavored ballads and lullabies. This afternoon, I suggest you escape the heat and slide into DBGB's, where the Donkey's will be playing a mid-day set. 2pm is the time.

QUEEN CITY CARTEL HOSTS FRICTION - DBGB's. If your thing is electronic music, look no further than DBGB's. The ever popular Queen City Cartel will be hosting one of their Friction dance parties and it looks to be a banger. Derf, Medison, Potent-J and more will be blasting an eclectic mix of Dubstep, D'n'B, House and more. Anybody who knows anything about the EDM scene in Buffalo know's that these nights pop. Party starts at 10pm.

SCOTT CELANI BAND and MORE - Nietzsches. Perhaps the singer-songwriter thing is more your speed. Nietzsches will be the spot if this is the case. At 3:45, Scott Celani and his band hit stage followed by Rick Smith (6:45pm) and Jen Whitemore (8:45pm) and Alasanne Sarr (11:45pm). Probably more of a relaxed atmosphere than DBGB's, it will nevertheless be a great time.


SUNDAY

NEVILLE FRANCIS - DBGB's. Reggae is one of the most underappreciated genre's of music today. It has such a rich history and I feel like it often gets passed by or dismissed. Lately though, Buffalo has seen an upswing in the Reggae scene. Legendary producer Lee "Scratch" Perry recently made his way into town re-charging our collective batteries and wanting more. One man who know's ALL about reggae (He's been doing it here in Buffalo for 15+ years is Neville Francis. I remember seeing Neville (with Riddim Posse?) way back in the late nineties and was floored by his depth of understanding and appreciation for the music. If you want to see what reggae is all about, head to DBGB's around 2pm where Neville will be playing. Chances are you'll gain a newfound respect for the music.

NIETZSCHE's ALLENTOWN MUSIC FEST. All day long Allen's most popular venue will be featuring all different kinds of bands and artists. At 2pm, you have Josh Gage and the Moves. At 4pm, you have Corrections. The ever-popular and long-running McCarthyizm will go onstage at 5pm followed by Shaky Stage (6pm), Randle and the Late Nite Scandals (7pm) and Erie Lackawanna Railroad Band (8pm). Hunker down here and drink yourself silly as you witness the best these parts have to offer.

In the words of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, "water, water, everywhere...," however there will be plenty to drink.  The Queen City Cartel is at it again bringing Buffalo a booze cruise on July 16th with "the QCC is gonna throw you OVERBOARD."  There will be three rounds, each an hour long, in which two DJs will go back-to-back demonstrating their skillful techniques and booming personality.  What could be better than sipping a gin and tonic and groovin' to great music on a boat?  Perhaps that pre-sale tickets are only $8.

Wavy.  Here's what you need to know.

Monday July 16th, 2012
Erie Basin Marina
329 Erie St.
Boarding the Ms. Buffalo II promptly at 5:30 pm, cruising from 6 pm - 9 pm
21+
Rain or shine- no refunds

Buy your tickets here or stop by Headspace (67 Elmwood Avenue) to scoop physical tickets.

Round 1:  D.Cal vs. Rufus Gibson
Round 2.  Stuntman vs. Mario Bee
Round 3:  Esbie vs. Medison

There will also be a free 18+ after party at The Vault (700 Main Street) from 9 pm - 2 am.

More information on the Facebook event page.

Get nautical.
@QueenCityCartel
#Overboard

Slight tension could be felt as a group gathered around a stack of colorful boxes. A man walked around, strategically observing for the box of his choosing. The wheels of skateboards rolling and being kicked up could be heard along with the soon tumbling of the cardboard boxes during the life-size game of Jenga provided by vitaminwater, a participating sponsor. Maybe it brought the memory of simple joy; visiting grandparents, playing with the little wooden bricks sitting around the table waiting patiently for the home cooked meat sauce to be served.

