Ben Greenblatt

February 28, 2017 Sonia Schnee

Thursday, March 2, 2017, Howell, NJ

Click the album cover to be directed to the event on Facebook.

By Sean McCall | Posted Tuesday, February 28, 2017

“GameChangerWorld, aka The World, is a state of the art event space in Howell, NJ. The World will host over 150 events per year. Concerts, Gaming Tournaments, BETA Teen Nights and other exciting programming will debut in 2014. The World will host The Break Contest 2014 and weekly artist showcases.

The venue will feature a snack bar that will feature a fun and healthy menu. The snack bar will be open for all events and will remain open for 30 minutes after each show. You will never be rushed out of The World.

The box office will be open Thursday thru Sunday. From 12:00pm to 8:00pm.
(732) 677-3777.

Public Transportation is available. NJ Transit buses run from New York and stop within two blocks of the venue. The venue is located on Route 9 South and easily accessible from the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike, I-195, Routes 18, 33 and 66. Just 50 miles from NYC and Philadelphia.

To encourage carpooling and avoid parking issues, parking is a flat $5 fee per vehicle. Our parking lots are patrolled by the Howell Township Police Department and The World security. VIP Parking is available on select shows. Our parking lot have 24 hour video surveillance.

Combining music, gaming and the hottest trends in youth market, The World is a premier destination in the Tri-State Area.

The World is also available for rentals, from bar/bat mitzvahs to sweet sixteens.”

-- GameChangerWorld's Facebook Page

The show is on March 2nd, 2017, and tickets are only $12 online, or $15 at the door, the day of the show. If you want to save that extra 3 dollars, and buy yourself something pretty, maybe a ringpop or something, you can buy your tickets here:

This show features a lot of talented artists/bands. Head North (NY) is going to be on tour with Heart Attack Man (OH), and this will be their 6th show. You can check out the flier for more tour dates below.

***************

1. Respect the Venue.
2. Respect the people.
3. Come early, Stay late.

$5 - Get there early, stay late (ish) (10pm), party hard.

****************

- Doors 6

- 798 Route 9 South, Howell, NJ 07728

- All Ages

- No booze

- Respect the World, duh

FEATURED BANDS

Head North (NY)

Lift – Buffalo, NY

Most Recent Release: “Bloodlines” (also check out their split with A Will Away, they’re both incredible bands, and “In The Water” is a banger)

<a href="http://headnorthny.bandcamp.com/album/bloodlines">Bloodlines by Head North</a>

Heart Attack Man (OH)

You Did This record & (soon to be) Triple Crown Records

Most recent release – “Surrounded by Morons”

<a href="http://heartattackman.bandcamp.com/track/surrounded-by-morons-2">Surrounded By Morons by Heart Attack Man</a>

Save Face

*2 member Dad Shred From Central Jersey* (They’re so good, do the listening thing)

(Take this to Heart Records)

Most recent release – “Folly”

Serious Matters

5 piece Alternative/Post-Hardcore group from Union Beach, NJ

Most Recent Release: “Can You See The Sky From Here”

<a href="http://seriousmatters.bandcamp.com/album/can-you-see-the-sky-from-here-2">Can You See The Sky From Here by Serious Matters</a>

Ben Greenblatt (My Mans)

(We have the same telecaster, that’s how you know its real)

Most Recent Release: “SPLIT” (With my other mans, Dave of Bike Routes, and Timmy of FV)

<a href="http://bengreenblatt.bandcamp.com/album/split">SPLIT by Ben Greenblatt</a>

For inquiries on shows or events at GameChanger World, Email them at info@gamechangerworld.com

~Confirm you’re attending on Facebook~

About the Writer

Sean McCall is a Music Business Technology Major studying at Rowan University with a Minor in Theatre. He has been attending shows since he was young, and is currently in Breaking Tradition and FV, and is actively involved with The Calcifer Sessions. He has an ear for music and challenges himself in learning as many instruments as he can. Sean has sung in multiple competitive honor choirs throughout the country ranging from All-State to All-National Honor Choir. With a passion for writing, creating, and music in general, he is adding music journalism to his resumé to contribute even further into this talented area we call home.

The Wonder Bar Presents: The Cold War Winter Surf Competition Kick Off Party featuring The Battery Electric // Black Flamingos // DJ Sara M

February 28, 2017 Sonia Schnee

Saturday, March 4, 2017, Asbury Park, NJ

By Deaglan Howlett | Posted Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Saturday, March 4th is the kick off party for the Cold War Winter Surf Competition. The contest waiting period spans from March 5th through the 31st. So far, eighteen confirmed surfers will be split into two teams in a “winter takes all” competition. The competition will take place on the beaches of Asbury Park, a stone’s throw from the famous Wonder Bar. Before the competition starts, you can catch Asbury locals The Battery Electric and Black Flamingos, plus a special DJ set by DJ Sara M. In addition to the live music, the two teams will pick their surfers, hosted by Taylor Allen. You can watch the trailer for the competition here. The show starts at 8 pm and ten dollars will get you in. You do not want to miss this.

“The Wonder Bar is an exciting, popular nightclub and grill which is a favorite gathering place for locals, visitors, and even a world recognized destination for international guests. Like The Stone Pony, the musical history of the Wonder Bar is associated with such famous local legends as Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Clarence Clemons, Lance Larson and many others. The state of the art sound system and large dance floor are a great attraction to all those who come to hear the fantastic music the Wonder Bar has become famous for!”

-- AP Boardwalk

Black Flamingos

Instrumental surf rock

Black Flamingos are a tremendous three-piece instrumental surf band based out of Asbury Park. The band is made up of Robbie Butkowski (Guitar), Declan O’Connell (Bass) and Vincent Minervino (Drums). The musicianship in Black Falmingos is unmatchable. Their 2015, self-titled debut EP sounds like an early 60’s surf classic. Butkowski’s guitar playing is unbelievable, while O’Connell and Minervino provide the perfect rhythm for his bright and sometimes shrill guitar tone. They are clearly the perfect choice for opening up this year’s Cold War Surf Competition.

Click here for their latest release “How The Gurch Stole Christmas”   <v:shapetype
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<v:sh… — Click here for their latest release “How The Gurch Stole Christmas”

The Battery Electric

Rock and Roll

The Battery Electric are the ultimate Rock and Roll band. Based out of Asbury Park, the four-piece consists of Ron Santee (Lead Vocals), Brent Bergholm (Guitar), Alex Rosen (Bass), and Kevin Troeller (Drums). Their latest release “Got Your Soul” lands more in Soul music territory while their last album is undoubtably a Rock and Roll, party album. Their shows usually consist of James Brown covers, many spilt drinks and plenty of crowd participation from their charismatic frontman. TBE are going to be kicking off the party that will become the month long Cold War Surf Competition. Everyone at the show will certainly be waking up with a hangover Sunday morning, thanks to these bad boys in denim.

Click here for their latest release “Got Your Soul” I Photo by Chris Spiegel I Blur Revision<v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75"
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… — Click here for their latest release “Got Your Soul” I Photo by Chris Spiegel I Blur Revision

About the Writer

Deaglan Howlett is junior English Major at Rowan University. He is also the guitarist for Corrina, Corrina and The Vansaders. He grew up in Middletown, just a 20 minute car ride to Asbury Park. He spends most of his time there playing and going to shows. When he is not playing shows he focuses on writing poetry here. You can find him on Twitter (@reallygoodguyy) and Instagram (@DeaglanHowlett).

New Jersey Hardcore (NJHC) Shows This Weekend

February 28, 2017 Sonia Schnee

March 3rd - 5th, PA, Clementon, Trenton, NJ

By Alex Bradley | Posted Tuesday, February 28, 2017

New Jersey hardcore is very much so alive, and more supportive than ever. This upcoming weekend is stacked-to-a-T with sick shows and hard bands.

WRAITH, from Berlin, NJ, will be playing their second ever show this Friday, March 3rd. They released their first singles this past January and have been gaining hype since. The show, put on by Philly Hardcore Shows, will be held at Yorick and Son’s Moto (1864 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia, PA). The show also includes Problem of Pain (MI), Heaven’s Die (VA), Vatican (GA-XXX), and returning Energy (MA). The show costs $10, is all ages, and starts at 6pm! Make sure to get there early for NJ’s new addition to the hardcore scene, WRAITH! Don’t sleep on them!

