By Danny Coleman
originally published: 05/13/2021
"Definitely the academics; I had a lot of favorite teachers. I also liked The Bent Spoon with the cupcakes and the ice cream; I'm kind of a sweet tooth person so The Bent Spoon was good for that, I like to look back at those memories," laughed multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Cristina Vane as she recalled her time spent as a student at Princeton University; just a part of this young talented music maker's journey which has been continued with the release of her first full-length album, "Nowhere Sounds Lovely."
Vane is heavily influenced by traditional blues music and is definitely an up and coming force to reckon with; she is a new artist with an old soul which lends to her generational appeal. However, as is the case with all of us; there is a story behind our paths and Cristina's spans two continents and includes the conquering of multiple languages before she turned the age of eighteen.
"I started playing the piano in First Grade and then the flute in Middle School and then I picked up the guitar in High School and started writing songs at about the age of seventeen," she explained and obviously she has a thirst for learning but what about the four languages and was it difficult to master them?
"Actually it's easier than it sounds because you learn a lot faster when you're young," she stated confidently. "I moved around and my mom is Guatemalan and we lived in Italy so we grew up speaking Italian and then we moved to France so I learned to speak French; I like learning that's for sure."
Vane's roots are spread out as far as her diverse ability and heritage; her father is Sicilian-American who claims the U.S as his native land. So, how does a woman who grew up in Europe and the UK become fond of the blues? According to Vane, pardon the pun; it just struck a chord.
"Well, I just like it; ya' know? I happened upon it because I discovered Rory Block and some old covers that Led Zeppelin did by Blind Lemon Johnson which led me to the source music and I really enjoyed it. I thought it was the coolest thing I'd heard in a long time. I think that it is really special music and it just touched my heart as soon as I heard it and I wanted to learn more about it; so I did."
Wanderlust can affect even the staunchest of homebodies as can a quest for knowledge. So, with a passion for music and "No sense of belonging to any one country or culture," she headed west to Los Angeles and began working in a guitar shop where she experimented with various styles of guitar playing which would eventually create her sound but years can go by in a blink of an eye and after four years in L.A. Vane decided to go on a heritage reclamation tour of the U.S; driven in part by her persistent thirst for knowledge and the yearning to discover more about the place she was calling home. Over the course of her short career she had amassed a large social media following and she used it to her advantage by booking a tour of the U.S. off of suggestions from her followers and then a funny thing happened on her five month sojourn; she wrote an album and learned a bit more about herself as the tour unfolded.
"The album is 12 tracks and my first full length record and I wrote it when I was on the road; mostly when I was on the road with a few exceptions before and after. It was 2018; I was on my first long trip around the country and my first time touring a lot of the United States. So, I think it forms this record a lot; it's a lot about traveling and obviously certain places determined the title and the words; it's about kind of just growing up and growing into yourself a little bit. I was solo and honestly couldn't tell you how many cities; I hit at least 36 states and was in my car for five months so, there was a lot of traveling and a lot of cities. The album is going over pretty well, people seem to be enjoying what I do; I don't really play super traditional 1930's blues but yeah it's working for me."
"Nowhere Sounds Lovely" is rooted in traditional blues with a newer vibe but even here Cristina, who says, "I'm pretty sociable and I enjoy hanging out with other people but I think like anybody I can definitely have fun if I just really want to be alone," discovered the solitude of the road as she toured alone; at times getting a nights rest with friends or through the kindness of strangers, at rest stops and even occasionally pitching a tent on the side of the road. So; did this influence the album's title?
"I named it that because basically, when I was traveling I just kept finding that no matter where I went I was vey happy. I don't know how to explain it really but there's a line in my song "Traveling Blues," the line is "Onwards and upwards this path leads to nowhere, nowhere sounds lovely, I'd sure like to go there;" basically no matter where I was traveling to, I'm still learning about myself, I was enjoying myself, I was feeling the thrill of being on the road; so, anywhere and nowhere sounded lovely to me."
