By Bob Makin
originally published: 12/30/2022
The Makin Waves Top 10 Jersey Independent Songs of 2022 are by from left to right and top to bottom: Alexander Simone & WHODAT? Live Crew, Bobby Mahoney and the Seventh Son, Sean Tobin (pictured with his band, the Boardwalk Fire), Eryn, Matt O’Ree Band, Anthony Krizan, JT Bowen, and The Vansaders.
Here’s a look at what I thought were the 10 best songs released in 2022 by independent New Jersey artists, plus an Apple Music playlist of the 25 songs that were considered for the list. The songs are 2022 singles and previously unreleased album tracks.
Alexander Simone & WHODAT? Live Crew, “Even Now” — The 2022 Makin Waves Song of the Year is an uplifting anthem that is soul-stirring and -soaring! Read more here!
Bobby Mahoney and the Seventh Son, “We Go On” — From the City by the Sea that spawned a few anthems comes one from this young man and his crackerjack band who graciously earned the right to stand in the rock ‘n’ roll shoes of the vintage Sounds of Asbury Park while jack hammering a Johnny Clash-like punk sound to make it their own. Read more here.
Sean Tobin, “Ghost of the Arcade” — Like Springsteen’s “Point Blank,” this powerful song looks at a haunting relationship through the lens of Asbury’s old haunts. Read more here!
Eryn, “Beautiful You” — Close your eyes, and you’d swear you’re listening to Gladys Knight, that’s how much soul is in this song sung and co-written (with producer-engineer Anthony Krizan and Cheryl DaVeiga) by a Jersey Girl of whom we all can be proud! Read more here!
Matt O’Ree Band, “He Loves Me Anyway” — Duet by Jersey Shore power couple Matt & Eryn O’Ree about unconditional love that’s as lively as it is lovely. Read more here!
Sean Tobin, “On the Corner of Sunset” — Heartbreak caused by addiction is chronicled here in a cautionary tale reminiscent of Johnny Cash and Social Distortion. Read more here!
Anthony Krizan, “Strawberry Wine” – If Prince jammed with The Impressions, it would sound like this soulful, funky R&B from the multi-hyphenated talent of a master singer-songwriter-guitarist-producer-engineer! Read more here!
JT Bowen, “Angels Among Us” — John Hiatt-like nugget penned by the great Arlen Feiles and treated here like a gospel gift from an Asbury Park soul legend! Read more here!
Alexander Simone & the WHODAT? Live Crew, “Long Way to Go” — Funky sequel to the gospel-inflected “Even Now” featuring a contagious positive vibe. Read more here!
The Vansaders, “My Old Friend” — The Vansaders’ latest great album, “Caught in the Light,” is chuck full of terrific songs released as singles during the past two years, but this was the best of many awesome new ones! Read more here!
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
WBJB's Songwriters on the Beach series presents Nicole Atkins on August 27th
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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'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'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.
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