Episode 11: Duende

Nestled in the middle of the eclectic reclamation project known as Silo City—filled with towering storage cylinders that once made Buffalo one of the world’s largest grain ports—sits a quirky little social hub, buzzing throughout all four seasons. In the shadows of encircling silos rests Duende, a multifaceted, multi-stage venue that’s spurned new life off the banks of the Buffalo River—and has shown how the art of music can resuscitate an expanse once lost to the past.

In this episode of Hear Here, we’ll talk about how the establishment of a Silo City comfort station developed into a one-of-a-kind music venue with Duende owner, Rick Smith; discuss what it’s like to play amid the city’s iconic grain silos with longtime Buffalo musician, Tom Stahl; and learn about the many ways to enjoy music at Duende from venue regular, James Duggan.

Episode 10: Sportsmen’s Tavern

Buffalo’s Sportsmen’s Tavern, since first opening in 1985, has cultivated a destination dedicated to celebrating the unifying power of Americana music and its international legion of talented purveyors, one performance at a time. On this episode of Hear Here, we’ll talk about how a neighborhood tavern in Black Rock became a destination venue for music fans and traveling musicians alike with Sportsmen’s co-owner, Jason Hall; discuss what makes a daytime or nighttime performances at Sportsmen’s so special with Grosh guitarist, Grace Lougen; and learn why attendees of the venue are more community than crowd with Sportsmen’s regular, Rachel Swenson.

Episode 9: Asbury Arts Center

Today, we visit the Asbury Arts Center. Plenty of music venues are considered spiritual places by musicians and fans alike—and the connection at Asbury Hall makes sense. 150 years ago, it was home to the city’s Delaware Avenue Methodist Church. Now, it’s a 1,200-capacity multi-faceted performance and gallery space in the heart of the Queen City—long ago rescued by one of region’s most renown musicians, Ani DiFranco and the venue’s owner Scot Fisher. Known to both locals and visitors by its longtime moniker, Babeville, we’ll have conversations with the Vice President of Asbury Arts Center, Anna Kapechuk, Buffalo Music Hall of Fame inductee and artist, Bruce Wojick, and frequent Asbury attendee and musician, Sara Elizabeth.

Episode 8: Pausa Art House

A welcoming venue for artists both contemporary and complementary, this is the singularity of PAUSA Art House amid Buffalo’s music scene, and every week, new visitors are introduced to its place and possibilities. In this episode of Hear Here, we’ll talk about PAUSA’s development, mission, and magnitude with co-founder and current owner, Lazara Martinez; discuss what makes the venue so special for musicians with jazz vocalist Alex McArthur; and explore what a night at PAUSA looks like from an attendee’s perspective with Kofi Fynn-Aikins, a patron who consistently keep getting drawn back into this magical space.

Episode 7: Music is Art Festival

One of the most celebrated festivals in the Buffalo music scene was started by none other than Robby Takac from the Goo Goo Dolls. As a native to the Queen City, his vision was to expose the eclectic and underground, but vibrant music that was happening right around his own studios in Buffalo. After more than 20 years of success, Music is Art has grown in size and scope. In this episode we’ll talk with festival founder Robby Takac from the Goo Goo Dolls, Mike Farrow of the band Farrow, who has performed at Music is Art for years, and Linda Appleby, a music educator and a fan, who has attended Music is Art since the beginning.

Episode 6: Borderland Music + Arts Festival

This is the Borderland Music and Arts Festival, an annual three-day gala of arts, music and camaraderie, set to launch its sixth installment at East Aurora’s Knox Farm State Park from September 13-15, 2024. In this episode of Hear Here, we’ll talk festival specifics, how it’s grown into this year’s sixth edition, and how the event has become an end-of-summer celebration with Borderland co-founder, Jennifer Brazill; connect with Harmony Griffin of Uncle Ben’s Remedy on how the festival connects musicians with the best of the Buffalo area; and explore what makes the event so special for local and visiting fans alike with Borderland regular, Kevin Ford.

Episode 5: Buffalo Iron Works

On this episode of Hear Here, we head to Buffalo Iron Works in the Cobblestone District to talk with owners Josh Holtzman and Grace Vesneske about the evolution of the club. We get to meet an Iron Works superfan and season ticket holder, Melissa Stadler. And finally, Michael Gantzer from Aqueous joins us for an introspective conversation about what Buffalo Iron Works means to him. 

Episode 4: Beau Fleuve Music & Arts Celebration

The Beau Fleuve Music and Arts Celebration was conceived to be a celebration of diversity and arts of all kinds. The four-day event is now in its eighth year, and preparing to bring an exciting array of installations and live performances to the campus of Buffalo Central Terminal. In this episode of Hear Here, we’ll talk with Beau Fleuve founder, Lindsey L. Taylor; discuss how the festival provides a stage to the city’s most diverse collection of creative talent with installation artist Nekea Brown; and highlight what makes the event so special for fans with Visit Buffalo Niagara tourism professional Renata Toney.

Episode 3: Artpark

In this episode of “Hear, Here,” we’ll talk about the history and scenic allure of Artpark, now in its 50th year, with its interim president, Dave Wedekindt; discuss how the destination’s natural beauty can add to performance with O.A.R. guitarist, Richard On; and hear about how some shows can become spiritual experiences with Artpark board member and ardent music fan, John Camp. Now, after years of memorable shows amplified from its various staging areas, Artpark has become one of the country’s distinctive, internationally celebrated destinations.

Episode 2: June in Buffalo

Championed internationally by the renowned Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and echoed for generations inside spaces like Kleinhans Music Hall, classical music can bring listeners back to the streets of our one-time City of Light and deepen their appreciation of the modern Queen City. Throughout the summer, there are scores of classical performances across the region. But with the annual June in Buffalo—the June 9-15, 2024 festival dedicated to contemporary composers and set on the campus of the University at Buffalo—fans can enjoy multiple days of classical music appreciation and get lost in the beauty of arrangements that have stood the test of time. In this episode of Hear Here, we’ll talk festival specifics and legacy with June in Buffalo Artistic Director, Jonathan Golove; examine the genre’s trajectory and intricacies with conductor of the BPO, Fernanda Lastra; and connect with Buffalo-born composer, Amy Williams about her musical upbringing—and where classical music could take us next.

Episode 1: Town Ballroom

On this episode of Hear Here, we visit the iconic Town Ballroom. Initially called The Town Casino in the ‘40s, 50s and ‘60s, the Town Ballroom on Main Street in Buffalo, NY hosted legends such as Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Miles Davis. In the following decades, the building would change ownership multiple times. Nearly twenty years ago, hoping to establish a premiere concert venue in Buffalo, Artie Kwitchoff and Donny Kutzbach of Funtime Presents decided to “restore the old girl to her former glory.” In this episode, Donnie and Artie share their story of transforming this iconic venue to showcase local, national, and international acts. Bentley also visits with Max Kerman, the lead singer of Arkells, to find out what it’s like to play here. Finally, we meet Town Ballroom superfan Jim Lemoy, who has officially obtained VIP status, attending more than 400 concerts, and counting.

For the video companion to the Hear Here podcast check out:
Buffalo Toronto Public Media on YouTube