The next day, Saturday, March 4th, a benefit show for Steve Cinc will be held at Harper’s Pub in Clementon, NJ. “Steve was recently diagnosed with Stage 3 Colorectal cancer. [He] is an outstanding person, who, much like others diagnosed with such a disease, does not deserve his current circumstance [...] Steve has always supported me, my band, my friend’s band, and the scene in general,” says his close friend, Tony, who booked the show in Steve’s behalf. The show begins at 6pm, is all ages, and requires a $10 donation fee at the door. There will be food, drinks (if you’re of age), as well as raffles. The lineup for the night includes: Push, Manalive (New Brunswick, NJ), Tumescent (New York, NY), Threat 2 Society (NJ), Garland Greene (Clementon, NJ), Iron Price (Baltimore, MD), Rich People (Sicklerville, NJ) and a headliner that is still to be announced but is sure to be a big treat!

Closing out the weekend, this Sunday (March 5th), is a benefit show for the family of New Jersey Hardcore legend, who has, sadly, passed away last week, Jake Heaton. No Nothing (PAHC), Gloves Off (PAHC), On Patrol (PAHC XXX), Vigilante (MAHC), Cemeteries (NJHC), and lastly, Bad Luck 13 Riot Extravaganza (PAHC) make up the full lineup for Sunday’s show at Championship Bar in Trenton, NJ. The show costs $10 -- all proceeds will be going to the GoFundMe for Jake. The show is all ages; 21+ to drink. Anyone who has listened to Badluck 13 and has been to Champ’s, knows how good of a time this show will be -- and anyone who knew Jake Heaton knows that Badluck 13 was by far his favorite band, so there’s no other way to go about this show. Come out, have a great time, and celebrate the life of one of the best dudes to ever be in the NJHC scene.

Clements Place Jazz Events - An Awesome Truly Cool Newark Venue to Enjoy Some Serious Jazz

February 28, 2017 Sonia Schnee

By Gregory Burrus | Posted Tuesday, February 28, 2017

As many know the city of Newark is experiencing a tremendous rebirth right before our eyes. The airport is experiencing increases in travel, the sports arena has a lot more visitors and the real estate environment is changing and growing fast. This means many new places for folks to experience like the former Hahne & Co. department store in Newark. It is now being redeveloped with a new Whole Foods supermarket, office space and rental apartments, and all of this will soon become a part of the city’s arts community.

Newark Is Going Through A Renaissance

*Historic Hahne's Department Store Building*

Per NJ.com - Rutgers University approved a $25 million plan to lease three floors of the sprawling building to provide studio, classroom and gallery space for campus arts programs, in partnership with Newark artists, schools and other institutions. Rutgers Newark Chancellor Nancy Cantor, stated: “We are really intent on making collaborative spaces with the community.” She said the project—to be called Express Newark—is expected to spark new shops, galleries and restaurant in the Halsey Street neighborhood that borders the Hahnes building. “It will make a big difference,” she said.

The university said it has plans to use the new space as an arts incubator, with space for a communications media center, a print shop, portrait studio, lecture hall and gallery space. Cantor said the building will also host the university’s Institute of Jazz Studies.

Partners Sponsors New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)

In addition to the Rutgers Institute of Jazz, another entertainment-focused venue, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), the spectacular live entertainment center of New Jersey, is doing their part, too. They intend to be a key player in the renaissance of Newark in many ways and one of them is through live Jazz. In partnership with the Rutgers Institute of Jazz, NJPAC is sponsoring several free Jazz Jams at the newly opened entertainment venue in a Rutgers building called Clements Place.

Clement Alexander Price, Newark Historian

Clement Alexander Price (RIP 2014) was an American historian and Board of Governors Distinguished Service Professor of History at Rutgers University.

Clement Price, Newark Background — *Clement Price, Newark Background*

To understand how it all comes together, the story becomes personal for many. Personal in that many Newark folks are aware of a man called Clement Alexander Price, 1945-2014. A highly-regarded article stated: “Clement Alexander Price, a distinguished history professor who fell in love with Newark, a city some thought unlovable, and went on to write books and articles about it, as well as to lead tours, brief journalists and shamelessly promote it…” (The New York Times, "Clement A. Price, A Cheerleader for Newark, Dies at 69," Nov. 9, 2014).

It is because of his intense dedication to his love of Newark that he was the leading authority on Newark's history. Upon his passing, many felt a loss in their lives because many folks in and around Newark felt a personal connection with him. One way to honor him was the opening of a place in a Rutgers Newark building called Clements Place. It was announced as “New N.J. jazz lounge celebrates historian's love of Newark.” "It's a tribute to him, but it is also forward-looking, as he would want it to be," said Wayne Winborne, the Executive Director of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers-Newark. "We are just getting started, but we are very excited about the future of this place." Eventually, Winborne said, the space will host more concerts, curated listening sessions of the school's jazz archives, and salsa nights.

Walter Winborne & Vocalist Candace Reyes Mirelis | Donna Walker Kuhne & Gregory Burrus — *Walter Winborne & Vocalist Candace Reyes Mirelis | Donna Walker Kuhne & Gregory Burrus*

Clements Place Intimate Jazz Environment

Having attended several events at the recently opened club and performance space located at Rutgers University-Newark’s 15 Washington Street building, Clements Place is a true tribute to the man. Wayne Winborne stated, “the space [...] is decorated with art from Price's personal collection and some awards that he received throughout his life, that will evoke fond memories of the well-loved historian.” At one of my first jazz events, Wayne fondly recounted a few Clement Price memories, including the chair at the end of the bar where Clement Price use to sit.

Clements Place is a venue for Jazz and music events in a Rutgers Building in Newark, New Jersey. It is a very classy cabaret-style venue with a cozy atmosphere. It has very good natural acoustics which means a great sound system, a warm room with an intimate setting, and helpful and friendly staff. This beautifully appointed environment is perfectly suited to a true jazz lover.

World Class Jazz Musicians

In addition, the curated Jazz acts are of a very high caliber as they are hosted and run by top notch professional musicians. They have selected some of the most prominent musicians from New Jersey and beyond, as well as talented students seeking to play alongside their musical heroes. In some cases, some the best musicians around the world come in, conduct jam sessions, attend, and participate in the events. Combine their expertise with that of the up and coming musicians from the school and the community, and it makes for a fantastic listening environment.

With top notch artists from around the country, one comes, expects, and will get the best in Jazz sessions. “The presentation of jazz artists have come from Italy, Newark, New York and Havana, through the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce. It is extraordinary,” said NJPAC Vice President of Community Engagement Donna Walker-Kuhne. “We appreciate the cultural programming that the Chamber of Commerce, our longtime collaborator, continues to support at NJPAC.”

Jazz jams are currently run by Musician, Producer, Composer and Pianist James Austin Jr. who has curated the jam sessions with some of the best local musicians of the area. He runs them efficiently and brings out the best in everyone. In addition to the Jazz Jams, there are shows that bring groups from Havana, featuring César López & Habana Ensemble. Recently they did a show that contained Mark Gross, Delfeayo Marsalis, Benito Gonzalez, Joris Teepe and many other people. We will talk more about the performances in an upcoming article.

As you can see, Clements place has the connection of a prominent individual, a beautiful historic location, a perfect jazz listening environment, committed business and community sponsors along with being under the direction of the Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies. All involved are firmly committed to the growth of the environment. Next time you are around town for upcoming performances, check out their Facebook Page: Clements Place Jazz Events.

About the Writer

Gregory Burrus, Photojournalist, with Wayne Winborne, Executive Director of Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers.

Gregory Burrus is a supporter of local businesses, community events, jazz, blues musicians, and local art exhibitions. Gregory is a manager and promoter of the South Orange Village Center Alliance Downtown After Sundown Live Music Events, Board Member of the North Jersey Blues Alliance, Friend of the Valley Arts District in Orange, NJ and avid supporter of jazz, blues and art all around our towns and the Greater New York, New Jersey area. On a regular basis, Gregory gets the word out through social media marketing, writing articles, blogging and photojournalism.

Interview with Alex Rosen of Hot Blood

February 28, 2017 Sonia Schnee

“FEAR OF A UNIFIED PUBLIC”

By Deaglan Howlett | Posted Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Hot Blood is a four-piece punk band based out of Asbury Park. The band is Mat Kiley (Vocals/Guitar), Alex Rosen (Guitar/Vocals), Charlie Shaffer (Bass/Vocals) and Billy Straniero (Drums). I found their first demos on Reverbnation years ago and I was blown away. What followed about a year later was a gut punching full length titled “NO KINGS” with a badass album cover. Alex has been a mentor to me in a way. He really took me under his wing in the Asbury scene and for that I am eternally grateful. I was too excited when I got to sit down and ask him some questions I have always wondered, yet never asked him for some reason.

D.H.: I’ve told you before, but I love all the Hot Blood art. Who are your artistic influences and what made you want to do the art for the band?

Alex Rosen: Thanks man. Raymond Pettibon is number 1 as far as influences go for band art.

