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Three Danbury Sisters Bring Country Act To The Stage At The Palace

DANBURY, Conn. — Over the past year, three Danbury sisters have visited Nashville to produce an album that has captured the eyes and ears of music row.

Erica Calderon

Erica Calderon

Photo Credit: Contributed

They will show off their talents in their hometown Saturday, when they are the opening act for The von Trapps at The Palace Danbury.

The only Latina trio of sisters in country music today, the girls make up The Band Dakota have set their sights on making a huge entrance into country music.

Erica Calderon, the group's lead vocalist, pianist, guitar and co-writer, said she always had an interest in music. Having grown up singing in church, her two sisters have joined her in her musical pursuits.

One day her sister, Nicolette, began writing her own songs and picked up the guitar. And then the band’s third, sister, Joelle, “Just jumped in with her harmonies one day and it was a perfect fit,” Erica said.

When it came to choosing a name, they picked The Band Dakota. Their name is not to be confused with The Band Perry, another popular band.

Asked about the name, Erica said the trio simply liked the way it sounds.

“Quite honestly, it was just something we liked,” Erica said.

She said they considered choosing a different name. The Band Dakota’s sound is different from The Band Perry’s, after all, she said.

While The Band Perry is decidedly country, The Band Dakota’s music transcends genre boundaries, she said.

“I think our harmonies tend to push us in a folk, country genre but some of our songs, like ‘Carry On’, are very much rock,” Erica said. “We kind of just follow the feel of that song and if it feels country, it's country. If it feels pop, it's pop.”

On Saturday, they’ll take the stage shortly before the great-grandchildren of The Sound of Music’s Captain and Maria von Trapp preform at The Palace Danbury. 

Erica said she was excited for the opportunity to open for the famous singers.

“Opening up for the Von Trapps is awesome,” Erica said. “Growing up watching ‘The Sound of Music’ and reading their book you kind of feel like you know them already and that you'll be performing with a history that many people are aware of.”

“They've got this really laid back sound to them and we love it,” Erica added.

Tickets are $30 each for the show at 8 p.m. Saturday. 

For information, call 203-794-9944 or visit the Palace's website. It is located at 165 Main St., Danbury. 

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