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Makin Waves Song of the Week: "You're My Life" by Project 18 feat. Dave Vargo

by Bob Makin
03/17/2023

Project 18, a local supergroup led by Dave Vargo, once again is the Makin Waves Song of the Week with their tune “You’re My Life” from their EP, “Pomona.” 

You can’t really wrong when your band consists of local favorites Dave Vargo on lead vocals and guitar, Jonathan Tea on lead vocals and keyboards, Arlan Feiles on organ, Dan Haase on bass, Kim Boyko on backing vocals, and Tim Pannella behind the drums, as well as the recording console. And that is the case with Project 18 and their EP, “Pomona.”

On behalf of newly recorded songwriters Jay Weiner and Scott Rubine, Dave organized the band and produced “Pomona” with Tim, the drummer, engineer and co-producer of his three solo LPs. The heartfelt track “You’re My Life” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.

As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “You’re My Life” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on March 17 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin or MixCloud.

A studio-only project, the local supergroup doesn’t play out, but members are busy performing their own material or working with others. 





 

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The 2021 Makin Waves Songwriter of the Year, Dave Vargo can be enjoyed March 17 at The Asbury hotel, Asbury Park, with Brian Molnar & Slow Rolling Low and Sam Houseal Band; March 19, Pattenburg House, Asbury (Hunterdon County), with Brian Molnar & Slow Rolling Low, and April 21, John & Peter’s, New Hope, with Mike Montrey Band. Dave’s weekly “2forTuesday” show on Facebook Live featuring him performing with a guest continues March 21 with Stella Mrowicki, March 28 with Mike Montali, and April 4 with a special third anniversary show. 

Multi-talented Arlan Feiles will play March 17 at Independence Brewing Co. in Austin as part of SXSW; April 8, Asbury Ocean Club; Asbury Park, and April 14 at Mesa Music Festival in Arizona. He expects to tour Europe again in the fall. 

Dan Haase is the bassist in Rachel Ana Dobken’s band, who currently are gigging throughout Austin for SXSW. He also plays with the cover band We Will Be Fine who frequently plays at the MJ’s restaurant chain throughout Central Jersey. 

Jonathan Tea, who will be releasing a solo single within the next couple of months, is the keyboardist and a vocalist in the country-rock band Hooper, the 2022 Makin Waves Best New Artist Award winner.  In support of their latest single, “Shot Down,” they will play May 7 at White Chapel Projects, Long Branch, and May 18, St. Laurent, Asbury Park. 

Tim Pannella, whose credits include The Front Bottoms, The Bouncing Souls, Brian Fallon, and The Parlor Mob, is always busy in his Central Jersey studio. Find out more at https://soundbetter.com/profiles/181100-tim-pannella. 

Visit Kim Boyko at https://instagram.com/kimboykomusic for upcoming activity. 

For more about Project 18, visit https://davevargomusic.com.




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



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.
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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Joe

Joe Russo's Almost Dead

Thursday, November 12, 2026
@ 7:30pm

State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ

Joe Russo's Almost Dead is Marco Benevento, Dave Dreiwitz, Tom Hamilton, Scott Metzger and Joe Russo. We're a Grateful Dead cover band.

 

McCarter

McCarter at the Museum: An Evening with Jason Robert Brown

Thursday, November 12, 2026
@ 7:00pm

Princeton Art Museum
Princeton, NJ

Join us for McCarter at the Museum - renowned performing artists in one-night only events at the Princeton University Art Museum. 

 

John

John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band

Friday, November 13, 2026
@ 8:00pm

Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
Carteret, NJ

The legendary Rhode Island multi-platinum rock’n’roll group JOHN CAFFERTY & THE BEAVER BROWN BAND began their career in 1973 and achieved mainstream success in the 1980s with the “Eddie & The Cruisers – Motion Picture Soundtrack”. The hit single “ON THE DARK SIDE” held the “#1” position on the Billboard Rock charts and the MTV video charts for five consecutive weeks.

 

Griffin

Griffin House

Friday, November 13, 2026
@ 7:30pm

Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ

“If you are looking to be blown away by raw talent, then look no further than Griffin House.” —American Songwriter

 

Floyd

Floyd Pink - Celebrating The Music of Pink Floyd

Saturday, November 14, 2026
@ 7:30pm

Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ

FLOYD PINK is a Pink Floyd tribute band from the New York metro area, celebrating the music of Pink Floyd.  

 

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EVENT PREVIEWS

(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

NJPAC presents Gregory Porter with special guests Madeleine Peyroux and Catherine Russell

(NEWARK, NJ) -- With a voice that can fill a concert hall and make every listener feel personally embraced, Gregory Porter has become one of the most beloved artists in contemporary jazz. On Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm, the two-time GRAMMY® winner returns to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) with special guests Madeleine Peyroux and Catherine Russell for an evening of soulful expression, exquisite storytelling and remarkable vocal artistry, presented as part of the TD James Moody Jazz Festival.



Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Friday

Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Friday

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 7:30pm. Griffin House is an American singer-songwriter and storyteller who has been making records for over 20 years.



KANSAS to perform at Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday

KANSAS to perform at Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday

(COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- One of classic rock's most iconic bands, KANSAS, will perform at the Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm. This "garage band" from Topeka released their debut album in 1974 after being discovered by Wally Gold, who worked for Don Kirshner, and have gone on to sell more than 30 million albums worldwide. A limited number of tickets remain.



NJPAC presents Jesse Cook on Saturday

NJPAC presents Jesse Cook on Saturday

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Jesse Cook on Saturday, November 14, 2026 in the Victoria Theater at 8:00pm. A global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music's power to connect people across cultures and continents.



Forte Piano Music Company presents Exquisite Contrasts: Haydn & Schubert Piano Trios

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 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.



Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition to take place on Sunday

Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition to take place on Sunday

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- You can get your holiday shopping done on Sunday, November 15, 2026 when Anchor Rock Club hosts the Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition.  The event runs from noon to 6:00pm.



Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell

Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell

(HOPEWELL, NJ) -- Song of the Meadowlark takes place Sunday, November 15, 2026 at Highland Design Farm. This is a meditative rock odyssey weaving reimagined contemporary songs, stream-of-consciousness poetry, and live painting. Doors are at 2:00pm, showtime is 2:30pm.



Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Chris Smither

Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Chris Smither

(AVENEL, NJ) -- Chris Smither will perform at the Avenel Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. Born in Miami, during World War II, Chris Smither grew up in New Orleans where he first started playing music as a child. The son of a Tulane University professor, he was taught the rudiments of instrumentation by his uncle on his mother's ukulele.