Youthful reincarnation occurred on Saturday, May 26th. It was a day to be free from the stresses of the daily grind and the minuscule problems that add up - leaving you walking through your front door only to throw your keys on the table with a sigh. It was a relief to play childhood games and greet smiling friends as the sun seered the black pavement of Allen Street in Buffalo, New York.

The day began with an air of excitement. Field day: a progressive event for Buffalo. An all day festival on Allen where three participating bars were occupied by local talent and the street was closed off for activities, vendors and meandering festival goers to soak in the summer sun.

The Buffalo collective of artists and thinkers, Toats Orig, had their infamous bright pink banner with white lettering hanging beneath a tent. DJs rotated turns, providing music for the people outside; Miosi and DJ Mario Bee followed by half of the HXLY duo, Kyle Tatum, with a set that ended oddly abruptly.  A wooden board was propped where paint markers of pink, blue and black were tied by strings and with encouragement from the crew, drawings and tags compiled throughout the event. Krudmart, a street wear boutique, had a table next to them lined with original designs on their fitted hats and shirts. A couple guys, including Toats Orig's Mic Excel, free styled for the girls playing hopscotch and the early birds in sunglasses who were posted on the patios.

The beginning, although slow, began to fill up when the streets reopened and performances were limited to the participating venues: the Bend, Sample and Dukes Bohemian Grove Bar.

The VIP area, held in Hardware, was limited for the select bunch.  DJ Owski and SunGlasses Mike took turns playing house music for the room, their equipment propped up on a table tagged with the iconic Red Bull label.  Saranac bottles chilled in a bucket of ice, beckoning the thirsty intimate group while the representative of the sponsor was sure to go around to each person in the room recommending flavors of beer.  "Try the Blueberry Blonde Ale," he said to me while motioning to the table that was also scattered with stacked Red Bull cans.  Rainbow colored lights were projected onto a traditional looking area rug, although hardly visible from the beaming sunlight that was shining in from Allen Street.  


Sines played at The Bend while Pickster One and Melo performed at Dukes. Sines set was hood bass and although the sound system at The Bend wasn't perfect, it still had me leaning hard as the female voice of his drop moaned through the bar, "oh my god...Sines."  Orgasmic calls subliminally seeped and had the tight crowd that surrounded his set moving their hips just a little more freely.

Jon Kwest played an incredible moombahton set at Duke's, never faltering in concentration.  The bass was an immaculate strength of heavy, vibrating through the floor and firing everyone to move.  Across the bar I heard the high-pitched vocals cry out "you can't have my love," and ecstatically ran to the floor.  His remix of Treasure Fingers' "It's Love" was an obsession of mine for months so getting to hear him play it out live was exhilarating.  When David Heartbreak took over, the floor was already decently packed and steadily filled during his set.  Some usual Allentown dwellers that weren't aware of the event piled in as well, pleasantly surprised at the hustle and bustle of the bar.

Heartbreak's set was strong and no one left the floor even with many sweaty bodies squeezing through and shuffling as close to the specially crafted stage as possible.  As he finished up his set, the major headlining artist on the bill was preparing to go on.  Munchi: Netherlands native, moombahton master and DJ turned up the already hazy and humid room.  The lucky bunch that got to stand close to the subwoofers could feel small cooling gusts of air on their legs and regardless of the heat, no one stopped vibing out.  Steve Rittner, head honcho of Queen City Cartel and master-planner for the event, gave a special thank you to Munchi when his set concluded then opened the stage for Cobra Krames.  My ears perked up for his opening track, his own remix of "Bam Bam" by Sister Nancy.  The rest of his set was ideal for booty clapping with Diplo's "Express Yourself" and his original song "Bend Your Back."

After stepping out of my cab with the sun coming up just over the horizon, I walked into my room, collapsed onto my bed and muttered to myself "...field day."  Sore legs from dancing, a little bit of a tan and some great memories made, Field Day 2012 was most definitely a success.  The Queen City Cartel did it big.     

          

Today is the day!  Grab your bubbles, chalk, sunglasses and hula hoops and get ready for the perfect kick-off event for Buffalo summer 2012.  It's Field Day - the celebration of community, friends, good weather and music.  

