[INDIE] It’s as though Chaz Bundwick, a.k.a. Toro Y Moi has the musical motives of an indie pop star with the macro vision of a hip hop producer. Widely regarded as one of the pioneers of chill-wave (the infamous internet-spawned genre that conveniently houses artists such as Neon Indian and Washed Out) Bundwick has always fallen under the more experimental side, placing less emphasis on catchy hooks and more on shuffling meters that unfold like a maze of mirrors.
[COMEDY] As he reveals in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Chris Hardwick came to terms with being a nerd from a young age. ”I knew that I was into stuff that the other kids weren’t into. There were probably five other kids in my entire school who I identified with. We were in the chess club. We played D&D and Atari 2600 games.
[INDIE] If you took some of the old school blues out of the Black Keys and replaced it with indie flair and a hipster’s penchant for ironic fun, something like IAMDYMANITE would emerge—two longtime friends from the Ann Arbor area on a mission to write catchy tunes that bounce. The term “minimalist” often gets applied because of the guitar-and-drums core, but these two manage to serve up a decent racket all by themselves, and they’re clever tunesmiths to boot.
[ELECTRONIC/DANCE] U.K. twenty-something Joshua Kierkegaard G. Steele, a.k.a. Flux Pavilion, is yet another example of how having a background with some acoustic instruments positively informs a career in composing electronica. Steele’s experience playing drums helps him push for sophisticated rhythmic complexity, beginning with his earliest dubstep work, while his chops playing piano and sax give him a melodic leg-up.
[INDIE] The love child of Belly and the Breeders has surfaced in her early 20’s—and she’s kinda pissed off. More direct about channeling her anger than either of her parents, Bully’s Feels Like (Columbia), comes to us by way of Nashville with a host of biting observations both barked and sweetly crooned. Frontwoman Alicia Bognanno owes a lot to the 1990’s, but amid today’s mediocre rehash, this quartet stands out as fresh and genuine. Odds are the live show gets a bit grittier than the studio tracks let on.
[HIP HOP] Whatever you want to call this wave of acidic, unorthodox R&B—led on one extreme end by Flying Lotus and on the pop end by artists like Miguel—there’s no doubt it’s rise in popularity in the last few years is primarily due to the work of artists associated with the Odd Future collective. The sound, which many lazily refer to as alt-R&B is not necessarily new, but with Frank Ocean’s 2013 Grammy Award nominations for Channel Orange, the spotlight is now clearly pointing at artists like Ocean, and his Odd Future co-horts the Internet.
[FOOD] The historical Erie Canal is the backdrop of the 2nd annual Locktoberfest in Lockport this Saturday. Spend the day on Canal Street browsing the expanded community market. This event will offer live entertainment, children’s activities, and a historical photo re-enactment contest. Enjoy a day of wine tastings from the Niagara Wine Trail and a selection of WNY craft beers. Visit the Locktoberfest website for a tentative schedule of music and events.
[DRINK] Consumers Beverages presents the Ballpark Brew Bash set to take place on Coca-Cola Field. Brew heads, lager lovers, and cider chuggers alike will all join together at this event to try unique, quality beers from over 50 breweries. Tickets are available online on the Ballpark Brew Bash website and will include a complementary tasting glass along with 20 tickets to be redeemed at any of the brewery stations. Cheers!
[TECHNO] One of the most anticipated events for Buffalo’s underground dwellers is coming up this Saturday. Igloo co-founder Paul Kuenzi will make his way back home from Denver to throw the event along with Charlie Abbot.
[FOOD] The Olmsted Center for Sight hosts their fourth annual Dining in the Dark fundraiser this Thursday, September 24 at the Hyatt Regency, giving guests the opportunity to experience their meal in a new way. This event allows guests to eat their meals blindfolded, giving insight to what it may be like living with a visual impairment. Patrons can participate in a silent auction, basket raffle, and a blindfolded art auction. The most important rule guests have to follow: No peeking!
It’s been quiet lately on the Patrick Kane rape investigation front. Here’s what happened in August:
Why Mark Croce went to the Buffalo News: August 9, 2015
Slut-Shaming and the Patrick Kane Case: August 12, 2015
[DANCE] Buffalo dancers and dance-lovers are shimmying their way down to the Dance Days of Buffalo fundraiser, taking place at the 464 Gallery on Saturday, September 26 from 6pm to 10pm. This event, organized by local dancer Jess Moore, is being held to help raise funds for Dance Days of Buffalo, a future three-day festival (planned for August 2016), which will promote dance through providing classes, workshops, networking events, and performances.
[BENEFIT] It’s not often one gets to sip out of a wine glass that was painted by an African elephant, hang artwork featuring a polar bear footprint in their home, or simply sit back and discuss the surrealist approach that one of the Buffalo Zoo’s beloved Gorillas has put his heart and soul into painting.