Slingshot Dakota!

Van Jamz ‘13

Instead of throwing together our individual “Top Ten” lists, I (tom) decided to throw together a list of stuff that Carly and I bump in the van while on tour. While I do most of the driving, I get to play mostly whatever I want (much to Carly’s disappointment - haha), so to make this interesting, I have attempted to put together a list of stuff that we both love and keeps us going on the long highways and shitty traffic.

(***items in bold are 2013 releases)

1. PODCASTS - We LOOOOVE podcasts! Our favorite of the year is Duncan Trussell’s two-part interview with his mom… seriously, listen to it- it will change your life.  Other ‘casts we love: This American Life, Fresh Air, Doug Loves Movies, WTF? w/ Marc Maron, The Nerdist, and Stuff You Should Know.

2. SILENCE - This is a new thing for us in 2013… long drives with no radio and no talking. It feels great to process your thoughts while taking in the changing landscape.

3. RiFF RAFF - “Birth of an Icon” and “Hologram Panda” - No joke, Mr. Highroller is our boy. Can’t wait for “The Neon Icon” to drop in 2014!

4. Wye Oak - “Civilian” - Soooooooooo goooooooood! I was late to the game and finally found out that they broke up. UGH.

5. Chairlift - “Something” - Caroline Polachek has the most wonderful voice ever.

6. Cloakroom - “Infinity” - This is probably Slingshot’s record of the year for 2013. Such a gorgeous album that is so simple, yet so crushingly beautiful. We saw them play at I Got Brains Fest and I cried my eyes out.

7. Tancred - “s/t” - We love Jess to death… like that kind when you hug someone so tight, they can’t breathe and you’re clenching your teeth so much that they might crack. This record owns. Also, she used to have a band called Kids’ Fiction, and we played the hell out of that EP as well… try and find it on the Google machine!!!

8. Midlake - “The Trials of Van Occupanther” - Just listen to the first song, “Roscoe”… it is one of my favorite songs of all time.

9. Pearl Jam - everything - Yes, we fully back PJ… I feel sorry for all the haters.

10. Fleetwood Mac - “Rumours” & “Greatest Hits” - Turn it up and drive into the sunset!

Others that got steady play - Purity Ring, Lil B, Iron & Wine, Mansions, Metric, Now Now, Pinback, Smashing Pumpkins, Tigers Jaw, Title Fight, Wye Oak, 1994!