Showing posts with label joywave. Show all posts
Showing posts with label joywave. Show all posts


Joywave Releases Latest EP, How Do You Feel?


When Rochester's Joywave asks "how do you feel?," they really want to know. Using an interactive online concept where listeners can hashtag both the band name and song title to express in words what the song made them see, the band created an evolving stream of images to go with the four song EP that dropped yesterday. "Happy visualizing" is how the band puts it, and when you combine the visual and the audio, it makes for a listening experience that forces you to focus on the music, instead of the things you do when you should be actively listening to an album.

Streaming an album online usually means that the album is one of 20 open tabs you're kinda, sorta focused on while you update your Twitter bio and lurk your ex on Instagram and finally get around to paying that parking ticket you got six weeks ago, but this one forces the music into the foreground and it makes for a fresh listening and viewing experience. The album is only a day old, and already there are flashing images and words of the visions it evokes on the internet. To quote Jay and Ye, that shit cray.

The album, for all its brevity, is bountiful with sound. The first single, "In Clover," was released earlier this month and is the club/getting ready to go to the club jam you didn't know you needed in your life until it was there. It's electronica in the best way possible: slinky, synthy, and just a little bit arrogant, and while it gives "Tongues," a killer KOPPS-featured track some serious competition for best dance song, it's the crashing, smashing drumbeats that "Tongues" opens with that make it the winning song. It's one of those rare songs where you know there are words, but it doesn't matter what they are because you're too busy stomping the yard to even hear them. Shamelessly dancing in my car is a daily activity, and this song is my new favorite one to get down to on the commute to work.

Overall, the Cultco released album is a banger. Literally. SO many drums. Like, layers and layers of drums and bass and cymbals and I know I've said this about Joywave albums before, but their music is the exact soundtrack Patrick Bateman would play to kill an unsuspecting hooker in a ritzy Manhattan apartment. It's that 80s electropop vibe that keeps me wanting more from these guys, who, by the way, are currently holding it down at SXSW. You can stream the entire How Do You Feel EP below.











buffaBLOG Road Trip: Joywave EP Listening Party



Looking for the perfect track to play 10 times in a row while getting ready to go out with your friends? Joywave's new single, "In Clover," is it. Super saturated in electronica, major lazer tag vibes, and drums that are probably made out of giant Diet Coke cans, it's a hype-y, dance-y, shake ya ass (but watch yourself) track that I cannot stop listening to.

Before the Rochester-based band head west for SXSW, you should head to Bug Jar tonight for their last pre-tour show. Featuring KOPPS, FOWLS, and Hawker M. James, the $10/12 at the door show is worth every cent. Doors are at 8/music at 9 (BJT aka Bug Jar Time). Stay late as the band will be previewing "In Clover" as well as the rest of their new EP, How Do You Feel, following the night's performances

Buffalo friends and fans, make the short drive to the 585 and catch this show.






buffaBLOG's Top 10 Rochester Tracks of 2013


Last year, we said a major goal of ours would be to further immerse ourselves into the Rochester music scene. Our homework included picking through bandcamp on a daily basis, making the occasional trip east to catch a live show, and talking with Rochester acts about the scene, which like Buffalo, seems to be full of great up and coming acts. After some careful consideration, we have proudly put together our list of the top ten tracks to come out of Rochester in 2013. Take a look below. Let us know what you think, what we may have missed, and what Rochester bands should be on our radar as 2014 quickly approaches.

10) The Huckleberry Fins - "Wild Blue Yonder"
Starting off buffaBLOG's now annual top ten countdown for Rochester is the instrumental, surf trio, The Huckleberry Fins. "Wild Blue Yonder" immidiately impressed us, with its teasing intro and beach-y guitar that evolves into an almost French Kiss (label that features bands such as Les Savy Fav, and S PRCSS) flavored reprise. This song could easily be dubbed in a getaway chase scene for the next Quentin Tarentino film. With just one song recorded in 2013, could 2014 be the year of the Huckleberry Fins? - MJM



9) Skirts - "Death of the Author"
2013 was an interesting year for Skirts. First, a distinguished author claimed copyright infringement on their former band name, Meanagers, threatening legal action if they did not change it. Secondly, they were signed to upstart Rochester label, Dadstache Records. At some point they also went from a three to a five piece. Since then, the band has recorded and released a slew of songs, most notably the upbeat garage track, "Death of the Author." Skirts is fronted by Hayden Ford, whose vocals and song writing style is something worth your attention. We're definitely looking forward to more songs and perhaps even more members in 2014. - MJM 



