Interview with Derek Garabedian (True State Management)

By Sonia Schnee | Posted Thursday, December 20, 2018

What are you doing tonight? At 8pm, you could be enjoying the first-ever kick-off show of the “True State Presents:” concert series, at The Wooden Spoon in Bloomfield, NJ. Performing acts include pop-punk band Boy Blue, alternative rockers Wave Break, alternative/emo/shoegaze band Rémis, and Dover/Rockaway rock band Champ. Admission is free. Check out our interview below with concert series organizer Derek Garabedian of the artist development company True State Management.

What's your name, where are you from, where are you based now?

My name is Derek Garabedian. I am originally from Massachusetts, and I am now based in Mountainside, New Jersey.

You run a management company, True State Management. When did that first start? What bands are on the roster, and where are they from?  

True State management started only about 6 or 7 months ago (early summer 2018). The bands we have on roster right now are Hang Tight (@hangtightband), Black Caddy (@blackcaddynyc), The Summoned (@thesummoned), and Cat in the wall (@catinthewallband). All the bands are different genres — pop punk, hip hop, prog metal, and indie rock, in that order. The reason we are working with all genres is to expand our reach as much as possible. We are learning a lot within in each genre and it allows us to be in tune with everything going on. We believe in working with talented people, and talent exists in all genres of music.

Tell us about this new Bloomfield concert series. What is it about Bloomfield that attracts you?

I think North/Central Jersey in general is lacking in live music venues especially for local bands. Bloomfield is a city that has so much going on and is a very diverse place. The opportunity to have different genres and  bring a lot of different people together is very appealing to me.

What inspired you to want to do this? What are your goals?

The reason I am starting the “True State Presents:” concert series is to help create a thriving music scene and community, while at the same time expanding my network to make everything True State is doing reach a larger scale. The goal of the concert series is to create scene that is willing to help each other and bring excitement about local music!

How often are the shows?

 We are scheduled to one show a month right now but will be expanding in the near future. 

What kinds of bands do you hope to participate?

Right now we are starting out with Pop-Punk and Indie style bands. With that being said, we are looking to book for all genres in the future. If anyone out there is interested in booking with us please reach out, we would love to talk!

What kind of audience do you hope to reach?

I would love to bring in all types of passionate and contributing music fans.

Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get started with music? What's been your personal journey?   

The way I got started in music is a pretty typical story, I think. Me and a bunch of friends used to skateboard and listen to music. We all decided to get different instruments and start a band. The rest was history; I never stopped playing.

My journey is that after years of playing in different bands, I was lucky enough to end up with a record deal and got to tour the country. After that fizzled out and I got a little older, I started a family and took some time off of music. Eventually, I missed music too much and since I can’t tour myself I wanted to use what I learned to help other musicians on their own journey, by using the things I experienced in the past. Now we are here doing what I hoped to accomplish: helping bands! 

What words of advice or encouragement would you give to someone who wants to follow a passion similar to yours, or is maybe facing obstacles similar to what you've faced?  

Our biggest hurdle was to just pull the trigger and get started. I have been working on ideas for a long time, years even, on how to execute and what kinds of paths to take. The key is to just do it and roll with what comes your way. Utilize your passion to help others and make yourself happy.

Finally, how can people find out more about you/the Bloomfield concert series/True State Management online? (Website? Bandcamp? Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, etc.?)

You can find everything about our bands, us, and our shows on our website www.truestatemanagement.com and our socials (@truestatemgmt) on all platforms.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

The thing I always stress to our bands and music fans is to always support in any way you can and to work as hard as possible to make it happen. I always tell bands, you should be trying to work harder than us (it won’t happen), but that should be the mindset. Help other bands get shows, go out to shows, even if you aren't playing (I know it's a crazy concept). The more friends you make and the bigger the network you have, the better you will do! 

Outdoor Live Music Events in Essex County, NJ

Hello October! Lots of Free Outdoor Live Music Events
All Around Our Essex County Towns  

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Friday, October 5, 2018

OK folks, it's beautiful October, a little chilly at times, then a little warm which is great, and some outdoor activities tend to come to a close but not just yet as Outdoor Live Music Continues. BTW all events listed below that I'm involved with are free unless noted otherwise below.

So, “Hello October!”  

