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Music

ARTS

The grapevine

With the pressure of a new semester on the horizon, sometimes the only way to relieve that added stress is to go to a concert. From metal to underground hip hop and even legends from the ‘80s, here is a list of some of the most anticipated upcoming shows in the Buffalo area.


ARTS

Arts Desk 2019 album picks

As 2019 comes to an end, it’s time to reflect on the year’s finest musical releases. The past 12 months have provided listeners with quality music. Pop and hip-hop continued their chart domination with notable releases from Lizzo, Ariana Grande and Tyler, the Creator, while rock and metal contributed with strong efforts from Blood Incantation, The Twilight Sad and Opeth.


ARTS

Five albums to reduce your stress

It’s the end of the semester, final papers and projects are piling up and you’re ready to pull your hair out. Mental health is just as important as physical health, stress is never good and sometimes the best thing to do is just relax. Finding a way to relax is easier said than done, but music can easily help students destress before finals and is one of the most accessible stress-relieving tools. Thanks to the advent of streaming, music for stress relief is affordable, you can listen to it while you study and it won’t force you to break a sweat like a run would.


ARTS

The six best albums of the 2010s you probably haven’t heard of

There has never been a decade as hard to pin down musically as the 2010s.  Genres like trap and EDM took the mainstream world by storm as underground outsider genres like vaporwave (a genre consisting of already-existing ‘80s songs slowed down with reverb) challenged conventions of what music could be in the modern day.


The vinyl cover for Cryptopsy's 1996 album "None So Vile."
ARTS

Haunting Halloween music picks

The Halloween season consists of cutesy costumes, silly jack-o-lanterns and enough candy to induce a sugar coma, but what makes this time of year so interesting and unique is its underlying theme of terror.  People get their kicks out of being scared s--tless and especially during Halloween. Why else would so many people come together every year to watch possession-infested films and visit haunted houses? Music around this time of year shouldn’t be any different, it should scare the hell out of you, too.


Young the Giant performing at Spring Fest 2015.
ARTS

Fall Fest playlist: A quick guide to Young the Giant and Verzache

The Fall Fest Concert Series continues Saturday with its “Indie-Rock Showcase,” the second show of the three-part series.  Rockers Young the Giant –– who headlined Spring Fest 2015 –– will headline the show as relaxed crooner Verzache opens the show. To get hyped up for fest, here’s a list of seven songs (three by Verzache and four by Young the Giant) to familiarize yourself with before heading to the Center for the Arts Saturday night.


ARTS

DaBaby settles for average on 'KIRK'

In a time when lyrical rappers rarely make the XXL Freshman list, DaBaby was a breath of fresh air. He made a name for himself spitting catchy and smart bars over trendy instrumentals on his 2019 debut record “Baby on Baby,” and through features on some of the biggest records of the year so far.


UB alum John Hannibal moves to Los Angeles this year to try to “make it big” as a pop musician.
FEATURES

HVNNIBVL takes LA

John Hannibal remembers when he was 12 years old and the other kids would be playing video games, while he was home learning how to produce music.  He wanted to do something "cool" and "different." Music was his avenue to do that.


Editors at The Spectrum chose tracks to shake off the snow and welcome spring.
ARTS

A change of seasons: The Spectrum’s March Playlist

While the cold weather may not want to let up, spring is on the horizon. With warmer weather comes a change of pace in every facet, from clothing to daily routines. Music is no different. For the transition into spring, the editors at The Spectrum picked their favorite tracks for the change of climate.


Soulful bassist and singer Casey Abrams is headed to Babeville on March 17. In our recent discussion, Abrams talks about his work with Postmodern Jukebox, his post-American Idol life and what to expect from his Buffalo appearance.
ARTS

Bass in yo’ face!

The world knew Casey Abrams was different when he stepped onto the “American Idol” Hollywood stage with an upright bass. Through his journey on “American Idol” in 2011, Abrams came off as different and his journey through jazz and soul continues to separate him from his peers.


Guitarist Steve Rothery discusses Marillion’s newest album “F.E.A.R” and it’s approach during their US tour.
ARTS

Living in “F.E.A.R.”: a discussion with Marillion’s Steve Rothery

After 18 studio albums, Marillion shows no signs of slowing down. The band’s latest full-length offering “F.E.A.R.” is hailed by fans and critics as its best work in years, while also reaching number four on the UK album charts. The Spectrum sat down with lead guitarist Steve Rothery to discuss the new album, its influences and the next steps for Marillion.


Multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird is taking his “Echolocations: River” national tour to the CFA on Saturday. The Spectrum talked with Bird about his genre diversity, his writing process and giving titles to his orchestral pieces.
ARTS

Melodies for days: Q&A with singer and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird

A glockenspiel, violin, guitar –– Andrew Bird plays them all. Bird, a multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter will perform at UB’s Center for the Arts on Saturday as part of his “Echolocations: River” national tour. The Spectrum spoke with Bird before the concert about his latest album, “Echolocations: River” and his extensive music career that began when he was four-years-old. Bird has 14 albums and “Echolocations:River” is his second installment in his “Echolocation” series, where he takes inspiration from various landscapes.


Pop singer Lights will be hitting the Town Ballroom stage on March 6 for her We Were Here Tour. The singer talked with The Spectrum about the show, creating her own comic series and separating herself from her comic character.
ARTS

Pushing boundaries: An interview with Lights

In an industry where some regulars don’t write their own songs, Lights can write her own comic book series. The award-winning Canadian pop star is no stranger to venturing outside of the norm. Lights’ pure electronic pop sound has seen all four of her studio albums land on the Billboard 200. She’s won Juno Awards and pushed boundaries for what’s expected in the industry.


The Weeknd’s newest release Starboy is a dazzling step away from his traditional R&B sound. The 18-track album includes features from popular artists including Lana Del Rey, Daft Punk and Kendrick Lamar.
ARTS

The Weeknd aims to dazzle

Since his debut mixtape in 2011, Abel Tesfaye has created a place for himself among pop music’s most popular stars. The Weeknd has invariably watered down his unique style and replaced it with one more tailored for the radio along his journey to stardom. But that doesn’t mean this album isn’t unique.


"How to Disappear Completely" from Radiohead's 2000 album Kid A is one of many featured songs on our Finals Weeks playlist. Check out these soothing tunes to help you get through hours of studying and schoolwork.
ARTS

Finals week playlist

Relax your mind with this calming playlist, tailored to take you to a place of clarity – if only for a few moments.


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