music

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

By HANNAH STEIN | Feb. 22, 2018

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

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Feb. 19, 2018

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

By ANDREW SAFE | Nov. 30, 2016

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

By ANDREW SAFE | Nov. 21, 2016

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

Three of the most anticipated albums of the year were released on the exclusive streaming sites Tidal and Apple Music.

ARTS

The age of music exclusivity

By ANDREW SAFE | Sep. 17, 2016

In the past couple of years, streaming services have overpowered physical CD sales. Many artists are opting to release their music online using music services rather than producing CDs.

ARTS

The grapevine

By BRIAN WINDSCHITL | Dec. 1, 2015

From John Legend to Todd Rundgren, Buffalo never fails to surprise with its array of incoming talent. As the much-dreaded finals week approaches, get out of whatever study spot you are currently crying in and give yourself a much-needed reprieve. Get out to one of the many shows in the Queen City this week and let yourself relax and forget about the huge pileup of work you inevitably have been putting off.

OPINION

Justin Bieber’s purpose

By DANI GUGLIELMO | Nov. 18, 2015

Bieber released his fourth studio album Purpose on Nov. 13 as his first project of new music after a two-year break of “bad behavior” and the follow-up to his previous album Believe.

Grimes’ fourth studio album, Art Angels, is a divisive blend of electro, dance, rock, pop, punk and even K-pop - a testament to the artist’s expansive growth over the past three years. The album is making headlines as one of the most eclectic and interesting albums of 2015 so far, a huge followup for the artist’s immensely popular 2012 Visions.

ARTS

The dark witch of pop: Grimes releases her fourth studio album Art Angels

By BRIAN WINDSCHITL | Nov. 8, 2015

Since her critically acclaimed, breakout album Visions in 2012, Grimes (Claire Boucher) has been relatively low-key. According to the artist’s social media, the self-imposed hermitage has been necessary to work on her artistry.

ARTS

The grapevine

By BRIAN WINDSCHITL | Oct. 25, 2015

As per usual, Buffalo’s has a wide-ranging set of concert options this week. If you feel sad and want to get lost in your feelings for a night, Surfan Stevens makes great music to cry to. If you want get funky and dance all night, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad is playing at the Tralf this week. If you are feeling nostalgic for some middle school 2000s pop hits, the Plain White T’s are coming to town. Pick what you want and go for it.

ARTS

The grapevine

By BRIAN WINDSCHITL | Oct. 18, 2015

Buffalo always has a few surprising shows from week to week. This week, legendary musician and former-Beatle Paul McCartney is coming to play a sold-out show at First Niagara Center and 2000s pop punk Mayday Parade will play at Town Ballroom. With midterms wrapping up, get out and enjoy the Queen City and all that it has to offer.

Philadelphia rocker Kurt Vile’s 6th studio album, b'lieve i'm goin down, released Sept. 25. The album feels like another milestone for the artist, whose genuine, self-reflective music is as relaxing as it is refreshing.

ARTS

Kurt Vile’s 6th studio album sees artist expand on previous success

By BRIAN WINDSCHITL | Oct. 13, 2015

Kurt Vile is, undeniably, a rock star. It’s his understated nature that sets him apart from all the other rockers out there; Vile isn’t in it for the fame or the fortunes. His music is an extension of himself – unassuming, self-effacing and above all else, honest. On Sept. 25, he released his newest project b'lieve i'm goin down, his 6th studio album to date.

Mac Miller released his third studio Album on Sept. 18, GO:OD AM.

ARTS

Coming into his own: Mac Miller’s new album epitomizes his style and sound

By TORI ROSEMAN | Sep. 27, 2015

On Sept. 18, Mac Miller dropped his latest album GO:OD A.M. Miller has seen immense success for such a young artist. His career skyrocketed when he released his LP, Blue Slide Park in 2011and it hit the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Top 100 list.

ARTS

The grapevine

By BRIAN WINDSCHITL | Sep. 20, 2015

As summer draws its final breaths and fall is ushered in, Buffalo enters a new season for music activity. In this weekly installment of The Grapevine, Buffalo exhibits a large variety of artists and venues, ranging from outdoor Indie rock concerts at Artpark lawn to hard, head-mashing electro in the intimate Waiting Room. Come out and see your favorite artists perform or get out and discover new ones – take your pick.

ARTS

The grapevine

By BRIAN WINDSCHITL | Sep. 13, 2015

Check out this week's installation of Buffalo's best concerts.

Big Sean took the stage by storm at Saturday's Fall Fest in front of a crowd of more than 6,000. His was considered by many students to be the best performance of the night, with Jeremih's coming in a close second.

ARTS

Big Sean steals sold-out Fall Fest show in UB's Alumni Arena

By BRIAN WINDSCHITL | Sep. 13, 2015

Students lined up more than three hours before Fall Fest’s scheduled start time and waited for hours in relentless, drenching rain as the line to get into Alumni Arena stretched around the University Police Station.

ARTS

The grapevine

By BRIAN WINDSCHITL | Sep. 8, 2015

This week, Buffalo has an odd assortment of bands coming to the Queen City. From legendary ’90s rap groups to small, indie-rock duos from Tel Aviv, the concert choices are endless. Whether you want a gritty hip-hop concert or a huge festival-style show, you have plenty to choose from.

The Sword’s fifth studio album has helped break the metal band out of its niche, as the musicians experiment with psychedelic rock.

ARTS

The Sword carves out fresh new sound

Sep. 8, 2015

On its fifth studio album, Texas metal outfit The Sword eschews some of the heaviness of its earlier works, but loses none of its power. After four albums of traditional metal since the band’s 2006 debut, High Country sees The Sword successfully reinvent its sound in a broader musical context.

Big Sean is set to headline Fall Fest on Sept. 12, alongside Jeremih, Isaiah Rashad and Tink.

ARTS

Big Sean, another hip-hop Fall Fest, to cost nearly half of SA Entertainment budget

By BRIAN WINDSCHITL | Sep. 1, 2015

The Student Association spent nearly half of its 2015-16 entertainment budget on the mix of hip-hop and R&B talent for Fall Fest this year. One hundred and sixty-three thousand dollars was spent of SA’s allotted $390,000 for entertainment. The genre of Fall Fest, rap-themed for the fourth year in a row, is a widely- debated topic among the student body.

Slug Christ’s style of rapping is similar to that of Tyler, the Creator and Three 6 Mafia’s tracks, with dark undertones and a unique beat.

ARTS

Slug Christ shows Atlanta is more than just trap

By ALEX PENNINGTON | May 7, 2015

Awful Records is a collective of beat makers, rappers and singers who all write and produce their own music. From graphic design to directing, to mixing and mastering their own tracks, Awful Records maintains a do-it-yourself mentality that is seen in their approach to music and heard in the songs they make. Slug Christ is one of the more unconventional members of the collective and his music combines the playful spirituality of Lil B with the dark undertones of Tyler, the Creator and Three 6 Mafia.

ARTS

Spring Fest: an alternative affair with Young the Giant, Banks, more

By BRIAN WINDSCHITL and TORI ROSEMAN | May 3, 2015

Spring Fest 2015, hosted by the undergraduate Student Association, featured Young the Giant, Banks, Bear Hands, In the Valley Below and The Royal Tongues. The event was open to the public but free to UB undergraduates who pay the $94.75 semesterly mandatory student activity fee.