By Gary Wien
originally published: 05/15/2006
As the snow kept falling during the blizzard, which hit the tri-state area in February, Steven Baggs took to the stage at the Wonderbar in Asbury Park. An artist from New York City who was debuting his newly formed band, Baggs was playing in area for the first time and a little unsure of the reception he was going to get.
He really shouldn't have been worried...
Sometimes an artist's music hits you with the very first chord - pulling you in, instantly hooking you with the sound. That's how it was for me the first time I heard Steven Baggs and I knew the crowd was going to feel the same way. By the end of his set, everyone was wondering who Steven was an where he came from.
Steven Baggs didn't exactly come out of nowhere. He was with the lead singer of a band called "Five Foot Zero" for five years before going solo. The band appeared to be heading places, but in the end just wasn't the right fit for him.
"Things just weren't going the way I wanted in terms of my life and the band and the road we decided to take," explained Steven Baggs. "It's kind of hard when you're the person giving 200% and the rest of the band is only giving like 10% of their time and energy and effort. So, I said that if I'm giving 200%, I might as well give 200% to myself. As selfish as that sounds, at least I'll know I'm pushing as hard as I can for something nobody in the band was pushing for."
Baggs said that there were some people pushing him towards the decision, but, in the end, the decision to go solo was all his own.
"As hurtful and as crappy as it looked to the rest of the members, it had to happen. I'm a lot more confident with the music that I'm playing today and I'm a lot happier with the music. I feel like it shows a little when I'm on stage."
He also knows that there's more pressure in going out and performing under his own name rather than under a band's name.
"In all fairness, anything that happens on stage - good or bad - it's coming back to me now."
Five Foot Zero was basically the only band Baggs was ever in. He got his first guitar for his 14th birthday and taught himself how to play. He says he's been singing his whole life, but things really started to develop once he got to high school. It was also around that time that Brooklyn (Baggs' hometown) suddenly became known as a thriving music scene.
The situation right now is probably at its peak with the spotlight on Brooklyn and websites like myspace.com target=new>web link that connect fans with artists. Baggs thinks the pairing of technology along with the hip label is taking things to a new level.
"It's like being a small town celebrity," said Baggs. "People just get to know who you are. They may hear something about you and then bump into you on Myspace or something. Aside from Williamsburg being a big element in the growth of music right now, I feel like the Internet and technology push musicians and artists on to a whole different page.
"Growing up in New York where everyone is very music saavy and everyone's always looking for the new artist or new buzz, I feel like right now is a great time to be a musician. It's just a great time to have fun with music. Genres are changing by the day and new sounds are being brought out by the bands."
Steven will bring his uptempo, hook-driven rock/pop to the area for three shows in May. On May 20th he takes part in the Wave Gathering Festival in Asbury Park. He'll be doing a set at Red Fusion that night; back to Arlene's Grocery in the city on May 25th; then on Memorial Day Weekend, Baggs will return to Asbury Park for a show at the Saint on Sunday May 28th.
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].
Singer/songwriter Evening In The Round
Saturday, November 07, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJSomething Special a round robin evening of music featuring a group of the finest singer/songwriter from our local area who come together for this one of a kind show not be missed
Freestyle Takeover 3
Saturday, November 07, 2026 @ 7:00pm
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The Righteous Brothers: Lovin’ Feelin’ Farewell Tour
Sunday, November 08, 2026 @ 3:00pm
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Beat: Belew/vai/levin/bozzio Performing The Music Of King Crimson
Monday, November 09, 2026 @ 8:00pm
NJPAC - Prudential Hall
1 Center Street, Newark, NJFollowing more than 100 acclaimed performances across North and South America, Europe, and Japan, BEAT returns this fall for the last North American tour. Former King Crimson members Adrian Belew and Tony Levin are joined by guitar virtuoso Steve Vai and legendary drummer Terry Bozzio to perform the music of the three landmark 1980s King Crimson albums—Discipline, Beat, and Three of a Perfect Pair.
Joe Russo's Almost Dead
Thursday, November 12, 2026 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
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EVENT PREVIEWS
Rick Steves Joins New Jersey Symphony for a Symphonic Journey Through Europe
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Albert Music Hall to Celebrate Pinelands Folklore with Annual Jersey Devil Show on Saturday
(WARETOWN, NJ) -- Halloween may have come and gone, but the Jersey Devil is always lurking in the Pines! On Saturday, November 7, 2026, Albert Music Hall will celebrate one of New Jersey's most enduring legends with its annual Jersey Devil Show, an evening combining live music, storytelling, and the rich folklore of the New Jersey Pinelands.
The Newton Theatre presents Puss N Boots featuring Norah Jones, Sasha Dobson, and Catherine Popper
(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents Puss N Boots featuring Norah Jones, Sasha Dobson, and Catherine Popper on Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 7:00pm.
Grunin Center's "Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon" Celebrates 100 Years of Louis Armstrong's Hot Five Recordings
(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts' "Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon" series brings a century of jazz history to the stage this fall with a celebration of Louis Armstrong's groundbreaking Hot Five recordings, featuring trumpeter Andrew Stephens on Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 3:00pm.
U.K. Folk Trio, The Longest Johns, to Perform at The Vogel
(RED BANK, NJ) -- U.K. folk trio The Longest Johns will perform at the Vogel on Sunday, November 8, 2026. They are are known the world over for their rollicking harmonies and raucous energy, blowing new wind into the sails of traditional sea shanties and work songs. They are on a U.S. tour to support their latest release End of the Earth. Showtime is 7:00pm.
State Theatre New Jersey and Relix present Joe Russo's Almost Dead
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey and Relix present Joe Russo's Almost Dead on Thursday, November 12, 2026 at 7:30pm. The band was formed in Brooklyn, NY in 2013. While they are a Grateful Dead cover band, they are known more for interpreting songs by the Dead rather than attempting to replicate the band's work.
NJPAC presents Gregory Porter with special guests Madeleine Peyroux and Catherine Russell
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Forte Piano Music Company presents Exquisite Contrasts: Haydn & Schubert Piano Trios
(PARAMUS, NJ) -- The Forte Piano Music Company presents a Piano Trio Concert - "Exquisite Contrasts" - Haydn & Schubert on Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 2:30pm. This program brings together two landmarks of the piano trio repertoire, revealing the evolution of the genre from the Classical era to early Romanticism.
Mahwah Museum Hosts "Les Paul from Start to Finish" with Jim Wysocki
(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Come to the Mahwah Museum on Sunday, November 15, 2026 for a discussion of a 29-year friendship, rare memorabilia, and the story behind Les Paul's home with Mahwah Mayor Jim Wysocki from his nearly three-decade friendship with legendary musician and inventor Les Paul. The event begins at 2:00pm.
Princeton Folk Music Society presents Kate Taylor
(PRINCETON, NJ) — The Princeton Folk Music Society presents Kate Taylor on Friday, November 20, 2026 in an evening of upbeat and bubbling song filled with enthusiasm and love. The concert takes place at Christ Congregation Church in Princeton. Showtime is 8:00pm. A livestream option is available as well.