I had hit up a few artists I really dig but when the band was starting out we definitely did not have the money to hire them. We still don't! I knew with punk I could probably pull something off with my simplistic style. It kind of worked. I am still happy with the artwork for “NO KINGS” and “OVERCOME PART 1.” I think for our new album “FEAR OF A UNIFIED PUBLIC” we are going to go take a band photo or something.

Your last two EPs go hand in hand with another, OVERCOME PART 1 and 2. What made you release them separately?

I really love the First Four EPs by OFF! And the box it comes in rules. You get a ton of art and a booklet. So we originally planned on doing 3 EPs in succession. But by the time we finished OVERCOME PART 2, we had enough material to do a full length and everything seemed to point in going that direction.

Is there a strong, conscious effort to make the songs under 2 minutes? I feel like the shorter the song is the easier it is to keep the listener interested.

I think 3:30 is pretty ideal, but for us we play fast and we have to keep in mind Kiley is yelling his head off so that is always accounted for as well in song length. Short songs are cool but it stinks when you want a song to be longer or hit another chorus and it doesn't. Also, the shorter the song the harder it may be for the listener to get lost and into the music.

Following the short songs, what made you release two EPs instead of one album? Does that have anything to do with attention span?

The EPs were something we just wanted to do -- like I said, we had OFF! and other bands in mind. But it didn't go exactly as planned -- we quickly wanted to do a full length. We also thought the songs grouped well as two EPs in their subjects and content.

Hot Blood at the Asbury Park Yacht Club I Photo courtesy of Mike Petzinger — Hot Blood at the Asbury Park Yacht Club I Photo courtesy of **Mike Petzinger**

Who produced the last two EP’s?

We went to Pete Steinkopf (Bouncing Souls) at Little Eden for both. I wouldn't go back and do it with anyone else. I was wasted for the recording of OVERCOME PART 2. I just remember him asking me if I wanted to try my guitar out on this old tiny amp. I did and it sounded amazing. Just what I wanted. It's the opening guitar you hear on “Burn Down The Church.” Pete is the best. Very happy with how both came out.

What led you to work with Pete other than the fact he is the absolute man?

I did two albums with Pete with my other band Battery Electric. They just came out great, and I like all of Pete's suggestions. It was a no brainer, dude!

What can you tell me about the new album you have planned?

The new album we are recording at Trax East with Chris Pierce. We are doing 16-18 songs. Some are 15 seconds some are 3 minutes. It is a pretty diverse album. Haven't decided what we are going to do with it, but we are definitely going to press it on vinyl. It is called FEAR OF A UNIFIED PUBLIC. We start recording on April Fool's day.

~

Hot Blood is playing the Asbury Park date for Punk Rock Bowling on Sunday, June 11th, with NOFX, The Buzzcocks and Lifetime, to name a few. In the meantime you can listen to Hot Blood on Spotify and find their album “NO KINGS” and vinyl in most record stores in New Jersey.

About the Writer

The Revelation Agency Presents: Local Music Showcase at The Watering Hole

February 28, 2017 Sonia Schnee

Friday, March 10th, 2017, Mays Landing, NJ

By Sean McCall | Posted Tuesday, February 28, 2017

The Revelation Agency is an Arts and Entertainment Event planning Service based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They book all ages shows in both Philadelphia and New Jersey. Some of their venues they work with are The Watering Hole, The Barbary, Boneyard Bar & Grill, and Grace Church Haddonfield. This show will be held at The Watering Hole.

The Watering Hole is a Mom and Pop bar and restaurant located in Mays Landing, NJ. They serve multi-cuisine lunch, dinner, and drinks.

“Welcome to the Watering Hole Café, a South Jersey icon with a colorful history. It is a fantastic place with an unpretentious attitude, great food and great music, where all are welcome. Set on 12 acres of NJ Pinelands with an outstanding outside appeal, the Watering Hole Café is the latest name of this legendary establishment.

Early in The I900s, it was said to be a stagecoach stop. People would come, pick up some supplies, eat some food and quench their thirst. During prohibition, runners from Philadelphia would stop here on their way to Atlantic City (and maybe have a beer or two).

Dating back to the mid 50’s, Doaks was its name, with turkey shoots on the weekends, a truck horn on the roof to blow when cars drove by and entertaining clothes hanging from the ceiling. Afterwards, it became the Country Pine Inn, which for the most part was a family restaurant serving hearty meals. Next, it was Uncle Mike’s in the early nineties, which was a fabulous destination for motorcyclists because of the scenic stretch of road leading here.

So after a hundred years ,we’re not much different from the Weymouth Furnace (located just north of us) having aged while remaining the same. We are a local standby as well as home to a stranger, new comer or tourist, where all walks of life are always welcome warmly.

We hope you enjoy the music, your meal, a drink, your day, a game or anything else while visiting us and hope you will return real soon.

In ending, if you know of any history, weddings, memorabilia, that we should know about our establishment please share it with us, and we’ll be sure to hang it or post it for all to see.”

-- Byron & MarIa

To get more information about The Water Hole, such as their menu, calendar, activities, directions, etc. you can visit their website here.

This show will be on Friday, March 10th, 2017 starting at 6pm. It’s $10 at the door and will feature the bands below:

6:30-7:00 Insanity Theory

7:15-7:45 Shade by Giants

8:00-8:30 Vent NJ

8:45-9:15 At The Interview

9:30-10:00 Parkwood

Parkwood

My Alt Rock Hammonton Emo Boys ft. two Nicks

Most Recent Release: “Selfish”

At The Interview

Blackwood Pop Punk that makes music

Most Recent Release: “Burning Bridges”

<a href="http://attheinterview.bandcamp.com/track/burning-bridges">Burning Bridges by At The Interview</a>

Vent NJ

Smithville Alt Rock Band with Music to Come

Most Recent Release: Nothing yet but the suspense is tearin' at ya soul

Shade by Giants

Shade's style is based on complex melodies and rhythmic patters. With huge, towering sounds they tell their stories on each track through varying vibrancy

Most Recent Release:”Identical Events”

<a href="http://shadebygiants.bandcamp.com/track/identical-events">Identical Events by Shade by Giants</a>

Insanity Theory

Punk / Alt / Metal from Atco - We make punk-based music that draws influence from various different genres

Most Recent Release: Nothing official, but a rehearsal vid of their song “Waste-away girl” below

~Confirm you’re attending on Facebook~

About the Writer

An Interview with Visual Artist & Curator, Aida Jones

February 28, 2017 Sonia Schnee

"My work is abstraction.  Rather than presenting a factual reality, I use color, form and texture to create a sense of place or an image that allows the viewer to make their own personal associations." -- Aida Jones, artist — "My work is abstraction. Rather than presenting a factual reality, I use color, form and texture to create a sense of place or an image that allows the viewer to make their own personal associations." -- Aida Jones, artist

By Patricia Rogers | Posted Tuesday, February 28, 2017

I love prints, and I love colors. And because of my limited painting ability, most of my work looks abstract. When I learned of the upcoming ValleyArts exhibit, The Color of Energy/Energy of Color exhibit, I was intrigued. I was not able to attend the opening at Firehouse Gallery here in New Jersey’s Valley Arts District but caught up with one of the curators and exhibiting artists, Aida Jones.

**P.R.: First Aida, how was The Color of Energy/Energy of Color opening?**

"[W]e had an excellent turn out, over 155 people in attendance.  People had a chance to chat with artists individually about their work and process." -- Aida Jones, artist — *"[W]e had an excellent turn out, over 155 people in attendance. People had a chance to chat with artists individually about their work and process." -- Aida Jones, artist*

Aida Jones: Fantastic – we had an excellent turn out, over 155 people in attendance. People had a chance to chat with artists individually about their work and process. We are so pleased and want to thank everyone who came out to the opening! And if you missed it, you can book an private viewing.

**Tell me about The Color of Energy/Energy of Color exhibition.**

An exhibition at the ValleyArt Firehouse Gallery featuring over 60 works by 24 artists. Co-curated by Aida Jones and Mikel Frank, The Color of Energy; Energy of Color, an exhibition of expressive abstraction focuses on highly expressive paintings that represent energy and vitality through a variety of artistic techniques.

How did you this colorful exhibition come to life?

I met Mikel Frank when we both sat on the board of directors of 1978 Art Center in Maplewood. While on the board, my husband [musician Steve Jones] and I produced a monthly event at 1978 called The Arts Café. There were poetry readings, art on the walls, original musical performances and performance art. Mikel came to almost every event we held, and he and I became fast friends. We co-curated a group show of Hoboken artists at 1978. After that success, we decided to work together on an art exhibition that focused on elements we were most passionate about: abstract expression and energy.

The team at ValleyArts are a terrific group of people. Candice Lee, Julie Martini and Jeremy Moss have been great supporters of this exhibit. I really appreciate ValleyArts and Jeremy Moss especially for accepting The Color of Energy proposal and allowing Mikel and I to curate this wonderful exhibit in the Firehouse Gallery space.

