New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


?>

 

Highwind Premieres Video for "2023"


By Gary Wien

originally published: 01/03/2020


(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Highwind, a two-piece pop-rock outfit based out of Asbury Park, is premiering the video for "2023" - a stand-alone single that is available on Spotify, iTunes, iHeart Radio, Bandcamp, and pretty much anywhere you can buy or stream music.

Highwind was founded by guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, Chris Russo Jr. as a solo project in May 2018.  He approached producer CJ Rarela to record some demos, which they liked so much that the recordings became the first full "How've You Been?" EP. Months after the recording process, Chris was joined by bassist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer, Dan Synn. The duo played nationally from late 2018 and through 2019, as well as taking the time to write their newest release. When playing live, Chris plays guitar and sings, Dan plays bass and sings, and they have fill-in members join on guitar and drums.

“2023” is the first co-written by the duo and New Jersey Stage asked Chris Russo about the song.

"The song, '2023,' is about episode 03 from an anime series called, 'Sword Art Online.' explained Russo. "I wrote the song after hanging out with one of my closest friends and one of our producers, CJ Rarela. We watched a few episodes of the show that night, and it was my first time ever watching the series. I felt so moved and inspired by the episode from the show that the song came naturally. We recorded the song with Pete Zengerle (Jet Jaguar, Hang Tight, Telltale, Sentinels), and had the song mastered by Jay Maas (State Champs, Title Fight, Defeater, Polar Bear Club)."

Highwind is currently writing new material and plan to head to the studio in the Spring to record new music. The band also plans on touring throughout the year.




Please support the advertisers at New Jersey Stage!
Want info on how to advertise? Click here



"We are currently working on booking our first run of shows for the year, so no shows booked yet, per se," continued Russo. "However, we do have a music video shoot on January 26th at the Clubhouse of Toms River that all are welcome to come and be a part of! It's basically going to be an acoustic show, and we want people to just come and hang out. Bring your friends, make new ones, and come be a part of our next single! There is a Facebook event page for it, so all of the information is in one place."

You can follow the band on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Highwind wants to spread one message through their music; that it is okay to be open and honest with yourself and others. Their songwriting involves a raw expression of honest emotions. These songs are there to encourage their listeners to speak out and be open about how they feel. 

PHOTOS BY KRIS KHUNUCHAK MULTIMEDIA



Gary Wien has been covering the arts since 2001 and has had work published with Jersey Arts, Upstage Magazine, Elmore Magazine, Princeton Magazine, Backstreets and other publications. He is a three-time winner of the Asbury Music Award for Top Music Journalist and the author of Beyond the Palace (the first book on the history of rock and roll in Asbury Park) and Are You Listening? The Top 100 Albums of 2001-2010 by New Jersey Artists. In addition, he runs New Jersey Stage and the online radio station The Penguin Rocks. His personal website is at lightyscorner.com. He can be contacted at [email protected].



Please support the advertisers at New Jersey Stage!
Want info on how to advertise? Click here



EVENT PREVIEWS

(NEW YORK, NY) -- Lily Vakili will celebrate the release of her Live Wire EP on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at The Francis Kite Club. Doors are at 8:00pm; Showtime is 8:30pm.
RVCC Student Jazz Ensemble to Perform May 7th

RVCC Student Jazz Ensemble to Perform May 7th

(BRANCHBURG, NJ) -- Raritan Valley Community College's (RVCC) Student Jazz Ensemble will perform in concert Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 7:30pm. The concert will be held in the Welpe Theatre at the College's Branchburg campus. The group is directed by RVCC faculty member Jeremy Sweet.
The Lovin

The Lovin' Spoonful to Perform in Newton

(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Lovin' Spoonful will perform at The Newton Theatre on Friday, May 8, 2026 at 8:00pm. They were America's answer to the Beatles! The band, led by John Sebastian, Steve Boone, Joe Butler and Zal Yanovsky, exploded onto the charts sending their first 7 singles soaring onto Billboard's top-10 charts virtually overnight.
Barrymore Film Center presents Ann Talman: Elizabeth Taylor and the Shadow of Her Smile

Barrymore Film Center presents Ann Talman: Elizabeth Taylor and the Shadow of Her Smile

(FORT LEE, NJ) -- Ann Talman brings her award-winning show Ann Talman: Elizabeth Taylor and The Shadow of Her Smile to the Barrymore Film Center on Friday, May 8, 2026 at 7:30pm. Ann joined Actors' Equity with co-star Elizabeth Taylor in 1981 when she landed the plum role in The Little Foxes playing Miss Taylor's daughter on Broadway. The Little Foxes traveled the world for eighteen months including six months in London and their loving friendship lasted for the rest of Miss Taylor's life.
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center presents Eaglemania on May 8th

Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center presents Eaglemania on May 8th

(CARTERET, NJ) -- Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center presents Eaglemania on Friday, May 8, 2026 at 8:00pm. EagleMania has been dazzling audiences for over a decade by spectacularly reproducing the music of the Eagles.
The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents singer-songwriter Richard Shindell on May 8th

The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents singer-songwriter Richard Shindell on May 8th

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents singer-songwriter Richard Shindell on Friday, May 8, 2026. Doors are at 7:00pm; showtime is 7:30pm.
Princeton Symphony Orchestra presents Music That Tells a Story: Opera 101

Princeton Symphony Orchestra presents Music That Tells a Story: Opera 101

(PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ) -- On Friday, May 8, 2026 at 4:00pm, the Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) presents Music That Tells a Story, a free event for anyone who has ever dreamed of being an opera star. The presentation will take place at Westrick Music Academy (231 Clarksville Road, Suite 8) in Princeton Junction.
Wellmont Theater presents The Wallflowers on May 9th

Wellmont Theater presents The Wallflowers on May 9th

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The Wellmont Theater presents The Wallflowers on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 8:00pm. The band is touring in support of the 30th anniversary of their landmark album, Bringing Down the Horse. The band will perform their classic album in its entirety, in sequence.
The Newton Theatre presents Lita Ford on May 9th

The Newton Theatre presents Lita Ford on May 9th

(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents Lita Ford in concert on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 8:00pm. With a legacy that spans nearly five decades, Lita Ford continues to inspire generations of musicians— solidifying even more, her place as an icon, pioneer, and true Queen of Rock.
Monmouth County Park System presents 2026 Creative Arts Festival on May 9th

Monmouth County Park System presents 2026 Creative Arts Festival on May 9th

(LINCROFT, NJ) -- The Monmouth County Park System is hosting its annual Creative Arts Festival on Saturday, May 9, 2026 from 10:00am-4:00pm at Thompson Park. This celebration of the arts features more than 50 specially selected artists in a variety of mediums such as pottery, painting, jewelry, and more. This family-friendly festival also includes live music, engaging art demonstrations, and children’s art-based activities.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS






 

Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info