New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Makin Waves Album of the Month: "Promises" by The Well Wish


By Bob Makin

originally published: 09/20/2023

I love the romance of Asbury Park-based The Well Wish. Two singer-songwriters, PJ Angeloni and Anya Schildge, become musical partners, fall in love, and also become life partners.

The Angelonis’ marriage permeates some of The Well Wish’s long-awaited EP, “Promises,” a five-song affair that is a follow-up to the three-song 2016 debut, “Of Heart and Mind,” and the 2019 stand-alone single, “Peace - Love - Truth.”

Each track on the new outing chronicles a promise of one kind or another, as well as the complicated intricacies of relationships. The poppy jangle ‘n’ mash of the opening “Here When You Call” is about the steadfast loyalty and trust required of any lasting relationship, especially a marriage.

The sweet, rootsy pickin’ of the soulful, driving title track builds into a surprising but energetic break up song about broken promises. A different direction than the opener allows The Well Wish to mix things up nicely.

An ocean allegory about the depth of true love, “Follow Me Down” has a beautiful haunting guitar akin to late Chris Isaak guitarist James Calvin Wilsey, but PJ’s take on “the King of Slow” features one of Anya’s best vocals.




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



The obsession chronicled in the unrequited girl group nod “Everywhere I Go” and the Sarah McLachlan-like closer “Nothing But a Lover” close out the all-too-brief collection, every track of which deserves as much adult contemporary and adult album alternative airplay as possible. I especially like Anya’s Roy Bittanesque piano run that ends the EP.

Joining the creative and seemingly happy couple on “Promises” is another Asbury husband-and-wife team: backing vocalist Sarah Berardi and drummer-percussionist Rich Berardi. Rich stands out most on the rhythmic feast of “Everywhere I Go,” while Sarah’s strong harmonies makes Anya’s delightful lead vocals even more impressive. Helping to hold down the rhythm throughout is bassist Prash Singh.

Recorded and mixed at Retromedia Sound Studios in Red Bank by Adam Vaccarelli (The Successful Failures, The Ribeye Brothers) and mastered at Daughterboard Audio by Elaine Rasnake, an acclaimed singer-songwriter in her own right, “Promises” can be heard live at two tasty gigs. On Sept. 30, The Well Wish will play Asbury Park Porchfest at 3 p.m. at 830 Dunlewy St. Donations collected at Porchfest will benefit Mercy Center, a nonprofit guided by the social justice tradition of the Catholic women’s organization Sisters of Mercy to alleviate generational poverty in the Greater Asbury Park area with services, programs and education, and Asbury Park African-American Music Project, a volunteer-run, community-driven project that celebrates the stories of Springwood Avenue through historical research and interviews, educational outreach, and public events.

The Well Wish also can be enjoyed 4 p.m. Nov. 18 at Transparent Clinch Gallery, also Asbury Park. For more about the quintet/duo, visit https://www.thewellwish.com.

Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at makinwaves64@yahoo.



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.




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Eliza

Eliza Neals

Thursday, December 11, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

Candlelight

Candlelight Concerts Coldplay vs. Imagine Dragons

Thursday, December 11, 2025 @ 8:30pm
Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 

Candlelight

Candlelight Concerts Tribute to Queen and The Beatles

Thursday, December 11, 2025 @ 6:00pm
Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 

Kenny

Kenny G

Thursday, December 11, 2025 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 

Michael

Michael Feinstein

Thursday, December 11, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Tropicana

Tropicana Showroom presents Mammoth

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Wolfgang Van Halen brings his band Mammoth to Tropicana Showroom on Friday, March 13, 2026 at 7:00pm. The GRAMMY® Award-nominated songwriter, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer continues to separate Mammoth from the pack.



The

The Legendary Wailers featuring Julian Junior Marvin come to the Scottish Rite Auditorium

(COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- The Legendary Wailers featuring Julian Junior Marvin come to the Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday, January 23, 2026 at 8:00pm. The show is presented by Camden County Board of Commissioners & Produced by BRE Presents.



Outpost

Outpost in the Burbs presents The Del Fuegos

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents The Del Fuegos on Thursday, December 18, 2025 at the First Congregational Church in Montclair. Teddy Thompson will open the night. Showtime is 8:00pm.



The

The Jazz Remix at NBPAC presents Adam Hawley & Marcus Anderson

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The Jazz Remix at NBPAC presents guitarist Adam Hawley and saxophonist Marcus Anderson on Friday, December 12, 2025 at 7:00pm. These are two of the hottest names in contemporary jazz joining forces for one unforgettable performance.



The

The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Lucy Wainwright Roche on Friday

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Lucy Wainwright Roche on Friday, December 12, 2025. Doors are at 7:00pm, showtime is 7:30pm.