Nate Noworyta - Buffalo, NY

Nate Noworyta is a Buffalo-based singer/songwriter who has been writing and producing music under the name "Darth Nater" since 2014. Nate just released a third full-length album, Junior, which features a considerable departure from his previous songwriting style.

Junior, largely influenced by the Mountain Goats, set out to craft a series lyrically dense story-songs filled with detailed imagery and characters. Musically, it is rooted in indie rock and folk, pulling from artists like Say Anything, Sufjan Stevens, American Football and the Smiths.

Junior explores themes of adolescence, escape and disillusionment through the construction of various characters and stories. A song about surviving the Y2K apocalypse is followed by the tale of a young girl who goes to space camp to cope with her parents' divorce. A song about two lovers losing all their money in Vegas is followed by a story about a wiener dog named Athena who tries desperately to escape her backyard. The songs are all held together by a firm grasp of storytelling and poetic imagery, along with emotional depth and a healthy dose of dry humor.

The album is self-recorded and produced. All parts were written and performed by Nate as well.

Here's the Bandcamp release link for Junior:
www.darthnater.bandcamp.com/album/junior

It's also available on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/junior/id1187220380

Kasador - Kingston, ON

Kasador (Will Hunter, Boris Baker, Nick Babcock, Cam Wyatt and Angus Fay) have been around the Canadian music scene since 2014 and have been out on the road fairly consistently. Their energetic stage presence and chorus oriented songs have worked to get them on bills with Canadian greats such as; Arkells, Wintersleep, Current Swell, Walk Off The Earth, July Talk, Lights, Darcy’s, Brave Shores and U.S.S.

Kasador’s debut EP was recorded at The Tragically Hip’s studio, The Bathouse, in Bath Ontario with Engineer/Producer Nyles Spencer (Half Moon Run, The Tragically Hip, Arkells, The Trews), was mixed by Juno award winning engineer Dan Brodbeck (The Cranberries, Ivory Hours) and mastered by Noah Mitz (Arkells, The Constantines, Broken Social Scene).

This past summer, Kasador has started to gain wider recognition with radio play of their first single ‘Neighbourhood’ on CBC Radio 1, The Edge (Toronto,ONT), The Drive (Kingston,ONT) and numerous college stations. They also made the leap that many Canadian bands fear: playing in the USA. Going down to Brooklyn New York for a Canada day party, Kasador was the supporting act for Wintersleep and Whitehorse. Connecting with promoters and fans, Kasador’s first step down south was a success and they plan to return to the states this January for a more extensive tour. Their summer ended with a tour through Quebec with Foreign Diplomats (Montreal/Indica Records) and two Ontario dates (Kingston and Toronto), finishing with a sold out show at Sneaky Dee’s (Toronto).

Jan 12 – Ottawa, ON – Live on Elgin
Jan 13 – Hamilton, ON – Stonewalls
Jan 14 – Waterloo, ON – Maxwell’s

*Jan 19 – Buffalo, NY – Tralf Music Hall

Jan 20 – Watertown, NY – The Flashback Lounge
Jan 21 – Burlington, VT – Radio Bean
Jan 22 – Brooklyn, NY – Gold Sounds
Jan 26 – Kingston, ON – The Brooklyn
Jan 27 – Toronto, ON – Adelaide Hall
Jan 28 – Burlington, ON – The Dickens
Feb 2 – Brooklyn, NY – The Well
Feb 3 – New York, NY – Pianos

Here are some links to Kasador’s socials -
Website: www.kasadorband.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ kasadorband
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kasadorband
Instagram: @kasadorband

Blair Clark - Madison, WI

Blair Clark - Madison, WI

"The good mother the drunk old man the family the pets the doubters and believers. I sing songs from my broken heart and my broken head" from Blair's bandcamp page.

3 songs. 7 minutes. 27 seconds. Garage Pop Punk Rock. Park it in your head. Play it in your soul. Get Off!
releases December 15, 2016

Guitars, Bass, Drums, and Vocals - Blair Clark.
All songs written by Blair Clark.

Get Off! review by Joe Tell.
Get Off The Wheel Kid is a cool rock song. The tune has a unique sound with a underground/garage band feel. The background vocals along with the lead guitar lines are a nice touch and add alot to the soundscape.
Come Back To Me is driven by a heavy guitar. The rhythm is slow and packed with plenty of overdrive giving the song an alternative sound.
16 Times reminded of the best of early 80's new wave. Blair's vocals sound like Leonard Cohen with a rhythm track supplied by The Cramps.
Get Off! is sure to get a rise out of any alternative/punk rock fan.
 

This should be shaken not stirred. Weep, wail, and cry. Shame.
released November 17, 2016
Guitars, Bass, Drums, Vocals - Blair Clark
All songs written by Blair Clark

Before I start this review I want to thank Blair for supporting my blog and sending me his music to review. Blair is a unique and prolific songwriter who plays all the instruments on his original recordings. I must congratulate him for reaching his goal of 10 EP's by the end of this year. Congrats, Blair! I really enjoy listening to Blair's passionate music, he is deserving of positive attention by the music industry.
Shame reminded me of a song from the 50's. I can picture a crowded sock hop swinging and swaying to the slow sexy groove of Shame. Blair's vocal style is full of heartfelt yearning and emotion.
Cry uses musical tension to create a uptempo, dynamic song. Cry conveys feelings of a sad and longing urgency. Cry is a great example of Blair's unique songwriting style.
Broken Heart is the perfect title for a song that is overflowing with sincere sadness and obvious heartache.
Hopeless Holiday's tempo is uplifting and full of great guitar playing. The lyrical content defies the quick tempo reflecting on some truly sad subject matter.
Shame is one of Blair's best efforts to date. If you are not familiar with Blair's music I highly recommend you click on one of the links and check it out.
https://blairclarkbc.bandcamp.com/album/shame

Hello , Blair Clark released an EP on October 20th called The State I'm In. Bad cops, bad fathers, divorce, all kinds of struggle for all kinds of people. The State I'm In. Blair Clark is a songwriter currently without a home, on his way to California.

