Halogens - "Pretty Enough" (Single Review)

By Deaglan Howlett | Posted Monday, January 29, 2018

For fans of: Modern Baseball, The Front Bottoms, Captain, We’re Sinking

Just before 2017 ended, Halogens dropped their best song yet.  On December 30th, they released “Pretty Enough” on their Bandcamp, available as “pay what you want.”  Their last release was a split EP with Staten, released December of 2016, so fans had been waiting an entire year for new recorded music.  Halogens did not disappoint with “Pretty Enough,” their latest single, and they plan on releasing more music later this year.

For fans of Halogens, “Pretty Enough” is not a brand new song.  The group from Wall, NJ had been playing this song live throughout 2017, and fans had already learned the words long before its official release.  Luckily for the fans, though, “Pretty Enough” got the proper recording it deserved by the group’s longtime producer Adam Cichocki, out of Timber Studios.  Cichocki recorded Halogens' 2016 self-titled EP as well, and he knows exactly how they're supposed to sound.

“Pretty Enough” picks up right where Halogens’ self-titled EP left off.  The track deals with heavy subject matter, yet Zach Henry’s voice translates the lyrics in a way that sounds hopeful.  There is something about Henry’s sometimes self-deprecating lyrics that are so relatable for the listener.   At their live shows, Halogens are able to get the crowd to scream back particularly sad lyrics, yet they do so with gigantic smiles on their faces.  “Pretty Enough” is no exception.  While the lyrical content may be somber, there is a certain sense that Henry is there for you, as if he knew you may have felt this way before, too.

Halogens plans on releasing new music later this year.  Until then, learn all the words to “Pretty Enough” so you can scream along at their next show.

You can listen to "Pretty Enough" here.

Interview with Will Wood

By Sonia Schnee | Posted Friday, January 19, 2018

On Saturday, February 3rd, northern NJ experimental rock, alt-pop wonders Will Wood and the Tapeworms are set to release their newest album, The Real, coupled with a benefit concert for mental health research at Roxy and Duke's Roadhouse in Dunellen, NJ.  Check out our interview with frontman/singer-songwriter/instrumentalist Will Wood, below. 

Tell us about your new album.  How would you describe your sound?  How does it compare to your past work? 

Will Wood:  The Real is a delirium tremens vision.  A synesthetic rainbow.  A neon hurricane.  A staggering 21-track record so bold and brash we can’t fit the whole thing onto a CD.  Recorded at sold out shows in 2017, in front of hundreds of face-painted Tapeworm Hosts screaming in tongues only we can decode. It’s a dangerous listen -- pump this through your headphones and just try not to pump it so loud you blast your own eardrums out.  It’s a death wish.  It’s a lifestyle.  It’s an entheogenic Gaspar Noe film soaked in blood and glitter.  Am I selling it?  A 9-piece big band playing whacked-out versions of old tunes, and solo performances of new tunes -- it doesn’t sound like anything we’ve put out before, thank god.  I can’t stand to stand still. 

How did you get started with music?  What's been your personal journey?  What has inspired you to do what you do? 

I was more raised by tight-shirt, high-collared, cardigan-draped, pseudo-intellectuals in the hallowed halls of Spencer Preparatory School in Connecticut than I was by the couch-locked accountants who adopted me and called me "son."  Music was a requirement.  I wanted to play violin.  But my hands were too heavy, my precision lacked, my arms incessantly shook with an essential neurological tremor, and I was sat down at a piano in grade three.  I was not allowed to give it up until it was too late.  I had already written a garbage tune about the hallucination of a six-legged cat I had seen in the common room.  Write one song, you’re done for.  I’m stuck now. Like a confirmed cigarette smoker.  I’ll be doing this even when they’ve punched a stoma in my throat, stuck tubes up my nose, and cut off my feet. 

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

Don’t.

But if you must.

Ignore anyone who tells you not to.

Especially me.

Tell us about the benefit concert you have coming up.  What can people expect?  Beyond that, what's next on the horizon for Will Wood and the Tapeworms?

The upcoming album release party/benefit concert at Roxy & Duke’s on February 3rd is a fundraiser for the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation.  This massive charity foundation provides huge financial grants to talented scientists in the field of mental health research.  They’ve raised over $300,000,000 so far in grants, and researchers they’ve awarded grants to have gone on to receive over $4,000,000,000 from other foundations partly due to the BBRF’s influence.  This, we feel, is an opportunity to try and make a concrete, positive difference in the world.  Every little bit counts.  The show is set to be our biggest show yet -- featuring Super Snake, Electric Sensei, Bobby Mahoney, and of course yours truly.  It will be soaked in blacklight, covered in confetti, and packed to the brim.  We’re almost sold out.  Hurry up and get your tickets here: https://goo.gl/zsDvrC.  Tour dates are coming soon.

Finally, how can people find you online? 

You can follow us on Insta & Snapchat at @tapewormsmusic, and like us on FB at Facebook.com/willwoodandthetapeworms.  You can also sign up for our newsletter on willwoodandthetapeworms.com to be kept in the loop on everything.  If that’s not enough, supporting us on Patreon at patreon.com/willwoodandthetapeworms can get you deep into the inner circle -- see what’s happening behind the scenes, get free merch, hear unreleased music, and get oddball little packages in the mail.

Interview with PARKWILD

Check out PARKWILD's debut single, here: 
http://open.spotify.com/track/2nB2Mb2vx0rMci5GTyn3PQ

By Sonia Schnee | Posted Friday, January 19, 2018

Today, NJ/Minnesota alt-pop duo PARKWILD are releasing their debut single, "Too Late."  Check out our interview with Austin Zudeck and Justin Thunstrom, below, and learn about their journey to becoming "PARKWILD." 

What are your names, Where are you from, and Where are you based now?

We’re Austin Zudeck and Justin Thunstrom, collectively known as PARKWILD.

I [Austin] grew up in Livingston, NJ.

I [Justin] grew up in Minnesota.

We both currently live in New York, but we operate out of our studio in Roseland, NJ most of the time.

Tell us about your new single. How would you describe your sound? 

Our debut single "Too Late" was recorded in our studio in Roseland.  We initially wrote the song on a writing trip to Los Angeles where we were writing predominantly for other artists, as we are also writer/producers.  We wrote the song with Nick Seeley, Andrew Tinker and Emily Vaughn, and after we wrote it we knew it had to be for PARKWILD instead of someone else.  It just felt right and came from such a personal place for both of us.  We’ve been trying for years to discover what truly felt like our sound, and once we it hit, we just knew.  In terms of our sound, we fall somewhere between Imagine Dragons, One Republic, and the darkness of Halsey.

What's been your personal journey? What has inspired you to do what you do? Are there any artists, bands, or producers who you'd love to collaborate with one day?

