Before an absolutely wild month of April begins here at Lehigh Valley Underground (more on that later), we wanted to warm up by busting out the camera and getting out on the scene.
Fortunately, Tape Swap Radio obliged, presenting its latest showcase at Lit Roastery and Bakeshop in South Bethlehem.
Artist: Kyle & the Pity Party
Album: Home
Released: Feb. 3, 2018
Genre: Alternative Rock
On Saturday, February 24, frequent First Friday partner venue Color Me Mine Lehigh Valley (25 E. Third St., Bethlehem) will take one step further into the realm of hosting live music with a big night of indie rock.
Artist: BLOODMOON
Song: Rites
Released: Sept. 29, 2017
Genre: Shoegaze/Post-Hardcore/Emo
You heard Tape Swap Radio last night on WLVU. On July 15, you’ll have your next chance to spend the night at one of their live showcases.
Due to a scheduling conflict, Friday night’s IceHouse Tonight benefit for the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center was unexpectedly not at The Ice House.
Easton duo Hugs has released a new DIY video to accompany their song, “I’m Taking Your Brain.”
The cameras are revved up – can you rev up a camera? – for another great week of shows here in the Lehigh Valley! A weekly showcase returns on Thursday, and the possibilities are limitless all weekend with these…
Thurs., Sept. 15 | 7 p.m.
Julius and Carefree Constant at the Originals Music Series
Venue: Chicago Restaurant’s Club Gravity, 1179 Airport Road, Allentown
Admission: FREE
Description: Our bread-and-butter gig returns for the fall, presented by the Fyre & Ice Show.
Fri., Sept. 16 | 6 p.m.
We Have Ghosts, Kate Dressed Up & Kyle Gischel
Venue: Coffeehouse Without Limits, 707 N. 4th St., Allentown
Admission: $5
Description: Two Philly bands join a local singer-songwriter for a diverse night of live music.
Sat., Sept. 17 | 10 a.m.
Blue Jean
Venue: Easton Farmers Market, Center Sq., Easton
Admission: FREE
Description: Enjoy some fresh produce, as well as acoustic covers and originals with your morning coffee.
Sat., Sept. 17 | 3:30 p.m.
The Bastard Sons of Burt Sugarman
Venue: Weyerbacher Brewing, 905 Line St., Easton
Admission: FREE
Description: Keep it in Easton as Mike Roi, Carter Lansing, Pentley Holmes, and Shane Reimer perform solo acoustic versions of their songs and tell the stories behind them.
Sun., Sept. 18 | 2 p.m.
Tribute to 50 Years: John Mayall & the Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton
Venue: Allentown Masonic Temple, 1524 W. Linden St., Allentown
Admission: $15
Description: Friar’s Point Band and special guests pay tribute to the British Blues Invasion of 1966.
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