Once her five months traversing the country were up, Vane had made yet another decision and that was to relocate; this time she returned east but what of life post-COVID? Will she tour again or stay cautious?
"Music brought me here to Nashville," she stated with that now prevalent confidence. "I've been here for two and one half years; I play and write my own music, I write and then record and I tour so, Nashville is a good place to do all three of them. I'm going to play some shows this summer in safe settings and I have been promoting the record for the last three months with PR. So, I've been working on getting press and gig content and gig videos and all of the other things that people are doing right now since the shutdown but a lot of states are opening up even though the pandemic isn't over. I think it's up to everyone's discretion as people get vaccinated as to what they are going to do. I'm vaccinated, I've waited a whole year to play music, I'm going to do gigs this summer for sure but I'm not going to be stringing together tours."
When asked what she would like her fan base and anyone new to her music to know, she responded without hesitation, "I'm a multi-instrumentalist; just because the blues stuff is my main interest, I also really love old time banjo and it's not only on the record but I also play shows with it too. So, yeah, it's not just blues that I'm interested in; I kind of dabble in mandolin but not confidently enough to play at shows (laughs)."
To discover more about Cristina Vane or purchase "Nowhere Sounds Lovely," please visit www.cristinavane.com .
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
This week's event listings
Al's Airport Inn636 Bear Tavern Road West Trenton
(609) 883-5252
Wed.7 p.m. Paul Plumeri & Joe Zook
Bailey's Bar & Grille 6922 Bristol-Emilie Road Levittown, PA
(215) 946-7992
Sat. 7 p.m.
Wed. 8 p.m. Quizzo
Broken Goblet Brewing 2500 State Road Bensalem, PA
(267) 812-5653
Thurs. 7 p.m. Mike Estabrook
Wed. 8 p.m. Open Mic w/ Cara Cartney
All Shows 21+
Championship Bar 931 Chambers street Trenton
(609) 396-5457
Tuesday 8 p.m. "Jam Night" Hosted by Nikki & Caleb
Ages 21+
COARadio.com 125 South Main Street Hightstown
(609) 241-7103
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. Rock On Radio "Replay"
Cooper's Riverview 50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 7 p.m. The Zone
Fri. (4 p.m.) "It's 5 O'clock Somewhere Happy Hour" (8 p.m.) Witzend
Sat. 8 p.m. The Pinheads
Sun. 11 a.m. "Sunday Latin Brunch" w/ Victor Tarassov
Mon. 7 p.m. "Sunny Monday Blues Jam"
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke w/ Karen and Mark
Wed. 12 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays'
All Events Ages 21+
Dacey's Pub 215 West Philadelphia Avenue Morrisville, PA
(215) 295-4838
Fri. 6 p.m. Acoustic Music Night
Wed. 8 p.m. Quizzo
Eddington House Bensalem2813 Hulmeville Road, Bensalem, PA
(215) 639-1220
Fri. 8 p.m. Jerry Watkins
Sat. 8 p.m. Jumper Duo
Gleason's Bar6700 Mill Creek Road Levittown, PA
(215) 943-4781
Thurs. 7 p.m. Weekly Corn Hole Tournament
Fri. (6 p.m.) "Happy Hour" w/ (TBA) (9 p.m.) Waiting On Chris
Sat. 8 p.m. Karao
Wed. 5:30 p.m. Family Fun Night w/ "Gina the Balloon Girl"
Greenhouse 90 South Main Street New Hope, PA
(215) 693-1657
Thurs. 8 p.m. "Musicians Night Out" Hosted by Lovelight
Tues. 8 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Sam Ryan
Wed. 8 p.m. Trivia Hosted by Dwayne Dunlevy
Grounds For Sculpture 80 Sculptors way Hamilton
(609) 586-0616
Sat. 9 a.m. "Member Mornings" / "Goddesses In The Garden"
Sun. 1 p.m. Family Meditation
Halo Pub (Fete) 9 Hullfish Street Princeton
(609) 921-1710
Sat. 6 p.m. Deb & Mike
Hopewell Train Station2 Railroad Place Hopewell
Fri. 5 p.m.
