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.




New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info



"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

About the author:

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].




New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info




You can have your events spotlighted here, whenever someone reads an article about ASBURY PARK

click here for more information


EVENT PREVIEWS

(HAMILTON, NJ) -- Grounds For Sculpture (GFS) and Third Way Cultural Alliance announce a special evening celebrating the power of creative freedom through music, art and conversation. "Creative Freedom: A Salon Experience featuring Marshall Allen, Salvador Jiménez-Flores and Jamaaladeen Tacuma," will take place on Saturday, July 18, 2026 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm.

bergenPAC presents Swingtime Big Band on Saturday

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- New York's high-powered Swingtime Big Band returns to Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) on Saturday, July 18, 2026 to celebrate America250 by showcasing the popular music that kept Americans dancing for decades—from the Lindy and Fox Trot to the Cha Cha to the Twist! Showtime is 8:00pm.
DePue Brothers Band to Bring "Grassical" Music to Sewell

DePue Brothers Band to Bring "Grassical" Music to Sewell

(SEWELL, NJ) -- Music at Bunker Hill welcomes the DePue Brothers Band on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at 3:00pm. In a departure from the series' customary chamber music fare, the DePue Brothers Band has long coined their music with the term "grassical," the combination of bluegrass with jazz, blues, rock, folk, and classical.
Albert Music Hall

Albert Music Hall's "Back to Our Roots" Benefit on Sunday to Support Preservation of Pinelands Music History

(WARETOWN, NJ) -- Albert Music Hall will present Back to Our Roots, a special fundraising concert on Sunday, July 19, 2026, inviting music lovers to enjoy an afternoon of live performances while helping preserve an important piece of New Jersey's musical heritage.

Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Heather Maloney & Hayley Reardon on Sunday

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Heather Maloney & Hayley Reardon on Sunday, July 19, 2026. Doors are at 7:00pm, showtime is 7:30pm.
New Jersey Symphony to Make Rowan

New Jersey Symphony to Make Rowan's Marie Rader Series Debut with "Life & Liberty" on July 22nd

(GLASSBORO, NJ) -- The Marie Rader Series will launch its 2026-27 season, entitled "Life & Liberty," with the New Jersey Symphony's Rowan University debut. On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players featuring Rowan University Strings Faculty & Alumni will perform at Pfleeger Concert Hall. Showtime is 7:00pm.
The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny and the music of Peter Green

The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny and the music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny - The Music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Dude Cervantes & The Panchos will open the night. Doors are at 7:00pm, music starts at 7:30pm.
Shinedown to Play Shows in Newark and Philly in July

Shinedown to Play Shows in Newark and Philly in July

(NEWARK, NJ) -- One of the biggest bands in the world, Shinedown, will be releasing their brand new studio album EI8HT on May 29, 2026 (via Atlantic Records) and released the new song "Outlaw." In addition, they announced their massive Dance Kid Dance Act II World Tour, taking the band to 11 countries across 54 dates, including local stops at Prudential Center in Newark on Tuesday, July 21st and Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Thursday, July 23rd.

Middletown Arts Center presents Reina Williams + The Remedy

(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The Middletown Arts Center presents a concert featuring Reina Williams + The Remedy on Thursday, July 23, 2026. Special guest performers Renee Maskin and Patrick Bamburak will open the show. Enjoy an evening of original music spanning reggae, hip-hop, soul, folk, Americana, and indie rock from some of New Jersey's most talented musicians. Showtime is 7:00pm.
Harmonium Choral Society presents "I Dreamed Last Night" on July 23rd

Harmonium Choral Society presents "I Dreamed Last Night" on July 23rd

(MADISON, NJ) -- On Thursday, July 23, 2026, Harmonium Choral Society presents I Dreamed Last Night. Directed by Lennie Watts with music direction by John Fischer, I Dreamed Last Night is a one woman show with Gloria Bangiola. There are songs and stories about dreams, hopes, wishes, ambitions, fantasies, nightmares, impossibilities and that big ol' American one we are all still working to make real. Showtime is 7:00pm.

 

FEATURED EVENTS


Streetlife Serenade - “The Billy Joel Experience”

Saturday, July 18, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


The Wag's Beatles Spectacular

Saturday, July 18, 2026 @ 7:30pm
The Vogel
Red Bank, NJ


Heather Maloney & Hayley Reardon

Sunday, July 19, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


Blues For Greeny The Music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac

Wednesday, July 22, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


Reina Williams and The Remedy, Patrick Bamburak, and Renee Masking

Thursday, July 23, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
Middletown, NJ



 

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