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.
Alex Berkley & the Atlanta Falcons
It has been about 5 years since the Falcons last played live as a couple Mohawk Place dates and a Merlin's show was pretty much it for the band. Comprised of singer/songwriter Alex Berkley, Sonny Baker (Wooden Waves, Lazlo Holyfeld, A Hotel Nourishing), and Billy Fulton (Wooden Waves, Aye Karou, Besnyo), the trio has been teasing a return for about a year now, a return that looks to finally happen early this year. The band's sets look to include some fleshed out cuts of Berkley's solo work, in addition to some original songs. I never caught the Falcons on their first run, but I have always compared Berkley's work to some stripped down Weakerthans, so that could give some hint of their sound. Fun fact: the Falcons will make their 2014 debut this coming Saturday in Spiral Scratch's basement, so make sure to stop over to see what the buzz is all about. - MPM
Chauncey Tails
We first got word of the Gowanda export late last fall. His blend of lo-fi R&B meets west coast grime was a fresh change of pace to the Buffalo producer scene. Outside of a sneaky set at the Squeaky Wheels holiday party at the Foundry last month, Chauncey is still a mystery to most of Buffalo. We think that 2014 is the year where that changes. Word is that Chauncey is working on a collaboration with Jack Toft, one of the musicians that owned the Buffalo music scene in 2013, so keep an eye out for this very intriguing project. - MPM
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
Honorable Mention
Radarada
Ok, I know we said 5 acts so this is cheating a bit, but Radarada has me intrigued. The hip hop act, which features blog fav Tommy Too as co-MC, has a full fledged backing band, recalling the Roots, Breakestra, and early Gym Class Heroes. The group has nothing to speak of in terms of recorded material, in fact, the only clip of them is a pretty crude Youtube video (watch here) that I hope does not do the band justice. They seem to be developing a bit of a residency at Hardware, in addition to gigs at Duke's, Goodbar, and the Gypsy Parlor, so there will be plenty of opportunities to catch them live this year. Word is they are working on some debut recorded material for early 2014, so keep an eye out. - MPM
~ Header Photo by Ethan Calabrese