Who is Mikel Frank?

Mikel is a wonderful abstract artist who has exhibited throughout the country. As I mentioned earlier, he served on the executive board of 1978 Maplewood Arts Center for 13 years and in 2015 had a brief stint as co-chair of the Maplewood Arts Council. In 2015, Mikel retired from The Metropolitan Museum of Art where he worked as a Stage Manager since 1985. He now lives in Charlotte, NC.

What inspired the theme of color?

We wanted to hold an exhibit of energetic works that would give the viewer the freedom to explore the artist’s reality and imagination. Abstraction expressionism does just that.

When a painter puts color and marks on the canvas they are transferring their energy and emotion to us. As viewers, we connect to the energy, thought, and emotion that the painter spills out and gives to us. The idea of expression, or storytelling, is fascinating when we look at abstraction because it’s not always easy to know what the story is about. So, abstract art can pose a challenge to the beholder. It asks us to look at the world — in a new way.

Exhibition artists include: Gerard Amsellem, Mark Basco, Kathy Cantwell, RMCimini, Cat Delett, Dawn DiCicco, John Craig, Thomas Farawell, Katie Fogg, Mikel Frank, Aida Jones, Frantz Lexy, Lara Liquori, Susan Marx, Abigail Morris, Jeremy Moss,Tara O'Leary, Sidhartha Pani, Diana Rivera, Raymond Skibinski, Karen Starrett, Onnie Strother, Guen Sublette and The Visual Passion Duo.

How did you come across N.J.'s Valley Arts District?

I moved from Hoboken to Maplewood over 10 years ago. When I arrived, I sought out the art scene. Connecting with artists in the area leads you to the Valley Arts district and the team there continues to do some amazing art events.

Talk about your journey as an artist.

My mother is an artist and my father, a fine art photographer. I have painted and drawn since I was a child. Art has always been part of my life.

Where are you from? Tell me a little about yourself.

I was born in the Bronx and have lived in the NY Metro area my whole life. I studied at the Art Students League in NYC and the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey. I have worked as teacher of adult painting and as Marketing and Artistic Director for the Monroe Center for the Arts, in Hoboken, NJ for 8 years. I’ve acted as curator, board member, art director and consultant on many arts programs in the state of NJ. My work has been on exhibit in a variety of NY and NJ galleries, art shows and events.

Very cool, I am also from the Bronx. What can we expect from Aida Jones the artist in the future?

I am starting a new series and will be exhibiting throughout the year.

How do you describe your work?

My work is abstraction. Rather than presenting a factual reality, I use color, form and texture to create a sense of place or an image that allows the viewer to make their own personal associations. I enjoy gilding the work in copper and gold leaf to add a reflective quality and adding multiple layers of paint, plaster and paste to give the piece depth and dimension.

What do you want people to get from your pieces?

I want people to look at the piece and feel something. Maybe it’s curiosity; the feeling of wanting to look at it and see or know more. Or a sense of calm that says – this art makes me feel at home or reminds of something familiar. I get intrigued when someone says, “I love this piece - I just want to keep looking at it to figure it out.” I want people to feel energy, connection and joy from my art.

Anything else you’d like to add to this colorful interview?

On Sunday, February 26 celebrate the closing of this abstract exhibit co-curated by Aida Jones and Mikel Frank - and the last ValleyArts show in the Firehouse Gallery - with music, wine, and friends. Some art will be offered at a discount during this event.

View Work Aida Jones work here: www.aidajones.com

Folks can call 862-252-7035 to schedule a time to see the exhibition or to purchase a piece from the Color of Energy/Energy of Color.

Go here to view work: https://sites.google.com/site/colorofenergyexhibit/details

About the Writer

Patricia Rogers, #ValleyGirlNJ, lives in New Jersey's Valley Arts District. The native New Yorker works as a writer, blogger and community activist. Starting Masconsumption Media in 2012, she has been passionate about capturing the stories of the vibrant up and coming Valley Arts District neighborhood through her blog, zine, events and more. She blogs for Jersey Indie, Luna Stage, and Hat City Kitchen and offers many creative media services. Visit her blog www.masconsumption.com and keep up with your favorite Valley Girl on social media at @valleygirl_nj (Twitter / Instagram).

Pride Week Benefit Show in Glassboro

February 27, 2017 Sonia Schnee

Friday, March 3, 2017, Glassboro, NJ

By Alex LaVallee | Posted Monday, February 27, 2017

On Friday, March 3, there will be a benefit show to provide funding for Pride Week programming held by Prism -- an LGBTQ+ organization at Rowan University. The show will feature a diverse and exciting lineup of music and drag queen performances. The show will be held at 409 Deptford in Glassboro, NJ, with doors at 6:00PM and the first set at 6:30PM. There is a suggested donation of $5 that will go towards Pride Week events such as a drag show featuring headliner Laganja Estranja from season 6 of RuPaul's Drag Race, Pride Festival on the student center patio, free HIV/STD testing in the Wellness Center, and a Prism meeting on queer history.

Sets will alternate between drag and music performances.

Drag sets will be by:

Aria Sheer (http://instagram.com/aria_sheer),
Pi (https://www.instagram.com/notpi/),
Ron Binary (http://instagram.com/ron.binary),
Nova Kane (http://instagram.com/novakane.philly),
and Allison Wonderland (https://www.instagram.com/iallisonwonderland/).

Music performances will be done by:

Bike Routes (https://bikeroutesnj.bandcamp.com/),
Have a Good Season (https://haveagoodseason.bandcamp.com/),
chill/hilarious (https://chillhilarious.bandcamp.com/),
Maxamillion Raxatrillion (https://maxamillionraxatrillion.bandcamp.com/),
and Pine Barons (https://pinebarons.bandcamp.com/).

About the Writer

Alex LaVallee is a junior, Public Relations major at Rowan University. He grew up in a small rural community in Hunterdon County, NJ. LaVallee is a lover of music, art, and nature, spending most of his time finding new music or outside with his friends. He takes pride in the fact that he grew up in NJ, and continuously is fighting for the proper recognition of Central Jersey. Follow Alex LaVallee on social media at @alex_lavallee (Instagram), @bread_cruz (Twitter).

Outpost in the Burbs Presents Dar Williams in Benefit Concert

February 27, 2017 Sonia Schnee

Friday, March 3rd, 2017, Montclair, NJ

NEWS RELEASE

MONTCLAIR, N. J. -- Outpost in the Burbs presents Dar Williams [NY] in a Benefit Concert for the Outpost on Friday, March 3rd, 2017 at 8 p.m. Opening for Dar Williams will be Trevor Gordon Hall [PA]. This concert will take place at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 67 Church Street.

Dar Williams is one of the most lauded singer/songwriters of her generation. Her poignant lyrical commentary and beautiful musical arrangements have entranced the music world for more than two decades. Every new album from Dar Williams represents her thoughts and feelings about both her own life and larger forces in the world. But her ninth studio record, Emerald, marks a particularly dramatic confluence between her experiences and broader contemporary culture—and what it means to be a songwriter at this moment in history. In the past few years, Williams has been involved in a wide range of different efforts and projects: teaching a course titled “Music Movements in a Capitalist Democracy” at her alma mater, Wesleyan University; working with children at several summer camps; leading songwriting workshops; getting involved with the workings of her village; and writing a book about the ways she’s seen towns becoming more independent and prosperous over her twenty years of touring.

Rated one of the top 30 guitarists in the world under 30 years of age, by Acoustic Guitar magazine, Trevor Gordon Hall is an instrumentalist from Philadelphia whose compositions range in style from edgy driving rhythms to soft melodic phrases. Trevor sets himself apart by leaving no physical aspect of the guitar untouched and weaving together different textures into grand, yet intimate and lyrical compositions. aspect of the guitar untouched and weaving together different textures into grand yet intimate and lyrical compositions.

Benefit concerts provide the Outpost with additional financial support to continue presenting premiere artists in an intimate setting at reasonable prices. This benefit concert will also help to support additional production-related upgrades (sound and lighting) and will support our community service work, such as the soup kitchen in Orange, New Jersey, where Outpost volunteers prepare and serve meals.

How to Get Tickets:

Tickets: $40 in advance, $45 at the door and are available at Keil’s Pharmacy, 732 Valley Rd., Upper Montclair, 973-744-2113; Studio042 – Super Business Printer, 423 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair, 973-509-7591; and on TicketLeap: https://outpost.ticketleap.com/dar-williams-2017/dates/ Mar-03-2017_at_0800PM . A limited number of $100 VIP tickets are available and include pre-show meet and greet reception with the artists and reserved priority seating.

