Sinking stages, unicorn men in speedos, everything quesadillas, rage sticks, freefalls, broken lawn chairs... if you were at this year's Camp Bisco, you would understand why it's taken me a week to get this video up. Whether you're a basshead that's only interested in DJ's, or an old school Biscuits fan like myself, chances are you had a pretty fun time. Props to MCP Presents for soldiering through some tough technical difficulties to make sure we saw some music on Saturday. I also have to thank the PR girls for being nice to me even when I was shooting where I wasn't supposed to. Check out the video recap below, and stay tuned for more! Music courtesy of The Manhattan Project, who played an awesome set in the label tent on Thursday.

Editor's note: If you missed any of this week's selections, you can check them out here.
 
Scott Mancuso

Album:  Waxahatchee - Cerulean Salt

As I can only highlight one album, I’m picking Waxahatchee’s Cerulean Salt. I’ve already written extensively about The National, Vampire Weekend, and Deerhunter (all great albums) but so have a lot of other people. Katie Crutchfield’s adorable and nearly flawless album of folk-pop, however, has been written about far less, and for no justifiable reason. I’ve listened to this album countless times this year and never tire of it. It’s simple and catchy and affecting and lovely. Songs like “Misery Over Dispute” show off how brilliantly Crutchfield mixes vulnerability and strength and also her ability to craft a really emotional and unexpected melody. It’s truly no reflection of my opinion of the album that I chose not to write about it at length. I think some albums just don’t lend themselves very well to the level of (over) analysis in which I engage. Parsing the hell out of the earnest sentiments of this album would feel like dissecting a butterfly.

Alaskan rockers and punctuation rebels Portugal. The Man return to Town Ballroom tonight supporting the release of their Danger Mouse produced LP, Evil Friends (review here). Danger Mouse's neo-soul approach seems tailor made for the bluesy falsetto of John Gourley. Their eighth album in seven years, they now boast a more prolific catalog than most bands do in their entire careers, an impressive feat for a relatively young act. Their last visit to the Town Ballroom in April 2012 boasted one of the more inventive light shows I've seen at the venue, with multicolored bulbs enveloping the stage and reaching out above the pit. It's anybody's guess what they have in store for this tour, I can't wait to find out. Skaters opens the show, with doors at 7 and tickets going for $25.

ESI Events and The Tralf have been putting together some great shows lately, tonight being no exception. Connecticut two piece Mates of State stop through Buffalo tonight on their Northeast mini tour. The duo have been hard at work on their new album, the follow up to 2011's Mountaintops, as well as a soundtrack to a feature film that the two will star in, shooting later this year. All of these new developments mean you'll likely be hearing some new material tonight. Joining them will be buffaBLOG favorites Brother Keep and Go Exploring, both of whom released stellar albums this past year. Doors are at 7pm and tickets are $17.

Our spotlight series for this year's Camp Bisco continues with Vacationer. The Philadelphia based four piece has the beach ready, summer vibe you'd expect from a band named Vacationer. Kenny Vasoli has a breathy vocal delivery that floats over light synths and island instrumentals like breeze over sand. Mac mentioned that the vocals reminded him a bit of Grizzly Bear and I agree, I also think the band would make a great co-bill with Dent May. Camp Bisco is heavy on the electronic side, but bands like Vacationer serve as a welcome detox from all the button pushing. If button pushing is your thing though, the band boasts some impressive remixes on their Good As New EP from the likes of Geographer and Data Romance. Every year I discover a hidden treasure in the lineup where I'd least expect it and Vacationer very well may be that band.

If it's been a while since you've been to The Vault, you better remedy that situation soon. At the end of this month, Kevin is hanging it up as the man behind the curtain of one of Buffalo's most prolific upstart galleries. Tonight is a good chance to head down to Main St. to catch Steak & Cake Records having their second Tour Warriors showcase. Katie Preston & Brandon Schlia's collaborative outfit Pleistocene are playing along with Brandon's ever evolving NYBRKFST, a band that plays only one show a year, always with a different lineup. New York indie pop act The Rotaries will be joining them, along with the sunny Americana of The Rochambros. Show starts at 9pm, and it's just $5 at the door.

The Tralf continues their Rebel Tuesdays lineup tonight with 60's garage rock power trio The Tell Tale Signs.  The free admission series has been doing great things for the downtown venue, which has been really stepping up its game with one of the most diverse calendars of the summer concert season. I caught The Tell Tale Signs at Duke's a while back and the show was a riff heavy, energetic blast. Few bands can pull of the tightness of a well rehearsed set while still maintaining the irreverent swagger that makes you want to spray Jim Beam on the crowd, exorcist style. Rebel Tuesdays, as always, features free admission, cheap drinks and an early start(7pm) to cater to the after work crowd. What do you have to lose?

If you think of Duke's as a strictly electronic music venue, you should head down there tonight for a healthy dose of Americana by way of Cabinet. The Scranton based six piece's most recent record, LEAP, was recorded in the studio with a live audience. I had no idea I was listening to a live recording until hearing the applause at the end, which is a testament to what a tight live band they are. They'll be joined by the stomping Americana two piece The Evil Things. Tickets are $8 and doors are at 9pm.