From age 2, I [Austin] used to carry a guitar around wherever I would go.  When most kids carried a blanket, I carried a guitar.  I started as a child actor from a very young age.  Though I only landed a handful of gigs, I was finding myself regularly involved in various theatrical productions.  I realized that I gravitated heavily towards the music side of it, rather than the acting.  Around that same time, at age 13, I got asked to fill in on lead vocals for a friend's band and was hooked.  I picked up guitar, and bought a recording rig, and the rest was history.  I haven’t stopped since and don’t plan on stopping as long as I have something to say that other people will relate to.  To me, music is all about communication, and as long as I can do that, I’m going to keep doing that.  I’d love to collaborate with Ryan Tedder of One Republic, as he is so much of what I aspire to be.

I [Justin] first discovered music at the age of 3 when I would be at my grandma’s house where she had a piano.  Starting from an early age, I would hit random keys and would find the ones that sounded good together and essentially learned all the chords and key signatures without knowing what they were called.  A few years later, I took drum and guitar lessons, leading me to combine all of these skills into music production.  After I discovered producing, I was obsessed and haven’t ever turned back.  I have always been inspired by people around me, inside and outside music, who have had an impact on me personally and subsequently musically.  I am also inspired by the process of creating music as well; those moments in the studio when a little idea inspires everyone to come together and create something amazing.  It would be awesome to collaborate with The Futuristics as they have been a long-time inspiration.

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

Just dive in.  We know that it might seem impossible, whether financially, or for a million different reasons, but we believe that if you go in 110% without any other options, there is no other path except success.  Justin and I have been able to take that mindset and commit ourselves entirely to music, and it's what we now have the privilege of doing every day for a living because we didn’t give ourselves any other option.

What's next on the horizon for PARKWILD?  Do you have any shows coming up?  Plans for the next album?

Our single "Too Late" is out now, so we are doing a lot of campaigning around that.  Additionally, we are already planning on our second single release for our song "We’ll Never Change," which will be coming out in March.  Other than that, we are going to start playing some shows later this spring/summer, and we will continue writing and producing for PARKWILD and various other artists.

Finally, how can people find you online? 

Facebook: @parkwildmusic
Twitter: @parkwildmusic
Instagram: @parkwild
Youtube: @parkwild -- content coming soon

Interview with Please Exist

In September 2017, northern NJ heavy indie power duo, Please Exist, released their new album, Slow Dance to the Apocalypse.  Check out the interview with bandmates Ralph Chudley and John T. Fisher below to learn about the inspiration behind their latest work and to hear their words of encouragement for anyone who's willing to follow a dream. 

What are your names and where are you from? 

We are Ralph Chudley (Guitar, Vocals) and John T. Fisher (Drums, Vocals) and our band is called Please Exist.  We are from the Dover/Rockaway area in Northern New Jersey. 

Tell us about your new album, Slow Dance to the Apocalypse.  How does it compare with your past work?  Who are your influences, musically? 

R.C:  Our new record, Slow Dance to the Apocalypse, is a collection of songs we've written over the course of the past 5 or 6 years.  It was recorded, mixed, mastered, and produced by Joe Egan at Missile Silo Studios in Hopatcong, NJ.  He's full of great ideas and was able to get me to perform vocally better than anyone has.  Compared to our past work, most of these songs were actually written quite a while ago.  While we do have an EP that came long before this, I would say a lot of Slow Dance was being written when that came out.  So this is basically a freshman album for us.  However, we've had other musical endeavors in the past.  Other bands.  This one seems more focused.  We are on the same page. 

I'm not sure that there was an influence to make this album beyond just having the need and the desire to create music and to tell fantastical stories and paint pictures with our music.  As far as direct musical influences, we both listen to a lot of different things.  For me personally, the influences that find their way into our music would be Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stone Age, Norma Jean, Deftones, Sunny Day Real Estate, Nirvana, and Far.  Jamie Lenman is my favorite songwriter of all time, so anything that he does. 

J.F.:  SDTTA is a really special and monumental record for us.  It seems crazy, but we started this band back in 2008.  Since then we’ve written over 50 songs!  However, up until now we’ve not succeeded in recording and releasing more than a handful of them.  We began to record a full length a few years back but ran into many problems along the way and it remains unfinished.  This feels great to finally see the project through from start to finish. 

I’m gonna piggyback on what Ralph has already said and add that Joe is really a master of understanding how to capture a band’s sound.  He gets how our songs should sound and better than that he gets how we want them to sound.  Making this record with him was an absolute pleasure.  Out of the many recording sessions I’ve had over the years, this one was by far the most stress-free and enjoyable.  That’s something that really goes a long way because when you’re recording with someone you trust, you allow yourself to focus more on just playing the material as best you can. 

As far as how this album relates to our past work, I’d say that it’s a definite progression on every level.  This material is more complex and I think more interesting.  With each new venture, you want to push yourself creatively and with this record, I think we’ve done that just as we continue to do with our new material.   As Ralph said, I don’t think anything necessarily inspired us to do this record other than the need and want to create music and tell cool stories with said music. 

Personal influences for me with music, in general, includes pretty much everything I have ever listened to both good and bad, but some of my favorite artists of all time are Nirvana, Annoying Customer, Pixies, Helmet, Primus, Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, Fugazi, NIN, and countless others.  There’s usually never a direct influence for me when writing music, but there are always tones of whatever I may be listening to at the time that tend to seep into our songwriting.  Usually unconsciously but sometimes not haha. 

What's been your personal journey?  What has inspired you?  Do you have any dream collaborations? 

R.C.:  I’m 34 now.  I joined my first band when I was 12.  I started out on drums and did that through a good portion of my 20s.  I always had the desire to write my own songs, and for a long time I did that on the side.  Most of the time with John playing the drums, but with other people too.  A bass player.  A keyboardist at one point.  The problem with playing drums is that you're pretty helpless when the key songwriter for your band calls it quits.  So after many bands falling apart, I just decided to make writing my own songs my focus.  I knew that it would never fall apart because I'd always want to be writing and performing.  Having John as a drummer/bandmate was a no-brainer.  He's a great drummer, he's always believed in my songs, and he's one of my dearest friends.  After many endeavors that didn't work out, we just decided to keep it a two-piece.  Keep it simple. 

If I could collaborate with anyone on a song, it would be Gwen Stefani.  I just love her voice so much.  So much firepower in her melodies.  So if your reading this Gwen, let's make it happen!  It would also be a dream come true to do a record with Brad Wood.  One day, maybe. 

J.F.:  I played some instruments in school bands growing up, but it never really connected with me.  In the school setting, it always became work.  Having to fill out practice charts for so many minutes a day definitely took the fun out of it.  I played violin from 3rd to 6th grade, then from 7th to freshman year of high school (when I decided to throw in the towel), I played saxophone.  I thought I was done with music at that point, but my best friend Adam Kaniper (who was an amazing guitarist even when we were kids) started playing music with our mutual best friend Ned Mears.  At that point, Adam said, “you should learn drums,”  so in the 16th year of my life I started to do exactly that.  It wasn't really even an option.  I had to do it.  I never had any formal training.  I just a borrowed kit from Adam’s dad and tried to play along with some of my favorite records, so armed with that and the need/want to make music with my best friends, I was well on my way.  For me, it gave a level of fun and excitement to music that until then I didn’t know was even possible.  Almost 20 years later, I’m still making music with my friends.  I can’t imagine my life without that in some capacity.  I’ll be making music to the end of my days. 