The State I'm In review by Joe Tell.
The first track, Cinch, has an alternative sound, reminiscent of the early 90's rock. Blair's vocals sound heartfelt and soulful as always.
The title track, The State I'm In, is a short song with some unique vocal sounds. Blair sings some high falsetto along with his acoustic guitar.
The lyrics for Dirty Cop seem to be a commentary about the daily police shootings that plague our current state of affairs seemingly every day. The lead guitar line that plays throughout the song is tasteful and sounds cool.
Life Is But A Dream sounds like a country song with a new wave edge.
https://blairclarkbc.bandcamp.com/album/the-state-im-in

Hello , I'm Blair Clark my current EP is called Is Love and Fuss Trouble and Cuss. Is Love Coming Back kinda reminds me of Burt Bacharach, not the music or the words just the feel. I'm certain if he would punch me if he heard this. I'm a songwriter currently without a home, on my way to California in Oct. My last band was an americana band called the Sills. I walked away from that band last year and now I'm recording EPs. This is my 7th EP this year, the goal is 10 by December.
Thanks for listening - Blair Clark

Love and Fuss Trouble and Cuss review by Joe Tell.
First off, the title of Blair's latest release, Love and Trouble Trouble and Cuss is just a great title.
Is Love Coming Back has a rather sad and melancholy feel. The lyrics tell the story of lonely feelings and the void that is created by a love that has gone away.
Long Way Around somehow manages to sound even sadder than the last track. The slow tempo and the vocals convey a feeling of a love gone awry. Any song that makes you feel something inside is a great song and this song certainly has that quality.
Fair Carnival has a much happier go-lucky sound, reminding me of the good times a weekend visit to an amusement park promises.
CooCoo is about the effects a love affair sometimes has on a person, seemingly driving them crazy.
Call It Love is a stripped down acoustic guitar/vocal song that has Blair's vocals moving up and down in a lonesome timbre. Once again Blair's vocal delivery conveys the feelings of a love affair that has gone awry and the lonely longing that takes over.
https://blairclarkbc.bandcamp.com/album/love-and-fuss-and-trouble-and-cuss

Do No Good is a sadness EP. It concerns the everyday sadness and special event sadness, last years tour difficulties. I added Shop! cause it just seemed to fit in, wrote for underculture years ago. The song Do No Good is my fav. The cheesy keyboard makes me smile. Enjoy.

Hello , I'm Blair Clark and I have a EP called Do No Good. It is a darkish low. It's moody. A fine August listen. It will move you around. I'm a songwriter in Madison, my last band was an americana band called the Sills. I walked away from that band last year and now I'm recording EPs. This is my 6th EP this year, the goal is 10 by December. Hope you enjoy, thanks - Blair

Do No Good review by Joe Tell.
The title song Do No Good has a minimalistic music track which allows Blair's vocals to convey a feeling of sad regret.
The Road To Denver has a retro sound reminiscent of original 50's rock and roll. Blair's unique vocals add a new wave edge to punctuate the rock track.
Growing Up In Reverse features one of Blair's most ambitious musical tracks. The staccato rhythm is held together by a moving bass track and Blair's way cool vocal stylings.
Shop! seems to be a commentary on the materialistic based society we live in. The lyrics convey the message that shopping has become more important than taking care of real life issues.
Sad Days is a melancholy track that conveys the feeling of a all consuming sadness that seems to permeate our lives at times.
https://blairclarkbc.bandcamp.com/album/do-no-good

Blair Clark has released a EP called Look Out!. This should be parked in your garage. It is rock and roll at its lowest. This is Blair Clark's 5th EP this year, the goal is 10 by December.
Hope you enjoy, thanks for listening - Blair.  

Look Out! review by Joe Tell.
Blair Clark's new EP Look Out! starts out off with a bang! The title track, Look Out! is a uptempo punk rocker that is sure get your blood pumping. All the impressive performances are done by Blair himself. The guitar solos are exciting and the chorus jumps out of the mix proving that Blair knows how to craft a great sounding rock and roll song.
If You Loved Me continues in the same vein as Look Out! The multi-talented Blair kicks out another great jam that stops and starts with urgent rock energy.
Walking Alone sounds like the songs from Blair's previous EP Take Me Like You Found Me. Blair's vocals convey a lonely longing that is compelling and hard to ignore.
Blair delivers another lo-fi masterpiece with Can't Go On Without You. The sound is reminiscent of early Talking Heads.
Heartbeats is a uptempo garage rocker that sounds like it's going to fall apart any second. By the time the beat is established the song abruptly ends.
Blair Clark soundcloud page https://soundcloud.com/blair-clark-804478008

 

Blair Clark is a low crooner and a late bloomer. He is a singer songwriter from Madison WI. In 2009 he formed the punk rock band underculture. Two years later he started the band The Sills. The music fused bluegrass and folk with punk rock and rockabilly. They put out two cd's and then Blair walked away in 2015. He is currently recording from his apartment on a smallish 8trk on a 10 EP run. He writes songs from his broken heart and broken head. The music is lean. His June release Take Me Like You Found Me is pop candy. In May he released Demolicious it is delicious lo-fi. You can check out all of his EPs at https://blairclarkbc.bandcamp.com/ The Sills can also be found on bandcamp.

