Slingshot Dakota to Everybody Hits: “Listen to more Fugazi”

Slingshot Dakota | Photo by Sydney Schaefer for WXPN | sydneyschaeferphotos.com

Just last week, Bethlehem sweethearts Carly Commando and Tom Patterson of Slingshot Dakota set out on a month long tour with Philly indie pop outfit and XPN Fest alums Kississippi. On Sunday night, this stellar lineup made its way to Philly, where both bands played Girard Avenue’s Everybody Hits: batting cage by day, music venue by night.

Opening up this specific show was Philly duo Coping Skills, followed by Kiley Lotz of Petal. Lotz put on an intimate solo performance where she debuted new songs, dropped hints of a new EP in the future, and even played a Talking Heads cover. The crowd was silent as Lotz’s voice and guitar riffs echoed throughout the high ceilings of Everybody Hits, and then erupted into applause upon the end of every song. (Lotz was later referred to as the scene’s low-key Mariah Carey by Commando.)

Next to play were Philly favorites of Kississippi. In between songs of their always amazing set, frontwoman Zoë Allaire Reynolds spoke for herself and on behalf of the rest of the band about just how grateful they all were to be on this tour with Slingshot. The excitement was so real that when they got asked to hop on this tour with Slingshot, Reynolds responded to their offer with an enthusiastic yes, followed by letting Carly know she was wiggling her butt, that’s just how excited she was, and still is to be on this tour (again, as told by Carly during Slingshot’s set). The band played songs off their November 2015 release, We Have No Future, We’re All Doomed, including fan favorite “Indigo,” which got everyone in their feels, per usual.

At about 11 o’clock, power couple, Carly and Tom finally took the “stage” at Everybody Hits, the highly anticipated set of the night. They played songs off of their newest release Break, which came out earlier this year via Topshelf Records, as well as some favorites off of their first release in 2012, Dark Hearts, including my personal favorite, “Rasta Bacca.”

Toward the end of their set, Carly talked briefly about their terrifying journey through Hurricane Matthew the day before and about how everyone should listen to more Fugazi, then going into a cover of Fugazi’s “The Argument.” Slingshot’s shows are always so fun and full of energy, as Carly and Tom both are so into their music; the vibes are honestly contagious. This isn’t my first time seeing these guys and every time I leave literally stoked on life. Check out more photos from the show below!