Every Wed. 5-8 PM, South Orange Farmers Market Jazz Jam - Peter Lin

4 more jazz jams coming at you led by the awesome Peter Lin and his band. Every Wed 5-8 PM at 17 Sloan Street in South Orange NJ. Shop at the Farmers Market, secure some food and we invite you to come on over to sing, play, or listen and help us close out the last month of our 2nd Annual South Orange Farmers Market Jazz Jam. GPS 17 Sloan Street. Learn more: FB https://www.facebook.com/sofmj...

A side note - Yeah it's getting colder and have not found an indoor arena in South Orange yet to bring bands to but I'm open to suggestions and I'm still searching for indoor places to book some live music bands.... Hint hint restaurants and music venues. And on the inside venue we have a very special event:

Wed. Oct 17, 7 PM Clements Place Newark NJ Kelly Green Trio

Jazz973@Clements Presents the marvelous, awesome Kelly Green Trio at Clements Place. It's very special place in memory of Newark Historian Clement Price (RIP) and run by Institute of Jazz Studies Executive Director Wayne Winborne. It's all about jazz, it free access, snacks and libations are donated and the music is just swinging. Kelly is coming to rock your world and folks are excited like you wouldn't believe for Kelly Green as 65 of the 80 seats are gone already so if you plan on coming get your access RSVP now at Jazz973@Clements Place Oct 17 7-9 PM. RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/j...

OK. Back to this week...

Fri. Oct 5 Friday @7:30 pm – Mimi Jones Quartet at Clements Place Jazz Events

IJS Concert Series presents Mimi Jones- 15 Washington Street in Newark and this event be truly a great one as Mimi was fabulous last time. Bassist/vocalist/producer/label owner and now filmmaker Mimi Jones has reigned supreme for the more than two decades she’s been on the scene as a side woman to an impressive coterie of musicians and as a leader with three CDs on her own Hot Tone Music label. She has been voted #2 rising star by the DownBeat poll for 3 years straight. Free but you must RSVP Go and click to RSVP register at  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/i... 

Sat. Oct 6, 6-7PM Bethany Baptist Church Jazz Vespers Saxophonist George Coleman 

George Coleman has worked with some of the most prominent figures in jazz, including Lionel Hampton, Lee Morgan, Elvin Jones, Charles Mingus, Betty Carter, Chet Baker, Charles McPherson, Cedar Walton, Ahmad Jamal, and Hilton Ruiz - 275 W Market St. Newark NJ

Sat. Oct 6, 3:30-4:30PM Lil Bastad at Bloomfield Harvest Fest

Lil Bastad will be playing at Bloomfield, NJ's Octoberfest on Sat. Oct. 6 @ 3:30-4:30 - Makin' it funky...  The dynamic character of the band is a result of its members' personalities. On lead guitar& vocals, Mark Bowers (JT Taylor of Kool & The Gang, The Manhattans, Mary J. Blige, Otis Rush, Lowell Fulson, Wilson Pickett); on drums, Dave Moore (Dave Fields, Nikki Armstrong, Kings in Disguise); on bass, Ronald "Boz" Bostick (Blue Magic, Funkadelic, Della Reese & Super Blue). From Long Island, NY on keyboards is John Palmer (Doyle Bramhall, Terence Trent-D'Arby); and on guitar & vocals, Luke Michura (Tanglefoot, Bourbon Street). You've got to hear them to believe it!  Located across from the Public Library -- the rain date, if needed, is Oct. 7 at the same time. https://www.facebook.com/pg/lilbastad

Sat Oct 6 10 AM - Sun Oct 7 3PM Valley Arts Gallery Pop Up Vinyl Shop with Brainiac Records 

Valley Arts Community Gallery brings you the Pop Up Vinyl Shop with Brainiac Records - Brainiac Records and other vinyl vendors will be in the Community Gallery all weekend with tons of vinyl! All genres - you will definitely find something new for your collection. The biggest vinyl pop-up shop around!  ValleyArts 400 S Jefferson St, Orange, New Jersey 07050

https://www.facebook.com/events/239013333473530

Sat Oct 6 - 8PM South Orange Pierro Gallery Presents Below the Water Line

South Orange Pierro Gallery invites you to join us for a free, one-night, open-air show on the South Orange Duck Pond. The debut of a water-born and waterborne series of visual and spoken poetry, the performance will take those gathered around the shore on an illuminated journey Below the Waterline.

The October 6th show will be presented outdoors and free to the public. Guests are invited to bring their own blankets and chairs for sitting on the grass. In case of rain, the show will take place October 13th, 6:00-8:00 pm. See the event at https://www.facebook.com/events/339637276803202/

OPEN Call:

Speaking of Valley Arts - you may know that I'm doing some music programming for Valley Arts Community Gallery right up the rode in Orange N.J. A number of folks have hit me up with ideas and that they want to play so here's a few parameters.