Take Me Like You Found Me review by Joe Tell.
Take Me Like You Found Me is a authentic lo-fi experience the likes of which haven't been heard of since the late 60's. The throwback sound brings to mind all of the coolest bands who were influential in the development of punk and alternative rock. The song has a uplifting tempo which may very well inspire much dancing when played live. Blair's vocals are sweet and soulful, using accents and fluttering tremelo to create a unique singing style.
Come Away With Me would fit right in at any rock and roll dance party. A crowded dance hall full of swaying bodies comes to mind when I listen to this song. A guitar plays in the background and fills in all of the open spaces in the melody perfectly. The vocals convey the feeling of smoldering urgency.
See Saw is a melancholy, yet very melodic, rock and roll song which immediately drew me in. The song has a laid back feel yet still manages to sound strong with it's outstanding lead guitar hooks. Blair Clark's sad vocal tones convey the mood and set the tone for the song. See Saw is my newest, favorite song and the best song on Take Me Like You Found Me.
Silver Bells has the feel of late 50's rock and roll rave up. The descending guitar chords help create the mood with a fantastic, jingly jangly Fender sound. Pull out your old leather and slick your hair back before you listen is highly recommended. Bum a cigarette off your buddy to complete the picture.
Ithaca closes out Take Me Like You Found Me is style. Blair's influences can be heard on this track. Traces of Lou Reed, David Bowie and Iggy Pop can be heard in Blair's heartfelt vocal delivery.
https://blairclarkbc.bandcamp.com/album/take-me-like-you-found-me

Everybody has a sexy side. This is mine. https://blairclarkbc.bandcamp.com/album/demolicious
Demolicious released May 19, 2016
Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Drums, and Drum Machine -Blair Clark
Words and Music by Blair Clark

Songs for the Sills. When I walked away from the Sills, we had a songs that were never recorded. These are a few. https://blairclarkbc.bandcamp.com/album/no-sills-no-sale
No Sills No Sale released April 21, 2016
Guitars, Bass, Drums, Xylophone and Vocals - Blair Clark
Recorded at Home on tiny 8 track recorder

Ring A Bell released February 15, 2016 https://blairclarkbc.bandcamp.com/album/ring-a-bell
Credits: Blair Clark - guitar, vocals
Leah Brooke - vocals
Todd Phipps - keyboard
Pete Olig - bass
Ken Koeppler - drums
Words and music by Blair Clark, all rights reserved
Recorded and mixed by Ken Koeppler
The Sound Garden studio

Blair Clark reverbnation https://www.reverbnation.com/meetblairclark

Blair Clark Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Blair-Clark-204956279576743/

Blair Clark twitter https://twitter.com/keepbailing

Thank You Blair!

Water Is Life

Most people take it for granted that we will always have an endless supply of water right at our fingertips. Fresh, clean water to drink and wash things with. But water companies are beginning to limit the amount the water the public can use during the summer months due to shortages, especially in the western part of the United States.
Along with this I'm sure many people don't realize that the water from our toilets, showers and washers is purified and sent back into the water system for us to use again.
We must remember that water is a precious commodity that will not last forever.

A big problem I have noticed (from my job) is that many water bottles are thrown away into the garbage with the cap screwed on and various amounts of water still inside. I've seen many unopened bottles just blindly thrown into the trash, still full of precious water.

Water is not Garbage!
The first problem is that the recyclable plastic bottles are not being recycled.
The second, more important problem is that water is left sealed inside the plastic bottle and just thrown away. It takes thousands of years for a plastic bottle to break down in a landfill. The water stays sealed in the plastic bottle as long as the plastic stays intact. This water may never make it out of the bottle and into our water system again.

Water Is Not Garbage!
Water Is Life.

The solution is quite simple, just dump the unused water from any used water bottle into a sink or a toilet so if can be filtered and reused. Please think twice before throwing away any amount of water into a trash can. This applies to old soda, leftover coffee and any amount of bottled water.
If this water never makes it into a sink it can never be reused.
Don't take water for granted and treat it like garbage, empty out any liquid containers before recycling or discarding the container.

Band 101 - Number 3

Welcome to today's version of Band 101.
Band 101 deals with the trials and tribulations of being in a working cover band.

This episode deals with a much overlooked topic that most guitarists' and bassists' may have to deal with once they decide to plug into a amplifier or PA system to join a full band. If you haven't mastered this technique at home you really should before you decide to plug in and join a full band.
I'm writing about something I have had to deal with in my playing, unwanted string noise. To be more precise, I'm referring to being able to mute out any unwanted strings while playing chords on the guitar.
Any bassist learns this technique very quickly because most bass lines use many single notes as opposed to full chords. If you play bass and decide to play the guitar you already realize the importance of muting unwanted strings. Let's use one of the most basic chords as a example, the F chord as seen below.