I met Ralph when I was 17 and started playing music with him when I was 19.  Since then, we’ve been in a couple different bands together on and off to varying degrees of success, but this time since it was just the two of us, it’s been easier to coordinate and keep going.  We’re both pretty laid back so our practices, writing process, and everything in between are low stress.  It’s easy to be in this band, and that’s how we like it!  The great thing about making music with Ralph is that we both like a lot of the same things and since we’ve been playing together for so long we have a musical shorthand that makes writing so easy.  We both have a tendency to compliment each others' musical parts almost as second nature.  Sometimes entire songs just flow out of us on the first go.  In addition to all of that, Ralph is easily one of my favorite songwriters in general and certainly my favorite lyricist.  The tonal landscapes he creates coupled with his detailed, descriptive and clever lyrics paint an undeniable picture in the listener’s mind that is unlike anything else I’ve ever listened to.  It’s awesome to be able to call him my friend.  It’s even more amazing to be able to create music with him.  It’s an honor. 

Oooo I second Gwen Stefani on the collaboration front.  That’d be so cool!!!  Brad Wood would be awesome, too.  I ‘d like to record with Steve Albini one day as well. 

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

R.C.:  I encourage anyone who wants to start a band or a solo career to just do it.  There's nothing like the feeling of having a catalogue of work that's yours.  Don't ever think you're not good enough or that your songs aren't good enough.  Just have fun and express yourself however you need to.  Whether it's drums, guitar.... singing about politics or astronauts.  Whatever you want.  Don't let anyone stop you.  You're going to play last, with no one else in the room.  Don't get discouraged.  Someone's going to like your stuff no matter what.  Most importantly, and I feel strongly about this... you are not your day job.  Make the time to do the things you love, no matter what.  What you do to pay bills is irrelevant.  I work 55 to 60 hours a week doing something that has nothing to do with music, to pay bills.  But if you ask me what I do, I'll tell you I'm a songwriter.  Get out there.  Create.  Leave your mark. 

J.F.:  I agree with everything Ralph said there 100%.  I couldn’t have said it better.  Like he said, the first and foremost step with anything creative is to just buckle down and do it.  Stop talking about doing it and just do it.  Even if what you come up with isn’t great or how you wanted it to be, it’s still better than if you had done nothing, and that leaves you with room to grow and make it better the next time around.  You’re always going to see/hear all the flaws in your own work, but you are still way ahead of the guy who sat back and did nothing because he or she was afraid to.  You did it!  You created!  Now do it again and do it better and never stop because life is short.  At the end of it all, what do we really have other than the things we’ve created.  For me, the arts give a satisfying tangibility to one’s existence.  Please Exist ;) 

What's next on the horizon for Please Exist?  Do you have any shows coming up?  Plans for the next album? 

R.C.:  We have huge plans for a next record!  We are currently working on a concept album based upon the idea of an insane asylum.  Something like Arkham Asylum.  With each song being about a patient with his or her own story to tell.  The title, as of now, will be Storytellers in Straightjackets.  We currently have no shows booked, but we'll pretty much play anytime, anywhere with a tad bit notice.  Being a two-piece is awesome in regards to scheduling.

J.F.:  Since SDTTA, we actually recorded and released an EP titled “Let The Nighttime Live” (a sister EP to our previous “Let The Daytime Die”).  In addition to that and the process of writing the next epic full length that Ralph mentioned above, we have 5 other songs we’ve begun to record that will be part of a split release with our friends Deja Gravy.  We are also in post-production on our first music video!  It’s for the song "Chernobyl Has A Ferris Wheel" and it should be pretty cool.  I’m currently finishing the editing, and it should be out in the coming month or two.  Once it’s released, we have some cool ideas for a couple more videos as well.  

Finally, how can people find you online? 

You can find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pleaseexist) for social media.  That’s the page we’re most active on, and it’s probably the best way to get in contact with us.  We’ll probably get around to an Instagram page one of these days.  All our music can be found on our Bandcamp (https://pleaseexist.bandcamp.com) page.  We also have a central hub blog-type page that is updated infrequently but has links to all things Please Exist, including a youtube playlist of live vids (http://pleaseexist.blogspot.com).   If you’d like us to play your show/event/whatever, send us a message! 

Layups 4 Life & Bolt Fitness Charity Workout Class (Jan. 27, 2018)

PRESS RELEASE

LAYUPS 4 LIFE IS PARTNERING WITH BOLD FITNESS & PERFORMANCE TRAINING FOR A CHARITY WORKOUT CLASS.  DONATIONS RAISED WILL BENEFIT LAYUPS 4 LIFE'S FUNDRAISING EFFORTS TOWARDS CANCER RESEARCH AND CLINICAL TRAILS AT MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER.

CHESTER, NJ -- On Saturday, January 27, 2018 (10:00 am) Layups 4 Life if partnering with BOLT Fitness & Performance Training for a 50-minute charity 'SWEAT' workout class.  Participants are asked to make a charitable donation in order to partake in the class.  BOLT, started by Michael Baker, a Fitness and Physical Preparation Specialist, founded this gym with the intention of providing guidance to both adults and athletes within fitness and performing training.  SWEAT classes are designed to shed body fat in a fast paced group setting.  Workouts constist of mostly bodyweight and light-weight low impact exercises that can be modified for any level of fitness.  Layups 4 Life is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is founded on the principles of making a differentce in the fight against cancert.  It is L4L's mission to help raise vital funds for cancer research and clinical trials.  Since 2014, Layups 4 Life raised over $50,000 and has made contributions to leukeia, pediatric and bone barrow research departments throughout Memorial Sloan Ketting Cancer Center (MSKCC).

Those interested in registering for the class should email Mike Bakes at mikebaker@boltfitperform.com. Bolt Fitness & Performance Training is located at: 347 Main Street, Unit 3, Chester, NJ 07930. 
www.boltfitnessperformance.com

Interested in more events hosted by Layups 4 Life?  Contact Dan Exter: layups4life@gmail.com or call Dan at 973-219-1893.  For all of the latest news and information about L4L, please go to our website at www.layups4life.org.  Make sure to follow us on all social media platforms using @layups4life.

CONTACT
Dan Exter, Founder
973-219-1893
dan@layups4life.org or layups4life@gmail.com
www.layups4life.org

Atom Driver - In the West (EP Review)

By Deaglan Howlett | Posted Friday, December 29, 2017

I recently received an email to check out a band by the name of Atom Driver.  Without doing any prior research, I went straight to the Bandcamp link and pressed play.  The first song that started playing was “Play Dead,” the last song on their latest effort, In the West.  Immediately I heard 90’s darlings Drive Like Jehu, and I was pleasantly surprised.  I had yet to hear a local band with that sound, and Atom Driver immediately caught my attention.