About The Outpost:

The all-volunteer Outpost is a nonprofit outreach organization in Montclair dedicated to building community through music, community service, and cultural events. The Outpost has presented more than

350 concerts by internationally known artists such as Judy Collins, Roger McGuinn, Dave Mason, Jorma Kaukonen, Jimmy Webb, Richie Havens, J.D. Souther, and Dar Williams. In addition to promoting and staffing concerts, Outpost volunteers have donated many hours of their time through programs affiliated with Habitat for Humanity, Toys for Tots, the Human Needs Food Pantry of Montclair, the Community Food Bank of N.J., Dress for Success and a soup kitchen run by Outpost volunteers in East Orange, NJ.

For more information, visit www.outpostintheburbs.org or call 973-744-6560.

Contact

Gail Prusslin
Outpost in the Burbs
prance@comcast.net
www.outpostintheburbs.org

Like Outpost in the Burbs on Facebook
Follow Outpost in the Burbs on Twitter

Loser Casual Booking Presents: Jake’s Birthday Super Gig Extravaganza @ Chalk Zone

February 26, 2017 Sonia Schnee

Sunday, March 5th, 2017, Cape May, NJ

By Sean McCall | Posted Monday, February 27, 2017

Chalk Zone is a DIY living room Venue located in Cape May, New Jersey. If you’re looking for a place to drink beer, listen to tight ass music, and possibly pet a dog, this is your place. It may be a DIY house venue, but the reviews on Facebook are better than 95% of your towns local business’s yelp reviews. I mean they have entire walls that you can draw on with chalk. It’s 2017. It’s revolutionary. It's freakin' Chalk Zone, brother.

This show is held by “Loser Casual Booking” who mostly books shows at Chalk Zone in Cape May, NJ. If you’re looking for the address to Chalk Zone, or have booking inquiries, you can email Dijon Justice here: lunarcasualsj@gmail.com

Chalk Zone will be hosting our fellow Jersey bands Tie Goes The Runner, Brock Landers, Supine (Half NJ), and some mathy heavy friends from NY, Foresterr. But the most important mans (and bands) is Jake Dunlevy of Clearview and Better Machines. They both be playing, they both be duelin’ u feel.

“Hey Jake is turning 23! Fug that lame song, cause we love you bud! Gonna have a buncha sick bands do the thing in the living room, bring yr friends!”

The gig is on Sunday, March 5th, 2017, and doors are at 6:00pm. There’s only 4 bands, and they’re all full of bangers, so come thru. I t’s a banger, you won’t regretti.

***************

1. Respect the Venue.
2. Respect the people.
3. Come early, Stay late.

$5-$7 for touring bands - Get there early, stay late, party hard.

****************

- Doors at 7 / Music at 8

- $7

- EMAIL FOR THE ADDRESS

- No Bigotry / No Bullshit

- Party / Pet dogs

FEATURED BANDS

Tie Goes To The Runner

Atlantic City NJ sing-along dude rock / indie prog funcore fusion

Most recent release – “Entaglement”

<a href="http://tiegoestotherunner.bandcamp.com/album/entanglement">Entanglement by Tie Goes To The Runner</a>

Clearview

Ambient Screamo Lads sitting on that New New ft. our mans Jake Dunlevy

Most Recent Release: “Trailing”

<a href="http://clearviewnj.bandcamp.com/album/trailing">Trailing by Clearview</a>

Better Machines

Hammonton Post-Punk also ft. Birthday mans Jake

Most Recent Release: “Honesty”

<a href="http://bettermachines.bandcamp.com/album/honesty">Honesty by Better Machines</a>

Brock Landers

RIffy Rocky Post-Hardcore

Most Recent Release: “I’m Not Jealous of The Rhythm”

<a href="http://brocklanders.bandcamp.com/track/im-not-jealous-of-the-rhythm">I&#39;m Not Jealous Of The Rhythm by Brock Landers</a>

Foresterr

Heavy, Mathy, Annuncicated (NY)

Most Recent Release: “The Town Dies Screaming”

<a href="http://foresterr.bandcamp.com/album/the-town-dies-screaming">The Town Dies Screaming by Foresterr</a>

Supine (NJ/PHL)

Screamo Horselords with a side of Ziti, Baked.

Most Recent Release: “This Eternity Churns Electric”

<a href="http://supinenoise.bandcamp.com/album/this-eternity-churns-electric">this eternity churns electric by Supine</a> 

Again, for booking inquiries/Address, email lunarcasualj@gmail.com

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About the Writer

Flemington DIY Presents: Flemington DIY / ACLU Split Benefit Show + Art Show

February 24, 2017 Sonia Schnee

Saturday, February 25th, 2017, Flemington, NJ

By Sean McCall | Posted Friday, February 24, 2017

“FLEMINGTON DIY (Do It Yourself) is an organization whose mission is to inspire social change by fostering and cultivating projects that connect the local community with musicians and artists in Flemington.” Flemington DIY is a non-profit organization dedicated to the arts in all forms. Besides serving as a creative art space, hosting poetry nights, film viewings, cultural meetings, etc., this space is known as the center music hub for the area. They have hosted a number of up and coming bands previously such as Petal, Dowsing, Jank, Spencer Radcliff, and many more.

For this show, the art space will be donating all proceeds to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The gig is on Saturday, February 25th, 2017, and doors are at 6:00pm. The show will be All-Ages, and it's for an awesome and very relevant cause. Twitter recently donated over $1.5 million dollars to fight Trump on immigration:

This show may or may not raise that amount of money, but with the right attitude, it very well might be able to. People are people, people are equal, and it should be that simple. Come out with a crisp 5 dollar bill to help raise money for a good cause, and to have yourself a good time with great music. In addition to the bands, there will be multiple artists at this art space selling their art. Wild.

You can purchase a number of art pieces from:

Mallory Rummel
Desiree Feliciano
Olivia Olivier
Nora Evita Aresti
Corinne Dodenhoff
Megan Chelednik
Maegan Monico
Valerie Ryan
Tracy Robinson
Taylor Ashbrook
Elise Mattaliano

If you would like to sell your own art at the venue, you can email FlemingtonDIY@gmail.com

***************

1. Respect the Venue.
2. Respect the people.
3. Come early, stay late.

$5 - Get there early, stay late, party hard.

Fight Trump’s immigration ban

****************

- Doors 6

- 90 Main St., Flemington, NJ

- Let's party

- All Ages

- No booze

- Love art

- Respect the World

FEATURED BANDS

Whiner
(NJ)

The Artist formally known as Winona Ryder

Most Recent Release: “Forever”

Ghost Camp
(New Brunswick, NJ)

setting industry standards

Most recent release – “Great Lakes”

<a href="http://ghostcamp.bandcamp.com/album/great-lakes">Great Lakes by Ghost Camp</a>

Secretary Legs
(New Brunswick, NJ)

Part Post Punk / Part Pop / Part Indie Sequel / Secretary Legs

Most recent release: “Summer Hiatus”

<a href="http://secretarylegs.bandcamp.com/album/summer-hiatus">Summer Hiatus by Secretary Legs</a>

C.R. and the Degenerates
(NJ)

Offers the Window Seat through life’s strangest and most glorious adventures

Most Recent Release: “Close Encounters”

<a href="http://crandthedegenerates.bandcamp.com/album/close-encounters">Close Encounters by C.R. and the Degenerates</a>

For booking inquiries to host a show, artist exhibit or club meeting, contact Flemington DIY at flemingtonDIY@gmail.com

Read More about Flemington DIY on JerseyIndie here: http://www.jerseyindie.com/flemington-diy/

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About the Writer

Grandaire Booking Presents: Free Show w/ Your Persona // Gin War // Blue Heaven (MD) // Old City Revival + more @ Grandsons

February 24, 2017 Sonia Schnee

Wednesday, March 1, 2017, Hammonton, NJ

Click the flier to be directed to the event on Facebook.

By Sean McCall | Posted Friday, February 24, 2017

Grandaire Booking is constantly bringing everybody together, building a community, and letting people of all ages feel welcome. On Saturday, March 1st, they will be hosting a FREE show at Grandsons restaurant in Hammonton, NJ, AND it’s BYOB. They haven’t had a show in a while, so they’re doing us a favor and making this show free af and fun af. Come hang, support yo friends, support yo local business, and buy some grub.

Grandsons is a place for everyone

“We offer classic breakfast, sandwiches, burgers, and salads, but we can also accommodate vegan and vegetarians!

During the evening, the café turns into a venue for a variety of events. Our events include acoustic performers, live bands, artist showcases, pop-up vendor markets, and more. If you are interested in hosting an event at our location, please give us a call. You can find the full schedule on Grandson’s Event Page.”

