Phantom Buffalo first formed as the Pony’s in 1998 as a bedraggled group of teenage painters and illustrators playing music for house parties, local bars and college friends. The band’s joy inducing shows quickly established the band as a hometown favorite in Portland, Maine and their meticulously crafted lo-fi albums have garnered recognition from afar.
“Phantom Buffalo are the whole package: songwriting, performance, smart, fun as all hell, and completely accessible” –Portland Phoenix
The band includes members Jonny Balzano-Brookes on vocals and guitar, Tim Burns on vocals and guitar, Sean Newton on bass guitar, Philip Willey on guitar, accordion and keyboard, Joe Domrad and Jacob Chamberlain on drums.
Phantom Buffalo’s music is delicately nostalgic. Like mysterious songs from the past, Phantom Buffalo creates a sound that reminds listeners of childhood adventures and dark family secrets. Their albums are increasingly complex yet possess the magic happiness of all great pop-rock bands. Throughout their music psychedelic and avant-garde hints reveal beautiful charm. Among others, Phantom Buffalo’s influences include: The Kinks, The Byrds and the Zombies, the dystopian landscapes of Terry Gilliam and the terrestrial idealism of Carl Sagan.
“The more you listen, the more beautiful and strange it becomes, as songs reveal hidden melodies and riffs, and Balzano-Brookes trills weird-out lines like “There’s something in the radio.” Like looking at a beautiful landscape painting, and seeing something move in the corner.” – MOJO review of ShiShiMuMu
Time has been good to Phantom Buffalo. The past twelve years have provided the band the opportunity to release three full length LP’s and two EP’s; working with noted engineers Jon Wyman, David Cheppa and Adam Ayan of Gateway Mastering. They have gained experience on the road and overseas while participating in festivals like SXSW and a recently completed European tour. They have had the good fortune to play with shows with Elf Power, Of Montreal, Mat and Kim, Truman Waters, Essex Green and the Fiery Furnaces.
Phantom Buffalo is well known for both their musical and visual craftsmanship. Their first album ShiShiMuMu was recorded on two-inch tape; a process which reveals their desire to create rich, multi-dimensional music. Band members create fantastical artwork for albums, promotional materials and gallery shows. With their newest album, Cement Postcard with Owl Colors, the band is working to develop a more fully realized musical and visual experience for fans as they create their own music videos.
Today, Phantom Buffalo continues to create songs with close harmonies and enchanting melodies telling tales of insects on distant planets or the bully next door. Keep an eye out for news of upcoming albums as they head into the studio in spring 2011 to begin recording their newest project Brush Your Fangs. If you would like to learn more about Phantom Buffalo, see videos and artwork or listen to more of their music please check out www.phantombuffalo.net.
