buffaBLOG Event Previews

Preview: Sloan at the Harbor

Buffalo has a long standing relationship with Canada. Besides proximity (how long do you think it would take to swim across the Niagara River - you know, if you had to?), Buffalonians have been cop-opting Canadian culture and music for years. Groups like The Tragically Hip and Lowest of the Low come to mind as bands that are typically "bigger deals" in the Queen City than the rest of the United States. Another such band is Sloan, who, after two decades of seriously tearing it up across Canada with their edgy power-pop, haven't made much of an American indent beyond the rustbelt. But despite having been passed up by many, they're running as strong as ever, having just released one of their best records to date - The Double Cross - which received a formidable 8.1 rating on Pitchfork.com. Be sure to catch them at Thursday At The "Square" tonight; there's still a chance you can tell your friends you heard them "before they got big." Support comes from Buffalo's own masters of aggressive pop, The Found and Johnny Nobody.

~sg

Originally published on buffaBLOGhttp://www.buffablog.com07 JUL 2011

Tonight: JEFFREY LEWIS

If the words "manic" and "rambling" didn't carry such negative connotation, I'd be more willing to use them to describe Jeffrey Lewis' lyrics. Nicknamed "Lightning Lewis" for his often rapid-fire delivery, the anti-folk, proto-punk performer rants neurotically, providing some evocative and highly entertaining social commentary along the way. Meanwhile, some deliberately clumsy, After The Gold Rush-meets-White Light/White Heat guitar strumming serves as a congruous vehicle to the message. His songwriting has been highly acclaimed by artists ranging from Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie) to Eddie Argos (Art Brut) to Jarvis Cocker (Pulp), and "Williamsburg Will Oldham Horror" is a must-hear for any struggling musician.

Lewis will be hitting Sugar City tonight with support from fellow NYC anti-folker Seth Faergolzia (of DUFUS) and local lyrical mastermind Jack Topht. Show starts at six and costs six bucks.

~sg

Originally published on buffaBLOGhttp://www.buffablog.com08 JUL 2011