According to their Facebook page, “Atom Driver is something of a New Brunswick, NJ supergroup.  Each member has a distinguished pedigree, associated with many different successful local indie rock, punk, and hardcore outfits.  Together, this trio has bundled their deep roots and experience in making music to present a sound both new and simultaneously reminiscent of seminal bands from Barkmarket and Bastro to Fugazi and Drive Like Jehu.”

Before I even found their bio on Facebook, I could hear their influences.  However, with these influences they manage to maintain a unique sound that can really only be described as “Atom Driver.”  The trio consists of accomplished musicians, using their experiences to create a mature and well-defined sound.  Mike Polilli drums for the group, a former Alternative Tentacles recording artist for the group Buzzkill.  On bass is Justin Ingstrup, a musician who has played in Doc Hopper, Good, Clean, Fun and projects with members of The Dillinger Escape Plan.  Covering guitar and vocals is Mark Segal, singer of Boss Jim Gettys, a beloved indie New Brunswick band.  Put together, the group makes blistering, post-punk music that is guaranteed to make the listener nostalgic for Drive Like Jehu and Rocket From The Crypt’s heyday.

However, there is no longer a need for post-punk nostalgia.  Instead, you can put on Atom Driver’s latest release, In the West.  My personal favorites are “All This and More” and “Play Dead,” but the rest of the EP is full of blistering punk rock.  This release is original and a step in the right direction from last year’s demo.  I look forward to what is in store from this group.  Listen to the album here!

Bobby Mahoney and the Seventh Son - "Empty Passenger Seats" (Single Review)

By Deaglan Howlett | Posted Tuesday, December 26, 2017

For fans of: The Gaslight Anthem, Beach Slang, Against Me!

Bobby Mahoney and the Seventh Son are an alternative rock band based out of East Brunswick, New Jersey.  The group’s current line up consists of Bobby Mahoney on guitar/vocals, Andrew Saul guitar/vocals, John Shepherd bass/vocals, and James McIntosh on drums.  Their latest single “Empty Passenger Seats” was released September 13th with a new recording of 2014’s Friends in Low Places track “Another Deadbeat Summer.”  “Empty Passenger Seats” is yet another anthemic rock song from the group that sounds unmistakably “New Jersey.”

The track perfectly encapsulates a late night summer drive like only a New Jersey band can.  The song echoes Jersey heroes The Gaslight Anthem in quite a flattering way, both lyrically and instrumentation-wise.  The song is raw and emotional, and the listener can tell Mahoney has put his all into the lyrics and vocal performance.  Being as familiar as I am with Mahoney’s music, to me, this is the most honest song I have yet to hear from him.  This is truly the sound of Bobby Mahoney and the Seventh Son.

The second track on the single, or side b, is a new recording of “Deadbeat Summer” off of 2014’s release Friends in Low Places.  This version is faster and features some saxophone, courtesy of Zack Sandler.  This track is the perfect companion to “Empty Passenger Seats,” demonstrating the timelessness of Mahoney’s tracks.

This single is just the beginning for new music in 2018 from Bobby Mahoney and the Seventh Son.  Keep your eyes open for new music from them and make sure you check them out at the Stone Pony on December, 30th!

Listen to “Empty Passenger Seats” here.

Read more: Bobby Mahoney and the Seventh Son (EP Review)

The Carousers (EP Review)

By Deaglan Howlett | Posted Tuesday, December 26, 2017

For fans of: Green Day, The Bouncing Souls, Frank Turner

The Carousers are a three-piece punk band hailing from Long Branch, New Jersey.  The group is made up of Joey Affatato on vocals and guitar, Cassidy Crosby on bass and vocals, and Andy Jackle on drums.  The three-piece takes influences from Weezer, Green Day and the Foo Fighters, yet they still retain that unique “Jersey” sound.  The Carousers’ first effort is a self-titled EP that was released October 6th.

I was truly shocked that this was the group’s first release as “The Carousers.”  The EP is polished and sounds like they had been playing together for years.  The Carousers produced this release with help from Sean Glonek.  The record was recorded in Hamilton Square, New Jersey at SRG studios.  Glonek also engineered, mixed and mastered this release.  Clearly, he knew what the group was going for because the production on this release is absolutely perfect and really encapsulates The Carousers’ live set.

The Carousers packed five, high energy songs into this short EP.  The whole release clocks in just over ten minutes.  In this short amount of time, there are songs of heartbreak, betrayal and moving on.  Affatato manages to write songs with sad lyrical content but presents them as sing-alongs.  His topics are familiar, lending a somewhat personal experience when listening to these songs.  The melodies are catchy and the instrumentation is simple, providing room for the lyrics to really shine.

When I asked Affatato what they were going for with this release, he told me,

“The majority of these songs were written while I lived at my college house in Long Branch.  I would just sit on my bed strumming an acoustic guitar, trying to write dumb punk songs that people could sing and dance to.  It’s pretty crazy to see what they [the songs] became and how each of us brought that creative spark to the record.  We’re really proud of it and hope you’ll give it a listen!”

My personal favorite on this release is “Cracked Pot.”  The song borrows the Ramones “four chord” rule and is as straightforward as it gets.  However, while the instrumentation may be simple, Affatato and Crosby’s harmonies on the chorus are seriously beautiful.  Who said punk can’t be beautiful?  The harmonies throughout the release are fantastic, but this track really does it for me.

This is The Carousers’ first release, and I seriously cannot wait to hear what else they have in store.  Buy the record here and get to one of their shows!

Indrive - Nice Dream (Album Review)

By Deaglan Howlett | Posted Sunday, December 10, 2017

I was first introduced to Indrive in September at a Mayflower Collective show at the Asbury Park Music Foundation.  Indrive was added late to the bill when one of the bands had to drop, so I was unaware they were even playing until I got there.  I remember walking in while they were playing and hearing them from the entrance of the Music Foundation, which was surprising since the venue is relatively soundproof.  Once I got to the venue at the end of the hallway, I was blown away by the volume they were producing.  They were loud and they were playing music unfamiliar to the typical Jersey Shore scene.  I was hearing shoegaze in Asbury Park, and I was real excited.

Now, Indrive is not a straight-up shoegaze band.  They are a punk band hailing from Freehold, a short drive from the burgeoning music scene of Asbury Park.  The three-piece is made up of Aaron Brenner on guitar, Isaac Harasty on bass and Nick DeFabritus on drums and vocals.  Indrive’s unique punk/shoegaze sound definitely helps the group standout amongst the sea of Asbury bands.  While they have a very defined and original sound, there is a sense of 90’s nostalgia in this EP.  When I first saw them play, they covered a song by the 90’s alternative outfit Hum, and I certainly hear a lot of Hum on this release.