In a surprise announcement today, Camp Bisco revealed that Zeds Dead will be joining the 2013 lineup. The Canadian duo, a collaboration between producers DC and Hooks, have been performing since 2009. No strangers to the Buffalo music scene, the pair have become a touring and festival powerhouse, from their Living Dead tour with rapper Omar Linx to their recent performance at Lollapalooza Chile. Also added to the bill, much to my delight, is drum 'n bass pioneer LTJ Bukem. This addition is sure to please fans who have seen that genre underrepresented at the festival in past years. His Logical Progression series wore out my CD player for a long time, with it's lighter, jazzier approach making for great armchair listening in addition to rattling dance floors. Also added to the bill are Destructo, Samo Sound Boy and Gravity A, bringing together one of the more well rounded lineups Camp Bisco has seen in a while. VIP passes are still available, as well as layaway options, so go ahead and order that second Big Mac, treat yourself!

Duke's gets a little bit of European flavor tonight by way of Om Unit, London's prolific producer and remixer. Known for a vast array of quality remixes for the likes of Daedelus, Shigeto, Fracture and Pixelord, as well as high profile collaborations such as his Dream Continuum project with Machinedrum, Om Unit's repertoire is deliciously promiscuous. His driving, spacial downtempo beats go anywhere from frenetic breakbeat to meditative four on the floor, all while maintaining a melodic flourish that is often absent in modern EDM. With support from Killsound, Mark Kloud and Buzz Trillington, this is a can't miss opportunity, especially for a measly $10. MNM Presents does it again. Doors are at 9pm.

We're now less than two months away from the 12th incarnation of Camp Bisco. While much has been written of this year's headliners (full lineup here), we'll be spending the time from now until July 11th highlighting some of the up and comers on the bill. If you weren't worried about scheduling conflicts before, be prepared to face some tough choices.

With all the hemming and hawing over the new Daft Punk album, it seems only appropriate that we kick things off with a disco act. Chicago based producer Pete Dougherty, a.k.a. Moon Boots, has spent the past few years pumping out upbeat disco jams for Dallas based blog turned House label French Express (yes, that Dallas). His career received a recent boost after his remix of Bondax's "Gold" was featured on The Magician's Magic Tape Thirty. His approach is very mature, like the slick soundtrack to a suit & tie nightclub you shouldn't be allowed in, yet fun enough to remain unpretentious. Check out his newly released single "Love Strong" below, and be sure to catch his set at this year's Camp. Suit & tie not required.

If you have yet to check out the Waiting Room, Buffalo's newest live music venue, tonight is a good opportunity. The newly christened room is hosting a cover free party this evening. DJs Eric and Kelly will be spinning vintage Rock & Soul favorites, while bartender Spicoli serves up some special cocktails from his personal menu. Party starts at 9 pm, and as mentioned before, is a cover free event. DVR whatever crappy show you're into and hit the town.

Tonight, Neitzsche's celebrates the sixth iteration of its ongoing tribute to local music legend Mark Freeland. A veteran of so many bands, highlighting them all here would be more tedious than naming the entire Bonnaroo lineup, Freeland was a tireless artist. His creative genius never reached the heights of fame that he deserved, but his impact on the Buffalo music scene is undeniable. For a scene that is (undeservedly) painted as a cover band wasteland, Freeland swam against the stream. Over 10 bands will pay tribute at Nietzsche's tonight, with a cover of only $5, which will go to benefit the Music is Art Foundation.

"Trap-pop" is not a phrase you'd think would warrant a lot of fanfare, but Detroit based Jamaican Queens make it seem like a revelation on their latest album, Wormfood. Deep, dusty beats accompanied by folksy songwriting which, on tracks like "Wellfleet Outro," manage to straddle a line between melancholy and irreverent. Songs get yanked in every direction by acoustic guitars, boy-girl harmonies and kinetic instrumentals, yet nothing ever feels out of place. This level of unpredictably is often attempted but rarely pulled off as successfully as it is here, even pulling off an unexpected grand crescendo on ballad, "Sharkteeth." They'll be stopping by The Vault tonight with local support from Lesionread and Ay Fast. Doors are at 8pm.

If you're someone who frequents shows in this area, hopefully that means you've had the pleasure of catching a set from Aircraft, undoubtedly one of Buffalo's live music treasures. Tonight, Aircraft makes it official, celebrating the release of their debut full length, Sonic Boom, at The Vault. You may notice some familiar live staples on the album, but I'm particularly fond of the acoustic rework of "Through The Storm." The band has put together a solid bill for the release party, with Steak & Cake 60's pop band The Malones opening, as well as the live debut of Marine Biologist. Also on hand will be Sitler HQ, the folks behind the Night Lights events, providing (obviously) lights for the show. Doors are at 9pm and the entrance fee is $5.

