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Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Josephine" by Emily Grove

By Bob Makin

originally published: 07/31/2026

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is “Josephine” from Emily Grove’s forthcoming EP, “Fables,” which she will celebrate the release of Aug. 3 at Watermark in Asbury Park. PHOTO BY CONNI FREESTONE

On Aug. 3 at Watermark, beloved Asbury Park singer-songwriter Emily Grove will celebrate the release of a long-awaited solo EP, “Fables.”

The beautiful Joni Mitchell-like track “Josephine” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week. 

As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Josephine“ also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on July 31 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The PenguinMixcloud and RadioJersey.




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“My EP, “Fables” is a play on the TV show, ‘Fact or Fiction,’” the multiple Asbury Park Music Award-winner said. “So you have to decide what is fact and what is fiction throughout the EP. So think of it like ‘Fact or Fable.’”

She continued, “‘Josephine’ is a story about a lost love returning from a long voyage away and wanting to return home without any consequence to being away for so long. You have to listen to see how it ends!”

A video by two-time Makin Waves Award-winning filmmaker John Decker will drop the day after the release party. 

The EP was released in the UK while Emily toured there last fall with Brit singer-songwriter David Ford, whom she also appeared with on “The Today Show,” as well as tours of Ireland, the U.S. and Canada. Having also toured the U.S. and Europe as a headliner, she plans to tour the U.S. in support of “Fables” into 2027.

Emily, who plays acoustic guitar and provides her own backing vocals throughout the EP, is joined by Ray Suhy on electric guitar and Bass VI, Cody McCorry on electric bass, Mike Gilch on Hammond organ, and Steve Honoshowsky on drums. Her band will open the release show with an improvisational instrumental set. 

Emily produced “Fables” with Jack Daley, who recorded it at his Dug Deep Production in Asbury. Jack also produced her 2011 debut EP, “Way Across the Sea.” The EPs sandwich the 2014 solo LP, "Life of a Commoner.”

While it’s been more than a decade since Emily released a solo record, she has been makin’ waves throughout that time. Since 2019, she’s released two EPs and several singles with the Asbury-based synthesizer-driven performance art band Daughter Vision. She’s also regularly paid tribute to Joni Mitchell with Joni Jam, which has been endorsed by the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer herself. Emily also pays tribute to Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne in Fairies Wear Boots and 1960s rock with Glen Burtnik’s ongoing Summer of Love tour.




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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

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Friends of Clearwater invites everyone to start their Labor Day Weekend at its free 51st Annual Clearwater Festival Saturday September 5, 2026, a late summer, family-friendly celebration of great live music, Mother Earth and more in Sunset Park near the ocean in Asbury Park.
The Machine performs Pink Floyd at The Newton Theatre on September 5th

The Machine performs Pink Floyd at The Newton Theatre on September 5th

(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Machine Performs Pink Floyd on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at the Newton Theatre. The band has forged a nearly 40 year reputation of extending the musical legacy of Pink Floyd. Showtime is 8:00pm.

MPAC presents Melissa Etheridge: Rise Tour on September 9th

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) presents Melissa Etheridge: Rise Tour on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 7:30pm. Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Etheridge has remained one of America's favorite female singers for more than two decades.
Prudential Center presents Ella Langley on September 10th

Prudential Center presents Ella Langley on September 10th

(NEWARK, NJ) -- It's been a landmark year for Ella Langley. Fresh off a sweep at the ACM Awards where she won all seven awards she was nominated for, two recent American Music Award wins, and being the soundtrack of the summer for a trio of German fans on Twitter traveling through America during the World Cup. Ella continues one of the most dominant runs in music. She brings The Dandelion Tour to the Prudential Center in Newark on September 10, 2026 at 7:00pm. Special guests ERNEST and Gabriella Rose will open the night.
The Soundtrack of Resilience: Explore Music

The Soundtrack of Resilience: Explore Music's Role in Post-9/11 America at the Lacey Library

(FORKED RIVER, NJ) -- In honor of Patriot Day, the Lacey Branch of the Ocean County Library will host "The Soundtrack of Resilience: Music and 9/11" on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The event begins at 2:00pm.
Tony Award Nominee Joshua Henry to open Kean Stage

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(HILLSIDE, NJ) -- Kean Stage is thrilled to announce that Joshua Henry, three-time Tony nominee and star of Lincoln Center Theater's Ragtime, will open their 2026-2027 season with two performances of his show Get Up, Stand Up! on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm at Enlow Recital Hall (215 North Avenue) in Hillside.

Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center presents Country Icon Trace Adkins in September

(CARTERET, NJ) -- Multi-PLATINUM entertainer Trace Adkins will bring his 30th Anniversary Tour to the URSB Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center on Friday, September 18, 2026, for one night only. The show is part of Adkins' nationwide headline tour celebrating 30 years of chart-topping hits and powerhouse live performances. Showtime is 8:00pm.

The Levoy Theatre presents Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on September 22nd

(MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on Wednesday, September 22, 2026 at 7:00pm. This year marked 33 years since the band arrived on the music scene.
NJPAC presents Salsa icon Tito Nieves on September 26th

NJPAC presents Salsa icon Tito Nieves on September 26th

(NEWARK, NJ) -- The internationally celebrated Salsa icon, Tito Nieves - affectionately known as "El Pavarotti de la Salsa" - is set to electrify the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 8:00pm with his tour, "50 Años La Historia... Continúa." The performance will take place at NJPAC's prestigious Prudential Hall, Betty Wold Johnson Stage.
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(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Hanging Coats and Lawns, part of New Brunswick's basement music scene, take the stage for an audio-visual performance on October 2 , 2026 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. A Rutgers student is injecting some sonic youth from the New Brunswick music scene into this year's New Jersey Fall Film Festival.
 

FEATURED EVENTS



Mike Zito

Saturday, September 05, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ


Melissa Etheridge: RISE

Wednesday, September 09, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ


Dion

Thursday, September 10, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ


Moondance - Van Morrison Tribute

Friday, September 11, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ


The Australian Pink Floyd Show

Saturday, September 12, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