By Bob Makin
originally published: 04/17/2026
The Makin Waves Song of the Week is “Once I Wake Up" from “The Sting of the Blade,” the recently released sophomore full-length from Central Jersey singer-songwriter Sam Tunkel. PHOTO BY DAN ACOSTA
Since August, young but prolific Central Jersey singer-songwriter Sam Tunkel has released two LPs and an EP.
From the new sophomore full-length, “The Sting of the Blade,” "Once I Wake Up" is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Once I Wake Up” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on April 17 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin, Mixcloud and RadioJersey.net.
“‘Once I Wake Up’ is an ode to the many nights that I stayed up late past my bedtime as a child, listening to music in the darkness of my room,” Sam said. “It was there in that darkness, and through those headphones, that I was able to get a glimpse of a world I felt I connected to. With many nights of laying up in bed, after hard days of school, praying for better friends, better days, better things, these were some of the formative moments that made me want to become a songwriter, and be a part of that world I was hearing through those headphones.”
The song was entirely written, recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered by Sam in his bedroom. The album’s other tracks include the closing single, “Inner City Lullaby.”
Sam preceded the nine-song “The Sting of the Blade” with the debut LP, "Out There,” and the more recently released EP, “The Parade Man.”
Studying music at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, Sam recently was featured on 90.3 FM The Core, one of the campus radio stations, as well as BlowUpRadio.com, hosted by New Jersey Stage’s Lazlo.
Having been exposed early on to live music culture by his father, Makin Waves Award-winning singer-songwriter-producer Bruce Tunkel, Sam attended weekly open mics from a very young age for years. It was there that he first began to hone his craft as a songwriter and musician, and learned what a strong musical community looks like.
Enjoy Sam live April 17, Demarest Hall, New Brunswick; April 18, The Kill Shed, Toms River; April 26, Bar Freda, Ridgewood, N.Y.; May 1, The Barnyard, Glassboro; May 2, Anti-ICE Charity Show, Revilla Grooves, Milltown, where he’ll also play June 12; May 8, The Rock Shack, Somerville; May 9, Symposia Bookstore, Hoboken; May 17, Highland Park Porchfest (afternoon) and 3BR Distillery, Keyport; May 22, Social Club Records; May 29, Madison Community Arts Center; May 31, Coffee Box, Rahway; June 4, Crossroads, Garwood; June 6, Boonton Coffee Co.; June 26, Bliss Coffee Lounge, Somerville, and Jun 26, Pino’s, Highland Park.
You also can enjoy him on Apple Music and Spotify.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and Instagram 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.
Summer Jazz: Drummer Joe Farnsworth and Special Guests at William Paterson
For more than three decades, Joe Farnsworth has been one of the most admired drummers in modern jazz, revered for his superb technique, driving swing, and unwavering commitment to the jazz tradition. A Massachusetts native mentored by legendary drummers Alan Dawson, Arthur Taylor, and Jimmy Lovelace, Farnsworth has appeared on nearly 400 recordings and performed with an astonishing array of jazz masters, including McCoy Tyner, Benny Golson, Pharoah Sanders, Cedar Walton, Harold Mabern, and Wynton Marsalis. He is also a founding member of the acclaimed hard bop collective, One for All, alongside longtime musical associates tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, trombonist Steve Davis, the late trumpeter Jim Rotondi, and pianist David Hazeltine.
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.
FEATURED EVENTS