Sun. 4 p.m.
Wed. 7 p.m.
Hopewell United Methodist Church 20 Blackwell Avenue Hopewell
(609) 466-0471
Fri. 7 p.m. Open Mic Night
Sat. 6 p.m. Hopewell Hayride (Old Time Country & Bluegrass). $15 (Suggested donation adults)
Sun. 2 p.m. Kids and Teens Open Mic
Hopewell Valley Vineyards 46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Fri. 6 p.m. "Music & Merlot" feat. The Honey Badgers
Sat. (1 p.m.) FOGLight (4 p.m.) "Music & Merlot" feat. Bad Hombres
Sun. 1 p.m. "Jazzy Sundays" feat. Mark Feingold Group
Hurricane Jacks Bar and Grill 7759 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(267) 914-4517
Fri. (6 p.m.) Happy Hour w/ (TBA) (7:30 p.m.) Sara and The Sound
Iron Plow Vineyards 26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6:30 p.m. Gregg Parker
Sat. 6:30 p.m. Ed Wilson
Sun. 2 p.m. Ronnie Brandt
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Thurs. 9:30 p.m. "Thursday Night Dance Party"
All shows 21+
Killarney's Publick House 1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Sat. 5 p.m. Mario & Frank
KUO Social2360 Route 33 Suite 106 Robinsville
(609) 208-9988
Thurs. 6 p.m. The Blue-Eyed Balladeer
Laurita Winery 85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Fri. (12 p.m.) "Wine In The Grove" (7 p.m.) Pasta Night "All You Can Eat." $29
Sat. / Sun. 11:30 a.m. "Sliders, Wings & Sangria Weekend" $20 (per table
McGuinn's Place 1781 Brunswick Avenue Lawrence
(609) 392-0599
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Ages 21+
McStews Irish Sports Pub 5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10 p.m. "Beer Pong Night"
Sat. 9 p.m. Bloodshot / The Fredz
Memorial Park1950 Woodside Road Yardley, PA
Fri. 6:30 p.m. Holiday Drive In Movie Gates open at 5:30 p.m., $30 (per vehicle)
Sat. 6:30 p.m. Holiday Drive In Movie Gates open at 5:30 p.m., $30 (per vehicle)
More Than Q 13 Klines Court Lambertville
(609) 773-0072
Sat. 2 p.m. Bill and Fred's Excellent Adventure
Music In The Square Saddle Way Chesterfield
Thurs. 6 p.m. The Successful Failures (FREE admission)
Music Mountain Theater1483 Route 179 Lambertville
(609)397-3337
Fri. 8 p.m. "Groovin' Up Broadway; A 70's Revue"
Sat./Sun. 3 p.m. "Groovin' Up Broadway; A 70's Revue"
New Egypt Flea Market Village933 Monmouth County Road Cream Ridge
(609) 758-2082
Sun. 8 a.m. "Scavenger Hunt" Hosted by Mom's Uncool Corner
New Hope Winery 6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA
(215) 794-2331
Thurs. 8 p.m.
