The amazing Jersey Shore singer-songwriter Emily Grove is the May Makin Waves Artist of the Month. PHOTO BY MARNIE MITCHELL
Emily Grove has been a Jersey Shore treasure since before she was a teen playing coffeehouses, such as Coffee Blue in Belmar and Espresso Joe's in Keyport. Raised in Wall by music-loving parents who often shared tasty tunes around the dinner table, Emily musically matured in Asbury Park with the help of scenesters, such as New Jersey Stage editor-publisher Gary Wien and music educator-musician Jody Joseph, cousin to Jon Bon Jovi.
After her nurturing in Asbury, Emily set loose for the world. Great gigs have included national television and radio appearances and tours in the UK and Europe. The Berklee College of Music grad has opened up for and performed with British artist David Ford on a two-month tour of the UK, Ireland, the U.S., and Canada, as well as had her own headlining tour in Germany, Bulgaria, England, and the U.S. She regularly gets hired to sing backup for many artists for their live shows and recording sessions. She’s also worked with Glen Burtnik, Steve Forbert, Jay Leno, and UK artist Jack Henderson, among many others.
Emily sang backup for David Gray on the “Today” show and Social Distortion at the Stone Pony Summer Stage. She has opened up for Brett Michaels, Dan Reed, Ari Hest, The Strawbs, Griffin House, and many others. She’s performed regularly with Glen Burtnik in his expansive productions, including “Summer of Love,” “British Invasion,” Beatles tributes, and “Last Waltz” shows.
Emily also has done great gigs with fellow City by the Sea songstresses, such as the late, great Anjelia Pelay, the epic Reagan Richards, and the amazing Jillian Rhys McCoy. In addition to Glen’s shows, they include performing Blondie’s ‘Rapture’ during the New Jersey Hall of Fame induction of Deborah Harry and Reagan’s own country-rock duo with Gordon Brown, Williams Honor.
PHOTO BY CONNI FREESTONE
As a solo act, Emily has won awards for Best Female Acoustic Act at the 2011 to 2014 Asbury Music Awards and won three Jersey Acoustic Music Awards for Best Female Singer in 2011 and 2012 and Best Female Songwriter in 2011. Emily continues to showcase her solo material. Her 2011 debut EP, “Way Across the Sea,” was produced by Jack Daley, and her most recent full-length release, 2015’s “Life of A Commoner,” was produced by Seventh Wave Studio. She is working on new solo music for a 2025 release.
Emily also released the 2015 collaboration “Emily Grove & Homeless Apians,” as well as three records with the electronic rock outfit Daughter Vision: the 2016 LP, “Do What You Want,” the 2017 LP, “Accomplices,” and the 2019 EP, “DV.” Fairly inactive since the pandemic, a DV announcement is coming soon.
She recently created her own tribute to Joni Mitchell called Emily Grove’s “Joni Jam,” where she celebrates the singer-songwriter’s legendary catalog with an incredible eight-piece band and special guests. She once again is working to take this show across the country, which she did in 2024 to positive feedback and social media promotion from Joni herself.
As an actor, she’s danced next to Natalie Portman in a Bar Mitzvah scene on “Saturday Night Live,” and threw a girl out of a car for Darren Aronofsky’s Montana Meth commercial.
While every day brings a new, unusual experience for this exceptional artist, Makin Waves got the chance to speak with her and to name her its Artist of the Month for May. Enjoy the following career-spanning chat:
Where did you grow up and how did it influence you musically?
I grew up in Wall Township, which isn't known for music, but my lovely middle school choir teacher, Valerie May, always encouraged me and gave me solos, which did wonders for my confidence.
When and how did you gravitate to Asbury Park?
Since I was 11, I was playing in local coffee houses, like Coffee Blue in Belmar and Espresso Joe's in Keyport, and I even competed in Big Joe's Talent Show in Point Pleasant. I won. I also performed at the Stone Pony with Jody Joseph's band as one of her students, which was a great experience. The summer before I left for Berklee College of Music, I signed up for Gary Wien's Twisted Covers at the Twisted Tree in Asbury Park. It was The Who, and I sang ‘Acid Queen,’ ‘Behind Blue Eyes,’ and one original. That was when I met so many Asbury Park musicians and made so many friends. I'll never forget my first gig at The Saint, thanks to Scott Stamper.
What has been the best part of the revitalization of Asbury Park and why, and what’s been the worst part and why?
I'm too young to have experienced either the glory days of Asbury or the dismal days when the place was a ghost town, but there was a sweet spot there for a while with lots of places to play and a great camaraderie and spirit. Things are more difficult now, with places like The Saint closing and other bars using DJs or not booking local acts.
Are you friends with Nicole Atkins? If so, what impact has she had on you?
Well, Nicole and I once performed at the Stone Pony for one of Marc Muller's Grateful Dead Shows. I think she may have sung ‘Scarlet Begonias.’ We haven't run into each other much, but she's always been complimentary toward me, and I admire her talent and accomplishments.
One of your friends is Anjelia Pelay. What do you miss most about her and why?
Anj was my best friend, and it's still painful to think about her death. She should still be here.
Emily Grove, far right, is pictured with Reagan Richards, far left, and David Gray backstage at the “Today” show. PHOTO BY REAGAN RICHARDS
Another friend is Reagan Richards, whom you’ve done a variety of gigs with, including Glen Burtnik’s Summer of Love, performing Blondie’s ‘Rapture’ during the New Jersey Hall of Fame induction of Deborah Harry, and Reagan’s own country-rock duo with Gordon Brown, Williams Honor. What do you love most about Reagan as both a singer and a friend?