The 12th incarnation of Camp Bisco is already boasting an impressive lineup, featuring performances from Passion Pit, STS9, Squarepusher, Animal Collective, Flux Pavilion, Lotus, Bassnectar, Umphrey's McGee, and much, much more (full lineup here). The ever evolving festival has just released it's second round of artist announcements. Joining the current lineup will be Destroid Live (a live band version of Excision), KJ Sawka & Downlink, Digital Tape Machine (an Umphrey's Mcgee side project), Madeon, Danny Brown, Seven Lions, Bondax, Moon Boots, Perseus, Strip Steve, Autobody, Alpha Data, and Rochester's own Manhattan Project. Manhattan Project are fresh off a hugely successful release party for their Atomic Bomb Party EP, so be sure to drop by their set to show some local support. As is tradition since Camp 10, curated tents will be showcasing talent from various labels, including OWSLA, Skrillex's label, along with BoyzNoise Records. Other curated tents will be hosted by deep house label French Express, as well as a lineup hand selected by electronic music blog This Song is Sick.

The curated tents have been a great way to let concertgoers focus on the acts they are interested in, without alienating other festival attendees. Catering to the fickle tastes of electronic music fans is like navigating a mine field while holding a rattlesnake, so it's nice to see Camp once again staying ahead of the pack as far as making it easy to see what you want. As always, the Disco Biscuits will play six sets throughout the weekend, and seeing as Biscuits shows are becoming fewer and far between, these sets are becoming more and more unmissable.

Tickets are currently available at $185, so get on that shit before the price goes up.

Today, Scrubs alum and all around white guy Zach Braff launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund a new film project titled Wish I Was Here. The $2,000,000 campaign is another in a long line of projects that the popular fundraising website has fostered since it's inception in 2009. The website began as a way for burgeoning artists of all kinds to find financial backing for projects that would otherwise go unnoticed. According to Braff, Wish I Was Here "is the story of Aidan Bloom (played by me) a struggling actor, father and husband, who at 35 is still trying to find his identity, a purpose for his life." Aside from the fact that Braff seems to be utilizing metaphors in the same way this CNN reporter does, it's a signifier of an alarming trend that has become prevalent in our crowd funded culture:

Kickstarter is being abused.

Much like SXSW, which started as a hub for emerging artists to get noticed before eventually being trampled to death by corporate interests yearning for indie credibility, Kickstarter has outgrown it's intended users. Considering the fact that no one pays for music anymore, it's become increasingly difficult for artists to not only make a living, but to even afford the insurmountable costs of producing new material. Buffalo based bands The Tins and Love Scenes have both successfully utilized Kickstarter to fund their most recent albums, producing original, forward thinking material in a town that's known for neither. For every Blissed Out Youth, however, there are countless Wish I Was Here's. A project like Braff's is insulting to up and coming artists because not only has Braff accumulated a significant amount of wealth during the 134 seasons of Scrubs, he's an award winning Director as well. Manic Pixie tendencies aside, the man has established himself in the arts community.

So why is this dangerous? The magnanimous side of me wants to allow fools to part with their money in any way they see fit. What these fools don't realize, however, is that Braff will likely sell his film at Sundance (another trampled indie festival) for well over $2 Million which, thanks to his Kickstarter campaign, will now be 100% profit. Do you still want to part with that $20 you desperately need for quaaludes? Defenders of Kickstarter will claim that this funding approach is an effective way to wipe out studio interference. Established author and Twitter loudmouth Bret Easton Ellis got his Canyons project off the ground and then some with Kickstarter. Their page cites that "we all experienced the frustrations of financing and institutional censorship. But now, with advances in digital photography and distribution, we can tell a story in the manner we choose". It reads like a rallying cry to break the shackles of money influenced ignorance, paving the way for provocative, thought provoking art. After checking out a scene from The Canyons, however, I'm inclined to accept that some scripts aren't meant to be greenlit.

Getting back to music, you can take the abuse of Kickstarter two ways. One: musicians are greedy ass holes, or Two: the state of the music industry is in such dire straits that even established artists can't make ends meet. Kickstarter funded albums seem like a direct result of a post Napster fanbase, unwilling to shell out cash for music. Instead, artists are asking fans to shell out cash they would normally use to buy the album ahead of time, with the promise of a copy given to them upon release (or other, more demeaning promises). This approach seems to make sense, and is proof that there is still a valid use for crowd funded campaigns. If bands can only score a profit by selling their music to Apple commercials, the least their fans can do is assist with their recording process to make that happen. The trouble comes with discerning the noble from the exploitative, it comes down to the user to decide who really deserves their hard earned money.

Speaking of which, this guy is raising funds to fight cancer, so there's that.

If you're looking to kick back with a pint after amassing your Record Store Day booty, Sugar City is presenting a free event down at Essex St. Pub that's worth checking out. A plethora of Buffalo based bands, including Failure's Union, UVB-76, Jack Toft, Handsome Jack, Cages, A Relative Term, and more will be showcasing their music videos with a special screening. The screening will also feature music video premieres from JOHNS and Mallwalkers. The event goes from 9-11, so whether you're still reeling from the fisticuffs you got in with someone over that last Space Wolves cassette, or you've smoked enough weed to realize that you just want to drink without talking to people, make this your stop.