8) Cottage Jefferson - "Follow Through"
I must admit, I was a little late on the Cottage Jefferson train. If it wasn't for my lack of an auxiliary input, a six state road trip, and 30 blank CD-Rs, I may have never given I Don't Believe Anything's ten songs the time or attention they deserve. "Follow Through" is a three minute even, self-reflective, bare bones mellowed out indie rock tune complete with jangly guitars, introspective lyrics, and a line that will drive your family mad for roughly 18 hours ("Michael, what do you mean all you need is a follow through?"). Fans of Spoon's accessibility with Dylan Baldi's (Cloud Nothings) delivery would love Cottage Jefferson.  - MJM

Listen to "Follow Through" here.
 
7) Crushes - "Love Is Lost"
2013 saw the debut of Crushes, a synth-pop duo comprised of Buffalo born vocalist Laura "LuLu" Robinson and producer David McGinnis aka David Lee Rad. The pair's single "Love is Lost" is a cut of tense, electro pop led by Robinson's sultry vocals, and a track that could easily have been placed onto the Drive soundtrack without thinking twice. The song's dark, late night vibe makes comparisons to Chromatics almost too easy. Fans of Niki & the Dove or the Italians Do It Better cast of synth driven acts would be best served to take note of Crushes. - MPM




6) Keeler - "Shoot The Jay"
Keeler's debut autumnal release, Too Old to Believe in Ghosts, is, pound for pound, one of the most impressive releases out of Rochester in 2013. TOTBIG's explosive first track, "Shoot The Jay," packs a punch with glory era emo composition coupled with lead singer, Sam LiButti's, manically gripping vocals. "Shoot The Jay" encompasses that fall feeling' everything is dying, 98% of things suck, and it's really cold out (comparatively to summer). There's probably some grim metaphor in there I am not reading enough into. Regardless, fans of Cap' n Jazz, Algernon Cadwallader, or Their They're There would love Keeler's lo-fi combo of grizzled innocence and visceral shout-singing. - MJM



5) High Drags - "The Bad Ones" (ft. Edgar Sandoval)
Brother/Sister duo, High Drags (James & Marissa Longstreet), is not a newcomer to the Rochester scene. Although now half of the project lives in LA, High Drags has found time to release a three song Valentine's Day EP titled The V-Mixtape. The song that resonated with us the most was the EP's second track, "The Bad Ones," which begins with some rambling about hitchhiking to University with mere pennies, and then proceeds to tell the fictitious (?) love story of Dylan and Francis. "The Bad Ones" features Marissa's whisperingly sweet vocals along with James' strolling electro-pop backing and making this track a definite for the Rochester top ten. Fans of a distortionless Sleigh Bells or even Lily Allen would dig this. - MJM



4) Seaplanes - "Lip Gloss"
We frequently refer to bandcamp as the blog's best friend as we find tons of the new regional music that makes up so much of our daily content via the music streaming site. "Lip Gloss," the first recorded song from the new wavy rock group Sea Planes, hit the site early last spring, and immediately left us longing for the summer vibes bursting from the sunny single. "Lip Gloss" employs laid back first wave British Invasion type vocals and a sugary melody filled with fuzzy riffs reminiscent of a Los Campesinos! that remembered to take their ritalin. Fans of Rouge Wave, Grandaddy, and the Weakerthans should keep an eye on the four piece as we expect big things in 2014. - MPM



3) People Can Be More Awesome - "Cleaner Than Before"
Rochester’s People Can Be More Awesome really impressed us with “Cleaner than Before.”  The song has infectious layering highlighting the band’s knack for both genuineness and descriptors. “Cleaner than Before” is a drum machine backed indie tune (think Front Bottoms meets Motion City Soundtrack) that, on the surface, seems to focus mostly on partying and having a good time. But, this six-piece is hiding a secret romanticism and are actually more enamored with the potential of falling in love than the party itself. Recorded at Redbooth Recordings with Brian Moore, the sextet only has a couple of songs to date, but with “Cleaner than Before,” the band has proven to have a talent for writing songs that linger in your ears. - MJM



