“Your reason to return to radio has arrived” is a phrase commonly quipped on Buffalo’s radio station Alternative Buffalo FM 107.7. It is a motto they live up to. The station surprisingly reaches all the way out to Houghton with reception extending across campus. It even has a mobile app or you can listen online. It is a relatively new station that has already got a lot going for it. It gives an excellent alternative for those who are tired of your typical pop radio station tunes, such as Iggy Azalea, Taylor Swift, or One Direction. For those who have forsaken radio altogether in favor of their iPod, try returning to this radio station.
Alt Buffalo plays a wide range artists ranging from legends like Nirvana to young new artists such as George Ezra. Popular artists such as Bastille, Lorde, Hozier, and Coldplay are commonly featured on the station, some even before they became international hits. Along with these big names are lesser known, but equally talented and entertaining musical artists. Alt Buffalo plays many up-and-coming or obscure artists, giving music lovers the opportunity to expand their musical library. Some artists you might discover include Panama Wedding, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Sir Sly, and Glass Animals.
Especially focused on the theme of discovery is the “The Underground Collective” session on Sunday nights 6-8pm. During this time they play only “underground” and indie rock artists, ones you mostly likely have not heard of, but that the station believes deserve to be listened to.
Similarly, “Localized” on Sunday nights 8-9pm features artists from Buffalo, Western New York, and surrounding areas. Local musicians can submit their music for the opportunity to gain exposure and listeners can hear local talented musicians. Joywave, a band out of Rochester, NY is now receiving a little more national attention, was featured on Localized.
Compared to similar alternative stations in other regions, Alt Buffalo keeps itself to the more indie and true alternative side of things. Other similar alternative stations sometimes begin to feel like a borderline pop station by playing too many top chart artists like Imagine Dragons or Fall Out Boy. While 107.7 does play some popular artists that fit into the indie or alternative genres, they steers clear of artists who do not belong on their station.
One drawback to Alt Buffalo is sometimes it can get slightly repetitive. If you listen too often you may find yourself hearing to the same songs multiple times in a week, which is perhaps a flaw of music radio stations in general. As more music comes out, however, they are always updating their playlists.
Besides just the radio station, a new and exciting addition to the Buffalo area from Alt Buffalo is their concert series. One of these series, called “You Saw Them First,” features lesser-known artists they expect to become big. Featured last spring was Bear Hands, who have their hit single “Giants.” Bear Hands went on to perform at Alt Buffalo’s big concert, the first Kerfuffle.
The unforgettable Kerfuffle concert happened in July at Canal Side under the skyway in Buffalo. It featured artists Bricks and Mortar, Semi-Precious Weapons, the Kongos, the Bleachers, and Cage the Elephant. Going from 3 to 11 p.m., the show had 10,000 people and was well-worth the price of admission.
With the success of summer concert and the growing popularity of the radio station, Alt Buffalo hosted the Kerfuffle Before Christmas. The concert featured artists Airborne Toxic Event, Jungle, Robert Delong, Neon Trees, and Walk the Moon – who recently came out with a new album, Talking is Hard.
