The Dakotas. Upstate Folk
Created in the winter of 2011, founding members Zack Hay, Mark Retajczyk, and Colin Hunt set out crafting a sound that paid homage to the spirit of old-time american music, mountain folk and singer-songwriter traditions. With the addition of drummer Mike Graves and utility-man Nayt Patenaude, the band continued honing in on a sound containing elements of bluegrass, country, folk, honky-tonk, and rock & roll. The mixture of each members’ different musical background has culminated in a unique, harmony-rich, genre sweeping style determined to break up the monotony of the modern airwaves.
Featured regularly on 102.7 WEQX (The Real Alternative) and 97.7 WEXT (The Exit), The Dakotas have also supported such touring acts as: Deer Tick, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Floodwood, Dangermuffin, Waylon Speed, and Cabinet.