While the record includes sounds ranging from 90’s bands Hum to Failure, there are also more modern day influences on Nice Dream.  The opener “Fine” hit me like an early Basement song.  The noisy “Kevin Shields” guitar riff lends a great background for the vocals on this track.  DeFabritus’ voice sounds lazy, which is something I really enjoy about the band.  His voice is consistent throughout the record and tucked in the back of the mixes with the guitars up real loud.

“Wait” is probably my favorite off the release.  The guitars are real punchy during the verses while the chorus slows down into another My Bloody Valentine-esque guitar riff.  The bass playing on this track is perfectly steady and Harasty even includes some gnarly bends to add to the heaviness of this song.  This track is super dreamy, but if the dream was a nightmare.  The vocals are doused in reverb and sound distant while the guitars and bass bend in and out of tune.  This track really stood out to me and still does.

The EP ends with “Heavens”, the shortest track on the release.  This song is all about the guitar.  The layers of riffs and leads paired with delay and reverb make for a very complex sound.  The vocals are minimal and the song ends with 20 seconds of feedback and drone.  Short and loud, “Heavens” is the perfect closer for the monstrous EP.

I truly enjoyed Indrive’s first release, Nice Dream, and I look forward to watching the band grow.  You can listen to Nice Dream here.

No Such Animals - Create TV (Album Review)

By Deaglan Howlett | Posted Sunday, December 10, 2017

No Such Animals caught my attention when they announced their release show for their first release, Create TV, back in September.  I went to cover the show for Jersey Indie, so I got there early and watched all the bands, recording part of their sets.  When No Such Animals went on, I really had no idea what to expect.  I had never heard of them or seen them on any local bills.  They opened with a new song, and I was pretty blown away.  NSA played as a three-piece and their sound was huge.  Their set was loud, tight and passionate.  This was my introduction to No Such Animals.

According to their Facebook,

“No Such Animals is a project spearheaded by vocalist and guitarist Ryan Romanowski, which has culminated over many years of cassette tape recordings and member changes.  Driven by nostalgia and recognizing the timelessness of early rock music, the band has breached the surface when the three remaining members, Mike Cavalli, Mike Roshe and Bill Grainger, discovered something special by chance through social media.

Knowing what it takes to make a name in the already thriving New Jersey scene, No Such Animals remind us why we support live music and that genres don't always apply.”

However, when I messaged No Such Animals to get some more information on the release, Ryan informed me that they are not a band and it is just him on the release, with help from Charlie Berezansky.  Berezansky recorded the EP and provided bass, but other than that the release is all Romanowski.

“Cigarette” really stood out to me on my first listen of the release.  To me, this was the “pop” track on the record.  The release remains relatively upbeat, other than “Brain Rattle."  This track gave me a real Manchester Orchestra vibe.  Romanowski really showcases his vocal abilities on this track and the song is buried in reverb, giving it a truly dreamy feel.  “Brain Rattle” is probably my favorite on Create TV.  I imagine this track took a lot of work considering how well thought out the instrumentation is, which I truly enjoy.

Ryan and Charlie did a hell of a job on the project’s first release, and I really heard all the work they put into this EP.  Create is well thought out, well-produced and the songs are polished.  One trap I find a lot of local bands falling in on their first release is not having a consistent sound.  However, on this release, Ryan has culminated a sound that is unique and consistent through and through.  Romanowski’s voice really makes this release stand out and his work is truly impressive.  I am definitely looking forward to hearing more from this project.

You can, and should, listen to Create TV here.
 

Steve Burks - These Nights (Album Review)

By Deaglan Howlett | Posted Sunday, December 10, 2017

These Nights is the latest effort from New Jersey’s Steve Burks.  The EP, which was released October 6th, is his first since 2015’s Where I Belong.  Since his last release, Burks has clearly been polishing his songwriting and has really found his sound on this release.  The record itself also sounds polished, having recorded the EP at North End Recording in Passaic, NJ.  In addition to a change in studio, Burks found a group of producers that really knew what he was going for with Sammy Kay, Brian Rothenbeck and Ed Elduka.

Burks’ influences truly shine through on this release, without drowning out his original sound. On this EP I heard a lot of Bob Dylan, Lucero, Gaslight Anthem and some late Replacements/solo Paul Westerberg.  This record gives the listener a look in at Burks’ record collection, and he manages to utilize these influences to give a familiar sound to his fans and a platform to perform his songs of loss.  This EP is emotionally heavy and the listener can tell Burks put all he had into these five songs.

My first listen, I immediately noticed the change in production.  These Nights is professional-sounding as all hell.  I also noticed a change in songwriting.  2015’s Where I Belong is a truly determined and hopeful EP.  Burks himself sums up that release, stating:

“This record was written entirely in hotel rooms, backseats of cars, airport bars, and every truck stop the Garden State Parkway and Turnpike has to offer.  I've always called New Jersey home, but a day doesn't go by where I don't think about grabbing my guitar, filling up the tank, putting Bob Dylan on the stereo and just leaving; driving until the lines on the road are as permanent a fixture as the tattooed lines on my skin.  Having no desire to stop until I've found myself, found a place I can call home, whether it be California, Tennessee, New Orleans, Texas.  Thinking about the past with each state line I cross; the good times, the bad, the broken hearts, the tears, the last calls, my family, my friends; and how I traded it all for the open road and the stars above.  Praying these 4 wheels, and heavy heart lead me to the dream continuously playing in my mind of finding Where I Belong.”

When I asked Burks if he had any words about These Nights, he was less willing to explain, and the music truly does do all of the talking.  He told me “...this album is extremely personal to me, like songs that have been brewing for like 13 years but could never actually put the thoughts into words.  In a weird way, this album was some sort of strange closure for me.”

The songs tell the listener directly what Burks has been feeling.  This release is beautifully personal, and I am sure it took a lot out of him to write these songs and share them.  The hardest part of the creative process is sharing, yet Burks seems to have done that with ease.

Thanks, Steve.

No Such Animals Release Show (Recap)

By Deaglan Howlett | Posted Monday, November 20, 2017

On September 23rd, the Asbury Park Brewery held No Such Animals release show, with help from Aftermath Collective.  The lineup included local favorites Have a Good Season, Freehold’s Good Luck Spaceman and The Vaughns from Springfield.

Good Luck Spaceman - "Center of the Earth"

Here is a clip of Good Luck Spaceman playing “Center of the Earth,” a song of their latest self-titled EP.  Spaceman brought a lot of energy and a lot of gear, including a TV set that played throughout their performance.  The combination of effects, guitars and volume made for a spacey performance, reminiscent of Sonic Youth.

For fans of The Strokes, The Pixies, Pavement

Have a Good Season - "Joseph"

Have a Good Season kicked off the night with their nostalgic 90’s emo sound.  This was their second show of the weekend and they made sure to switch up their setlist for the fans that were going to be attending both in a row.  Since two of the members are in school their local shows start to slow down once the school year starts.  Seeing them is always a treat and this night was no exception.  Here is a clip of the title track “Joseph” off of their 2015 EP.

For fans of Modest Mouse, American Football, Dinosaur Jr.