Grandaire Booking is an event planning LLC founded in 2012 that is constantly bringing musicians, artists, fans, and people in general together through the arts. They are an event planning company consistently striving for a family through community in music. They have brought us events in the past such as Sadfest and Electric Halloween, and they are also a part of Pinelands Music Festival this year.

“We at Grandaire Booking only want to throw the best shows possible for you; we want you to be able to enjoy a great show with great music and nothing but great vibes.

“Grandaire is an opportunity to make a difference not just in the community but within yourself. It gives the chance to be a part of something bigger that will not go unnoticed but appreciated for the passion and hard work that goes into every project towards building a stronger and more unified community. It promotes positive growth within individuals and those who attend the events. It reminds everyone that they are capable of anything given the chance. Be a part.”

-- Jose Martinez & Michael Pezzuto

FEATURED PERFORMANCES

Your Persona
(Hammonton, NJ)

”If passion had a sound, it would sound like Your Persona.”

Most Recent Release: “When in Limbo”

<a href="http://yourpersona.bandcamp.com/album/when-in-limbo">When In Limbo by Your Persona</a>

Gin War
(Long Beach Island, NJ)

Long Beach Island Beach Beauties

Most Recent Release: “Peachy Keen”

Website

<a href="http://ginwar.bandcamp.com/album/peachy-keen">Peachy Keen by GIN WAR</a>

Blue Heaven
(MD)

INDIE / POP / HOT

Most Recent Release: “Blue Heaven Demo”

Old City Revival
(Cinnaminson, NJ)

Indie / Alt / Rock / Also hot

Most Recent Release: “CL // OCR”

<a href="http://oldcityrevival.bandcamp.com/album/cl-ocr">cl · ocr by Old City Revival/Crash Landing</a>

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About the Writer

Interview with Zach Henry of Halogens

February 24, 2017 Sonia Schnee

“You died for my sins when I committed all of mine just yesterday”
- Run Around - Halogens

Tour Poster I Art by Wild Heart — Tour Poster I Art by **Wild Heart**

By Deaglan Howlett | Posted Friday, February 24, 2017

Halogens is a four-piece rock band from Wall, NJ. The band is made up of Zach Henry (Vocals/Guitar), Charlie Throckmorton (Guitar), Tim Wuestneck (Bass/Vocals) and George Saives (Drums). Last summer I was fortunate enough to support them on tour with my band Corrina, Corrina. What followed was inexplicable madness for nine days. When Zach told me he was coming down to Rowan for a weekend, I thought it would be a perfect time to sit down with some coffee, catch up and talk about their upcoming tour and skateboarding.

D.H.: You’re going on tour, again. When?

Zack Henry: March 17th to the 25th. We’ve had this booked for a couple months now, we’ve been sitting on it.

Were you set on going out again right after the last tour you did last summer?

No. We knew we were gonna go out again but with school it made booking much tougher. We set on these dates because it was [the] most convenient time for everyone.

The tour is with Grin & Bear. How do you know those guys?

We went to high school with them, and I used to be in a band with the singer and drummer of Grin & Bear, and then before that with the guitarist and drummer. They just put out an album called “Blank” (available to stream on Spotify), and we all love it.

Have you learned from your last tour anything that you’re going to use this upcoming tour?

I think I’m gonna know what to expect more, and I don't think it's going to be as wild as the last one. The last one we did together was a lot of fun, and we did crazy shit because it was our first time out. I think now that we’ve gone out once, had our “first tour experience” and got to have the crazy times, this time around it’s going to be a bit more serious. It’s super exciting, but I’m not freaking out about it like I was with the last tour we did last summer. I can’t wait, it's going to be so much fun. Plus, besides Philly we’re basically playing all new areas. We're playing Ohio and Alabama. I’m really looking forward to it.

Every band has specific influences, but they don't always come through to the listener. Do the bands that people say you sound like actually ring true to your influences?

So many people tell us we sound like The Front Bottoms, but I think that's just because any band that sounds “different” today gets thrown in with The Front Bottoms. The Front Bottoms influence can be true back when we were in high school to 2014 during a two year phase where they were huge for all of us (Halogens). But there are bands I listen to more that I hear in our music like earlier Modest Mouse. They definitely influence me more.

What about what you're writing now?

It’s a lot less aggressive because I've been listening to a lot of Pinegrove. I just sit and just mess around on my acoustic until I find something cool. My mood is the biggest influence on how my songs are gonna come out. Lyrics come earlier than the music sometimes, too.

You’re one of the best skaters I know. What came first, the guitar or skateboarding?

Skating. I didn't pick up a guitar until end of sophomore year of high school (2010). I picked up a skateboard in 7th grade (2007). As much as I do music now, I was equally into skating when I first picked up a board. Music became something I was just having more fun doing and now I'm stuck with it. (laughs)

I found a lot of bands through skate videos back in middle school. Did watching skate videos and skating yourself influence the music you would later listen to and then apply when forming a band?

Absolutely. I never thought when I was younger and skating that I would be in a band because I had no musical abilities. I thought it would be way too hard to learn an instrument. The bands I listen to though were definitely influenced by skate videos.

Do you have a specific skater’s part that you remember watching with a song that really struck a chord?

Totally, there were two. In Tony Hawk Project 8, Daewon Song skated to “Any Day” by Typical Cats, an old-school-sounding rap song. Another was Rodney Mullen’s part with “Train in Vain” by The Clash in “Almost Round Three.” Phenomenal song.

I vaguely remember a conversation we had on tour about guitar, and I’m not sure if I remember it correctly, but did you tell me you don't like playing guitar? You find it too hard?

Zach Henry of Halogens I Photo by Dana Gorab

Oh yeah. I don't hate it, I'm just not good at it. I’ve gotten pretty good at knowing enough basic guitar to kinda fool people into thinking I know what I’m doing with guitar. But, I like playing guitar a lot. I’m just not as good as I wish I was. Everything I play is based off of no knowledge on whether or not it’s going to be “right,” which is something I think was influenced by Modest Mouse. You can hear so many wrong notes in their songs but they always work.

Comparing your guitar playing to skating, when you started on a skateboard did you have the same mind set that you weren’t going to be as good as you want to be?

I think the thing with skating is you learn tricks and that’s really all you need to know. With music you need to know about certain theories or key changes in order for it to be “good.”

The kickflip is universally cool. I think music demands more attention.

I guess the two are similar. If you skate you can probably do a kickflip and if you play guitar you can probably play “Free Fallin.” It’s hard to explain, but with skating style and the way you look doing/landing tricks it’s either good or bad. It’s easier to tell. I find it a lot less subjective than music.

So tour starts March 17th. You still got the van?

Yeah, we still have Charlie’s van

Right on.

Before Halogens heads out for their tour, you can catch them with Hodera, Oso Oso and Secret Mountain on March 4th in New Brunswick. It’s probably going to look something like this. You can also download their new split with Staten, as well as their EP on Bandcamp here or listen on Spotify.

About the Writer

Aftermath Collective Presents: Sleep In., Later Days (TX), Hold Close (MO), FV @ Studio Luloo

February 24, 2017 Sonia Schnee

Tuesday, February 28th, 2017, Oaklyn, NJ

By Sean McCall | Posted Friday, February 24, 2017

Aftermath Collective is a booking agency that books a decent amount of local shows, big and small. They host shows in New Jersey and Philadelphia at places such as Kung-fu Necktie, The Barbary, and a number of other places in the greater Philadelphia area. This show will be at one of South Jersey’s most well known local venues: Studio Luloo.

For this show, Luloo will be hosting two New Jersey native bands as well as two touring acts: Later Days from Austin, Texas and Hold Close from Missouri. The gig is on Tuesday, February 28th, and doors are at 7pm. There’s only 4 bands, so make sure you get there early - it’s a Tuesday, so you probably won’t be out too late. If you get to stay late enough, you may even personally see Joe Franks himself turn into a telecaster at the end of the gig. I’m telling you, it’s a must see. Plus Drake personally said himself, “Get to the gig.” See for yourself, that shit's legit.

***************

HOUSE RULES:

1. Respect the Venue.
2. Respect the people.
3. Come early, stay late.

$5 - Get there early, stay late(ish), party hard(ish).

****************

This show will be the kick-off of Sleep In.’s 5 day tour with Hold Close, which you can check out below (click on the flier to be directed to Sleep In.’s Facebook post).

FEATURED BANDS

Sleep In.
(Camden County, NJ)

My boys that make some mathy pop jams u can bop to

Most recent release – “Sleep In. 7"”

<a href="http://sleep-in.bandcamp.com/album/sleep-in-7">Sleep In. 7&quot; by Sleep In.</a>

Later Days
(TX)

Rock / Post-Hardcore / Emo From Austin, TX

Most recent release: “Lost In The Sound” (Released February 17, peep that new good good)

<a href="http://laterdaystx.bandcamp.com/album/lost-in-the-sound">Lost In The Sound by Later Days</a>

Hold Close (On tour with Sleep In.)
(MO)

to connect with people on a personal level as they live their day to day lives by sharing our stories, weaknesses, and same struggles that everyone else goes through.

