I Just Read About That…

[ATTENDED: December 14, 2018] Slingshot Dakota

I was planning to see Slingshot Dakota back in the summer of 2016.  They were doing a show with VoirVoir a Bethlehem band that I really like.  But I wound up not being able to make that show.  So I was happy to see them this year, right back in SteelStacks.

It was after they went onstage that Carly Comando told us that they were really excited to organize this entire show with ArtsQuest’s blessing.  She picked the opening acts, Small Mess and Petal, personally, and she made sure that Lehigh Valley Girls Rock was a beneficiary.  She even insisted that there be a food drive as well.

Lehigh Valley Girls Rock is dedicated to empowering girls and women + trans and nonbinary folks through music and art
We build self-confidence and foster a sense of belonging.
We nurture an inclusive, supportive environment.
We connect people who then develop meaningful friendships.
We inspire community involvement.
We teach acceptance.

They even had a special Lehigh Valley Girls Rock-related surprise at the end of their show.

So Slingshot Dakota is a duo of Carly Comando on keyboards and vocals and Tom Patterson on drums.  What sets them apart from our drum and keys duos–live at least–is that Carly uses all kinds of distortion pedals on her keys to make her music sound huge.  Tom also has a pretty sizable kit so the two of them can make a lot of noise.  Mix that with some really catchy songs and melodies and you have a great combination.  Top if off that Carly and Tom are genuinely happy and pleasant people and you have an excellent show.

Their stage set was minimal, but I love that they strung a “HOORAY” banner from the drums to the keys (without ever explaining why).

Slingshot Dakota have four records out–three with the current lineup.  Most of the songs they played came from their most recent album, 2016’s Break.

Carly bantered with us a lot between songs and it was clear that she was delighted with the turnout (for a show that was not advertised heavily) and the reception for everyone on the bill.  But they were there to rock out and they sounded great.

“Paycheck” exemplifies just how loud these two can be, with the big fuzzy keys and lots of cymbals from Tom make it sound like far more than two people playing up there.  In fact, Tom Patterson is wrecking crew unto himself.

I really enjoyed being this close to Patterson, it’s not often enough that you get to see a drummer in full swing.

Their records aren’t quite as heavy and distorted, but the poppy riffs are still there, like the one on “You,” which cycles back and forth between the heavily distorted and the less heavily distorted.

But I liked it best when Carly switched to full distortion mode, like on “Doreen.”  One of my favorite Slingshot songs is “Rasta Bacca” with that cool riff and unexpected note.  For all of the songs both Carly and Tom were full of positive vibes and happiness.  Even in a song called “Grudge“both of them were so happy to be sharing their music with us.

The surprise came near the end of the show they introduced a 16-year old girl, Joely, who was in the LVGR program.  Joely was invited up to play drums on “Until the Day I Die.”  She was terrific–even using maracas as drumsticks in the beginning.  As she went to switch from the maracas to sticks, she dropped the maracas, but quickly grabbed the sticks and never lost the beat.  She was great–even wearing a little show costume.  Her parents were there, of course, and I congratulated all of them on the performance.  It was such good vibes.

When the show was over, they asked if they had time for one more song–Carly said she didn’t want to upset the ArtsQuest curfew.  They were allowed to play one more and it was a great rocking ending to the night.

This show was three artists I didn’t know all that well and they put on such a great, dynamic show.  It was so much fun to be a part of this close-knit and positive community.

Slingshot Dakota is an outstanding live band–so much fun–and so supportive of others.  Definitely check them out.