No Such Animals - "Suffer"

No Such Animals were the stars of the night.  Performing as a three-piece, they really blew me away. I  had never heard of them before, but they truly gained a fan.  I talked to the guys and I am looking forward to reviewing their latest EP “Create/TV.”  This is one of their newest tracks titled “Suffer.”

For fans of The Blood Brothers, Jimmy Eat World, Manchester Orchestra

The Vaughns

The Vaughns closed the night with an acoustic set.  They were the perfect ending for a night of loud rock and roll.  Usually a loud four-piece, The Vaughns still blew everyone away without a drummer with their sheer talent in songwriting.  It was tough to get up front for them, but here is a clip of a new song.

For fans of Paramore, Pinegrove, Hey Anna

Jersey City/NYC Indie Pop Singer Giselle Releases Mixtape, "not ready to grow up"

PRESS RELEASE

Jersey City/NYC indie pop singer Giselle’s mixtape, not ready to grow up, was recently released on November 17th.  The 9-song mixtape offers a raw, aggressive take on traditional pop music in a tug-of-war between beauty and darkness.  Giselle is perhaps most notable for singing the 2015 viral hit “diarreah song” featured on FX, which collectively garnered nearly 500,000 views on YouTube.  Giselle’s not ready to grow up signifies the pop singer’s evolution with music that is honest and vulnerable, highlighting her dynamic vocal range and taking us on a rollercoaster from youthful innocence to the harsh reality of growing up in today’s society.  Every song on the mixtape will be accompanied by a music video, all of which have been directed by women—offering a change of pace in a world in which women are often underrepresented.

Listen to the mixtape in its entirety here.

~

Contact: 
Meghan Ianiro
Press Manager

Official Website | www.Giselle.us
LIKE | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Instagram
Hear Giselle on "I Love You, Daddy" Trailer | HERE

Interview with Artem Lomaz of NinetyThree Entertainment

Following his recent win as the Best Entertainment Provider/Performer in New Jersey (as voted by readers of NJ Meetings + Events Magazine), I had the chance to sit down with Artem Lomaz, Principal Event Host and Founder of New Jersey-based NinetyThree Entertainment.  NinetyThree Entertainment is a boutique private event entertainment company specializing in private events such as weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, and corporate events.

After delivering a seminar at the International DJ Expo in Atlantic City, NJ, Artem suggested getting together at The Park Ave Club, located in Florham Park, NJ.  “Atlantic City and the International DJ Expo are always a fun time, but I need to de-stress in the suburbs of Northern New Jersey,” Artem joked.  After an afternoon at the gorgeous venue, I was able to learn not only about Artem’s unique approach and luxury service, but also about the private events industry, in great detail.

Below are the videos captured that afternoon, as well as my key takeaways from my conversation with the well-dressed and charismatic event entertainer.

Artem serves as Master of Ceremonies, which, as he describes it, is “not only a representative of you to your guests, but also someone who drives the emotional factor of the celebration through announcements, timing, and pacing.  It’s a combination of entertainment direction, personalization, collaborative efforts with all other event partners, and guest inclusion.” Artem oversees event production elements, which include, of course, entertainment (he’s accompanied by a DJ, a band, or both, depending on client preference), as well as ancillary elements such as lighting design, photo booths, furniture and VIP areas, instrumentalists, and much more.  He also works directly with all of his clients during the pre-event preparation period to ensure that all details are covered.  His attention to detail (from the basic elements of which songs should be played at what moments, to his meticulous team-matching, tie-knotting, and pocket square placement) continues to keep him in high demand for his highly selective clientele.  He even jokingly attributes being “admittedly difficult” to his extreme focus on details, but believes that the appreciation level of his clients corresponds to his level of care and concern for “the small things that matter.”

When asked about the said clientele, Artem described them as “those who are usually accustomed to high levels of service, and the personalized approach, throughout all areas of their lives.”  A framework of positivity and an understanding of proper prioritization, whether it be for their celebration or their daily life, were also key factors that were discussed.  Artem shared his belief that when it comes to the most important days of their lives, his clients understand the role that entertainment plays and appreciate the level of service that he and his team offer.

How does Artem, and the NinetyThree Entertainment Event Team, maintain a “quality over quantity” approach and ensure that each client is beyond satisfied?  “10-12 weddings per year, 10-12 Bar/Bat Mitzvahs per year, and a handful of corporate events;  by limiting the number of events that we perform, we can be sure that we have the time to personalize each of them deservingly.” Each performance comes with a premium price, but as Artem’s clientele attests, it’s well worth it. 

To learn more about Artem, NinetyThree Entertainment, and their service, you can reference our video interviews below.

A special thank you to the Park Avenue Club for providing an always-elegant filming location. 

"We've developed a sense of family where our customers and our clients know that we're there for them, and at the same time they're part of something a little bit more special."

-- Artem Lomaz, Principal Event Host and Founder

"We're guiding everybody through each individual necessary element or milestone moment -- parent dances, bouquet tosses, cake cutting. The smoother it's done and the better timed and paced it is, it's like any other performance art."

-- Artem Lomaz, Principal Event Host and Founder

For Additional Viewing: 
An Introduction to NinetyThree Entertainment
The Process
Working with Bands
The Importance of Inclusivity
The Ideal Client

2nd Annual Arts Accessible Festival for Youth and Adults with Disabilities (Oct. 6, 2017)

 Friday, October 6th, 2017 10:00am – 1:00pm
Essex Regional Educational Services Commission   
369 Passaic Ave, Fairfield, NJ 07004

PRESS RELEASE

Orange, NJ - Arts Unbound Inc., in collaboration with Essex Regional Educational Services Commission (ERESC) and Superintendent, Dr. Laurie Newell, will host the 2nd Annual Arts Accessible Festival in Fairfield, NJ.  The inaugural festival held in 2016 was a tremendous success, garnering over 250 participants from schools serving special needs children, seniors, and organizations working with people with developmental and physical disabilities.  This year, the festival will be held at Essex Regional Educational Services Commission, 369 Passaic Avenue, Fairfield, NJ on Friday, October 6, 2017, from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.  The purpose of the art festival is to create a safe and creative space for persons with disabilities and underscore the benefits of visual art in special needs communities through hands-on visual art workshops led by Arts Unbound instructors.  The festival is free, wheelchair accessible, and open to the public. 

Each age and developmentally appropriate art activity is designed to further social and functional development; inspire learning, increase skills and self-confidence. The festival will add more art workshops to meet the demand from last year.  Some of the workshops will include painting, drawing, mixed media, sculpture, jewelry-making, art games, etc.  Informational booths for parents will be on hand, along with live music, games, and food.

About Arts Unbound: Arts Unbound is dedicated to the artistic achievement of people living with disabilities and to the continuing artistic enrichment of seniors.  We provide visual arts education and professional development to help emerging artists compete on the retail market.  By promoting the work of artists with disabilities and seniors, we center their art-making rather than any impairment and by doing so challenge the stigma associated with disability and aging.