Most recent release: “I Was Never Meant to Stay”

<a href="http://holdcloseofficial.bandcamp.com/album/i-was-never-meant-to-stay">I Was Never Meant To Stay by Hold Close</a>

FV
(Mays Landing, NJ)

FVisaband

Most Recent Release: “FV ACLU Compilation”

<a href="http://fvisaband.bandcamp.com/album/fv-aclu-compilation">FV ACLU Compilation by FV</a>

Want to work with Aftermath Collective?
Shoot them an email at “Info@Aftermathcollective.com”

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Fleece to Shawl Demonstration at METC

February 24, 2017 Sonia Schnee

Sunday, February 26, 2017, Madison, NJ

The Museum of Early Trades & Crafts
9 Main Street, Madison, NJ 07940
Contact: Erin O'Donnell, Communications Coordinator
973-377-2982 ext. 16
coordinator@metc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Madison, NJ – On Sunday, February 26, 2017 at the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts (METC) invites everyone to “Fleece to Shawl,” where a talented team of New Jersey spinners and weavers will demonstrate how raw sheep wool is transformed into a beautiful woven shawl. Beginning at 12:30 p.m., the team will card, spin, and weave a shawl using fleece dyed with natural plant dyes used by the early Americans farmers. This four-hour demonstration is in conjunction with METC’s new exhibit, “Garden State: Living off the Land in Early New Jersey,” which explores how farmers used all their resources, including fleece from sheep, to survive. The event is included with paid admission and guests are encouraged to ask questions and return to the museum throughout the day to see the team’s progress.

Anne Choi, owner of Middle Brook Fiberworks in Bedminister, NJ. — Anne Choi, owner of **Middle Brook Fiberworks** in Bedminister, NJ.

This talented team, made up of weaver Virginia Hinchman of Hackettstown, NJ and the spinners Kerstin Katko of Long Valley, NJ and Anne Choi of Bedminster, NJ are all experienced in “Sheep to Shawl” competitions that are held around the country. At these events, teams start with shearing a sheep and then spin and weave the fleece to win the top prize. Mrs. Choi is also the owner of Middle Brook Fiberworks in Bedminister, NJ where she teaches spinning and other fiber classes.

“‘Garden State’ was developed to show the many ways that farmers in New Jersey utilized all the materials and technology at hand to support their families,” said Deborah Farrar Starker, Executive Director of METC. “This demonstration will show that even a simple garment like a shawl requires tools, skill and time to create. We hope that guests walk away with knowledge and appreciation for what goes into the shawls that keep us warm during the Winter.”

_________________________________________________________________________________

Explore American history with a focus on the life and stories of 18th- and 19th- century craftsmen and artisans. Drawing on its rich collection, METC is connecting the lives of people and their stories, while providing a bridge from the past to the future. Housed in a stunning Richardsonian Romanesque Revival building donated by D. Willis James to the people of Madison, NJ in 1900, METC offers something for visitors of all ages. Regular METC admission is $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for seniors, students & children 6 and older, and free for members and children under 6. Family maximum admission $15.00. METC is open Tuesday – Saturday 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. and Sunday Noon to 5 P.M. Closed Monday & Major Holidays.

Loser Casual Booking Presents: Vivian K., MyBrother MySister, Stippling, Jake Gussman, Carax, Past Life at Chalk Zone SJ

February 23, 2017 Sonia Schnee

Thursday, February 23, 2017, Cape May Court House, NJ

Click the image to be directed to the event on Facebook.

By Sean McCall | Posted Thursday, February 23, 2017, 2017

Chalk Zone is a DIY living room venue located in Cape May, New Jersey. If you’re looking for a place to drink beer, listen to tight ass music, and possibly pet a dog, this is your place. It may be a DIY house venue, but the reviews on Facebook are better than 95% of your towns local business’s Yelp reviews. I mean they have entire walls that you can draw on with chalk. It’s 2017. It’s revolutionary. It’s freakin’ Chalk Zone, brother.

This show is held by Loser Casual Booking who mostly book shows at Chalk Zone in Cape May, NJ. If you’re looking for the address to Chalk Zone, or have booking inquiries, you can email Dijon Justice here: lunarcasualsj@gmail.com

For this show, Chalk Zone will be hosting a number of bands from Jersey and Pennsylvania, as well as Vivian K. from Florida, and MyBrother MySister from South Carolina. The gig is on Friday, February 23rd, 2017, and doors are at 6:00pm. There are 6 bands, and they’re from all over the place coming to our home state, so make sure you come out and peep the new tunes you probably haven’t heard yet. You won’t regretti.

***************

1. Respect the Venue.
2. Respect the people.
3. Come early, Stay late.

$5-$7 for touring bands - Get there early, stay late, party hard.

****************

-       Doors at 6 / Music at 7:45
-       $7
-      EMAIL FOR THE ADDRESS
-       No Bigotry / No Bullshit
-       Party / Pet dogs

FEATURED BANDS

Stippling (PA)

I Never Thought I’d be this Fucked up Growing up.

Most recent release: “Stippling”

<a href="http://stippling.bandcamp.com/album/stippling">Stippling by stippling</a>

Vivian K. (FL/IL)

Weed-infused Screamy Math Emo

Most recent release: “Verses”

-

Jake Gussman (Medford, NJ)

Alt Emo Folk Goodness

Most Recent Release: “Easy”

MyBrother MySister (SC)

Grungey-Dream Pop

Most Recent Release: “Haze // Thursday”

<a href="http://mybrother-mysister.bandcamp.com/album/haze-thursday">haze // thursday by MyBrother MySister</a>

Carax (PA)

Joe Hoban Tuggin’ at your Heart Strings & Guitar Strings

Most Recent Release: “January”

Past Life (PA)

Underwater Emo Greatness

Most Recent Release: “Past Life Demo”

~SET TIMES~

Past Life ~ 7:45-8:10

Carax ~ 8:25-8:50

Jake Gussman ~ 9:05-9:30

MyBrother MySister ~ 9:45-10:10

Vivian K. ~ 10:25-10:50

Stippling ~ 11:05-11:30

Again, for booking inquiries/address, email lunarcasualj@gmail.com

~Confirm you’re attending on Facebook~

About the Writer

Outpost in the Burbs Presents Robert Ellis in “New Voices” Series

February 20, 2017 Sonia Schnee

Saturday, February 25, 2017, Montclair, NJ

NEWS RELEASE

MONTCLAIR, N. J. -- Outpost in the Burbs presents Texas-born singer-songwriter Robert Ellis in a “New Voices” show on Saturday, February 25th, 2017 at 8 p.m. This concert will take place at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 67 Church Street in Montclair. Opening the show is Courtney Hartman.

Robert Ellis has named his new album after himself and the reason is clear. The album is both his most personal statement yet and a summation of his career thus far. Robert Ellis opens with "Perfect Strangers," a meditation on what brings people together (and how tenuous that connection can be), and ends with "It's Not OK," a raw look at emotional compromise. Between those two powerful bookends are nine other songs that set Ellis's soaring vocals and knowing melodies against his sharp, dark observations, and that show him in full command of a vibrant set of songwriting skills-irony, distance, character, narrative, a thoughtful relationship between sound and sense.

About Courtney Hartman (of Della Mae): With just six songs, it’s astonishing how Courtney Hartman’s debut solo recording tells such a vivid story. 'Nothing We Say' is flush with intimate ruminations on her life as a traveling musician and a deep curiosity about the world around her. The luminous EP, delivers on the promise always apparent in her work as a guitarist and songwriter for Della Mae, the Grammy-nominated string band, along with her collaborations with Bryan Sutton, Jim Lauderdale, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ Mike
Campbell, among others. Acoustic Guitar Magazine lauds Courtney as a “distinctive guitar stylist...and a songwriter that delights and disturbs.”

About the “New Voices” series: “New Voices” presents emerging or “indie” musicians to the Outpost stage, exposing audiences to exciting new or unfamiliar artists.