Missed any of our artist spotlights for tonight's headliners?
Check em' out here then head over to Allen.

Pickster One & Melo
Sines
Cobra Krames
Jon Kwest
David Heartbreak
Munchi

In addition the huge names that will be gracing our presence, today is a perfect opprotunity to get out and celebrate local musicians.  Come support local friends as they perform all day leading up to the headlining shows.  DJs include...
3PO • Asid • AreHouse • Bace:Face • Bear Skin Rug • Bigski • Brother Bear • Business Casual • Cutler • D.Cal • Derf • Emjay Biggz • Esbie • Gross National Product • Jarvis • LoPro • Loki • Looney Tunes • MicSee • Mike Parker • Miosi • Mixmaster Bates • Nique • Optimus Prime • Owski • Papi Chulo • Rufus Gibson • SGM • Skanntron • Stuntman • SwaggleRock • TrakBenders • Universal

To remind you, blocks will be closed off between College Street and Wadsworth Street until 8pm, then shows will be limited to the venues Duke's, The Bend, and Sample.

Let's crack open a cold one and kick back in the sunshine. Cheers!

Here's the Facebook event page for further information.
@QueenCityCartel 
#FieldDay

Heartbreak on Facebook and Twitter.


Beautifully composed, both the instrumentals and vocals speak for themselves.



An original moombahton with Bhangra influences (a genre of Punjabi music.)





David Heartbreak will be performing on Saturday May 26th, for Field Day presented by the Queen City Cartel with support from New Era and vitaminwater.  Allen Street will be closed off and Duke's, The Bend, and Sample will be participating in the day-to-night festivities.  There will be six headlining performances with support from over 30 of our local artists.  From 2pm-4am this is most definitely not an event to miss.  Keep up with our coverage, we'll be featuring our final spotlight tomorrow.

For more information check out buffalofieldday.com and the Facebook event page.

I heard his remix of "Warning" by Uncle Murda when he played at Soundlab and nearly lost my mind.



And a little taste of B-more club, his remix of French Montana's "Shot Caller."





Jon Kwest will be performing on Saturday May 26th, for Field Day presented by the Queen City Cartel with support from New Era and vitaminwater.  Allen Street will be closed off and Duke's, The Bend, and Sample will be participating in the day-to-night festivities.  There will be six headlining performances with support from over 30 of our local artists.  From 2pm-4am this is most definitely not an event to miss.  Keep up with our coverage, we'll be featuring a spotlight each day per headliner.

For more information check out buffalofieldday.com and the Facebook event page.

If you've been just as obsessed as I have with Diplo's "Express Yourself," then you'll love Krames' remix with Yamez.  It's his own hyped up remix cocktail with a twist of breakbeats.  Turn it up and twerk it.
 
Cobra Krames will be performing on Saturday May 26th, for Field Day presented by the Queen City Cartel with support from New Era and vitaminwater.  Allen Street will be closed off and Duke's, The Bend, and Sample will be participating in the day-to-night festivities.  There will be six headlining performances with support from over 30 of our local artists.  From 2pm-4am this is most definitely not an event to miss.  Keep up with our coverage, we'll be featuring a spotlight each day per headliner.

For more information check out buffalofieldday.com and the Facebook event page.

Southern trap bass with deliciously hypnotic chopped and screwed vocals, Sines (Leroy Bella) has got it. Straight out of Houston, Texas, the areas cultural influences have inspired his dirty South dripping tracks released on multiple labels including Ministry of Sound, Echodub, L25, Formant (a dubstep label he established himself) and others.  His own label, Freshmore caters to a variety of bass music.  The label's blog is aesthetically pleasing for the urban eye; images of french inhales, fanned out hundos, videos, mixes and street fashion and art can be seen when scrolling through, along with the Buffalo Field Day flyer.  The feel is exactly how his tunes sound; grinding, sexy and powerful with a dark vibe.