About Essex Regional Educational Services Commission (ERESC): Essex Regional Educational Services Commission (ERESC) was established in 1979 to provide mandated educational programs and administrative services in a cost effective and efficient manner.  ERESC is a public, non-profit agency that derives its authority pursuant to 18A:6-51 et. seq. ERESC is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of a representative elected by the Board of Education from ten (10) of its constituent member school districts.  The Board of Directors meets monthly to oversee the administration of services.   

Essex Regional Educational Services Commission has been servicing school districts for nearly four decades throughout northern New Jersey including Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, and Passaic and beyond.

ERESC operates three special education and alternative schools:  Essex Junior Academy, Essex Campus Academy, and Essex High School.  In addition, the ERESC operates two educational programs for incarcerated students.  These schools are Sojourn High School and Journey High School.   

Contact

Armisey Smith, Director of Arts Education – Arts Unbound
Organization: Arts Unbound and Essex Regional Educational Services Commission
Website URL: www.artsunbound.org
 

Marionettes Bring Magic & Mozart to Jersey City (Oct., Nov., Dec. 2017)

PRESS RELEASE

JCTC-KIDS and Jersey City’s favorite string-attached theater company – Puppetworks – returns for its new season with an entrancing production of The Prince & The Magic Flute.

JCTC-KIDS presents The Prince & The Magic Flute by Puppetworks, Sundays at 1:00 pm, beginning October 1st at Merseles Studios, 339 Newark Avenue, Jersey City 07302.

Since 2014, JCTCKIDS – the children’s division of Jersey City Theater Center (JCTC)—has brought children’s theater in the form of classic marionette puppetry to the puppet theater at Merseles Studios.  While previous productions were based on fairy tales, folklore and classic children’s literature, The Prince & The Magic Flute is based on a beloved opera, adding another dimension to puppetry in Jersey City.

“Our version of The Prince and The Magic Flute is a musical, but all the songs the puppets sing and the instrumental music on the soundtrack are the original compositions by Mozart,” said Mike Leach, Executive Director of Puppetworks. “Puppetworks pride ourselves with keeping timeless, traditional stories alive. Our shows also serve as one of the first introductions to theater and literature that families can give their children. With The Prince & The Magic Flute, we also add operatic storytelling and Mozart to that introduction.”

The Prince and The Magic Flute was performed in 1791 – just two months before the premature death of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Mozart wrote this fairytale opera for the theatrical troupe at the ‘Theater auf der Wieden’, where Mozart frequently performed. The story – of a prince saving a damsel – was actually based on several sources, especially medieval romance literature. The story follows a brave prince and his funny, bird catcher sidekick— with the help of magic bells and a magic flute—on their quest to rescue a princess from the Palace of the Sun. Their story includes such highlights as a giant crocodile, eerie creatures of the night, tests of water, fire and silence, and a final confrontation with the evil Queen of the Night.

JCTC-KIDS presentation of The Prince & The Magic Flute follows on of the most successful Puppetworks runs in Jersey City. The winter/spring production of the Wizard of Oz at Merseles Studios saw sold-out performances as well as special bookings for schools and other groups.

“It is crucial for young audiences to have their first experience with theater to be positive and engaging, and through the artistry of the marionette, children learn about poetry, literature, classical music, and visual storytelling,” said Olga Levina, Artistic Director, JCTC. “We are very grateful for the support we’ve received from Jersey City families, and the responses have been overwhelmingly positive about our programming from people throughout New Jersey and beyond.  JCTC is committed to keeping Puppetworks tickets affordable and working with school administrators, teachers, boards of education and other organizations so we can continue to grow JCTC-KIDS programming.”

Since 1980, Puppetworks has been committed to preserving the tradition of live-theater presentations through the art of Marionettes. Nicolas Coppola, founder and Artistic Director of Puppetworks, was honored by The Puppeteers of America with its 2011 President’s Award for “Outstanding Contributions to the Art of Puppetry.

JCTC-KIDS is presenting The Prince & The Magic Flute by Puppetworks every Sunday afternoon at Merseles Studios, 1:00pm (advance tickets/online sales: $9 for children; $10 for adults. At the door: $11 and $12; $9 each for groups of 20 or more).

The Prince & The Magic Flute by Puppetworks runs October 1 to December 10th. (Please note: there will be NO performances November 12, 19, 26).

School discounts and private party bookings are also available. To purchase online tickets visit: jctcenter.org. 

Jersey City Theater Center
Merseles Studios
339 Newark Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 795-5386

Funding for JCTC-KIDS presentation of The Prince & The Magic Flute by Puppetworks was made possible through the generosity of Ben LoPiccolo Development Group, JCTC’s Board of Directors, private donors and local Jersey City businesses.

Jersey City Theater Center, Inc. (JCTC) manages programming at Merseles Studios and the adjacent White Eagle Hall. JCTC is a nonprofit, 501c3 arts organization committed to presenting innovative and progressive performing & visual arts as well as educational arts programs that embrace the multicultural identity and preserve the rich history of Jersey City, bringing its community closer together and enhancing its quality of life. > jctcenter.org

New Album from Aquino - City Stars (Oct. 13, 2017)

PRESS RELEASE

City Stars, the second album by New Jersey native Aquino, will be released on October 13 by Cocotazo Music.  City Stars follows his 2015 release Giants Will Fall.  The Montclair Times called Giants Will Fall, “…a wide range of sounds, textures and a relentless creative streak,” while You Don’t Know Jersey said, “There is a connectivity running through the songs that is held together by excellent musicianship and Aquino’s emotional and honest delivery.”

In City Stars, Aquino explores themes of growing up Latinx in an urban center of northern New Jersey.  “I drew upon different characters—or ‘stars’—I’d met in my youth and their fascinating stories.  Most of the songs reflect on their passions and missteps, and the trajectory on which it set them.  The opening track, ‘Milly,’ explores a young Latina on the brink of womanhood who makes a life-altering choice.  The title track follows two young lovers and their desire to see past the light pollution of the city.  The last song, ‘We All Dance Like Fire’—a reflection on who I’ve become since moving away from the city—is dedicated to my wife.”  The new songs were recorded in New Jersey and engineered by Jim Killgore in Ontario, Canada.  The album was recorded over the span of a year with the help of some of New Jersey’s best independent musicians.

To celebrate the release of City Stars, Aquino will host an album release party at the Bloomfield Public Library’s Little Theatre on October 14.  The event will begin at 2:00pm.  Larée Cisco will perform an opening set.  Admission is  $10/person.  Proceeds will be donated to the ConPRmetidos Hurricane María and Irma Recovery Fund.  ConPRmetidos is an organization, “connecting people in order to foster commitment with the personal, social and economic development of Puerto Rican communities wherever they are.”  Visit michaelaquino.com for more information.

