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ROCK ON! This Week's Sound Bites...6/11/15


By Danny Coleman

originally published: 06/11/2015


Most kids growing up with a view of Manhattan have aspirations of being in the big city; be it on stage, screen or in the music world. Teen sensation Chloe Baker is no different but with a successful video, a management team and her first full length CD already in tow; she's accomplished more than most and she's not even old enough to drive herself to rehearsals.
 
"I always did a lot of musical theater when I was younger," says the young lady from North Jersey. "I decided to actively pursue my music about two years ago." Baker, who says she plays,"A little bit of guitar," concentrates primarily on her stunning abilities as  a vocalist and lyricist; writing material seemingly beyond her years. "I wrote the lyrics myself," she stated matter of factually; "They're not just based on my experiences but on others too. They're based on things I've seen or the way I think things will turn out." 
 
Mike Baker stumbled upon his daughter's talents as they putted around in his basement recording studio. The senior Baker and musician was allowing Chloe to express herself in the studio when he was suddenly taken by her output. "For lack of a better term," he said sheepishly; "I had an "Oh Shit" moment. I was amazed at what she had written and I was like, OK what else do you have?" From that point forward, Mike began to explore Chloe's songwriting abilities to their fullest; enlisting the help of some industry professionals and a team of marketing and public relations specialists who have played a major part in her now blossoming career. "Umm, it's very nice working with my dad. Like if I have an idea or something like that, being able to head to the basement recording studio is great. We share ideas and are very comfortable with each other." 
 
These "Ideas" have led to her debut disc; "Bitter's Kiss."  This eight track CD with the unusual title is a mix of soft and hard lyrical content encased in what is at times haunting melodies; much darker than one would expect from a young artist of her age and experience. "The title? I think we thought a lot of contradicting feelings throughout the album. There is the bitterness of life, yet there's also the moving on or forward of it too."
 
Baker is in the process of assembling band mates so that she may begin to promote her product more directly to live audiences. A recent performance at New York City's Rockwood Music Hall has inspired her to continue the search. "Yeah, we are looking to put a band together and it will be pretty simple; bass, guitar, drums and piano. I like performing with a band and hope to do so soon."
 
Many times for young artists, balancing school life with their alter egos isn't always an easy task. Chloe seems ambivalent to the highs and lows of dealing with her peers when it comes to her musical happenings; seemingly taking the high road and remaining above any possible fray. "Well," she started hesitantly. "A lot of my classmates are supportive; some aren't."
 
Baker isn't done as she has plans for yet another release on the heels of this current one; an EP planned for September of this year. Citing that she feels she's still got much to say and buoyed by the success of this disc and her recent video for "The Rope;" Chloe looks forward to evoking more emotions from the listeners of her material. "I've always loved how music can make people think. I think music allows you to learn things; some of which you don't even know you've learned at the time it's happening. I love being able to make people think." 
 
To discover more about Chloe Baker and "Bitter's Kiss;" please go to www.bitterskiss.com. 
 
Continuing on with more music happenings; Tuesday June 16 has two events worth noting. First is the last "Rock On Radio" Happy Hour of the season at the Tir Na Nog Irish Pub in Trenton, NJ. Join the fun from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. as the featured duo of Michael Nabinger & Joe Chianese provide the entertainment before we adjourn until September. Sponsored by our South Jersey Canada Dry Bottlers, there will be prizes and drink specials. 
 
Also that evening; the eclectic group Men Without Hats will be rocking the Open Arts Stage Theater in Bordentown, NJ. Located on Route 130 South next to the historic Mastoris Diner; this intimate venue provides an up close and personal concert experience. These guys are more than just "The Safety Dance!"
 

That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!



THIS WEEKS CALENDAR LISTINGS 
 

Alchemist & Barrister


28 Witherspoon Street Princeton

(609) 924-5555

 

Thurs. 10 p.m. Arnie Baird

Sun. 9 p.m. Spanky's Garage

All shows 21+




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Amalfi's Restaurant


146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Rd. Lawrenceville

(609) 912-1599

 

Fri. 8:30 p.m. Dusty Rivers Band 

Sat. 9 p.m. Honey Spot Blvd. 




 






Amarones Windsor Inn


29 Church St. Windsor

 






(609) 448-7144

 

Thurs. 6:30 p.m. "Country" Ron Crites

Fri. 8 p.m. Larry D

Sat. 8 p.m. Kindred Spirit

Tues. 8 p.m. Ambiance the Duo

 

Bill's Olde Tavern

2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton

(609) 586-0192




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Sun. 12 p.m. "8th Annual BBQ Rib Contest" feat. The Dawgs

 

Blend Bar & Bistro

911 Highway 33, Hamilton

(609) 245-8887

 

Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam 

 

The Backstage at Championship Bar 

931 Chambers St. Trenton

 

Fri. 6 p.m. PEELANDER-Z, Molly Rhythm, Roxy Roliz, Toranavox, The Late Greats, Joshua Adair. All ages, $12

Sat. 4 p.m. Thrashole (EP Release), Panic, The Donner Party, Paralysis, Xenophile, The Garbage State, Windstorm. All ages, $10

 

Candlelight Lounge 

24 Passaic St. Trenton

(609) 695-9612



 

Sat. 3 p.m. Victor North Tenor Sax Quartet. (No cover-$10 minimum)

 

Chickie's & Pete's




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183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown

(609) 298-9182

 

Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs

Wed. 9 p.m. Trivia Night

 

City Streets

510 Route 130 South East Windsor

(609) 426-9400

 

Sat. 9 p.m. Kim Yarson Band

 

Corner House Tavern

24509 E. Main Street Columbus

 

Sat. 9 p.m. Deep Release

 

Dog & Bull Brew House

810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.

