Buffalo's rising talent comes together for Femme Fest: A Birthday Jam
The femme forces leading Femme Fest: Blaised Mercedes, Maegan Jones, Danielle Johnson and Emily Scripps
Buffalo’s musical renaissance is a gift that keeps on giving. In the last few years, we’ve seen new festivals and artists sprout throughout the budding community. From hip-hop to alternative to rock to everything in between, the breeding ground for musical creativity in the Queen City continues to reach new heights and the announcement of Femme Fest is evidence of that.
Earlier last month, rising bands Smac!, Tsavo Highway, Blaised & Confused and Diyene joined forces along with special guest Dj Sike to announce their first collaborative show Femme Fest: A Birthday Jam. The event, taking place at Iron Works this month aims to join femme-leading, Buffalo-based bands together for a night to celebrate themselves, new music, and their birthdays ( which all happen to fall in December). With all 4 bands bringing a genre-bending edge to the stage, you’re probably wondering what to expect. We have the lowdown on these fierce up-and-comers!
The Femme Fest show is Friday, December 22, 7PM at Iron Works. Find tickets HERE
Meet Smac!
@smac716
Rising singer-songwriter Maegan Jones and composer-guitarist Oscar Woodrich came together to create Smac! last year as an extension of their solo careers; and to experiment outside of their sound. Performing many singles from Maegan’s 2022 EP Eurydice, this 2-piece will debut new music during Femme Fest. Known for their soulful harmonies and pleasant compositions that dip into funk, rock and pop, the duo is bringing their unique touch to popular contemporary tracks and original works. Frontwoman Maegan says she’s be inspired by “any tune.”
“Rappers like Kendrick Lamar, Andre 3000, Freddie Gibbs, and Denzel Curry taught me rhythm. Performers like Beyonce, Victoria Monet, and Janet Jackson taught me how to create quality music while moving my body. Vocalists like LalahHathaway, Brandy, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Marvin Gaye and Samara Joy taught me our voices can change the world one ballad at a time. Soul singers like D'angelo, Erykah Badu, Amy Winehouse, and Anthony Hamilton taught me how to feel. Pop icons like David Bowie, Rihanna, Daft Punk, and Kylie Minogueta taught me continuity. Musical masterminds like Prince, George Benson and Stevie Wonder taught me to never stop learning. And the list will forever go on,” Maegan shared.
Meet Tsavo Highway
@tsavo_highway
This 5-piece jam band formed early last year is known for its intoxicating, groove-based performances. Made up of guitarist Peter Kern, guitarist Christian Dobosiewicz, bassist Brian Calisto, drummer Dan Keegan, and lead vocalist Emily Scripps, the rock and roll group won Best New Band, Best Local Song, and Best Vocalist last year at the All WNY Awards. Their approach of “crafting a sonic landscape filled with intricate melodies and powerful riffs” is what continues to make them a hot commodity and a rising force amongst Buffalo’s jam scene. As lead vocalist, Emily’s passion for music comes from her early musical influences in dance, musicals and church. She also shares that she uses her voice and music to uplift herself.
“Performing, and especially creating help to keep the demons at bay,” Emily explained. “They help to take all of my anxious ridden energy and put it into something that can help myself and hopefully others in navigating their own emotions. I don’t necessarily need something to “keep” my creating and performing going, I truly have to keep doing both.”
Meet Blaised & Confused
@Blaised.and.confused
Singer-songwriter turned rockstar, Blaise Mercedes’ soulful voice, hardcore grit, and stylish edge have gained major attention this year. Fronting their recently formed band, Blaised & Confused, the daring vocalist aims to create music that is boundary-less. Inspired by a range of artists from Pierce the Veil to Esperanza Spalding, Blaise, along with their band - drummer Alex Chambers, saxophonist Cat Poczciwinski, bassist Malachi Fibonacci, and guitarist Oscar Woodrich - is presenting an exciting, non-conformist approach to rock music that continues to attract new listeners. Whether it’s covering the left of music or presenting original works, Blaise’s passionate performances are the start of an exciting journey to share their most authentic self.
“There is no other outlet that is as liberating or intimidating as creating music and performing. In a way, I’m the most honest version of myself when I perform and the most vulnerable when I write. I crave that level of authenticity from myself, otherwise, I get very discombobulated. It helps me to recenter and articulate what's going on in my brain and my heart,” Blaise shared.
Meet Diyene
@diyeneband
This fresh faced band is ready to share their mantra “Good Music Finds A Way” with the world. Forming just this past Spring, Diyene is a soul-fusion band that is bringing experienced musicians together to create fun, heartfelt music. Consisting of guitarist Mike Cassidy, keyboardist Eric Matlock, drummer Marc thomas, bassist Nick Myers, and lead vocalist Danielle A. Johnson, Diyene’s high energy, interactive performances is uniting different facets of the music community together. Frontwoman Danielle is most excited that femme-led bands are working together.
“There is so much about this show that I have dreamed about since its conception and I am so amazed at the wonderful femme-women I have beside me helping me pull this together,” Danielle shared. “I am excited to see some of the people who have become really and truly great friends to me perform at a show that they had a hand in organizing. I am excited to see all of our friends come out and support us. And I guess most of all, I am excited that there is a space for Femme-Led anything to be showcased and highlighted.”