2) Taking Meds - "Jim Jones"
Originating as the side project for 3/5ths of Rochester punkers, Such Gold, Taking Meds made their internet debut last January with a three-song sampler aptly titled Demo. Taking Meds is not as aggressive as Such Gold, sounding more reminiscent of late 90s/early 2000s acts like Hey Mercedes, Hot Rod Circuit, and other earnest sounding indie-leaning, early emo acts. “Jim Jones” is a curt 1 minute and 50 second angular guitar laden jam that has all the things we love in a song: a title about a cult leader, killer hooks, punchy vocals, and the ability to somehow find itself played 42 times on iTUNES. - MJM



1) JOYWAVE - "Tongues" (ft. Patricia Petrone of KOPPS)
Without a doubt the best song in both catchiness and popularity is “Tongues,” by Rochester’s JOYWAVE. “Tongues” dominated Hype Machine’s top internet countdown multiple times, was remixed by electro-Midas’ RCA and was even featured on Sirius XMU. This alone is a remarkable feat that I’m almost positive, based on zero research, no other Western NY band has accomplished this year. The track starts out with KOPPS’ Patricia Petrone sampled “Boo Da Dum Dum Bah OOMP” quickly going into lead singer Daniel Armbruster’s falsetto narrative about his whirlwind weekends with Rochester artists, musicians, and mostly dreamers. With word on the street JOYWAVE has new material in 2014, could it be possible that the band dominates next years’ top ten for the third time? - MJM



Album of the Week: Joywave - 88888


The latest mixtape from Rochester indie pop band Joywave re-imagines their debut EP, Koda Vista, using their early recordings as the basis for their ambitious expansion of their excellent sound. 88888 is all over the place in terms of influences. "Facility" brings together experimental pop production with hip hop, featuring a verse from Atlanta rapper STS that serves as another example of the versatility that both artists possess as the lines between genres continue to be blurred. 

The bright synth jam "All I Want" brings to mind 80's pop as well as more contemporary electronic artists like M83 and Hot Chip. Frontman Daniel Armbruster's charismatic vocals are on full display on the dark, sample-warping "London." The atmospheric track is a clear standout on the mixtape and shows off the band's ability to create memorable hooks out of some seriously progressive sounding samples. 

"Waterbed" is an ethereal pop gem and one of the smoothest tracks the band has put out to date. The blissful soundscape serves as a nearly 5 minute period of sonic reflection among this busy collection of pop highlights. 

Released as a single earlier this month, "Tongues" features fellow Rochester act KOPPS and is a jittery, uptempo jam featuring the band's signature vocal warping to create one of the more memorable hooks of the mixtape. On "Ray Lewis (Slappers Only)" rapper STS delivers another verse set to a hazy track with crass, hard hitting drums and features a sample of one the former Ravens linebacker's infamous passionate rants. 

No matter how hard it may seem to be classify at times, Joywave are undoubtedly onto something in their experimentation that brings together instant gratification of pop music with the sonically adventurous aspect of electronic music. Blending elements of hip hop and dance music with strong songwriting allows for the most affecting aspects of each style to feed off of each other. 88888 unveils new ways in which the disparate influences come together with each listen giving us a glimpse into a world of forward thinking pop music where the unlikeliest of sounds coexist under one vision. 






Joywave Preps Latest Mixtape, Releases "Tongues"


Fresh off playing a barn burner set at our third birthday party at the end of last month, Rochester's Joywave is readying the release of it's latest mixtape, titled 88888. The first leaked track, "Tongues," which features frequent Joywave collaborators and fellow Rochester residents KOPPS, may be the group's most infectious dance tune to date. Kicking off with jittery vocal contributions from KOPPS' siren Patricia Petrone, star-in-the-making Daniel Armbruster gives the track a touch of soul as a tense beat leads to the anthemic chorus. The song is bookended by percussion that ranges from marching band to even afro beat, resulting in a pop music gem.  88888 will be released on April 15th.





Tonight: buffaBLOG 3rd Birthday Party


We have pestered you enough this week so I will spare everyone and keep this short. Tonight, we close the books on year three of buffaBLOG as we celebrate our birthday party at Duke's. We have been helping you get to know all of our birthday party acts all week long, but in case you missed any of the spotlights on Cinnamon Aluminum, Merchants, Joywave, Young Suns, or our house DJ for the evening Space Wolves, well, thats what the hyperlinks are for.

