Tonight, we've got an interesting split at Buffalo Iron Works: local math-rockers All of Them Witches and The Papers, an indie-folk trio from Chicago. If you haven't heard The Papers, they sing some lovely folk tunes with lush male/female vocal pairings. There's a hint of Broken Social Scene in their Care Less EP, partly because of the way the male/female vocals play out, and partly because of the way the songs start simple and build into dramatic, textured climaxes. It's not easy to build this kind of momentum without losing the sense of intimacy that this kind of music requires, and I'd definitely recommend checking out the album on bandcamp and picking up a copy at the show if it suits your fancy.

If The Papers will melt your heart, then All of Them Witches will melt your face. The duo plays progressive, stop-start math rock that will have you moving long before you can figure out exactly how to count out the beat. It's an interesting pairing, but I think it will be a solid one: All of Them Witches can wind you up, and The Papers can wind you back down.

If you're wondering what The Papers are doing so far from Chicago, here's a clue: recently-returned Buffalo native Matt Script is in the band. We named Script one of our five (or six) acts to watch in 2014 earlier this year, and his solo release, Room For Error, is definitely worth checking out.

Doors open at Buffalo Iron Works at 8 pm, with music starting at 9. Five dollars at the door. Facebook event here for more details.

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

Day 2 of our 12 Days of Christmas series is upon us, and we looked to a Buffalo artist (sort of) for today's tune.  For those keeping note, we turned you on to Matt Script, a Buffalo native turned Chicago resident and his collection of looping folk tunes, this past summer.  Earlier this week, Script released his excellent cover of Lindsey Buckingham's "Holiday Road," a tune best known for its inclusion on the soundtrack to the holiday movie classic and ever quotable National Lapoon's Christmas Vacation.  Script's one man performance features his own looping beats and harmonies as he casually delivers the laid back cover in an even better sweater.