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
Telegraph Quartet to Perform on the Morris Museum's Back Deck to Kick Off Its Celebrated Summer Outdoor Concerts Series
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- On Thursday, June 11, 2026, the Telegraph Quartet will return to perform for the Morris Museum's seventh annual Back Deck season. This outdoor concert series began during the pandemic, and The New York Times describes it as "Live Music Splendor in a Parking Lot." Showtime is 7:30pm.
Carteret PAC presents Jo Dee Messina
(CARTERET, NJ) -- Chart-topping country music icon Jo Dee Messina will perform at The URSB Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center on Friday, June 12, 2026. Messina is known for her powerful vocals and extensive catalog including nine number-one hits, 16 Top 40 songs, and awards and nominations from the ACM, CMA, AMA, Billboard, and the Grammys. Showtime is 8:000pm.
SOPAC to Celebrate 20th Anniversary with Gala 20: Featuring Max Weinberg's Jukebox
(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) will celebrate its 20th Anniversary on Friday, June 12, 2026 with Gala 20: Featuring Max Weinberg's Jukebox — a venue-wide celebration from 5:00pm–11:00pm.
Trenton City Museum presents Art & Song: A Musical Gallery on June 12th
(TRENTON, NJ) -- Trenton City Museum presents the concert Art & Song: A Musical Gallery on Friday, June 12, 2026 at 6:30pm. Versatile vocalists Tom Chiola and Pam Jorgensen, accompanied by the George Sinkler Trio, will delight audience members with selections from Broadway, Blues, Jazz, and more. Transformed into a stylish jazz café, the museum will also provide delicious food and beverages amid the art of the just-opened Ellarslie Open 43 exhibition. Doors will open at 6:00pm.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Jason Ricci on Friday
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Multiple award winning jazz, funk and blues harmonica player, singer, songwriter Jason Ricci comes to the Lizzie Rose Music Room on Friday, June 12, 2026. Doors are at 7:00pm, showtime is 7:30pm.
French Montana to Headline Grand Opening of Dream Live Performing Arts Center
(EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ) -- American Dream will celebrate the region's opening World Cup match between Brazil and Morocco with the debut of its newest venue, the Dream Live Performing Arts Center, with a postgame concert by French Montana on June 13, 2026 at 9:00pm.
Outlaw Country Comes to the Jersey Pines at Albert Music Hall on Saturday
(WARETOWN, NJ) -- The outlaw spirit of classic Country music will ride into Albert Music Hall on Saturday, June 13, 2026, as the historic Waretown venue presents a special evening dedicated to the songs, stories, and the independent spirit of Outlaw Country.
Sergio Mendes' Wife, Gracinha Leporace, Brings His 'Best Band Ever' to New Jersey
Sixty years ago, Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 (A&M Records) emerged as both a masterful artistic statement and a major commercial breakthrough album. The record helped introduce the sophisticated rhythms and cool elegance of Brazilian bossa nova and samba to a truly global audience, blending Brazilian musical traditions with American pop, jazz, and contemporary studio production and repertoire.
Marc Ribler & Friends to perform Paul McCartney birthday tribute "When I'm 84" at Axelrod PAC
(DEAL, NJ) -- As a tribute to Sir Paul McCartney's upcoming 84th birthday in June, Jersey Shore musician Marc Ribler has put together an all-star lineup to perform "When I'm 84" at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14, 2026.
Levoy Theatre presents Paul Thorn on June 18th
(MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents Paul Thorn on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. When it comes to songwriting, less is more, and simplicity is strength. Just ask Paul Thorn, who’s spent three decades turning soulful grooves and small syllables into songs that pack a big wallop.
MORE EVENTS
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