Music kicks off tonight at 10pm sharp so don't be late.  $5 is all it will cost you to party all night.





buffaBLOG 3rd Birthday Artist Spotlight: Joywave


Rochester indie pop band Joywave’s smooth dance jams bring to mind the sounds of 80’s synthpop with bright vocal production and catchy hooks. Fans of acts like Hot Chip and Cut Copy will appreciate the quintet’s songwriting that combines both sampling and original composition and draws from a wide array of pop influences. This Saturday, the band will bring their shimmering synth heavy sound to the dance floor of Dukes’s for buffaBLOG’s 3rd Birthday Party.

Their first single “Golden Gate,” released in 2011, is nothing less than dance pop bliss and features one of the band’s most memorable choruses. In March of 2012, they released their debut EP, Koda Vista which draws inspiration from the presence of the Eastman Kodak company in the band’s hometown of Rochester. This April, Joywave are set to release their mixtape entitled 88888 and if the track’s “All I Want” and “London” from the group’s soundcloud page are any indication, their sound is still evolving while maintaining it’s strong pop sensibility and shimmering dance aesthetic. The band is set to go on around 12:30am on Saturday which is only appropriate as their smooth nocturnal jams are sure to elevate the energy level at what is sure to be another celebration of our fantastic local artists at Duke’s. 




Just Announced: buffaBLOG 3rd Birthday Party


Nearly three years to the day of our very first blog post, and what an epic post it was, we here at buffaBLOG are gearing up to celebrate another great year in the books.  To commemorate our three year anniversary, we will be throwing ourselves a birthday party at Duke's (253 Allen St.) on Saturday, March 30th.  Like all of our past shindigs, we have put together an impressive bill of musical acts,  showcasing some of the best bands the Western New York area has to offer.  This year's bill includes sets from Cinnamon Aluminum, Merchants, Joywave (Rochester), Young Suns, along with Space Wolves (DJ Sets).  The fun kicks off at 10pm, with a cover of $5.  We look forward to you joining everyone at the blog for this celebration.

P.S. Make sure to check back in on the blog the week leading up to the show for a special spotlight on each of our performing acts.






Joywave Frontman Debuts Internet Cream Dream



Big Data is catchy. The project consists of Rochester's Daniel Armbruster (JOYWAVE, The Hoodies) and the very talented producer Alan Wilkis of Brooklyn. Wilkis is best known for remixing some of the top up-and-coming buzz acts of the era, including Phantogram, Yeasayer, and The Temper Trap. The first single the duo leaked earlier in the week, "The Stroke of Return," could easily be an unreleased Hot Chip track, but the two make this song totally their own. The track has already made it big-time in the blogosphere, debuting on Hype Machine's most popular countdown this week. Just remember when you hear this song licensed for a party scene in season 3 of Girls, you heard it here first (or on Hype Machine if you were ahead of the curve).



michael moretti


Tonight: Joywave


With less than 24 hours until the plug is pulled on Mohawk Place for good, many of Mohawk's local staples and up and coming national acts are going to need a new home.  One of the venues in Buffalo that has already taken advantage of this opportunity is Duke's on Allen.  The bar has transitioned away from their mostly electronic acts to a wide variety of genres, and in turn, has really taken off.  

Tonight, the bar hosts one of their better bills yet as they welcome Rochester's electro pop act Joywave to Allen Town.  We just recently named their track "True Grit" our favorite Rochester tune of last year, and if you haven't had the chance to see them yet, tonight is as good of a time as any.  For the local part of tonight's bill, the Rochester group will be joined by electro dance duo Love Scenes, who just last week made the hour long trip east to join Joywave at the Bug Jar, and soaring throw back emo rockers All Blondes Go to Heaven.  

Music kicks off tonight at 10pm with a cover of $5.  Duke's resident house DJ Bearskinrug will keep the tunes going all night long following the final act.






