NEWS | FEATURES | PREVIEWS | EVENTS

originally published: 01/29/2023

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- "Yes," The GIG USA, LLC creator and Executive Producer Nicholas Koontz firmly predicts, "The GIG USA is single-handedly reviving the live album recording concept for today's fans and audience, and we're going to give them more than they've ever received from a concert performance, in more ways than one!"

Born out of an idea that germinated at the start of the pandemic lockdown that swept the east coast and much of the nation, The GIG, as it's known for short, began from an interest and concern that independent bands and musicians had lost their ability to play publicly and reach their fans, to say nothing of their livlihood, in traditional ways. All venues were closed and many resourceful musicians turned to alternative ways to play publicly through steaming technology.

The idea behind The GIG USA, LLC is a unique package for audiences and artists, alike. Parlaying off the idea that live albums, which were a rarity but occassional staple of the record industry of generations ago, were a bonus to fans and produced some exciting live versions of studio recordings and new material, as well. Live albums were some great recordings and a special treat for the audiences and, especially, avid fans, knowing they were there and saw it played live.

"We turn it up a couple of notches, however," adds Co-Producer David Uldrich, "we're putting multiple 4K cameras into the mix so that we can record it, then post-produce the camera footage along with the audio mix and then deliver that to the audience in two additional formats - as a stream online and as a recorded album that they can digitally download and play on any of their available devices," David states, "No other concert performance can say that! We want the audience to fully enjoy each performance of The GIG USA events to be more than just an evening's show. The content should be enjoyed in as many ways as possible, and that's what we're going to deliver."

The GIG USA's premier event is "Hey, I'm From Freehold Too!" - An Evening With Eddie Testa And His Band, scheduled to be performed on Friday, February 24th, 2023 at the House Of Independents in Asbury Park, NJ. This concert performance, will be MC'd by Steve Trevelise of NJ 101.5 and will feature Eddie Testa, along with his band, who will accompany Eddie on original selections from his earliest recordings to his latest releases. Steve Trevelise will also be doing a much anticipated stand-up during the break between Eddie's and his band's performance and the recorded show will be streamed online at a later date (TBA).

 

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"We recorded over two albums of new material during the pandemic," Eddie Testa elaborates, "The Eddie Testa Band's latest release is The L Sessions, he adds, "The CD cover says, 'Live In Studio A' and I think we achieved what a live recording would sound like."

So, recording his next album in front of a live audience, as well, is just a natural progression for the talents of The Eddie Testa Band. Go to any of their local appearances and you will be drawn into a soulful musical party atmosphere anywhere they play. And like days ago, their fans travel to see them play regularly all over Jersey Shore and beyond.

This performance, however, will not be the slick covers that the ETB regularly performs, but it will be a totally original night of music from the versatile musical artist that is Eddie Testa, a voice you can not ignore musically, but now will tell his story in this production of "Hey, I'm From Freehold Too!" - An Evening With Eddie Testa And His Band! And if  The L Sessions album holds any glimpse of what to expect on February 24th at 8:00pm at House Of Independents, wonder no further because this event should not to be missed musically, personally and theatrically.

"The unique opportunity Eddie's and the band's avid fans have to experience this evening and be a part of this recording in both high-quality audio and 4K video is an exciting one, I think," states Nicholas Koontz, "and we believe that this event will be an extaordinary night of music, as well. As everyone knows who has seen their appearances, Eddie Testa and The Eddie Testa Band know how to entertain and deliver a performance. I've seen that personally, several times, and they always deliver!" Nick adds.

Tickets for the House Of Independence box office are available for purchase online.

House of Independents is located at 572 Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park, New Jersey.