Saviors of the scene
It’s no secret that Buffalo has a strong music scene. With bands like Every Time I Die and The Goo Goo Dolls spreading their words across the nation, it’s becoming more and more evident that this town has a lot to offer.
But for local talent, getting your name out there isn’t the easiest task in the world.
That’s where the four members of Queen City Cartel come in. This up-and-coming production group is responsible for some of the best dance parties this city has ever seen.
QCC is made up of Rick Vallone, Matt Manera, Matt Brautlacht and Steve “DJ Medison” Rittner. Together the guys of QCC have amassed a great deal of experience.
“We all have different experiences within the music industry,” Brautlacht said. “Steve obviously is a DJ, [Manera and Vallone] play in bands and have been promoting shows for years now. I did a small label with a friend of mine years ago and put on some shows, stuff like that. So we all had enough experience combined, and we knew enough people that we could do something positive.”
QCC was formed last November and in its short time together has already accomplished a great deal. But this is partly due to the people around the city who are willing to help out.
“That’s how we landed the venue at Staples … [the bartender there] knows us all by name. He manages the bar and books the bar. After our first party he extended the offer to do monthlies there,” Vallone said.
The guys went through the music scene in Buffalo and noticed many problems, especially dealing with communication, so they decided to set out with a specific goal in mind.
According to Manera, the group was made to organize the Buffalo music scene. They all noticed that things weren’t running as smoothly as they could.
“We were kind of disappointed in the scene going on,” Braulachet said. “A lot of people had so much potential and they had [a] following, but they weren’t really growing at all. Working together was one of the biggest things.”
This Friday, the group looks to further build its resume with a no-cover charge dance party, titled “Friction,” at Staples on Allen Street. The party will feature DJs Skydiver, Bones, NSFW and Biacco.
“That room is going to be like a UFO landing. It’s going to be thumping with bass, there’s going to be lights flashing. We wouldn’t recommend anyone with epilepsy show up,” Vallone said.
The four members have an easy time explaining what’s featured at parties.
“Debauchery,” Rittner said.
Even though the parties are all about having a good time, the guys don’t forget their manners.
“I’ll go through the crowd and thank people for coming. I think that’s important, to be gracious hosts,” Vallone said.
This belief is important to each member of the company.
“That’s something I don’t see a lot of at parties. The promoters are in the trenches with the troops kind of feeling,” Rittner said. “The generals are partying with their f****** privates.”
To QCC, one of the most important things is uniting the scene and making sure everyone is treated fairly.
Vallone explained that a common problem was that DJs wouldn’t get paid for shows they played at. This caused many problems, and they knew something needed to be done.
“I wasn’t getting paid. That’s what put the fire under my ass,” Rittner said.
One instance that particularly bothered Rittner was when he organized a weekly show at a club and then found out from a Facebook post that he wasn’t even on the bill.
However, these young chaps are not bitter. To QCC, this project is about more than just making money, or partying: it’s also about the community. The group has even thrown a party to help raise food for the needy.
“It went to Bread of Life Pantry over at First Presbyterian church. That party in particular was huge because it was free to get in before midnight down at Soundlab if you brought a canned good,” Vallone said. “We raised about $600 worth of groceries. We filled the entire trunk of [a] car and half of another… So we loaded up pretty good … the particular pantry we donated to feeds 20 families in the neighborhood a week.”
Apart from hosting numerous parties throughout the year, the guys of QCC also put on a radio show to help get local talent some exposure.
“We got the streaming radio that Steve was just setting up, tonight. We do a webcast on Monday nights, live DJs. It’s Waxmuseumradio.com,” Vallone said.
Queen City Cartel is only moving up in the scene and is showing no signs of stopping. So make sure to keep an eye out for their parties, especially in the upcoming months.
“When the weather get’s warmer were going to come out swinging,” Rittner said.
E-mail: arts@ubspectrum.com