How to Get Tickets: Tickets: $25 in advance, $28 at the door and are available at Keil’s Pharmacy, 732 Valley Rd., Upper Montclair, 973-744-2113; Studio042 – Super Business Printer, 423 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair, 973-509-7591; and on TicketLeap: https://outpost.ticketleap.com/robert-ellis-2017/dates/ Feb-25-2017_at_0800PM

About The Outpost: The all-volunteer Outpost is a nonprofit outreach organization in Montclair dedicated to building community through music, community service, and cultural events. The Outpost has presented more than 350 concerts by internationally known artists such as Judy Collins, Roger McGuinn, Dave Mason, Jorma Kaukonen, Jimmy Webb, Richie Havens, J.D. Souther, and Dar Williams. In addition to promoting and staffing concerts, Outpost volunteers have donated many hours of their time through programs affiliated with Habitat for Humanity, Toys for Tots, the Human Needs Food Pantry of Montclair, MESH (Montclair Emergency Services for the Homeless), the Community Food Bank of N.J., Dress for Success, and a soup kitchen run by Outpost volunteers in East Orange, NJ.

For more information, visit www.outpostintheburbs.org or call 973-744-6560.

CONTACT

Gail Prusslin Outpost in the Burbs
prance@comcast.net
www.outpostintheburbs.org

Like Outpost in the Burbs on Facebook
Follow Outpost in the Burbs on Twitter and Instagram

Everyone Leaves (OH) and Household (MO) at The Watering Hole

February 19, 2017 Sonia Schnee

Monday, March 27, 2017, Mays Landing, NJ

By Luke Morsa | Posted Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Event Information

Everyone Leaves (OH) and Household (MO) are coming through on tour, and we’re stoked to have them! The Watering Hole is an awesome venue and the locals on the show are sick. Not a gig to miss.

Date: March 27th, 2017
Location: The Watering Hole in Mays Landing, NJ
Time: Doors open at 5:30pm; Music starts at 6:00pm
Admission: $8
Booked by: Emerson Booking

Lineup

Everyone Leaves (OHIO) - Emo / Pop Punk
https://www.facebook.com/EveryoneLeavesBand/

Household (MISSOURI) - Melodic Punk
https://www.facebook.com/Householdmusic/

Bike Routes - Honest Acoustic Music
https://www.facebook.com/BikeRoutesNJ/

Parkwood - Emo/Alternative
https://www.facebook.com/parkwoodnj/

Old City Revival - Alternative/Rock
https://www.facebook.com/OldCityRev/

Everyone Leaves

Everyone Leaves from Columbus, OH has been rocking since 2012, and shows no signs of stopping. On October 14, 2016, Everyone Leaves put out their most recent album The Lonely End. Everyone Leaves has infectious harmonies between multiple vocalists and catchy melodies that leave their tracks like “Seasonal Affective” stuck in your head for days. Come out and see them!

Household

Household is currently signed to Blood & Ink Records and has been a band since 2013. Hailing from Missouri, they are a Melodic Punk band for fans of Title Fight and Movements.

Bike Routes

Bike Routes is the moniker of local acoustic artist David Osterhout. Bike Routes has a show or two under it’s belt as a full band, but all recorded music is acoustic. For fans of Pinegrove and tall, lanky people that wear 2XL hardcore band tees.

Parkwood

Parkwood is a 4 piece Emo band from Hammonton, NJ formed in 2011/2012. Members Nick Gelone (Drums) and Jorge Estrada (Guitar/Vocals) are the only two original members in the current lineup.

Old City Revival

Old City Revival is, in the simplest terms, a damn good Rock band. They are the only band younger members that I’ve seen and heard playing the kind of music that they do, and it’s great. They’re one of my personal favorite bands to watch at local festivals. Old City Revival recently released their debut full-length album, which you can listen to here.

You can find the Facebook event page at the following link: Event Page

About the Writer

Luke Morsa is a musician and writer from Hammonton, NJ. He is the guitarist and one of two vocalists in Clearview, an Emotional Post-Hardcore band. Luke began writing music articles and conducting artist interviews two years ago for his own music blog. He is currently in college working towards a degree in Psychology. Luke has booked under Grandaire Booking and is a supporter of the music scene in NJ.

City to City Apparel Hosts Show at The Watering Hole Cafe

February 15, 2017 Sonia Schnee

Sunday, February 19, 2017, Mays Landing, NJ

By Alex LaVallee | Posted Wednesday, February 15, 2017

On Sunday, February 19, City to City Apparel is hosting a show at The Watering Hole Cafe in Mays Landing, NJ. City to City Apparel is a clothing brand that works closely with several local bands to collaborate on creative ideas and style. They have become a staple in the South Jersey music community. The show is scheduled to open at 5:30pm and the first band is scheduled to start playing at 6:00pm. The diverse line-up should make for an exciting night of music.

City to City Apparel will be releasing new shirt designs for discounted prices at the show. Each band has their own style and originality to the lineup. Most bands have recently released new music – like Parkwood’s most recent EP entitled ‘Selfish’ which was released at the end of summer 2016 – and Old City Revival’s split with New Jersey band Crash Landing, which was released in December. Each band is different, and absolutely worth seeing live, so come early, support local music, and have a great time!

Parkwood

Alternative/Emo from Hammonton, NJ

https://parkwood.bandcamp.com/

Favorite Track: "Heavy Daze"

Better Machines

Post-Hardcore from Hammonton, NJ

https://bettermachines.bandcamp.com/releases

Favorite Track: "Dumb Abbreviated Phrases"

Hampton Hollow

Rock band from NJ

https://www.facebook.com/hamptonhollowhh/

The Secondside

Indie/Emo from Atlantic City, NJ

https://thesecondside.bandcamp.com/

Favorite Track: "Vile Eyes"

Old City Revival

Alternative Rock from Cinnaminson, NJ

https://oldcityrevival.bandcamp.com/

Favorite Track: "Lost in My Head"

Haunted Homes

Emotionally driven music from Atlantic City, NJ

https://www.facebook.com/HauntedHomesNJ/

About the Writer

Alex LaVallee is a junior, Public Relations major at Rowan University. He grew up in a small rural community in Hunterdon County, NJ. LaVallee is a lover of music, art, and nature, spending most of his time finding new music or outside with his friends. LaVallee takes pride in the fact that he grew up in NJ, and continuously is fighting for the proper recognition of Central Jersey. Follow Alex LaVallee on social media @alex_lavallee (Instagram), @bread_cruz (Twitter).

Flemington DIY presents: ACLU Benefit Show ft. Feeny, Atlas On Top, Glume, Blind Lion, Daniel West

February 13, 2017 Sonia Schnee

Saturday, February 18, 2017, Flemington, NJ

By Sean McCall | Posted Monday, February 13, 2017

“FLEMINGTON DIY (Do It Yourself) is an organization whose mission is to inspire social change by fostering and cultivating projects that connect the local community with musicians and artists in Flemington.” Flemington DIY is a non-profit organization dedicated to the arts in all forms. Besides serving as a creative art space, hosting poetry nights, film viewings, cultural meetings, etc., this space is known as the center music hub for the area. They have hosted a number of up and coming bands previously such as Petal, Dowsing, Jank, Spencer Radcliff, and many more.

For this show, the art space will be donating all proceeds to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The gig is on Saturday, February 18th, 2017, and doors are at 7:00pm. The show is actually put on by Pop-Punk Band “Atlas On Top” from Whitehouse Station, NJ. The show will be All-Ages, and it's for an awesome and very relevant cause. Twitter recently donated over $1.5 million dollars to fight Trump on immigration.

This show may or may not raise that amount of money, but with the right attitude, it very well might be able to. People are people, people are equal, and it should be that simple. Come out with a crisp 5 dollar bill to help raise money for a good cause and to have yourself a good time with great music.

***************
1. Respect the Venue.
2. Respect the people.
3. Come early, Stay late.

$5 - Get there early, stay late, party hard.
Fight Trump’s immigration ban
****************

- Doors 7

- 90 Main St. Flemington, NJ

- Let's party

- All Ages

- No booze

FEATURED BANDS

Feeny

HappySad PunkEmo – New Brunswick, NJ

Most recent release – “No Beauty in Routine”

<a href="http://feeny.bandcamp.com/album/no-beauty-in-routine">No Beauty In Routine by Feeny</a>

Atlas On Top

5 piece pop punk from Whitehouse Station, NJ hosting this tight ass show

Most recent release: “Blind the Demo”

<a href="http://atlasontop.bandcamp.com/album/blind-the-demo">Blind the Demo by Atlas On Top</a>

Glume

Punk Rock Jersey Band that I would call my mans

Most recent release: “Sustenance” (this EP rules)

Blind Lion

Alternative / Emo boys from Bridgewater, NJ

Most recent release – “Winter”

Daniel West

21-year-old pseudo Punk – Whitehouse Station, NJ

Most Recent Release: “Lost City"

<a href="http://danielwest.bandcamp.com/album/lost-city">Lost City by Daniel West</a>

For booking inquiries to host a show, artist exhibit, or club meeting, contact Flemington DIY at flemingtonDIY@gmail.com

Read More about Flemington DIY on JerseyIndie here: http://www.jerseyindie.com/flemington-diy/