Rochester's Joywave releases Planetarium Concert via YouTube


This week buffaBLOG favorites, Joywave, released an entire concert taking place at Rochester's Strasenburgh Planetarium via YouTube. If you are unfamiliar with Joywave, they are five-piece electro-pop outfit headed by former Hoodies frontman, Daniel Armbruster. Joywave also topped buffaBLOG's favorite track out of Rochester in 2012 with their single "True Grit." Joywave also is awesome. The aura of last spring's planetarium show is surreal. Watching the video, you can almost feel the magic happening on stage and proves that April 12th was truly a special night for Rochester's music scene. This is your chance to acquaint yourself as I'm sure you'll be hearing more from these chaps in the future. By the way, you can catch them live at DBGB's Saturday, January 12th along with Love Scenes and All Blondes Go to Heaven


michael moretti


buffaBLOG's Top 10 Rochester Tracks of 2012




One of our goals this year as a blog was to expand our knowledge base of local bands eastward towards Rochester. In 2012, we have listened to hundreds of songs from Rochester acts, discovering back catalogs and finding some of our new favorite bands (High Drags). Through our investigations, we found Rochester's top 10 songs of 2012. 

10. The Demos - "Primitive" 
This sunny single by Rochester indie-pop sextet is great. Released over the summer presumably as a preview to a forthcoming album, "Primitive," will get you swaying. 


9. The Gifted Children - "Our 'Hobby' is a Bust"
Rochester indie rock veterans, The Gifted Children's "Our 'Hobby' is a Bust," is the most upbeat track off the recently released EP No One Will Know We Were Ever Hear. This track is a half- kidding lament for a self-aware, aging indie rock band.  For a band to still have it after close to 17 years as a project is an impressive accomplishment in itself. An easy way to describe it, this track would be the upbeat works of Pedro the Lion meets Broken Social Scene. 




8. YOU WOMEN - "Oak Island" 
SPORTS offshoot, YOU WOMEN's track, "Oak Island," is almost as if Girls went 80's goth (in a "Goodbye Horses" type of way). This track's four-to-the-floor drum beats pump you up combined with a catchy chorus make it all good in the hood. 


7. Archimedes – “Three Washed Hands” 
Dreamy and dreary Owen-y three-piece with complimenting male and female vocalists recorded by buffaBLOG favorite, Anthony DelPlato. It’s beautiful. 


6. Kitty Snowpants – “Diana”
Jangly retro “ooos” and “aahs” pop with Chicago indie rock undertones make “Diana” catchy, enjoyable, and a must-have for the top 10 songs out of Rochester in 2012. 



5. The Dads - "9 beats" 
Mid-nineties, indie rockers The Dads' track, "9 beats," is awesome, for lack of a better term. The quartet's sound is somewhere between Guided by Voices and No Age, and we at buffaBLOG are pumped they are back together. 

 

4. Meanagers - “Tongue-Tied”
Dorm room, rock duo Meanagers' track, “Tongue Tied,” is angsty garage rock played by dudes in their 20s. It’s best described as a mix between Free Energy and Wavves, and needs to be on this list. 


3. KOPPS – “Bastard Baby”
“Bastard Baby” gets you pumped up. Those who attended the buffaBLOG holiday party can attest to this. Rising Rochester diva, Patricia Patrone, and master programmer, Kyle O’Hara, put together a hit with this track. Just wait for the sax. 



2. Mikaela Davis – “Michigan & The BQE”
Mikaela Davis is a very talented youngster in the Rochester scene. Davis, a harpist, has songs that are on par with that of Sufjan Stevens. Her track, "Michigan & The BQE," is just an example of her ability to craft outstanding multi-instrumental compositions. 



1. Joywave – “True Grit” 
I think it would be impossible to have a countdown of Rochester’s best tracks without including Joywave. This electro pop outfit arose from The Hoodies ashes an into our hearts with their new wave hybrids. "True Grit" is without a doubt the best song from Rochester in 2012. 



michael moretti


Best of 2011 Staff Picks: Michael

Favorite Album of 2011

Holy Ghost! – Holy Ghost!: Holy Ghost! blew any competitors for the best of 2011 out of the water with their self-titled debut full-length Holy Ghost! Comprising of elementary school friends Alex Frankil and Nick Milhiser, the pair was encouraged by James Murphy (LCD Soundsystem/DFA genius) to abandon their hip-hop roots and focus on dance music. AND FOCUS THEY DID. In the past four years this tag team have been the go-to remix crew, pumping out redubbed tracks for Phoenix, Cut Copy, MGMT, Moby and LCD Soundsystem. Holy Ghost! is full of sing-a-long singles that throw you back to the cheesy 80’s club scene and make you never want to come back. The only thing that sucks about this album is that it’s only ten tracks. I needs me some more Holy Ghost!