As you can see the top 2 strings, the E and the A string have a X above them, this means that they should not be played or muted, when playing a F chord in this position. Playing these strings results in unwanted string noise and a chord that is no longer musically recognizable as any chord much less a F chord. If you play a F chord with the unmuted E and A strings at a band practice you may notice that you will get a wondering look from at least 1 other member in your band.
This look can be interpreted as "What chord are you playing?!" or "Where is that bad sound coming from?"... You might get a wondering look from your singer because they're trying to sing in key.
Playing the unwanted strings will cause the vocals to sound off key, this will also affect the overall sound of the entire band. If your bassist or another guitarist looks at you they are probably trying to figure out if they are playing the wrong note or you are...?
Playing unwanted strings will kill the good vibe of any great sounding song or band rehearsal in a heartbeat. An educated listener in the band who cares enough will question where the bad noises came from after the song ends. Trying to figure out when, where and why the noise came from can become tedious and frustrating. This will probably lead to alot of wasted time at practice.
If you are plugged into a amplifier you may be able to get away with unwanted string noise at band practice, as long as no one else notices. But once you are plugged in and going through the PA system at a gig these unwanted string noises will be heard by everyone in the crowd as well as, at least 1 of your fellow band members and this is not a good thing. You must be able to hear what you are playing, recognize the bad sounds and immediately edit them out of your playing if you plan on playing live. It's best to master this at home before you decide to plug in and join a band. Continuing to play unwanted strings is just plain bad guitar playing and nobody enjoys bad guitar playing. Playing any instrument with proper technique makes a band sound better and you will find yourself learning new songs quicker and easier.
There are several easy fixes for the problem of playing unwanted strings.
The absolute best solution is to play only the notes or strings of the guitar chord you're trying to play.
As an example when you play a D chord you just want to play the last 4 strings. The D, G, B and E strings should only be played. Playing only those strings results in a true and great sounding D chord that everyone will enjoy hearing.

It's worth taking time to practice just playing the strings of whatever chord you're trying to play.
Just like any other technique it may take a little time to master but the end result is being able to play with better technique.
There is another easy solution, just drape your thumb, very lightly, over the top of the guitar neck. Lightly rest your thumb over the top of the E the string in order to eliminate it from ringing out, this will effectively mute it. You have to pay attention and listen close when you do this because you don't want to press down with your thumb, this will cause the unwanted string to ring out.
This may also take a little time to master but remember practicing any new technique will make you a better guitarist in the long run.
Here's another chord I will use as an example. The D5 chord, notice that the E, B and top E strings are muted.

You can mute the top E string with your thumb and you can play the notes on the 7th fret by barring them with your 3rd finger.
Playing full bar chords or even partial bar chords is a very useful and essential guitar technique, especially when playing rock guitar.
You can mute the B and E strings with your 3rd finger by lightly draping your finger on top of them. Again, don't press down or the strings may ring out.
If you play a D5 chord with your pinky on the G string you can rest your pinky lightly over the B and E strings to mute them.
Another really useful trick is to move your 1st finger up ever so slightly as to mute the E string while still fretting the D note in the chord.
You have to be able to look and listen to what you're playing in order to master this very simple technique.
Once your 1st finger is in the proper position the E string will be muted out.
Here is another useful solution, if you know the notes on the guitar fretboard, like any good guitarist or bassist should, you can also transpose or play chords in different positions to eliminate unwanted string noise. 
You may also find it much easier to play chords in different positions on the neck, this really comes in handy when you are trying to sing and play at the same time. 
Some people call this position playing but that's another technique I can get into in the future. 
In order to eliminate the possibility of playing the E string altogether you can also play a D5 in the example below. 
This position falls on the 10th fret. You have to be sure not to play the G,B and E strings in this position. You can rest your 1st finger over them or whatever finger you use to play the notes on the 12th fret. 

Please email any inquiries to jtellfotos@yahoo.com and until next time, remember practice makes perfect.

Luke Metzler - Fairport, NY

www.lukemetzlermusic.com

Luke Metzler releases album: “Portrait of the Young Man as an Artist”

Rochester, N.Y. – ​Luke Metzler is a breath of fresh pop music with catchy and captivating songwriting front and center on his debut album, Portrait of the Young Man as an Artist, and a deft melding of styles across every track.  The album includes the recently released singles Disco Therapy, Something and Home.

Portrait’s tracks range from the contemporary funk throwbacks, Disco Therapy and Power, to the arrow­-straight-­to­ the-­heart pop musings of Home, Something and Set It Free. The hard­ driving I Don’t Want to See You Cry channels The Black Keys while layers of uplifting vocals inform the storytelling in Reach and 12 Hours in Oxford. Strings resonate with poignancy in Phoenix, and Shake (Just a Little Bit) attacks with full force as a grimy dance number. A Pretty Good Year is a full-­throated, bar-­waltzing nod to Metzler’s Irish heritage, and the album closes with In the Springtime (Hannah’s Song), an emotional tribute to Luke’s late sister.

Triumphant vocals and memorable hooks abound in this debut effort, highlighting Metzler’s keen melding of the personal and the profound. It’s all deftly wrapped in an amalgam of styles with a unified pop sound.

BACKGROUND: Luke’s singing career began in elementary school talent shows back in Minnesota, singing the likes of The Middle by Jimmy Eat World and Guster’s Careful. By middle school, he was on to his first original, Girl with No Place in My Heart dripping with imagined angst. Aside from high school musicals, the creative juices truly began to flow with his basement band, Clearly From Negligence, which was named a Top Ten Teen Band by SchoolJam USA in 2011.

College beckoned, however, as did the a cappella bug with The Yellow Jackets of the University of Rochester. After a great college run, it was time to “light out for the territory,” as Huck Finn said. Luke has embarked on his indie music odyssey in support of Portrait of the Young Man as an Artist, and is in the process of setting the Guinness World Record for most friends’ couches slept on in one year.

