By Bob Makin
originally published: 07/29/2022
“I Can’t Wait Any Longer,” the first of three singles from Mike Montrey Band’s forthcoming album, “Searching For My Soul,” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE MONTREY
The great Americana stylings of Mike Montrey Band can be heard with the first single and video from the forthcoming album, “Searching For My Soul.”
The chunky country-soul nugget “I Can’t Wait Any Longer,” the first of three singles leading to the seven-song LP on Sept. 22, is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “I Can’t Wait Any Longer” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on July 29 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you also can tune in any time at The Penguin or MixCloud.
No strangers to Makin Waves, “I Can’t Wait Any Longer” marks the band’s fourth Song of the week since 2020, while the namesake leader of the band was the 2018 Makin Waves Male Artist of the Year, and backing vocalist Jen Augustine was the 2020 Makin Waves Vocalist of the Year.
The latest album’s high octane six-piece band also includes longtime bassist Anthony Duca, keyboardist John Ginty, pedal steel guitarist Jack Stanton, and drummer Brian Prokop. Since 2011, MMB has released “Weaving the Basket” (2011)”; Song by Song By Song,” which reached the Top Ten on the Relix Radio charts in 2014; “John Street,” released in 2018 and produced by Grammy winner Hod David; the 2020 EP “In the Middle of Hope, and the live album “Live Cal Series, Vol. 1,” recorded in 2019 at the Highland Brewing Co. in Asheville, NC. Mike also has released several solo albums and LPs with his early band, water. He also toured extensively with the Colorado jam band The Samples.
Produced by two-time Grammy-winner Marc Swersky (Joe Cocker, Hillary Duff) and mixed by Seth von Paulus (Smashing Pumpkins, Christina Aguilera, “Searching for My Soul” also features “Reno,” a western tale set in the place Johnny Cash made famous, and “So Long City of Angels,” a landmark nod to L.A. featuring another beautiful duet between Mike & Jen.
The LP’s soul-searching theme also references several other locales Mike has traveled to and/or performed in but in fictional or impressionistic ways, he said. Geography also plays a prominent role in the fiery, anthem “Listen to Me Roar,” spanning from Colorado to San Francisco to Tuscaloosa, and the acoustic “Searching for the Sun,” featuring travels to Mexico, Louisiana and Syracuse.
“The title of the album really says a lot about the songs we recorded,” Mike said. “It’s what they and my journey, be it through the lens of past, present or potential future, are about. Never settled in my mind and for a while in my body. It’s a beautiful thing, but it can sometimes be difficult to navigate daily. These tunes are about those physical and emotional journeys, whether it’s my narrative or a narrative told from another’s perspective.”
Speaking of geography, Mike will cover a bunch when he plays July 29 and Aug. 6 at Stagehouse Tavern, Somerset; Aug. 12, Stagehouse Tavern, Mountainside; Aug. 20, Big Bear Concert Series, Lambertville, and Sept. 23, Asburyfest, Asbury Park. For more info, go to mikemontreyband.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.
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Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul to Headline Concert at ParkStage on July 17th
(FREEHOLD, NJ) -- Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul will headline a concert at ParkStage on Friday, July 17, 2026 that fans of Jersey music will love. The lineup includes Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, Jake Clemons Band, Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers with Gary U.S. Bonds, and The Weeklings. Showtime is 4:00pm.
Scottish Rite Auditorium hosts An Evening with Patty Griffin & Kathleen Edwards
(COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- The Scottish Rite Auditorium hosts An Evening with Patty Griffin & Kathleen Edwards on Friday, July 17, 2026 at 8:00pm. The concert is presented by the Camden County Board of Commissioners.
LoMotion Live Presents America at 250: A Celebration in Song to Benefit Elks Army of Hope
(PARSIPPANY, NJ) -- LoMotion Live invites the community to an inspiring evening of music, storytelling, and patriotism with America at 250: A Celebration in Song, a special benefit cabaret on Friday, July 17, 2026 at the Parsippany Arts Center. Showtime is 7:30pm. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Elks Army of Hope, a charitable program dedicated to providing assistance to veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families during times of need.
The Menzingers to Celebrate Album Release at Stone Pony on Friday
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- The Stone Pony presents The Menzingers' Album Release Show on Friday, July 17, 2026. The band will be celebrating the release of "Everything I Ever Saw". At this point, the Philadelphia punk legends are an absolute institution.
Grounds For Sculpture and Third Way Cultural Alliance to Present an Intimate Evening of Art and Music on July 18th
(HAMILTON, NJ) -- Grounds For Sculpture (GFS) and Third Way Cultural Alliance announce a special evening celebrating the power of creative freedom through music, art and conversation. "Creative Freedom: A Salon Experience featuring Marshall Allen, Salvador Jiménez-Flores and Jamaaladeen Tacuma," will take place on Saturday, July 18, 2026 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm.
bergenPAC presents Swingtime Big Band on Saturday
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- New York's high-powered Swingtime Big Band returns to Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) on Saturday, July 18, 2026 to celebrate America250 by showcasing the popular music that kept Americans dancing for decades—from the Lindy and Fox Trot to the Cha Cha to the Twist! Showtime is 8:00pm.
DePue Brothers Band to Bring "Grassical" Music to Sewell
(SEWELL, NJ) -- Music at Bunker Hill welcomes the DePue Brothers Band on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at 3:00pm. In a departure from the series' customary chamber music fare, the DePue Brothers Band has long coined their music with the term "grassical," the combination of bluegrass with jazz, blues, rock, folk, and classical.
Albert Music Hall's "Back to Our Roots" Benefit on Sunday to Support Preservation of Pinelands Music History
(WARETOWN, NJ) -- Albert Music Hall will present Back to Our Roots, a special fundraising concert on Sunday, July 19, 2026, inviting music lovers to enjoy an afternoon of live performances while helping preserve an important piece of New Jersey's musical heritage.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Heather Maloney & Hayley Reardon on Sunday
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Heather Maloney & Hayley Reardon on Sunday, July 19, 2026. Doors are at 7:00pm, showtime is 7:30pm.
FEATURED EVENTS