(215) 788-2855

 

Thurs. 8 p.m. Gypsy Mother

Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. Visoon (9 p.m.) Wizard Duo

Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Michael Leggerie (9 p.m.) Heather Heather

Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Kelli Vale Jazz Duo (3 p.m.) Larry Tritel

Mon. 8 p.m. Perry Wolfe

Tues. 8 p.m. Dick Gratton

Wed. 8 p.m. Paul Donavan

 

Fran's Pub



116 S. Main St. New Hope, PA.

(215)862-5539

 

Thurs. 9 p.m. Curtain Call

Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam

All shows 21+  

 

Havana New Hope

105 S. Main Street. New Hope, Pa. 

(215) 862-9897

 



Thurs. 10 p.m. "Thirsty Thursday Beat The Clock" DJ Dance Party

Fri. 8 p.m. Michael Allman Band. Doors at 6 p.m., $25


Sat. 8:30 p.m. Se7en Band

Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron

Wed. 8 p.m. Pat Foran & Friends 

 

Ivy Tavern 

3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton

(609) 888-1435

 

Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke

Fri. 10 p.m. Mikey Jr.

Sat. 10 p.m. Blind Lemmon Pie

All shows 21+



 

John & Peter's 

96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.

(215) 862-5981

 

Thurs. 9 p.m. Driftwood Soldier

Fri. 8 p.m. Dibbs Preston

Sat. (3 p.m.) Buffalo Trixx  (8 p.m.) Chris Harford and the Band of Changes

Sun. (3 p.m.) Old's Cool (9 p.m.) Space and Time

Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Lauren

Tues. 9 p.m. Bex Marshall



Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational

All shows 21+

 

JoJo's Tavern

2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton

(609) 586-2678

  

Sat. 10 p.m. Radio Fiction

Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke

 

Palermo's Of Hamilton

310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton

(609) 838-7979







 

Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke

All shows 21+ 

 

Patriot's Crossing

1339 River Rd. Titusville

(609) 737-2780

 

Fri. 7:30 p.m. Steve Bross

Sat. 7:30 p.m. Mike McManus & Friends

 

Randy Now's Man Cave

134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown

(609) 424-3766

 

Tues. 8 p.m. Men Without Hats/The Successful Failures. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $15 

(This show takes place at The Open Arts Stage 146 Route 130 South Bordentown, NJ)

 

 RHO Waterfront








50 Riverview Plaza Trenton



(609) 393-7300

 

Fri. (4 p.m.) Happy Hour Buffet. $10 (8:30 p.m.) Xclusive



All Shows 21+

Tavern On The Lake

101 Main St. Hightstown

(609) 426-9345

 



Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night 

 

The HOB Tavern

146 Second Street

(609) 291-7020

 

Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke

 

The Hopewell Valley Vineyards

46 Yard Road Pennington

(609) 737-4465

 

Sat. 6 p.m. Deb & Mike

 

The Ivy Inn

248 Nassau St. Princeton

(609) 921-8555

 

Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron

Fri. 10 p.m. Jam Lab

Sat. 10 p.m. River Dogs

Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv

Wed. 8:30 p.m. Tune Trivia (10:30 p.m.) DJ Rockn Ron

 

The Millhill Basement

300 South Broad St Trenton

(609) 989-1600

 

Thurs. 9 p.m. Insubordination, Matt Charles, Cousin Clyde

 

The Record Collector

358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown

(609) 324-0880

 

Fri. 8 p.m. Hymn For Her / April Mae and The June Bugs. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $15 (advance) 

Sat. 8 p.m. Vinny Martell & His Band of Brothers. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $15 (advance)

 

The Sticky Wicket 

2465 South Broad St. Hamilton

(609) 439-0007

 

Fri. 9 p.m. Alright Alright

Sat. 9 p.m. Never Enough

 

The Sun National Bank Center 

81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton

(609) 656-3200

 

Check web site for upcoming events

 

The Trellis Outdoor Bar & Patio

30 Route 156 Hamilton

(609) 581-6782

 

Fri. 9 p.m. F2 & The Anchovy Brothers

 

Tilted Kilt 

557 US Hwy. 130 North, Hamilton

(609) 585-1800

 

Sat. 9 p.m. (TBA)

 

Tir Na Nog 

1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton

(609) 392-2554

 




Fri. 9 p.m. Diarmuid McSweeney

Sat. 9 p.m. Oliver McElhone

Tues. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio Happy Hour" Hosted by Danny Coleman feat. Michael Nabinger & Joe Chianese

Wed. 9 p.m. Paul Weise

All shows  21+

Trenton Buzz

702 Pine St. Trenton

(609) 392-6000

 

Thurs. 8 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Hek Cat

 

Trenton Social

449 South Broad Street Trenton

(609) 989-7777

 

Thurs. 8:30 p.m. Cinema Thursday Presents:  "Road Rage"

Fri. 7 p.m. First Friday

Mon. 10 p.m. Service Industry Night w/ DJ-Jay Kountree 

Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic.

 

Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)

400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.

(215) 862-8300

 

Fri. 10 p.m. Hey Bulldog. ($5 cover charge)

Sat. 10 p.m. TK Kong & the Atomic Bomb. ($5 cover charge)

Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night



All shows 21+

 

Wildflowers Inn



2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington

Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock 

All shows 21+




















Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.

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