Michael Biddlecom - Then Came Silence

Michael Biddlecom - Then Came Silence CD art.

First before I write about this tribute CD I must thank Cheryl LaDuca for sending me a copy of Then Came Silence to review. Thank You for thinking of me Cheryl!
As I listen to the music Mike created and performed a flood of memories comes to mind of Mike and I when we wrote music and performed many times together. It makes me wish for those days when I was younger and lived for the music we created together. It also makes me wonder what would have happened if we would been able to get together to make music one more time. Once again I have to thank Cheryl and all the people who were involved in putting this CD together so that Mike's music can be heard after his untimely death. It's obvious that Mike was a enormously talented individual and a prolific songwriter.

Then Came Silence review by Joe Tell.
The first song, It's A Shame, really has a great melody with a harmonious hook. The sound initially reminded me of a 80's pop song because of the bright sounding keyboard track. Mike really rocks it up with a fantastic solo that takes the song out. I'm not sure if this song was chosen first because of the title but it describes how I feel about Mike's untimely death.
Everyone can relate to the lyrics of the next song, Doubt, in one way or another. The song has a melancholy feel with a strong chorus that hooked me in on the first listen. A melodic guitar solo reinforces the melody while it weaves in and out the rhythm track.
Testing 1-2 is a rocker that packs a punch. A strong rhythm track carries a melodic line with lyrics full of double entendre.
Mike shows a softer side with Tears In The Night. A clean lead guitar solo punctuates the music lifting the energy of the song a bit higher. Lifting the song up even higher Mike rips another heavy solo.
Every Buffalonian can relate to the lyrics of Frost On My Window. Once again Mike whips up a magnificent melody reinforcing it with a dual keyboard and guitar track. The song has a smooth flow and feel until it's rocked up with a blazing lead guitar solo. I can picture snow flying in the frosty air as I listen to this track.
One A Kind picks up the pace with a heavy intro that reminded me of the music of Michael Schenker. Mike plays a tasteful mid-tempo rhythm track filled with bass guitar fills that keep the energy flowing. Mike's vocals top off this rocker perfectly and keep it moving in the right direction.
Faces is driven by the clean sounds of a Stratocaster and the lyrical content of what can best be described as a living nightmare.
Gotta Stop Lovin You is a love ballad that slows the pace with a beautiful melody that is punctuated with more Stratocaster guitar solos and fills.
Destinations is a uptempo percussive track that delivers a different sound than the rest of the CD.
Empty Rooms is a slow and spooky track that would fit right in a horror movie soundtrack.
All the music on Then Came Silence was written and performed by Mike.
Special thanks goes out to Cheryl.
Post is dedicated to Mike's memory and his music.

55 Main - Buffalo NY

The following comics were generously donated to my personal collection by Randy Barnard of the local cover band, 55 Main.

 55 Main can be found on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/55Main 

Thank You Randy!

This Jonah Hex mini-digest comic was loaned to me from Danny Manzella, also from the 55 Main band.

Classic Comic Books and Classic Rock are a perfect combination...

Dan the Man (The Singer for the Classic Rock band 55 Main) loaned me the very collectible Jonah Hex mini-comic from '79 so in turn I'm giving him and his band a Super Shout Out on my Music blog.

The Stray Birds

The Stray Birds are playing The Sportsmen's Tavern on 11/18.
The Stray Birds released their new album titled Magic Fire in August, which was produced by Larry Campbell. Magic Fire builds on the success of The Stray Birds' 2014 Yep Roc debut, Best Medicine, which was hailed by NPR's World Café for its "strong harmonies and sharp songwriting" and debuted at #2 on the Billboard Bluegrass chart. Wide Open Country called Magic Fire "captivating," while Elmore praised their sound "that is so well-crafted; so tightly knit and synergistic, that to imagine them missing a member is to imagine a jigsaw puzzle with a missing piece."
No Depression deems the trio "a delight," while Pop Matters commended their ability to "make beautiful bluegrass, a lush sound characterized by tight harmonies and all-encompassing instrumentation." It was that unique formula that first brought them national attention and fueled their breakout in 2012, when their self-titled/self-released debut landed amongst NPR's Top Ten Folk/Americana Albums of the Year and earned them major festival performances everywhere from MerleFest to Scotland's Celtic Connections.

They won best song @ Folk Alliance this year for the title track "Best Medicine"

NPR Announced the record with really nice things to say about the band & the way they play their instruments: http://www.npr.org/2016/06/06/480638472/songs-we-love-the-stray-birds-shining-in-the-distance
Some other recent press:
http://www.npr.org/event/music/382366561/the-stray-birds-on-mountain-stage
http://www.thevinyldistrict.com/storefront/2016/08/the-stray-birds-the-tvd-first-date/
http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/music/mc-stray-birds-philadelphia-folk-festival-20160818-story.html

Thank You Tim!

Rokkin' T-Shirts For Sale

Well Behaved Women Are Boring
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https://teespring.com/iplaymyguitar#pid=2&cid=2397&sid=front

Drew Angus

A promising young voice in songwriting, Drew Angus is just the kind of new blood that makes pop music so enduring. With indelible hooks, and savvy craftsmanship, and city informed lyrics, he brings a certain verve to his work that has resonated with audiences and fellow performers alike. His work ethic and effortless appeal have led him down some pretty amazing paths. He was a finalist on the Farewell Season of American Idol, has had the opportunity to share the stage with Anders Osborne, Marc Broussard, Nakia from Season 1 of the Voice, and sing with Blondie Chaplin and Ivan Neville on a record produced by the legendary Rob Fraboni (Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, and more). His 2013 single Something Crazy, produced by Joe Vulpis(Lady GaGa) made it to #30 on the iTunes Singles charts.

