By Bob Makin
originally published: 05/01/2026
The Makin Waves Song of the Week is “Make It Happen“ by Asbury Park Yawn Mower legend Mike Chick from “Congarts,” his third solo album and second for Mint 400 Records. PHOTO BY MELISSA MCLAUGHLIN
Mike Chick is the co-vocalist and guitarist of the Asbury Park-based 2025 Makin Waves Band of the Year, Yawn Mower. Mike recently released his third solo album, “Congarts,” on longtime label, Mint 400 Records.
The album’s third single and video, “Make It Happen,” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Make It Happen“ also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on May 1 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.
Filmed by Mike in California, Alaska and Portugal, the “Make It Happen” clip was edited by co-founding Yawn Mower drummer-vocalist Biff Swenson.
“Biff has made all of my videos so far,” he explained. “We discuss the concept to a point, and then I let him do his thing, and he nails it. It’s been really fun filming these videos and bringing the scenes to life via music video. The vibe of these videos is celebrating the normal things people do everyday”.
“Congarts” also features videos for “Atomic Bomb” and “Tomorrow Is All a Blur.”
The mixtape-like “Congarts” draws from a diverse palette of sounds, ranging from drum machines to combo organs, acoustic to fuzz guitars, synthesizers to tambourines, and an intermission featuring crickets recorded in Mike’s backyard.
The album sets up nicely with “Make It Happen” as the opening track, he said.
“It’s like a warm up or a stretch,” Mike said. “It’s slower in tempo, but all the elements are there. You are putting on your seatbelt and adjusting your mirrors, getting ready for the ride ahead of you.”
The album features backing vocals by Asbury one-woman jazz band Martin Howth on all tracks, plus contributions from Shut Up drummer Bob Paulos and Yawn Mower’s Makin Waves Award-winning violinist Nicole Scorsone. The 11-song collection was recorded mostly by Mike at Bill Bourke’s Waving Cat studio, was mixed by Yawn Mower guitarist Rudy Meier and mastered by Pat Noon at eightsixteen recording, where Yawn Mower has captured most of its catalog throughout their dynamic decade together.
Following the 2024 solo outing, “More Thrills, Less Hills,” the title, “Congarts,” was inspired by a typo on a cake made for Mike.
“From the minute I saw that cake I knew my next LP was gonna be called ‘Congarts,’” he said.
Enjoy Mike live when he plays a solo set on a bill with fellow Asbury acts New Antics and Tide Bends on May 15 at Low Dive in Asbury.
Then Yawn Mower hits the road on Northeast tour that brings them May 22 to Mt. Ida Preservation in Troy, NY; 33 Golden Street, New London, CT; News Cafe, New Haven, CT; May 25, Silhouette Lounge, Allston, MA; May 26, BAD BRGR, Manchester, NH; May 27, Rumors, Biddeford, ME; May 28, Midnight’s, Brattleboro, VT; May 29, AS220, Providence, RI, and May 30, Lemon Squeeze Tavern, New Paltz, NY.
In the meantime, listen to “Congarts” 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].
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.
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