By Bob Makin
originally published: 12/25/2023
Here are the top 10 albums by New Jersey indie artists, according to Makin Waves:
Jackson Pines, “Pine Barrens, Volume One” — With Makin Waves Album of the Year Award-winning “Pine Barrens, Volume One,” Jackson Pines concentrate on the traditional music of the Jersey Pinelands dating as far back as 1700. Yet, their full-on live energy remains intact. Click here for more.
Renee Maskin, “Shimmer” — “Shimmer” is the 2023 Makin Waves Female Artist of the Year Award winner’s masterpiece. The Mint 400 recording artist added a lot hyphens to her singer-songwriter-guitarist tag, including producer and multi-instrumentalist. Click here for more.
Bruce Tunkel, “sixtyandthensome” — Bruce Tunkel has released 10 solo LPs, the latest of which, “sixtyandthensome,” may be his best. I said that about him before, but while Bruce may be getting older, he’s also getting even better as a singer, songwriter, musician and producer. Click here for more.
Fake Pockets, “Reverie” —Another Mint 400 recording act, Fake Pockets’ penchant for power-pop continues on the six-song “Reverie,” the 2023 Makin Waves Award winner for Best EP in an expressive but edgy mash up of Natalie Merchant, The Pixies and Weezer. Click here for more.
Cranston Dean, “Northern Town” — Fans of classic and roots rock will love all six of Cranston’s albums, but “Northern Town” may be his best yet. Whether mining a New Orleans vibe or compassionately waxing political, “Northern Town” is a great place to visit. Click here for more.
The Well Wish, “Promises” — Featuring Makin Waves Best Vocalist Award Winner Anya Angeloni, The Well Wish’s long-awaited EP is a five-song affair of the heart that chronicles a promise of one kind or another, as well as the complicated intricacies of relationships. Click here for more.
Dogs in a Pile, “Bloom” — Fans of 311, O.A.R. and Slightly Stoopid will dig the reggae-tinged jam ‘n’ groove of Dogs in a Pile’s sophomore LP, just as the Dog Pound delighted in a maturation of songwriting and harmonies that lived up to the LP’s title and matched the 2023 Makin Waves Band of the Year’s stellar musicianship. Click here for more.
Juliana Frangella, “Intrusive Thoughts” — If Taylor Swift was haunted by the ghost of Warren Zevon, it might sound like the empathetic reliability, witty wordplay and skewering sarcasm of this 10-song full-length debut masterfully crafted by Makin Waves Producer of the Year Mike Montrey. Click here for more.
San Tropez, “Maybe Tomorrow” — This full-length Mint 400 debut from a local supergroup featuring members of some of New Brunswick’s best ‘90s bands is the epitome of why artists never should give up on their art. The 10-song “Maybe Tomorrow,” which converges the San Tropez’s roots in shoegaze, dream pop, and indie rock, was reissued this summer by Shore Dive Records. Click here for more.
The Vaughns, “Egg Everything” — On the eve of their 10th anniversary as a band, The Vaughns released their full-length debut for Equal Vision Records. “Egg Everything” follows the 2021 EP, “rom-coms + take-out,” their first venture for the Albany-based indie, home to Coheed and Cambria. Click here for more.
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
Essex County Summer Players Orchestra present "Made in America" on August 2nd
(LIVINGSTON, NJ) -- As local residents and friends stroll, bike or jog around the Livingston Oval on Tuesday evenings this July, musicians from several community orchestras are gathering in the township's high school band room to celebrate works "Made in America."
New Jersey Symphony to Make Rowan's Marie Rader Series Debut with "Life & Liberty" on July 22nd
(GLASSBORO, NJ) -- The Marie Rader Series will launch its 2026-27 season, entitled "Life & Liberty," with the New Jersey Symphony's Rowan University debut. On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players featuring Rowan University Strings Faculty & Alumni will perform at Pfleeger Concert Hall. Showtime is 7:00pm.
The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny and the music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny - The Music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Dude Cervantes & The Panchos will open the night. Doors are at 7:00pm, music starts at 7:30pm.
Shinedown to Play Shows in Newark and Philly in July
(NEWARK, NJ) -- One of the biggest bands in the world, Shinedown, will be releasing their brand new studio album EI8HT on May 29, 2026 (via Atlantic Records) and released the new song "Outlaw." In addition, they announced their massive Dance Kid Dance Act II World Tour, taking the band to 11 countries across 54 dates, including local stops at Prudential Center in Newark on Tuesday, July 21st and Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Thursday, July 23rd.
Middletown Arts Center presents Reina Williams + The Remedy
(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The Middletown Arts Center presents a concert featuring Reina Williams + The Remedy on Thursday, July 23, 2026. Special guest performers Renee Maskin and Patrick Bamburak will open the show. Enjoy an evening of original music spanning reggae, hip-hop, soul, folk, Americana, and indie rock from some of New Jersey's most talented musicians. Showtime is 7:00pm.
Harmonium Choral Society presents "I Dreamed Last Night" on July 23rd
(MADISON, NJ) -- On Thursday, July 23, 2026, Harmonium Choral Society presents I Dreamed Last Night. Directed by Lennie Watts with music direction by John Fischer, I Dreamed Last Night is a one woman show with Gloria Bangiola. There are songs and stories about dreams, hopes, wishes, ambitions, fantasies, nightmares, impossibilities and that big ol' American one we are all still working to make real. Showtime is 7:00pm.
HOT 97's Summer Jam 2026 to Take Place July 24th at Prudential Center
(NEWARK, NJ) -- HOT 97, New York's #1 station for Hip Hop, is once again bringing the culture's biggest night back to the tri-state area with Summer Jam 2026, on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark. Produced by The Black Promoters Collective, Summer Jam continues its legacy as the most iconic Hip Hop concert in the world.
Strand Center for the Arts presents Lover Taylor - Tribute to Taylor Swift on Friday
(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- Swifties of all ages are invited to sing, dance and celebrate the music of one of pop's biggest superstars when Lover Taylor – Tribute to Taylor Swift comes to the Strand Center for the Arts on Friday, July 24, 2026 at 8:00pm.
Grammy-Winning Superstars Erica Campbell and Jonathan McReynolds to Headline 2026 Gospel Music Festival
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Middlesex County, as part of its FolkLIVE free community event series, will host its third annual Gospel Music Festival in New Brunswick (2 Livingston Ave) on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 3:30pm to 7:30pm. This year's star-studded lineup features multi-Grammy-winning performer Erica Campbell—known both for her solo work and as part of the dynamic "Mary Mary" duo—and Billboard chart-topper Jonathan McReynolds as the headliners.
Mahwah Museum Hosts "Unlock the Fretboard" Guitar Workshop with Mark Sganga on July 25th
(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Guitar players of all levels are invited to "Unlock the Fretboard," a hands-on guitar workshop taking place on Saturday, July 25, from 11:00am to 2:00pm, with a short break included, at The Mahwah Museum. The workshop will be taught by Mark Sganga, an International Fingerstyle Guitar Champion, bringing expert instruction and high-level musicianship to this special event. Designed to help players better understand the fretboard through a system of caged chords and scales, the workshop offers practical strategies that participants can apply immediately in their playing.
FEATURED EVENTS