Reagan and I are partners in crime, and we've shared so many great musical highs and some hilarious, wacky adventures. It's wonderful to be able to laugh at all the craziness around us and still be able to count on each other to be total professionals. I know I can count on Reagan to come through for me, and she knows the same about me.
Are you a classically trained musician and/or singer?
I took classical vocal lessons with Valerie Sorel in NYC, and Eric Trudel was her partner and my vocal coach. Valerie worked with the technical aspects of my voice, and Eric handled the technical aspects of the songs and language pronunciation. He wrote me the most amazing ‘ornaments’ for the pieces I was singing, designed specifically for me. And every aspect of my singing is thanks to Valerie.
How often do you sing opera, and where do you most often do that?
A career in classical singing is an incredible commitment, and while I'd love the opportunity to perform, it's not something that presents itself.
Do you prefer singing folk and rock?
I've always loved all genres of music. Keep in mind, I went to Berklee College of Music, where the emphasis is on jazz. So, I like singing all good music.
Please tell me about your plans to release solo original music this year. What will you be releasing, when and how?
I've been writing every chance I get and hope to have original music released soon. Stay tuned!
Out of all the sessions, features and gigs you’ve had, which are the most memorable and why?
It’s truly hard to choose, but here it goes: First, when I went on tour in the UK, Ireland, U.S., and Canada with David Ford because he is such an incredible musician and lifelong friend, as well as it was my first real tour ever. Secondly, I’d have to say that I was a massive fan of David Gray for years, so when I had the opportunity to sing backup for him on the ‘Today’ show, I was absolutely over the moon. He is not only talented, but he’s a wonderful person. Thirdly, I’d have to say that my Joni shows are such fun and also musically challenging. We have played in so many incredible venues, but my friends and I got to live out my bucket list and perform ‘Shadows and Light, and I’ll never forget it. Lastly, when I got to perform at TEDx at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park … was truly an honor to hear everyone’s TED Talk and then get to go up there and perform myself. It was unbelievably amazing.
What sessions, features and gigs do you have coming up?
I have a few things that are in the works that I really can't talk about right now. If you follow me on Instagram and Facebook, you can see what I'm up to week by week.
How did you get the gig last year opening for Jay Leno?
I have a wonderful booker who submitted me for that gig, and some of the people at the State Theatre know me from over the years and have treated me like gold.
What impact did that gig have on you?
It was so exciting to have Jay step out on stage with me during my set and express his appreciation. I didn't know that he is a big fan of folk music, but we talked about all our favorite artists that came out of Laurel Canyon in the ’60s backstage after my set. He was an absolute class act and sweetheart.
Did you play the inaugural Sea.Hear.Now? What was the best part of that gig?
So, thanks to the amazing Transparent Clinch family and Danny Clinch, I got to play in the Clinch tent during the first Sea.Hear.Now Festival. It was such a wonderful set and so inspiring to be surrounded by musicians’ physical art while playing my music.
What was the best part of the recent tour of England with Billy Walton Band?
Playing with The Billy Walton Band every night of tour and just watching the sets get better and better was such a highlight of tour for me. Also, on the last night of tour, when we were driving to the airport, we turned on CSNY’s ‘Déjà vu’ record and just sang our hearts out while driving through the most stunning scenery.
What did you enjoy most about Stonehenge and why?
All my friends know that I’ve wanted to visit Stonehenge for years. It was pure magic being there. I mean, you see it in history books, but to see it in person is surreal.
Was the tour a one-time thing or are you a member of Billy Walton Band now?
I already have so many projects I’m a part of, as well as my own music that takes up much of my time, but touring with them was so much fun, and I enjoyed playing the music so much.
When and how were you introduced to Joni Mitchell’s music?
As I've said many times, I was introduced to all kinds of music at my family dinner table, especially Joni's music.
Is she your biggest influence? If so, why? If not, who is?
I would say that Joni is one of my influences, but I have so many others, like: Dolores O’Riordan, Tori Amos, Kate Bush, Devo, Depeche Mode, Warren Zevon, Ella Fitzgerald, Natalie Dessay, XTC, Tom Jones, Paul McCartney, Rufus Wainwright, and the list just goes on and on. I feel like these artists all helped shape me musically.
When and where do you pay tribute to Joni again?
Stay tuned, there are gigs in the works!
Do you think you’ll keep doing ‘Last Waltz’ gigs with The Band Band into the 50th anniversaries of the 1976 ‘The Last Waltz’ concert and the 1978 film and why?
I love playing with those guys and the show is one of my favorites, so I certainly hope so!
Daughter Vision, featuring from left to right Val Challah, Stephen H. Christ, Bob Dammit and Armana Yoni will be working together again soon. PHOTO BY NICK KIEFER
After years of playing folk rock, what and/or who made you gravitate to playing electronic music with Daughter Vision?
I just like playing with talented people with creative ideas, and I love wearing costumes. We all share so many musical influences, and we all just make sense together. Also, any time I get to expand my musical chops, I am a happy camper.
Is Daughter Vision still together?
We have an announcement coming soon.
What have been your favorite acting and modeling gigs and why?
I was in a PSA for the Montana Meth Project, directed by Darren Aronofsky, where we threw a girl out of a car at a hospital entrance. It was freezing cold, and we were all teenagers, and the shoot went on until 2 in the morning. It was a blast!
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected].
