By Bob Makin
originally published: 06/30/2023
Asbury Park singer-songwriter Renee Maskin has released her latest single on Mint 400 Records, “Scrimshaw,” the video for which is a collaboration with her boyfriend, John Decker, as well as the Makin Waves Song of the Week. PHOTO BY JOHN DECKER
There’s only one letter difference between Maskin and Makin, so when Asbury Park singer-songwriter is makin waves, it’s a treat.
Her new Mint 400 Records single, “Scrimshaw,” featuring the best local music video of the year thus far by Renee’s filmmaker/photographer boyfriend, John Decker, is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Scrimshaw” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on June 30 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin or MixCloud.
“The word ‘scrimshaw’ had been rattling around my head since 2019 when I saw a small exhibit of some artifacts up in Maine,” Renee said. “It’s one of those mouthful words that carries a lot of weight, and I knew I wanted to write something good with it. With the lockdown of 2020 came for me a large heap of depression and subsequent uncharacteristic writer’s block. But just like anything else, nothing lasts forever. Eventually, things got better, the fog lifted, and ‘Scrimshaw’ formed itself in a few simple chords and words.
“John took a particular interest in the song and started forming ideas for how to bring it to life visually,” she continued. “Other ideas were stirred in, and the music video turned into a short piece about the work I do, and how I see it, my history, and my place in Asbury Park, New Jersey.”
A richly solid place for sure, Renee recently participated at Asbury Lanes in the latest incarnation of Let’s Get Folked Up, having been on the inaugural bill five years ago.
Coming up, she will open for Del Amitri on July 6 at The Vogel, Red Bank. She’ll also play July 8, The Asbury hotel, Asbury Park; July 14, Old Franklin Schoolhouse, in her hometown of Metuchen; July 18, Seahorse, Asbury Park; July 20 Prototype, Paterson, and Aug. 18, Pino's, Highland Park.
For more, visit reneemaskin.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.
EVENT PREVIEWS
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The Chamber Music Society of North Jersey presents "Music Under the June Moon" at Anderson Park
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The Chamber Music Society of North Jersey presents "Music Under the June Moon" on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Anderson Park. Bring a picnic and a blanket and enjoy an al fresco performance under the stars. Admission is free. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "The Boss Bash" featuring The B-Street Band
(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre will host its annual fundraising event, "The Boss Bash," on Saturday, June 6, 2026, featuring two electrifying performances by The B-Street Band — the longest-running and most requested tribute to Bruce Springsteen in the country.
Sinatra Celebration Concert To Swing in Ocean Grove This June
(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Sinatra Celebration Concert, a theatrical special event to honor the legendary career of musical icon Frank Sinatra, is being presented by producer Karen Morris of Sand Castle Communications and The Rat Pack Music Alliance.
Broadcast Legend Sid Mark to be Remembered at Ocean Grove Event on June 7th
(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Sid Mark, the popular and iconic radio host, sadly passed away four years ago, on April 18th, 2022. Sid’s son Brian Mark, Executive Producer of Orange Productions' nationally syndicated radio program The Sounds of Sinatra with Sid Mark, will be a very special host/guest speaker, at a musical event which will highlight the legacy of his father and celebrate the 70th Anniversary of The Sounds of Sinatra broadcast program.
Prudential Center presents Mexican superstar Carín León on June 7th
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Mexican superstar Carín León entered a bold new chapter of his acclaimed career with the release of Muda - his new studio album and one of the most eclectic of his catalog. See for yourself when he performs at the Prudential Center on Sunday, June 7, 2026. Showtime is 8:00pm.
Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra presents "Music in Bloom" on June 7th
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra (GPYO) will present its Spring Concert, Music in Bloom, on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at Richardson Auditorium on the Princeton University campus. The performance will feature GPYO's top ensembles in a dynamic program of orchestral works by Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and John Philip Sousa. Showtime is 3:00pm.
The Vogel presents Jeffrey Gaines & Josh Joplin on June 7th
(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Vogel presents Jeffrey Gaines & Josh Joplin on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 7:00pm. NOTE: This show was originally scheduled for May 14. All tickets will be honored on the new date.
Orion Weiss Returns to South Jersey on June 7th
(SEWELL, NJ) -- Music at Bunker Hill welcomes pianist Orion Weiss in his third appearance on their series on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 3:00pm. Weiss is a "brilliant pianist" (The New York Times) with "powerful technique and exceptional insight" (The Washington Post).
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