By Bob Makin
originally published: 12/27/2023
Each year, Makin Waves picks the 12 independent New Jersey music acts who made the most waves. That means extensive touring in support of a new LP or EP, preferably internationally; professional quality narrative videos; singles that garnered broadcast and online radio play (since Spotify rips artists off, Makin Waves doesn’t really care about streams); national press, and other awards. Note that the Dirty Dozen are presented here in alphabetical order:
Colossal Street Jam — Proving that good things come to those who wait, Colossal released a long-awaited LP, “No Way to Live,” then pulled it to announce a 2024 reissue with Fretbar Records, whose owner, Jimmy Warren, also is managing the band and putting them on a national tour in March opening for national acts. Click here for more.
Dogs in a Pile — The Makin Waves 2023 Band of the Year released an excellent studio album, “Bloom,” which fused their tasty jams ‘n’ grooves with great pop songwriting; a live album; professional narrative videos, and lots of live videos, plus they kept on truckin’ on extensive tours that took them as far from home as Iceland, opening for Disco Biscuits. They end the year at Sony Hall and Putnam Place before hitting the road again hard in 2024. Click here for more.
Flycatcher — Asbury Park-based Memory Music recording act Flycatcher toured nationally all year long behind their label debut EP, “Stunt,” which featured singles and videos. Click here for more.
Green Knuckle Material — This New Brunswick-based rap-rock band toured regionally behind the three-song EP, “Blue,” including several shows throughout the East Coast opening for Ballyhoo! Click here for more.
Jackson Pines — My favorite New Jersey band who released my favorite Jersey album, “Pine Barrens, Vol. 1,” followed by one of the scene’s best songs, “Hammer.” It was an absolute pleasure to see Jackson Pines finally get the respect they deserve from the New Jersey Folk Festival and blossom into a perennial favorite like in their Philadelphia home away from home. Click here for more.
LATEWAVES — This Asbury Park-based trio recently released their self-titled label debut for Richmond, Va.-based indie Open Your Eyes Records. Continual touring ensued alongside a couple of really refreshing videos, especially the playful “Frog.” Click here for more.
Louyah — The South Jersey-raised Loud Era recording artist and stakeholder embarked upon a largely sold-out national tour in support of a self-titled LP, his third in as many years. The tour culminated with a high-profile stop at Asbury Lanes, while well-produced videos coincided. Click here for more.
Sam MacPherson — This Jersey Shore singer-songwriter-guitarist’s heavy touring in support of his full-length debut album, “Powerlines,” included a cross-country trek with Australian songsmith Ruel. Sam’s eight-song LP follows the 2021 EP, “Songs for Sam.” He is winner of the Makin Waves Male of Artist of the Year Award. Click here for more.
Renee Maskin — An amazing songwriter and the Makin Waves Female Artist of the Year, Renee stretched her performer muscles as a multi-instrumentalist and flexed her producer muscles on “Shimmer,” which follows the 2023 self-titled debut with her backing band, the Mysterious Wilds, both on North Jersey-based Mint 400 Records. Regional touring accompanied both, along with videos, including the year’s top clip for “Scrimshaw.” Click here for more.
Public Serpents — As long as they keep touring Europe in support of an LP, which this year was “The Bully Puppet,” this Jersey Shore-based ska-core band’s debut for Austrian SBÄM Records, Public Serpents likely will remain among the Dirty Jersey Dozen for the foreseeable future. Another hop across the pond will be in early April for six weeks. Click here for more.
The Vaughns — Celebrating their 10-year anniversary, The Vaughns just came off a hefty fall national tour behind their latest LP, “Egg Everything,” on Equal Vision Records. Tasty videos and national press helped expand the band’s following beyond their Dirty Jersey stronghold. Click here for more.
The Wag — In the midst of celebrating their 25th year as a band, this Jersey Shore-based outfit jumped the pond with a week-long tour of London. A new album, “Blue Bottles and Copper Coins,” spawned well-received singles and videos. And The Wags’ annual Beatles, Halloween, and Christmas Spectaculars also were well-received. 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 Orchestra Players 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.
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