As the weather turned colder, and the last gasp of Indian Summer gave way to a premature winter storm on Saturday night, a sizable mass of people gathered inside the ArtsQuest Center for an acoustic performance with country rocker Scott Marshall.
Photo credit: WildAdriatic.com.
Back in March, when Lehigh Valley Underground was but a young, eager music blog, I ventured to Philadelphia to see our friends, The Wayside Shakeup. They were performing that night at Milkboy, opening for Animal Years and headliner Wild Adriatic.
November begins in a big way, with plenty of high-profile shows (and one festival) taking place later in the week.
Come with us on a preview joyride, as we highlight the…
Allentown seems to rule the week, both in terms of variety and number of shows on this week’s list.
Also making an appearance: a married folk duo at SteelStacks, and an out-of-town music festival featuring old friends. Time to learn more about our…
It’s been a very active couple of weeks here at Lehigh Valley Underground. In the past nine days, we’ve covered four shows, a private recording party, and an ENTIRE FESTIVAL.
No reason to stop now, is there? Especially when you consider these…
Fri., Jul. 22 | 9 p.m.
The Gas House Gorillas
Venue: TD Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square, ArtsQuest Center, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem
Admission: FREE
Description: Enjoy a great time on your Friday night with a genre-busting performance.
Sat., Jul. 23 | 2 p.m.
The Stoop
Venue: 1953 W. Township Line Rd., Blue Bell
Admission: $5
Description: A stacked lineup, food, vendors, slam poetry, and great times await at the DIY venue.
Sat., Jul. 23 | 7 p.m.
WSCI Summer Concert Series presents MAYVE
Venue: Tally Ho Tavern, 205 W. 4th St., Bethlehem
Admission: $5
Description: The Long Island quintet is next to take the stage for WSCI.
Sun., Jul. 24 | 4 p.m.
Acoustic Kitty Project
Venue: American Spirits Roadhouse, 1090 State Route 173, Asbury, NJ
Admission: FREE
Description: Celebrate a summer afternoon with an interstate adventure as you join AKP at the American Spirits Car & Truck Show.
Artist: Slingshot Dakota
Album: Break (LISTEN)
Released: March 11, 2016
Genre: Indie punk
On Friday night, Slingshot Dakota returns home to Bethlehem to hold a hometown album release show for its newest release, “Break.” The duo, which released its newest effort on Topshelf Records, blend indie pop instrumentation and atmospheric distortion to re-imagine popularized genres.
“Break” grabs you right away with dreamy distortion on album opener, “You,” which pulls a listener into an atmospheric soundscape that is contrasted on the next track, the grunge-influenced, fuzzy “Monocacy.”
Pop sensibilities reign over a couple of tracks, like the laid-back “Lewlyweds,” which carries a Minus the Bear-esque vibe, and “Paycheck,” an anthemic tune and clear candidate as the album’s first single.
Slingshot Dakota shows an affinity for balladry on “Break.” The searching, stripped-down “Too Much” laments a love on its last legs, while the album’s title track closes things out with a sweet-sounding performance from vocalist Carly Comando.
Overall, Slingshot Dakota’s “Break” builds a wall of sound that should carry well into the Bethlehem night on Friday. The duo returns home this weekend with much to celebrate.
Track listing:
1) You
2) Monocacy
3) Lewlyweds
4) Stay
5) Doreen
6) Paycheck
7) Too Much
8) Storytellers
9) Break
On Wednesday night, we were back at the Musikfest Cafe on the third floor of the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks. This time, it was to experience RiverJazz through the sounds of multi-time Grammy winner and six-decade music veteran, Delbert McClinton.
McClinton, who was supported by an outstanding opening set from singer-songwriter Brian Dunne, took the stage with his band to play their patented uplifting blues rock in front of a packed house.