Honorable Mention

Metronomy – The English Riviera: Metronomy’s The English Riviera was a close second for albums that blew me away this year. The English Riviera is as close to perfection as it gets (barring Holy Ghost!). This British threesome turned foursome makes danceable, quirky, electro-pop gems. The lead single off the album, “The Bay,” has a driving post-punk/disco bass along with lyrics about going to the…. Bay. The mesmerizing keyboards on this track make it one of the best of 2011. And the back-up vocals… OH THE BACK-UP VOCALS! THAT CHORUS! AND THIS IS ONLY ONE TRACK!

Metronomy - The Bay by acrylica

Favorite Song of 2011

“Summer Sinner” by Nicky Blitz: Nicky Blitz (aka Nick Scapa) is an artist you’ll be hearing about in 2012. He is a talented producer, constantly rotating from Miami to NYC to LA, who makes infectiously catchy pop masterpieces. His jet-setting has influenced his unique mesh of electro pop, indie rock, and nu-disco. “Summer Sinner” is all about that three-month window in the summer where you find your seasonal fling. I dare you to listen to 1:40 – 2:53 without OH MY GOD I CAN’T EVEN FINISH THIS I AM DANCING TOO HARD


This is me from 1:40 - 2:53

Photobucket


Honorable Mentions

“Gucci Gucci” by Kreayshawn: This song came out of nowhere and stayed in my head for a good two months. Kreayshawn’s lazy flows are oddly catchy and her thiz-faced aura demanded our attention.

AND WE STUNTIN’ LIKE GUCCI GUCCI LOUIS LOUIS FENDI FENDI PRADA

THEM BAYSIDE BITCHES WEAR THAT SHIT SO I DON’T EVEN BOTHA

GENIUS! Move over Lady Sovereign, we have a new biggest midget in the game. IT’S KREAYSHAWNN BABYY.


"Winnipeg" by Joywave: Joywave’s 77777 mixtape was an essential grab for 2011. The first track off the album, “Winnipeg,” samples Drake’s “Fireworks” and “Find Your Love,” but it doesn’t matter because this Rochester quintet has made it their own. With just two short verses in the three and a half minutes, alternating from “What Could I Become?” to “Where Could I Go?,” the simplicity of it's lyrics make it all the more powerful. The tremendous crescendo and lead singer’s Dan Armbruster’s haunting falsetto vocals make this track beautifully breathtaking.

Winnipeg by JOYWAVE
michael morretti


The Weekly Remix: Joywave remixes The Static Jacks


This week's remix comes courtesy of Rochester's own Joywave. They take straightforward rock anthem "Girl Parts" from The Static Jacks and give it the atmospheric dream pop treatment. The lyrics benefit greatly from the extra breathing room, starting off with a half tempo beat and blossoming into endless layers of blissful synths and reverberated harmonies that would make even M83 blush. Check out both the original and the remix below. If you like what you hear, you can check out Joywave this Saturday night at Soundlab.

The Static Jacks - Girl Parts by thestaticjacks

Joywave Presents Girl Parts (Everything The Light Touches Remix) by JOYWAVE

Brian Gorman


Artist Spotlight: Joywave



Rochester, NY based Joywave has quickly been growing in popularity since their inception in early 2010. The band has arisen from the ashes of Rochester’s pop-punk staple, the Hoodies. After dropping their bassist, the band reformed to become a dreamy, electro pop quintet. Joywave’s mixtape, 77777, found a very receptive audience on Hype Machine, quickly becoming one of the most hearted tracks last spring. On 77777, Joywave samples a variety of bands ranging from LCD Soundsystem to Limp Bizkit, uniquely spinning each song to make it their own. If you are a fan of Miike Snow, Passion Pit, or Baths then you should check out Joywave. The band is playing tomorrow night (Friday) at Buffalo State College’s Assembly Hall in the Student Union with Raccoon Fighter. The show starts promptly at 9pm with tickets at the door for $5.
Betelgeuse by JOYWAVE
michael morretti