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 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 “Atom 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 Waving Cat studio.
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.
EVENT PREVIEWS
Masterwork Music and Art Foundation to Honor Wayne Walters At 65th Birthday Celebration on May 17th
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- The Masterwork Music and Art Foundation will celebrate its 65th Anniversary with a gala at the Morristown Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (21 Normandy Heights Road) in Morristown on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 3:00pm. The event will showcase some of its grant awardees plus honor Wayne Walters, a well-known New Jersey musician who sings, composes, conducts, and has taught and influenced many over the years.
Sentimental Journey Big Band Takes the Stage at OCC's Grunin Center on May 17th
(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Enjoy the music of the Greatest Generation when the Sentimental Journey Big Band presents "It Might as Well Be Swing" at the Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts at Ocean County College on Sunday, May 17, 2026. Showtime is 3:00pm.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Vernon Reid and Corey Glover on Sunday
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Vernon Reid and Corey Glover on Sunday, May 17, 2026. Doors are at 7:00pm, showtime is 7:30pm. Prepare for an extraordinary evening as two of the most influential figures in modern rock history take the stage at Lizzie Rose.
New Jersey Youth Chorus to Celebrate the Season with Spring Concert on May 17th
(NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ) -- The New Jersey Youth Chorus (NJYC), a program of Wharton Arts, invites audiences to its annual Spring Concert on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at the Nicholas Music Center at Rutgers University (85 George Street) in New Brunswick. Showtime is 4:00pm.
White Eagle Hall presents The Feelies 50th Anniversary Shows
(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- White Eagle Hall presents The Feelies 50th Anniversary shows on May 22-23, 2026. The band will be performing The Good Earth and Crazy Rhythms albums.
Centenary Stage Company presents Double Vision: The Foreigner Experience on May 23rd
(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company in partnership with the Hackettstown Rotary Club presents Double Vision: The Foreigner Experience on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 8:00pm. The performance will take place in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center with proceeds in part to benefit the many initiatives of the Hackettstown Rotary Club.
The Barrymore Film Center presents "A Heavenly Evening" featuring Gary Lucas and Feifei Yang
(FORT LEE, NJ) -- The Barrymore Film Center presents "A Heavenly Evening" featuring Gary Lucas and Feifei Yang in a double bill of Chinese music culture on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 7:00pm.
Centenary Stage presents Double Vision: The Foreigner Experience on May 23rd
(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company in partnership with the Hackettstown Rotary Club presents Double Vision: The Foreigner Experience on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 8:00pm. The performance will take place in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center with proceeds in part to benefit the many initiatives of the Hackettstown Rotary Club.
United Children's Music Project presents World-Class Venezuelan Artists María Brea and Kristhyan Benítez on May 28th
(WEEHAWKEN, NJ) -- United Children's Music Project (UCMP) presents Venezuelan soprano María Brea and Latin Grammy–winning pianist Kristhyan Benítez in an unforgettable evening of Latin American artistry as part of its acclaimed Latin Night Thursdays concert series on Thursday, May 28, 2026 at UCMP (4710 Park Avenue) in Weehawken, NJ. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Outpost in the Burbs presents Joan Osborne Sings the Songs of Bob Dylan
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents Joan Osborne Sings the Songs of Bob Dylan on Friday, May 29, 2026 at the First Congregational Church of Montclair. Showtime is 8:00pm.
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