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Interview: Ratatat

[ELECTRONIC] Often, the simplest projects end up taking the longest to complete. It took Ratatat five years to follow up LP4 with Magnifique, which finally arrived in July after a string of teaser singles that began in late winter. Despite the long wait, it’s a relatively pared down affair that most closely resembles the duo’s 2004 self-titled debut. For Mike Stroud—who along with producer/musician Evan Mast comprises the Brooklyn-based instrumental duo—the simplicity is a relief…even if it did take forever to finish the album.

Clarence Labor Day Fair

[CELEBRATION] A big batch of country and classic rock bands, a demolition derby, fair rides, fireworks, and food are what you’ll find at the annual Labor Day Fair at the Clarence Center Fire Hall. This year the fair runs from Saturday, September 5 through Monday, September 7. 

Carolina Gentlemen

[FOLK] So, here’s the deal: on the eve of releasing his new disc with current project This Dirty Hill, singer-songwriter Wes Walters is reforming the Carolina Gentlemen (no, not the all male a cappella group at The University of South Carolina) for a one-off reunion and final goodbye show that also functions as This Dirty Hill’s CD release gig. Come say hello, goodbye, and grab a copy of the new album, Friday, September 4 at Mohawk Place with Tim Andrews.

Lichens

[EXPERIMENTAL] In what promises to be the most unusual performance of the weekend, Squeaky Wheel brings it’s summer-long focus on avant-garde icon Hollis Frampton to a close with a live set from Chicago-based composer Robert A.A. Lowe (a.k.a. Lichens), juxtaposed against Frampton’s Magellan Cycle (early-mid 1970’s silent films, from what we can tell). Lesionread and WWLS will perform as well, all showcased within the rustic chambers of Silo City’s grain elevators this Saturday, September 5.

Swervedriver

[ALTERNATIVE] Shoegaze enthusiasts will rejoice over the UK band’s return to Buffalo at the Waiting Room on Tuesday, accompanied by purveyors of Canadian psych-punk, Dearly Beloved.

National Buffalo Wing Festival (Sat 5 - Sun 6)

[WINGS] There’s only one national festival that occurs during Buffalo’s abbreviated and condensed outdoor season that is truly unique to the area. Like the Falls and not having a quarterback for your football team, chicken wings are something that are easy to take for granted when you’ve lived here long enough as the things that round out an office party next to a tray of pizza. Just don’t forget how good they really are or how much fun they are to eat, granted a ready supply of wet naps.

Gangstagrass

[HIP HOP] When you see the silhouette of a cowboy hat and quickly find yourself staring down the barrel of Raylan Givens’ rifle during the opening credits of Justified, the last thing you hear is the music of Gangstagrass. The five-piece band is a strange beast. Based out of Brooklyn, New York the band plays bluegrass music infused with hip hop beats. Led by characters with names like Rench, R-Son, Melody, and Dolio the Sleuth, the group combines fiddles and banjos, grooving beats, and rap lyrics to create a unique sound.

Capsized Boat Party

[PARTY] The official afterparty of summer in Buffalo happens each year on the Miss Buffalo. The 90 foot long, two story yacht has played venue to the blow-out, end of summer Capsized Boat Party for the last nine years.

The Maine

[ROCK] On Tuesday, September 8, pop-rock band, the Maine comes to the Rapids Theater for a special free concert performance. The band recently released their fifth studio album, American Candy, which has revitalized the band in the eyes of fans and critics. The band, which formed in 2007 in Tempe, Arizona are known for ultra-slick pop-rock tunes like “Into Your Arms” and “Don’t Give Up On Us.”

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