Fri. 8 p.m. Boathouse Row: The Music of Yacht Rock
Sat. 8 p.m. Boathouse Row: The Music of Yacht Rock
Sun. 1 p.m. Stranger Things
Newtown Brewing Company103 Penns Trail Newtown, PA
(215) 944-8609
Thurs. 7:30 p.m. Trivia Night
Fri. 7 p.m. The Zone
Sun. 11 a.m. "Box & Brews"
Nick's Roast Beef4501 Woodhaven Road West Philadelphia, PA
(215) 637-5151
Thurs. 6 p.m. Frank Daly
Fri. 6 p.m. AJ Slick Band
Sat. 6 p.m. Jamison Celtic Rock
Sun. 4 p.m. "Sunday Funday" w/ Noni & Steve
NJWeedman's Joint322 East State Street Trenton
(609) 437-0898
Sun. 2 p.m. Ziggy
O'Fowley's Tavern & Grill200 State Road Croydon, PA
(215) 785-6998
Fri. 8 p.m. DJ Entertainment
Palermo's Of Hamilton 310 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 8 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21 +
Palmer Square40 Nassau Street Princeton
Sat.12 p.m. Zaire
Sun 4 p.m. "McCarter Theater Concert Series" feat. Pat Guadagno
Pasquale's Sports Bar9078 Mill Creek Road Levittown, PA
(267) 202-6268
Fri. 5 p.m. Happy Hour feat. (TBA)
Sat. 7 p.m. DJ or Live Band Entertainment
Tues. 7:30 p.m. Quizzo
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic
Patriots Crossing 1339 River Road Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Thurs. 8 p.m. Open Mic Night
Wed. 7 p.m. "Quizzo"
Recklesstown Farm Distillery2800 Route 206 North Columbus
(609) 784-8046
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Trivia
Rosedale Mills101 Route 31 North Pennington
(609) 737-2008
Sat. 1 p.m. Outdoor Line Dancing. $10 (Rain date Sundays 12 p.m.)
Temperance House 5 South State Street Newtown, PA
(215) 944-8050
Thurs. 7p.m. "Blues Night" w/ Steve Guyger
Fri. 7 p.m. Anders Hyatt
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia w/ Righteous Jolly
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic Night w/ Cara Cartney
Terhune Orchards 330 Cold Soil Road Princeton
(609) 924-2310
Sat. 1 p.m. "Weekend Music Series" feat. Carmen Marranco
Sun.1 p.m. "Weekend Music Series" feat. Jerry Steele
The Buck Hotel1200 Buck Road Feasterville, PA
(215) 396-2002
Fri. 7 p.m. Love Junk
Sat. 9 p.m. Legacy
The Cool Cricket 216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
The Cure Insurance Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
10 a.m. "Trenton Punk Rock Flea market "Spring Fling Edition" (Outdoors/Mask Required)
The Irish Horne Bar & Restaurant882 2nd Street Pike Richboro, PA
(215) 942-4000
Fri. 8 p.m. The BuzzerBand
The Morrisville Tavern376 West Trenton Avenue Morrisville, PA
(215) 295-5310
Mon. 7 p.m. "Country Night"
Train Wreck Distillery25 Madison Avenue Mount Holly
(609) 288-6300
Thurs. 6 p.m.
Fri. 7 p.m. Radio Fiction
Trenton Buzz 702 Pine Street Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.
Sat. 10 p.m. "Buzzed Saturdays"
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Thurs. 8 p.m. Trivia
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Stage
All shows 21+
Vault Tap Room19 West College Avenue Yardley, PA
(267) 907-8550
Fri. 7 p.m. Danny Lynch Project
VFW Post 491 9 Fisher Place Yardville
(609) 585-9645
Fri. 8 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 2 p.m. Bear's Choice
All shows ages 21+
Vince's Pizzeria and Taproom573 Durham Road Newtown, PA
(267) 491-5418
Fri. 5 p.m. Two For Flinching
Water's Edge Gastropub and Lounge1067 Totem Road Bensalem, PA
(267) 332-2095
Thurs. 7 p.m. Cornhole "Blind Draw." $10
Sat. 7 p.m. "Comedy on the Crick"
Wed.7 p.m. Drag Bingo & Karaoke
Wilson's Pub1870 Brownsville Road Trevose, PA
(215) 355-4739
Sat. 7 p.m. Keep The Change (Jeff/Rob acoustic)
Working Dog Winery 610 Windsor Perrineville Road Hightstown
(609) 371-6000
Sat. 1 p.m. Chris Giakas
Sun. 2 p.m. Roger Gardella
WWFM 89.1 FM HD2 RadioMCCC Old Trenton Road West Windsor
Jazzon2.org
Mon. 7 p.m. "Danny Coleman's Got The Blues"
About the author:
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.