1. I'm looking for some Solo and Duo acoustic artists to come on on out and play some music for an hour or two on certain days of the week in the Artful Bean Coffe Shop. Expenses Only Gig. If interested please email me your interests or FB Msg me (gregoryburrus) your interest and your email.

2. I'm also going to start a Live Music Series in the beautiful Valley Arts Gallery space next door. It's an intimate gorgeous space and we want the music to flow. Here I am looking for some smooth folk singers, country, jazz, neo soul, vocalist, classical music and more. It's an intimate space holds lots of seats but not looking to Rock the Block or the neighborhood. It will be a paid gig so If you have an idea hit me up here on FB Msg  (gregoryburrus) or email me at gregoryburrus@gregoryburrusproductions.com, I can give you more details and maybe we can work something out.

About the Author

 Gregory Burrus with Chelsea Burrus at Clements Place

Gregory Burrus, Your Live Music Ambassador, invites you to stay tuned as there is much more to come.  

Gregory Burrus is a supporter of local businesses, community events, jazz, blues musicians and local art exhibitions. Gregory Burrus curates events at Jazz973 at Clements Place, Valley Arts Gallery along with being promoter and manager of Downtown After Sundown Live Music Concerts, Playing Pianos Around South Orange, NJ and is the founder, curator of South Orange 24 Hours of Music and the South Orange Farmers Market Jazz Jam along with many other live music  ventures.

Gregory promotes events through social media marketing, writing articles, blogging and photojournalism.  Having fun, living life, while helping others.

Keywords: clementsplacejazz playingaroundsouthorange  downtownaftersundown jazzonsloan southorangegazebo southorangevillagecenter southorangenj gregoryburrusaroundtown sopianos sofarmersmarket sopac   livemusicambassador

Rob Jennings - "Keep Me In Mind"

By Deaglan Howlett | Posted Friday, July 13, 2018

For fans of: Oasis, Teenage Fanclub, Nick Lowe

Rob Jennings is a solo artist from Bloomfield, New Jersey.  His latest release, “Keep Me In Mind," is a nod to 70’s power pop legends Big Star and perfectly encapsulates that sound we all love.  When I first heard “Keep Me In Mind,” I immediately loved it.  I was so happy to see an artist writing simple, melodic power pop songs.  “Keep Me In Mind” is short and sweet and unbelievably catchy.  It was a great pleasure to ask Jennings some questions about the song, and I really appreciate him taking the time to do so.

What inspired this track?

Rob Jennings:  Sometimes when I have writer's block, I’ll go on YouTube and find some free-to-use isolated drum tracks to strum along to.  Most of the time, nothing happens, but I clicked on a certain one and this song came out of me.  I was just starting to get really into Big Star at the time, and they have a track on their 3rd album called “Kizza Me” that has a similar intro.  It was an unconscious thing though, I wasn’t trying to rip it off.

Who are your influences?

The obvious ones have always been The Beatles and The Beach Boys.  Brian Wilson was a huge influence on my album, The World Was On My Side.  I just released that last year.  I was obsessed with Pet Sounds and Smile for the longest time.  I’ve been writing a lot of new songs in the same vein as Keep Me In Mind lately and most of them have been influenced by 90’s bands like Teenage Fanclub and Oasis.  I never liked Oasis when I was younger, but I’ve been listening to them a lot lately, and I like their attitude about music... that it should be uplifting, fun and positive.  I’ve written my fair share of sad songs, so I’d like to make something you could put on at a party this time around.

Where did you record “Keep Me In Mind”?

I recorded at Portrait Recording Studios in Pompton Plains, NJ.  My friend Chris Badami owns it, and he’s a great guy.

Who plays in your band/on the recording?

In addition to being an engineer, Chris is also a great drummer, so he helped me out by playing on the track.  I played the guitars and bass.

When can we expect more music?

Hopefully soon.  If I ever put out another full album, this song will be on it.  I’d like to release one song at a time and then put it all together at the end.  This way I won’t have to wait a year and a half for people to hear it.  I also release DIY tracks all the time on my Bandcamp.  I try to keep putting stuff out as consistently as possible as long as it’s good.

~

In the meantime, go back and listen to Rob Jennings' discography here and catch him live in a town or city near you!