Drew has maintained a tireless writing and performing regimen since deciding to pursue music full time in January of 2012. For the past four years he has been playing out several nights a week, clocking 100+ performances a year at venues like Rockwood Music Hall, Brooklyn Night Bazaar, and The Bitter End, as well as festivals like SXSW, NXNE, and more on the strength of his early demo’s. He even made a surprise appearance on a Southwest Airlines flight, and sang his way into the top 10 on Boston’s Community Auditions: Star of the Day. With his star so clearly on the rise, Drew Angus has established himself as a talent to watch.

This Fall, Drew hits the road in support of his new EP Hold onto Something (Streetdate - 11/4/16) recorded at Degraw Sound in Brooklyn, NY, produced by Harper James, and mastered by Sterling Sounds’ Joe LaPorta.

www.drewangus.com

Thank You Tracy!

The Sportsmen's Tavern - Buffalo, New York

Jess Chizuk - Buffalo, NY

Lehigh Valley Line review
The title track, Lehigh Valley Line, sets the mood for the rest of the music with a great roots rock sound. The style can be compared to Americana or Country. Jess' voice sounds polished and has a mature quality that defies her young age. A lead acoustic guitar fills the spaces between the verses perfectly. The lyrics convey a feeling of melancholy and hope for a brighter future.
Eyes On The Horizon continues in the same vein as the title track. The acoustic guitar track lets Jess' outstanding and melodic vocals shine through. The chorus has a strong hook and a uplifting sound.
Steady As The Rain features a single, percussive acoustic guitar track that allows Jess' vocals to float above the music like a rainbow floats above stormy weather. One of the best songs on this release.
China Plates has that special, timeless quality that great songs always have. The musical melody is provided by a well played piano and the lyrics contain words and feelings that everyone can relate to. China Plates is the best song on Lehigh Valley Line.
The Distance has a new country sound. The song has a great sound and Jess' vocals have a ton of soulful feeling. The background vocals and electric guitar add much to the overall sound.
Somber Is The Night has a slower tempo with a keyboard backing track. Jess' voice sounds beautiful on this track.
Guilty Pleasure has a rock and roll sound. The lyrics tell of a questionable, all consuming love affair.
August Carnival closes out Lehigh Valley Line in style.
In closing, Lehigh Valley Line is a strong release, full of great songs. Jess Chizuk is a very talented singer and songwriter who is sure to go far in the music industry.

I'm excited to introduce you to award-winning indie/folk songwriter Jess Chizuk. Jess is a young female artist that is making big waves in the Buffalo music scene. The immensely gifted 22 year old, whose voice has been favorably compared to legends such as Joni Mitchell and Jewel, is set to release her first full-length album Lehigh Valley Line on September 16. Check out her popular single "China Plates" here https://soundcloud.com/jess-chizuk/china-plates

Aside from supporting national artists like Howie Day, Davina and the Vagabonds, and Dylan Jakobsen, Jess was the recipient of the Best Original Solo Act award at the 2015 Buffalo Music Awards, the winner of the 2014 Yellen Foundation Songwriting Contest, winner of the Folk category at the Smoky Mountain Songwriting Festival Songwriting Contest, a semi-finalist in the 2015 Songwriter's Serenade Contest in Morovia TX, and a top five finalist in the singer/songwriter category of the Great American Song Contest – a contest receiving submissions from nearly 2000 songwriters worldwide. For fans of: The Lumineers, Ed Sheeran and Joni Mitchell.

Jess Chizuk Bio: Compelling, vivid stories from the heart told emphatically by graceful vocals, accompanied by little more than an acoustic guitar. These are the building blocks for most of Jess Chizuk’s songs. The young singer-songwriter has her musical roots firmly divided between both old folk tunes and new indie music, but the result of this combination is her truly captivating writing. It has been garnering the attention of audiences in her hometown of Buffalo NY and beyond. Drawing on life experiences, honest stories, and the city she calls home, her music is soulful and truly genuine. This award winning songwriter already has an impressive catalog of accomplishments at only 22 years old.

Jess’ first release, Shine A Light On, came out mid-2012, produced in Los Angeles by serious and talented industry professionals. “I had a blast really working in the studio for the first time, and that’ s when I got serious about making music,” she says. “But I knew within that year I had a different direction I wanted to take my songwriting and sound.” This began several years of thoroughly exploring her songwriting abilities, working towards creating something 100% self-driven.

China Plates was the first song to emerge from this practice. Winning the Yellen Foundation/Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Songwriting Contest in 2014 made her an award-winning songwriter at just 20 years old. “To this day, getting that phone call was one of the happiest moments of my life. It’ s amazing to be recognized for what you love,” she says. Released in March of 2015, Jess took China Plates across the country, picking up awards, nominations, and recognitions as she went. This, along with an incredible local reception to her new sound, spurred the idea of a sophomore release.

Now, scheduled for release in September of this year, Lehigh Valley Line is a true singer-songwriter record. It’s not over-produced, it’s not flashy, and it’s not even backed by a full band. The focus is all on the songs themselves, with each telling a unique tale of its own. Themes of love and longing are present throughout the extremely thoughtful and well-developed lyrics, as are a few homages to the Buffalo backdrop in which the songs were created. And as always, Jess’ smooth and airy vocals tie things together and tell the stories she’s penned with strong emotion. “This is my most favorite project,” she says. “I listen back to the tracks and say, ‘ This is who I am right now, put down in words and turned into songs. This is me."

