The Makin Waves Song of the Week is “Maybe Next Christmas,” a new single by Jersey-raised singer-songwriter Carolyn Marosy. PHOTO BY ROBERT LANGDON
For all those who are lonely, depressed and anxious during the communal holiday season of joy and peace, a Jersey-raised singer-songwriter has written an anthem of hope for you.
”Maybe Next Christmas” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Maybe Next Christmas” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Dec. 13 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and Mixcloud.
Carolyn’s main goals in writing music are to empower the listener to live an authentic life, to heal from the traumas that we experience as humans, and to release the fears that hold us back from achieving our dreams.
“‘Maybe Next Christmas’ speaks to the sadness and depression of a lonely Christmas, and lights a candle of inspiration for the future,” she said.
A follow-up to her well-received 2022 EP, “Loners, Misfits and Rebels,” the holiday single was produced by Barb Morrison, recorded by Jeremy Kinney, mixed by Dan Malsch, and mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the single will benefit Teen Cancer America.
“Together, we can make a difference through the joy of music, and the Christmas spirit,” Carolyn said.
Carolyn plays rock ‘n’ roll rooted in punk, blues and folk. Her deeply personal songwriting celebrates diversity, resilience and authenticity.
Carolyn is a lifelong musician from New Jersey now based in Kingston, NY. She is performing in a solo, stripped-down format but hopes to assemble a band in the new year, as well as write her memoir about growing from being a young punk on the local scene to now a seasoned singer-songwriter.
“I’ve performed with bands for most of my life,” she said. “For the last several years, I decided I would challenge myself in a new direction and give the listener an experience that can only be found at a live show. Please enjoy the record as intended: loud and proud, and come on out to hear something a little different.”
On the first Sunday of every month at Rock DaCasbah in Saugerties, NY, “Peaceful Revolution: Carolyn Marosy Presents..." features Carolyn with a special guest from 3-6 pm.
Carolyn also will participate in and inspired a Makin Waves Round Table discussion also with Christine Martucci, Danielle & Chrissy Marrone, and possibly others at 1 pm on Sunday, Jan. 12 at Georgie’s Bar, Asbury Park. A transcription with a video of the round table will be posted to New Jersey Stage by Jan. 20, but the public is welcome to experience it live.
Here is what Carolyn wrote on Facebook that inspired the round table:
“It is incredibly difficult to hear the cries from my family and friends about their abject terror regarding what is to come with the incoming administration, but this is our reality. I have one friend, an absolute treasure to their family, friends, community and this country, who is packing up their life and their wife to LEAVE the country in one month, because they fear for their safety. Do you think it’s what they want to do?! NO. They have homes, careers, and full lives, but they are THAT concerned. I have cousins with young children who are afraid to raise their children in this climate of hatred for the LGBTQ community, POC, a rise in misogyny and loss of women’s rights, but cannot leave. I have other LGBTQ friends who cannot leave the country but JUST WANT TO LIVE A PEACEFUL EXISTENCE, but the $200 million spent on anti-trans campaigns are increasing the level of dangers to do so.
“Why are we targeting people who just want to live in peace? Stop arguing about trans people in sports or any other profession. You sound like a bigot from 1950. Stop saying it’s ‘unfair.’ Do you know what’s unfair? Not letting people live authentic lives.
“An AUTHENTIC LIFE IS FREEDOM. (Read that again and again until it sinks in.)
“You know what’s unfair? Cancelling games because another teammate is better, and making that person feel inhuman! Do you really think, with all of the backlash, people are ‘becoming trans’ to win a game? They are putting their lives on the line … if they have the strength. Maybe they don’t have that strength, so they hurt themselves or worse, suicide. Is that OK because it’s not your kid?
“What has happened to ‘live and let live?’ What has happened to ‘liberty and justice for all?’ What has happened to ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?’ Did you trade all of that in for the price of eggs? The love of guns? Your personal religious beliefs? Your need to tell others how to live?
“Do you understand I fear for the rights and safety of my wife and I? Do those of you who voted for DT care if our marriage and all our rights and protections are abolished? Do you care if WE are abolished by some religious extremist who doesn’t think we’re even human?
“Many of you know I walk the line of a positive mental attitude but I am finding it increasingly difficult to accept that your privilege will not even consider that the rights of other Americans should be respected and protected.
“So many calling themselves ‘patriots’ when all they are doing is hurting people who aren’t like them. Their hatred comes in many forms, as we are now seeing! Everything from internet trolling to physical attacks. How can you justify personal attacks against another human who is just trying to live in peace?
“It is as if we do not care about basic human rights at all. And there is ONE person responsible for empowering those of you who justify his words and actions, and he’s about to take office in January! His supporters think he gives the right to destroy the lives that others are leading in peace!
“I am searching my heart daily to rise above this; and I have to tell you: it hasn’t been easy. I consider myself a strong person and I will not be broken. However, as much as I want to connect with everyone and bring people together, I do not believe some are even listening. They DON’T care. And right now, I’m finding it difficult to exend a hand in ‘friendship’ to those people because I am reaching for those hands who are DROWNING because of this mess. And I can’t do both.
“I guess the bottom line is this: we need to hold each other up for the next four years. I already know who let go of my hand and doesn’t care if I drown. For the rest of you, I will grab your hand. Please do the same, because we are all going to need it.”
Extremely, well said! Thank you, Carolyn. For more about her, click https://carolynmarosy.com.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected].
