If there’s anything you need to know about me, it’s that I love a good playlist. I have always loved listening to music, but playlists are a great way for me to set the energy wherever I am (for example, if I’m going on a walk vs. getting ready for a night out).
When I lived in Austin, I made a Patio Playlist that I was constantly adding to it (it’s 25 hours long), and it sort of became my personal Austin soundtrack.
While the Patio Playlist was the backdrop to my time in Texas (and I still love the songs on it), I knew I needed to make a playlist for my life in Buffalo, New York.
So, I finally got started putting one together!
I want it to be a mix of genres, of course, but I want it to capture the fun, funky vibes I’m trying to carry. And, I’m not afraid of adding some grit into the mix — imperfection and darkness go hand-in-hand with the resilience of Buffalo, and it’s one of the many things I find charming about the city.
While my Buffalo playlist is just a few hours long so far, feel free to listen to it if you’d like, or check back in, as I’m always adding to it when I hear songs that fit my rubric.
Here are some of the artists you’ll hear on the playlist:
Remi Wolf
I heard Remi Wolf for the first time while listening to John Mayer’s Sirius XM channel and was immediately hooked. The sound is so fun and funky; I dare you to put this one during your next walk and NOT dance the entire length of the song! Of course I love “Cinderella,” but “Disco Man” and “Photo ID” are great, too (honestly, you can’t go wrong).
The Goo Goo Dolls
Is it truly a Buffalo playlist if it doesn’t feature hometown heroes, The Goo Goo Dolls? I went to a GGD concert after just being in Buffalo for a few days and was honestly blown away by the number of hit songs I remembered from the 90s and early 2000s. Plus, John Rzeznik’s guitar-playing blows me away. It might be cliche, but “Name” is one of my favorites. I think it captures that 90s sound so well, plus it’s the perfect bit of melancholy.
Mac Miller
For some reason, I used to solely listen to Mac Miller when I traveled to San Francisco (no idea why) but I’m happy to report that rule no longer stands. This winter, I ventured out (I’m still figuring out the whole “winter” thing) to see a Mac Miller cover band, and it was so much fun. I love the mix of music in his songs, and appreciate his honest lyrics.
Benny G
One thing I love about music is that you can really get going down a rabbit hole, and along the way, you’ll discover more music! I stumbled upon Benny G (A New York native) while looking up Ella Langley covers, and haven’t turned back. He’s the Opry’s newest member, but his voice is raspy and seasoned. It’s perfection!
The Runarounds
I came across The Runarounds while deep-diving on Dashboard (DC forever!) and they were on tour with a Buffalo stop earlier this month. They are so fun and talented (they remind me of The Kooks), and I’m excited to see how they evolve in the coming years.
If you have any artists I should check out or songs you think I should add to the playlist, let me know!
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