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.




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage



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.




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage



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.


Kelli

Kelli Baker Band

Saturday, December 27, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

First

First Night Morris 2026

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 @ 4:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

FJ

FJ - Tribute To Foreigner and Journey

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 @ 9:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736
category: music


 

FJ

FJ - Tribute To Foreigner and Journey

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 @ 6:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736
category: music


 

Salute

Salute to Vienna New Year's Concert

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 @ 5:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

bergenPAC

bergenPAC presents Gospel Music Legend Yolanda Adams

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents gospel music legend Yolanda Adams on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 8:00pm. The concert features a performance by the Community Baptist Church of Englewood Mass Choir.



Women

Women in the Arts Series to debut at Anchor Rock Club for Its Fourth Installment

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- The Women in the Arts concert series will bring an immersive, multi-disciplinary night of creativity to Anchor Rock Club in Atlantic City for its fourth installment on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Doors are at 6:30pm, showtime is 7:00pm.



Outpost

Outpost in the Burbs presents Vienna Teng on April 11th

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents singer-songwriter Vienna Teng on April 11, 2026 at the First Congregational Church of Montclair. Doors are at 7:30pm, showtime is 8:00pm.



Lizzie

Lizzie Rose Music Room presents the Kelli Baker Band on Saturday

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents the Kelli Baker Band on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 7:30pm. Recently signed to Gulf Coast Records by blues legend Mike Zito, powerhouse vocalist and songwriter Kelli Baker continues her meteoric rise as one of the most electrifying voices in modern blues-rock.



Grunin

Grunin Center for the Arts presents The Jane Austen Playlist on Valentine's Day

(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Grunin Center for the Arts presents The Jane Austen Playlist: Love and Music of Regency England on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 2:00pm. Discover the music that Jane Austen played and loved.