King Buffalo

Psychedelic / Stoner Rock

From Rochester, New York, King Buffalo is the trio of vocalist/guitarist Sean McVay, bassist Dan Reynolds, and drummer Scott Donaldson. Since forming in 2013, the self-proclaimed "heavy blues" band has made its name via debut album Orion, follow-up EP Repeater, and tours with the likes of The Sword, All Them Witches, and Elder.

Psych-rock authority The Obelisk has been tracking King Buffalo's ascent since the start, pegging them as a band destined for greatness. The site's review of the Repeater EP proclaimed: "Repeater finds them brimming with confidence... Their songwriting here hits a new level of craftsmanship that only raises one's hopes even after such an impressive debut long-player. The question isn't so much whether King Buffalo are prepared for their next step as it is whether their audience is ready to realize the special moment playing out in front of them."

Sophomore album Longing to Be the Mountain is an enthralling piece of work that sees King Buffalo fulfill its promise. In six songs, clocking in at 42 minutes, the band cements the style initiated on previous releases. Sure to delight fans of psych, stoner, and krautrock, Longing to Be the Mountain is timeless rock music, greater than any one genre.

Donaldson's clean, powerful drumming and Reynolds' hypnotic basslines lock into grooves that propel the songs, traveling from cool, spacious zones into all-out explosive finalés. Frontman McVay mesmerizes with a haunting vocal style that commands full attention despite its sedated tone - early Pink Floyd is a reference point. Within each song, he showcases a palette of vivid guitar playing, from jangly rhythms to ripping solos.

Some songs make their point in 4 minutes or less, others sprawl out above the 10-minute mark. In either case, there is no fat to trim. King Buffalo moves with purpose. Reynolds names British Invasion bands like The Animals as an influence on him during the making of Longing to Be the Mountain, noting how he came to respect simplicity - "just playing the right notes in the right places." With the three members in sync, songs progress steadily and fluidly, from world-weary lulls into squalls of transcendence.

King Buffalo's music and lyrics are in harmony, both painting pictures of traveling, questing, evolving. Of the lyrics, McVay says, "The album is about searching for meaning. It's a story about finding one's place in an increasingly turbulent and chaotic world." We, the listeners, are lucky to witness King Buffalo's journey as they cruise onward and upward, leaving behind an amazing soundtrack as they go.

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/kingbuffaloband/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/kingbuffaloband/

Website:

http://kingbuffalo.com/?fbclid=IwAR2xZDA-CkVWxqx8u51S503q4HGzhGfI9iGnf9a6nSDjYzHl3WEdaJcUJS0

Bitches of the Sun

Bitches of the Sun is Portland based collective fronted by artist/musician Joshua Davis. The group describes their sound as Delta Sex Pop delivering a body shaking groove with head scratching arrangements. The current member/instrumentation for the project include:

Joshua Davis - vocals/guitar/saxophone
Johnny Holliday - upright bass/baritone guitar/slide guitar/harmonica
Nick Wright - six string electric bass
Lucas James - drums/guitar/vocals

Joshua arrived to Portland, Oregon in 2014 and was immediately drawn to the Pacific Northwest. As a working jazz artist from Chicago, he fell in love with the contrast and natural beauty of his new surrounding environment. Over the last few years he has collaborated with various artists in the local jazz & blues scene, that have become the foundation for this collective.

The goal of Bitches of the Sun is to create an ever-expanding collective of creatives throughout the Northwest in all mediums.

Candy Cigarettes

Dream Pop Indie Rock

From one of the Pacific Northwest's most beautiful cities, Portland, comes Candy Cigarettes, the music moniker of the one-man band, producer, vocalist, and self-taught multi-instrumentalist, Lane Mueller.

?Mueller has received a growing reputation in Portland's competitive DIY scene, opening for established artists like Nurses, Frances Cone, and Minus the Bear. 

His self-titled debut dropped on Cinco de Mayo of two thousand sixteen. Unforgettable tracks like "Selling Price" and "Molded Ocean" ordain Mueller's LP as one of the best debuts of the year. Also, don't miss the Beach Boys influenced choruses and psychedelic beach pop for "Sweet Love."

?Beginning in his mid-teens, Mueller taught himself to play guitar, bass, piano, and drums. His biggest musical influences include Beck, Elliott Smith, Brian Jonestown Massacre, and Radiohead.

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/CandyCigs/

Website:

https://www.candycigs.com/?fbclid=IwAR0IokEx8btRuSoBWQ6n8NqfpAXEsjmtB2e-EvR70g5Cu4T5fr8bfvffNs4