Official Website: http://www.jesschizukmusic.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jesschizuk/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jesschizuk
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jesschizuk

Press contact: Joe Ballard (joe@muddypawpr.com)
Thank You Joe!

Michael Biddlecom - Buffalo, NY

Michael Biddlecom - Then Came Silence CD art. Thank You Cheryl!

Strange Therapy kicks off with "A Race Against The Sun". The sound of the track can be described as new wave hard rock. The feel of the intro is heavy and the verse music is keyboard driven. Mike's vocals sound like Geoff Tate on this track. The chorus music drives hard and the guitar solo is melodic, fitting in perfect within the melody of the song.
Youtube music video link http://youtu.be/7gLp0SRM8tM
"A Miracle Of Life" shows off more of Mike's musical and vocal versatility and his guitar and bass playing talent. The track starts off with a very melodic musical figure played simultaneously by a keyboard and guitar. The music has an 80's sound and the chorus has a haunting quality that drew my listening ear in right away. After the second chorus the song takes a heavy twist with a powerful guitar riff which leads into a ripping, guitar solo. This is my fave song on Strange Therapy.
Youtube music video link http://youtu.be/rxhfy7vJ5QM
The third song, "Electro Plated Man", is a heavy rock song with a new wave, 80's sounding verse. Mike uses alot of different guitar sounds on this song and they all sound great. The chorus is heavy with some sweet, pinch harmonics. The guitar solo is Mike at his best, with blistering runs and double tracked harmonies that remind me of George Lynch. The guitar lead morphs into a cool, spooky, bass and keyboard dominated ending...
Youtube music video link http://youtu.be/Qj9VW-y0CQM
"When Should I?" seems pensive in lyrical content and the guitar figure is fairly clean in sound. The vocals and guitar have alot of reverb and digital delay which creates the mood for the song. The keyboard fills add color into the fairly sparse, musical, landscape of the song. A hard driving, guitar riff kicks in which leads into another great, sharp, guitar solo.
Youtube music video link https://youtu.be/dk2otuvx97g
"Big Sky Fallin" reminded me of Queensryche. This song is Mike at his hard rockin' best, the guitar rhythm is hard and heavy and the song kicks ass. This song is sure to please any 80's hard rock fan.
https://youtu.be/r8LL5GxyUEc
"Passages In Time" highlights Mikes keyboard playing and song orchestration skills. The intro sounds like it would fit right in on any horror movie soundtrack.
https://youtu.be/ACXw4VVS41A
"With Friends Like You (I Don't Need No Enemies)" has an 80's musical sound. The lead guitar on the intro is melodic and strong. I just figured out who's Mike's voice sounds similar to. Mike's voice can be compared to the vocalist from the Sisters Of Mercy. (great band, look them up on youtube) Mike sings in a higher range on this particular track. After listening to most of "Strange Therapy" it seems to me that one of Mike's main musical influences was the Sisters Of Mercy. The guitar solo on this track is one of the best on the "Strange Therapy".
https://youtu.be/ECY1NeLQAzY
The beginning of "Disconnected" is rather sparse and mellow, alot of the musical spaces are filled with percussion and clean guitar fills. This groove continues on for the first 3 and half minutes of the song then the music abruptly stops. A powerful, guitar dominated, groove kicks the song into high gear. The mood of the first few seconds of the song is shattered by the powerful, guitar part that follows and takes out the song.
https://youtu.be/sqScjklqgJQ
"In The Clouds" has an 80's new wave feel and sound.
https://youtu.be/2emG5OBl8WE
"Emeralds" is an instrumental track. The intro has a new age feel and sound. Once the multi-tracked, guitar melody kicks in the song takes on a rock/new age kind of sound. The guitar sound is similar to Gary Moore and Thin Lizzy. Once the guitar part is over the song switches into a new age sound only to switch into to a heavier type of rock sound with blistering, quick, guitar leads taking precedence. This is the Mike B sound that I enjoy the most.
Youtube music video link http://youtu.be/kO1XxZWKZYM

Strange Therapy is a very impressive effort as Mike wrote, performed and recorded all the music parts and wrote all the lyrics himself.

Michael Biddlecom, Buffalo Guitarist and Songwriter

Michael Biddlecom is a very talented, accomplished rock and roll guitar player and songwriter. I've witnessed Michael's unique and diverse talents firsthand and I recognize and appreciate Mike and his music. Mike is an excellent guitar player and he has demonstrated his abilities live and on recordings in and around Buffalo for many years.
My first contact with Mike was during my audition for the bass position to complete the original metal band called Bad Blood. This band was formed in the early 90's and the other members included Chris Barron (Ezekial) on vocals and Ric Proctor on drums, Ric was formerly with a band called Actor, which featured Buffalo favorite Jesse Galante on vocals. I was brought on as the new bassist. After learning Bad Blood's original material, we went on to change the name to Vicious Circle. Vicious Circle went on to record and release 8 original songs.