He is also a part of the Gritsy crew.  Gritsy, Houston's popular dubstep and bass music movement, brought dubstep to the city in 2006.  Professionally produced videos of their parties with headlining artists such as Excision, Rusko and 12th Planet are exhilarating to watch.  Last summer Sines dropped our very own Stuntman's tune "Get Low" at a summertime Gritsy show; he'll also be opening for Sines on Saturday.  It's clear Houston goes hard but I'm sure Sines will be pleased with Buffalo's loving dedication to our city's music scene and our own crew, the Queen City Cartel.

Sines on Facebook and Twitter.






A Gritsy party...

Sines will be performing on Saturday May 26th, for Field Day presented by the Queen City Cartel with support from New Era and vitaminwater.  Allen Street will be closed off and Duke's, The Bend, and Sample will be participating in the day-to-night festivities.  There will be six headlining performances with support from over 30 of our local artists.  From 2pm-4am this is most definitely not an event to miss.  Keep up with our coverage, we'll be featuring a spotlight each day per headliner.

For more information check out buffalofieldday.com and the Facebook event page.

On Saturday May 26th, the Queen City Cartel with New Era and vitaminwater present to Buffalo, Field Day.  Allen Street will be closed off and Duke's, The Bend, and Sample will be participating in the day-to-night festivities.  There will be six headlining performances with support from over 30 of our local artists.  2pm-4am this is most definitely not an event to miss.  Keep up with our coverage, we'll be featuring a spotlight each day per headliner.

For more information check out buffalofieldday.com and the Facebook event page.



His inspiration for his career in music began the moment he picked up LL Cool J's album Radio and eventually came full circle when his moombahton/hip-hop remix of "NFL Horns" was chosen by LL Cool J to produce "Super Baller." Arizona based DJ and producer Pickster One, otherwise known as Dusty Hickman, began his career in 1998, establishing support from artists Diplo, Nadastrom and fellow Field Day performers Munchi and Heartbreak. 

In addition to earning his degree in the culinary arts at Le Cordon Bleu in Arizona, he's been inducted into the Furious Styles Crew (FSC), he's performed at a number of major festivals, and has created some very successful side projects.  He helped develop the first turntable band when he created Morse Code and in 2007, he began a side project called Crusher Sound System. Perhaps you've been downtown to see Roboroc at Noir Ultra Lounge? Although progressive for Buffalo, a DJ incorporating live instruments into a set has been around for a while and is exactly what Pickster One was doing with CSS.  Resident DJ at the longest running Arizona hip-hop club night and 20 full length mixes later, Pickster one will perform in Buffalo with Melo, a DJ he's done a fair amount of collaborative work with.

Melo (Jorge Melo) is an award winning DJ and a member of the Muzik Junkies Remix Squad.  A veteran to the Phoenix club scene, he has had such an impact in the moombahton movement that he helped land two Arizona clubs, Jackson's on 3rd and Karma Nightclub, with the "Best of" title in the Phoenix New Times.  Being chosen by Dave Nada, the originator of moombahton, shows his standing in the scene, he was among the selected artists for "Blow Your Head - Dave Nada presents Moombahton," a compilation mini-mix that's released by Mad Decent. 

Pickster One on Twitter
DJ Melo on Twitter

The Queen City Cartel has been having their monthly event "Friction" for over two years now.  This month they're teaming up with DeepThinka Records (DTR45) to host a special hip-hop event.

Tonight at Duke's Bohemian Grove Bar (253 Allen Street)
10pm-4am $5 cover at the door 21+

Headlining the night is Billy Drease Williams, a local hip-hop emcee and producer.  He began his career in a group called The Elements alongside Soulive members Alan and Neal Evans.  Eventually five tracks from his duo group Raw Intel were featured on the ESPN NFL 25K video game.  A man of many trades, he has also opened Gallery 51, an art gallery in Buffalo.

Other performances include DJ Cutler, Kinda Like Dreamin', DJ Sandpaper, and Natural Ingredients.

Check out the Facebook page for more information.