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Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Heads and Hearts" by Dave Vargo

By Bob Makin

originally published: 05/06/2022


After two impressive singles that nabbed him the 2021 Makin Waves Songwriter of the Year Award, Dave Vargo’s third album, “Crooked Miles,” is out, and it’s his best yet.

If you’re a fan of Bruce Springsteen and Jackson Browne, you’ll love the 12-song collection’s third track, “Heads and Hearts.” The Makin Waves Song of the Week respectively and dichotomously combines the grit, yet sensitivity of both of my boyhood heroes. 

As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Heads and Hearts” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on May 6 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com.



“We started the recording sessions for my album back in November of 2020 shooting to have everything done by April/May of 2021,” Dave said. “After many delays, many of them pandemic-related, we are finally ready. It feels really good to finally get this music out there. I hope that you like it!”

The quasi title track for “Crooked Miles,” the album’s second single, “Fault Lines,” features the lyric: “Crooked miles and exit signs. Still so far to do.”




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That October release was preceded by a summer 2021 single for the pandemic anthem “Half Bad.”

Early reviews agree that “Crooked Miles” is Dave’s best work yet following his 2016 debut LP, “Burning Through,” and its 2019 follow-up, “Spaces in Between.” 

Hear the album live May 6, Tulip Tree Cafe, Freehold; May 7, Creative Arts Festival, Thompson Park, Lincroft; May 14, Belmar Porchfest, and May 28, Palmer Square, Princeton. Dave’s weekly “2forTuesday” livestream at 7:30 p.m. on Facebook still is going strong with guests Frank Patrouch, May 10; Zeke Carey, May 17; Sarah Faith, May 24, and Gorgo Beach, May 31. For more about Dave, visit www.davevargomusic.com.

Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected]

About the author:

New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.




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EVENT PREVIEWS

(BRADLEY BEACH, NJ) -- WBJB's Songwriters on the Beach presents Nicole Atkins on Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 7:00pm. Cory Blair will open the night. The free outdoor concert takes place at the Newark Avenue Beach in Bradley Beach. ** The show was rescheduled from July 16th due to the Air Quality Alert issued across New Jersey.

51st Annual New Jersey Folk Festival to Take Place August 29th

(SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Folk Festival (NJFF) is back for the 51st year on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Davidson's Mill Pond Park in South Brunswick. The event is free and open to the public. It runs from 11:00am to 5:00pm.
The Strand presents Matt Stone as Elvis on August 29th

The Strand presents Matt Stone as Elvis on August 29th

(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- Most 22-year-olds are chasing the next trend, scrolling through TikTok, and binging Love Island. Matt Stone has spent the last decade looking in the opposite direction.

McCarter Theatre Center presents Mei Semones on September 4th

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre Center presents Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Mei Semones in the Berlind Theatre on Friday, September 4, 2026 at 7:30pm. Drawing on her background in jazz guitar and her Japanese heritage, she blends inventive harmonies, intricate rhythms, and bilingual lyricism into a sound that is both intimate and exploratory.
51st NJ Clearwater Festival to Take Place Labor Day Weekend in Asbury Park

51st NJ Clearwater Festival to Take Place Labor Day Weekend in Asbury Park

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Friends of Clearwater invites everyone to start their Labor Day Weekend at its free 51st Annual Clearwater Festival Saturday September 5, 2026, a late summer, family-friendly celebration of great live music, Mother Earth and more in Sunset Park near the ocean in Asbury Park.
The Machine performs Pink Floyd at The Newton Theatre on September 5th

The Machine performs Pink Floyd at The Newton Theatre on September 5th

(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Machine Performs Pink Floyd on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at the Newton Theatre. The band has forged a nearly 40 year reputation of extending the musical legacy of Pink Floyd. Showtime is 8:00pm.

MPAC presents Melissa Etheridge: Rise Tour on September 9th

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) presents Melissa Etheridge: Rise Tour on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 7:30pm. Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Etheridge has remained one of America's favorite female singers for more than two decades.
Prudential Center presents Ella Langley on September 10th

Prudential Center presents Ella Langley on September 10th

(NEWARK, NJ) -- It's been a landmark year for Ella Langley. Fresh off a sweep at the ACM Awards where she won all seven awards she was nominated for, two recent American Music Award wins, and being the soundtrack of the summer for a trio of German fans on Twitter traveling through America during the World Cup. Ella continues one of the most dominant runs in music. She brings The Dandelion Tour to the Prudential Center in Newark on September 10, 2026 at 7:00pm. Special guests ERNEST and Gabriella Rose will open the night.
The Soundtrack of Resilience: Explore Music

The Soundtrack of Resilience: Explore Music's Role in Post-9/11 America at the Lacey Library

(FORKED RIVER, NJ) -- In honor of Patriot Day, the Lacey Branch of the Ocean County Library will host "The Soundtrack of Resilience: Music and 9/11" on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The event begins at 2:00pm.
Tony Award Nominee Joshua Henry to open Kean Stage

Tony Award Nominee Joshua Henry to open Kean Stage's 2026-2027 season

(HILLSIDE, NJ) -- Kean Stage is thrilled to announce that Joshua Henry, three-time Tony nominee and star of Lincoln Center Theater's Ragtime, will open their 2026-2027 season with two performances of his show Get Up, Stand Up! on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm at Enlow Recital Hall (215 North Avenue) in Hillside.
 

FEATURED EVENTS


Ugly Kid Joe with Special Guests Wheatus and Platinum Moon

Sunday, August 23, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ


Joanna Connor - The Queen of Blues Rock Guitar

Tuesday, August 25, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ


All-4-One - Mayor's Summer Concert Series

Thursday, August 27, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ


Take Me Home - The Phil Collins Tribute

Friday, August 28, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ


Ammy Virk

Friday, August 28, 2026 @ 8:30pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ



 

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