Mike's recent return to the Buffalo music scene was with a CD of his own instrumental music songs. Mystic Compass was released in 2010. Mystic Compass has Mike playing in a different style highlighting his diversity and talents on the electric guitar. Mystic Compass has elements of trance, acid jazz, jazz, techno and rock music. I was pleasantly surprised by this CD because I am used to hearing Mike play the guitar in a upfront, aggressive metal style. The music on Mystic Compass has an ethereal quality to it, spiritually soothing and great for daydreaming. If you want to relax and forget about your daily toils and troubles, playing the Mystic Compass CD will do it for you. Listen, Breathe and Relax. All of these songs are melodically driven by celestial sounding guitars, jazzy lead guitar solos ebb and flow seamlessly throughout these compositions. The title track Mystic Compass has a jazzy, bluesy feel to it, the melodic guitar lines feature some great bended notes.
Here's the YouTube link https://youtu.be/6jUAj7qc5fY
Sydonia contains some great bell-like tones throughout the song offsetting the guitar rhythm, a speedy guitar solo highlights Mike's skillful solo guitar playing.
Here's the YouTube link https://youtu.be/vwMIwyx7iNs
Track 3, After The Rain is an acid jazz, bluesy composition that features some great bended, melodic guitar lines along with some more somewhat speedy solo guitar playing. Here's the YouTube link http://youtu.be/rjolyrAval8. On What Does It Take Mike demonstrates his jazz guitar playing skills. Here's the YouTube link https://youtu.be/rjolyrAval8
The final track Sapphire Blues has a great, somewhat dissonant sounding guitar rhythm track but Mike somehow still manages to make it sound pleasant and soothing. This song also features some great guitar slides, harmonics and some more awesome bluesy, jazzy lead guitar playing. Add some volume and distortion to all the solos on Mystic Compass and you've got yourself some great rock guitar solos.
Here's the Youtube link to Sapphire Blues https://youtu.be/4nNaWNJEeaA
I highly recommend Mystic Compass to any fan of instrumental guitar based music.
Mystic Compass is a tour de force of some excellent, well composed instrumental guitar-based music. Mystic Compass was mixed by Kyle Wierzba and produced at Audio Magic in Buffalo NY.

Mike has posted a few brand new compositions on YouTube. Mike posted the song Into The Nebula in 7/10, Into The Nebula continues in the trance, acid jazz, meditation musical vein. Into The Nebula features some very unique, cool, buzzing, distorted guitar sounds, along with some feedback driven lead guitar lines.
Here's the YouTube link https://youtu.be/haoR7BKP0o4
Lost As Love, which Mike posted in 9/10, has a very melancholy feel to it, this song highlights some cool volume knob swells and a piano track that mirrors the rhythm guitar. At exactly 3:36 Mike unleashes the metal guitar sounds that I've known him for all these years, Mike rips out an excellent, distorted guitar solo on this track, the song closes with the piano track and a bell-tone at the very end. Very Cool! Here's the YouTube link https://youtu.be/Ly0w3q95ewA

Mike has most recently joined forces, once again, with Joe Cristofanilli of Ratt fame. Mike and Joe's debut song, The Enemy, was posted on YouTube in 12/10. The Enemy features a live action video of a blighted Buffalo landscape. This instrumental song is filled with some great musical sounds, the keys in the intro jump out of the mix, grabbing the listeners attention right away, a track that sounds like a helicopter keeps the listener interested and wondering what may come next. The Enemy starts out mellow but at 1:21 Mike lets loose with some metal chords and a killer, face melting solo. The songs continues on with a distorted, pulsing rhythm guitar and at 3:20 Joe lets loose on a sweet sounding electric bass solo. The songs closes with a jazzy wah-pedal driven guitar solo.
Here's the YouTube link https://youtu.be/sP_q11738j8
Mad Theater is Mike and Joe's most recent composition, this song has a distinct metal sound and feel, sounding like Judas Priest at times, the bass jumps out of the mix for a brief solo at 1:51. At about the halfway mark the song takes a twist as a bell-tone leads the listener into an acoustic guitar track. A thick, distorted guitar solo then takes over, after all that Mike once again shows his musical diversity taking a solo on the acoustic guitar which leads into another bass solo. Mad Theater closes out with the double tracked, melodic guitar line which was introduced earlier in the song.
Here's the YouTube link https://youtu.be/Q-PpzkHnzzk

Thank You Mike!

Buffalo Ukulele Club

In The Whale

WED - SEPTEMBER 28, 2016 - 7:30 PM
In The Whale  Verified-artist-flat
Studio at Waiting Room
334 Delaware Ave
Buffalo, NY
Electric Six

http://www.inthewhalesucks.com/

The Spruce Meadow Farm

Visit

www.helpsavehorses.org

or

www.sprucemeadowfarm.com

to find out how you can help. 

Sontag Shogun

The Brooklyn/Montreal based electro-acoustic trio Sontag Shogun is coming to Buffalo in a couple weeks with the Canadian kindred spirit of Christopher Bissonnette, whose landscape of tones is beautifully manifested on the modular synthesizer. Sontag Shogun's music  is unlike a lot of the solo piano composition out there right now by the likes of Hauschka, Nils Frahm and Olafur Arnalds in that this trio is able to use live digital processing and field recordings alongside analog sonic treatments such as tapes and contact mics to create an entire evolving world of sound custom fit to the melodies popping off the piano's ivory keys.

Join me in this unique, engaging live experience on Saturday, October 15 at
Dreamland Arts
387 Franklin St, Buffalo, New York 14202
8pm | $5

Sontag Shogun (Youngbloods) http://sontagshogun.bandcamp.com/
Christopher Bissonnette (Kranky) https://christopherbissonnette.ca/
Bean Friend http://beanfriend.com/
Facebook event https://www.facebook.com/events/1588613311444188/

Thank you Jeremy.

Buffalo Comicon 2016