EVENT PREVIEWS
Cape May Point Arts and Science Center presents Grammy-Nominated Blues artist Guy Davis on June 24th
(CAPE MAY POINT, NJ) -- On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, musician, storyteller and two-time Grammy Nominee for Best Traditional Blues, Guy Davis, will perform at The Cape May Point Arts and Science Center.
Harmonium Choral Society to have France Tour Send-Off Concert on June 24th
(MADISON, NJ) -- Come hear the joyful and varied repertoire 42 singers from Harmonium Choral Society will take on tour to France on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at Grace Church (4 Madison Ave) in Madison. Music ranges from Bruckner to Billings and Bernstein, Rosephanye Powell, Elizabeth Alexander, Lucy Cook, Mark Miller and more! The concert is free; donations at the door are welcome. The church is accessible, air-conditioned, and has ample parking. Showtime is 7:00pm.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Eric Johanson on Thursday
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents New Orleans–based Eric Johanson on Thursday, June 25, 2026. He blends sharp songwriting with a deep connection to the guitar, creating music that's dynamic, soulful, and rooted in a mix of rock, blues, and modern influences. Doors are at 7:00pm, showtime is 7:30pm.
American Theater Group and Union Arts Center present Katerina McCrimmon: Naked Concert on June 26th
(UNION, NJ) -- American Theater Group (ATG), in partnership with the Union Arts Center, will present Katerina McCrimmon's acclaimed solo concert, Naked, which has played to sold-out audiences across the country, including at Joe's Pub and Lincoln Center. Directed by Henry Gainza, it will come to the DMK Black Box Theater at the Union Arts Center for one performance only, on Fri.day, June 26, 2026 at 7:00pm.
MPAC presents Straight No Chaser on June 26th
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- A cappella favorite Straight No Chaser brings its summer-themed Beach Bash to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Friday, June 26, 2026 at 8:00pm. Tickets range from $57-$114 (All fees included).
Asbury Lanes presents Matthew Curry and Erik Mason Band on June 26th
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Acclaimed singer-songwriter Matthew Curry sets off on his 2026 Spring/Summer "One For The Ride" Tour (named for his new Ruf Records album release) with a performance at Asbury Lanes on Friday, June 26, 2026. Erik Mason Band will open the night. Showtime is 8:00pm.
Starland Ballroom presents The Cab
(SAYREVILLE, NJ) -- Starland Ballroom presents The Cab on Friday, June 26, 2026 at 7:30pm. Paradise Fears and CARR will open the night.
The The Band Band presents The Last Walz Celebration 50th Anniversary 2026 Tour at The Newton Theatre
(NEWTON, NJ) -- The The Band Band presents The Last Walz Celebration 50th Anniversary 2026 Tour at The Newton Theatre on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Doors are at 7:00pm; showtime is 8:00pm.
Brian Ostering presents The Elvis Spectacular at Middletown Arts Center on June 27th
(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- Jersey Shore musician Brian Ostering from The Wag is stepping out of his comfort zone with The Elvis Spectacular - "The Early Years" Concert on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at the Middletown Arts Center. This is the first time he has performed an Elvis show and it's a tribute to his father who helped pass down his passion for Elvis to Brian. I reached out to Brian to learn more about the show.
Asbury Underground returns June 27th as part of North to Shore Festival
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Asbury Underground returns on June 27, 2026 as part of the North to Shore Festival and there's a terrific lineup of artists again. Performances take place at venues throughout Asbury Park.
FEATURED EVENTS