Millstone Mosh (Recap)

September 8, 2017
Millstone, NJ

By Deaglan Howlett | Posted September 21, 2017

Earlier this month, Ryan Doyle and Dominick Cosola put on one of the first shows for local bands in Millstone, NJ.  The two decided to have the show at the Millstone Elks Lodge and brought in a PA system, lights, and a group of teenagers all dying to see a concert in their town.  The lineup consisted of Ryan Doyle, Cosola’s band Stay Home, Halogens, American Lions and my band Corrina, Corrina.  When I wasn’t playing, I was busy taking videos of the bands on this bill to help document the first of many shows in Millstone.

Ryan Doyle

This is a clip of Ryan Doyle’s “Losing friends, losing time”. Doyle put on the show and played first that night. His set consisted of song reminiscing about summer nights and growing up.

For fans of: American Football, Kevin Devine, Manchester Orchestra

Stay Home

Stay Home covered “You’re So Last Summer” by Taking Back Sunday and it was a perfect fit. Although the band does not have any recorded music yet, their set gave me a mid 2000’s pop punk feel and they sounded very tight.

For fans of: Taking Back Sunday, New Found Glory, Real Friends

American Lions

This is a clip of American Lions playing their song “Drifter” off their 2014 EP “Peru”. This was my first time seeing them and they really blew me away with their energy. According to their spotify, their debut LP is coming out soon, but until then you can listen to the studio version of “Drifter”.

Halogens

Halogens were the last of the night and put on another great show. In this clip they are playing their hit “Ayudame!” off their 2016 self titled EP. I’ve lost count of how many times I have seen Halogens, but they continue to be my favorite local band and some of my best friends.

For fans of: Modern Baseball, Modest Mouse, Sorority Noise

Hip Hop Artist IgnoVa Announces Release Date for Two Singles (Sept. 22, 2017)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

            NEW JERSEY, September 14, 2017 - New Jersey native IgnoVa, a rising hip hop musician, today announced his next two singles, 'Here We Go' and 'STD', will be released September 22, 2017.  This will mark the rapper's first multi-song release, having showcased his first single in February.  Both trap-inspired songs will be available on iTunes, Spotify, and international streaming services.

            'Here We Go' is the first of Ignova's singles to be released on September 22nd. Highlighting down-tempo trap drums, 'Here We Go' tells of the trials of balancing relationships with music work.  “'Here We Go' expresses how regardless of one's demanding tasks and duties, this person still finds time for a significant other,” IgnoVa explains.

            'STD', the second of IgnoVa's compositions being released the same date, incorporates an upbeat tempo and driving bass line.  Remarking on the single's theme, IgnoVa said, “'STD' showcases how the power of words and flow can garner enough energy to make an individual dance regardless of the situation at hand.”  An acronym for “Shake, Twerk, Drop”, 'STD' embraces modern party elements.

            Previous to the September release date, IgnoVa has digitally distributed one single and two mixtapes.  Most recently, the rapper released 'Right Now', a danceable hip hop tune embodying braggadocio prototypical of rap history's most acclaimed idols.  Mixtapes 'EMU' and 'EMU 2' acted as dual music collections that set the stage for the musician's foray into the world of rap.  IgnoVa has also been featured on Thousand Times by electro-pop singer M.C. Pollock. 

            IgnoVa is an international hip hop artist who combines maintstream genres with an astounding, acute presentation of lyrics.  Known for his trademark K E E P positiveSpirit™ campaign, the young NJ native's mission is far from over.  More information can be found at www.keeppositivespirit.com.

Contact:

inignovawetrust@gmail.com
www.keeppositivespirit.com

Links:

@dreamsatwrk
Fb.com/therealignova
Youtube.com/therealignova

Indie Rock Duo, Underlined Passages, Return with New Album, Tandi My Dicafi, on September 15th on Mint 400 Records

PRESS RELEASE

Since the release of their 2015 self-titled debut album, Baltimore’s indie rock duo Underlined Passages has been developing a reputation for their guitar driven and lush emotionally intense music.  Consisting of guitarist/vocalist Michael Nestor and percussionist Jamaal Turner, the duo continues to deliver songs that resonate, with a fusion of soulful, borderline-wistful vocals, catchy and twangy guitars, and tight drums on their upcoming new album, Tandi My Dicafi, which will be released on September 15th on Mint 400 Records. 

Recorded and mixed by Frank Marchand (The Thermals, Bob Mould) from April-June 2017, according to Michael, on Tandi My Dicafi, Underlined Passages presents a “sonic palette filled with nods to mid-80’s Flying Nun Records, mid aughts sweater indie rock, and modern alternative rock music.”  He continues, “We wanted the album to be sonically heavier, and more dynamic than our last, ‘The Fantastic Quest’”, but still in tune with the core sound that is Underlined Passages.  The record is the audio culmination of the last six months of our ups, downs, gains, and losses.  Its creation served as our catharsis through the emotional roller coaster we as a band have endured. Jamaal lost his wife in tragic freak car accident right before we went into the studio in April 2017, and we struggled to find our footing.  This record was like an emotional foundation upon which we could walk step by step out of that tragedy for our band family.”

Simultaneously heavy and ethereal, the eight tracks on the record ebb and flow from softened layers of melody to frenetic shreds of distortion to catchy, twangy pop.  Igniting a shared emotional connection, the band takes their listeners along their journey from song to song.  Tandi My Dicafi opens with the track "Feelings", which is the first single and video from the album.  “This song is about our current culture of oversharing,” Michael says.  “Everyone expects you to have feelings about everything. It is not possible as a human to do that. Sometimes, as the chorus states ‘you don’t have those feelings’. It is OK to just be and not think. However, the song also deals with the desire to be heard. This modern life is all about the juxtaposition of needing to be seen, and wanting to be anonymous.”

Recognized for his work as the main songwriter, singer and guitarist for acclaimed band The Seldon Plan (2002-2011) and Pupa’s Window (1994-2008), Michael also ran the well regarded Beechfields Record Label from 2003-2011.  He formed Underlined Passages in 2014 and recruited ex-Seldon Plan drummer Frank Corl to make their self-titled debut album, recorded by Frank Marchand.  After the record was created, he met New Jersey indie rock veteran Neil Sabatino of Mint 400 Records and was signed to the label, with no real band behind it.  After signing, Michael began to support the record, with some urging from Mint 400, by recruiting a bassist and drummer for the band.

Michael and Jamaal, the current iteration of Underlined Passages, met months after the release of the band’s 2015 self-titled album. After the departure of the band’s then drummer and still having to support a tour, Jamaal was brought on to finish.  Not originally intended to be the recording lineup, the band bonded and crafted a unique musical style over the course of the live shows during the tour. Using the momentum and the sound honed on the road, they created the 2016 album, “The Fantastic Quest”.

With a friendship enduring through thick and thin, the collective weight of their experiential journey is fully on display with Tandi My Dicafi.  Halfway between indie rock and tonal exploration, the new record is sure to appeal to the hearts and minds of listeners with familiar emotions: longing, wonder, ennui and joy.

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http://www.underlineslove.com/

https://www.facebook.com/underlinedpassages/

https://underlinedpassages.bandcamp.com/