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Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Look Alive" by The Azures

By Bob Makin

originally published: 02/16/2024


Jersey Shore-based The Azures' "Look Alive" from their new self-titled debut album is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.

Jersey Shore psychedelic blues band The Azures, winners of the 2023 Makin Waves Song of the Year, just dropped their self-titled debut album.

The meaningful jazz-adelic ballad “Look Alive” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.

As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Look Alive” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Feb. 16 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and Mixcloud.




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With verses that reference stark ‘60s jazz and choruses that sound like a ‘90s band that never was, “Look Alive” is an interesting song for The Azures. Guest pianist Jacob Jauregui is featured on the track.

“The tune has perhaps been considered the band’s ballad, illuminated with movements and progressions flowing with a very constant, reminding statement throughout,” The Azures said. “Lyrically, the song exudes an abrupt sense of remaining afloat when all is seemingly desolate. In our world, we are incessantly exposed to war and heinous acts so much so that it often desensitizes us to the struggles those affected face. Pain is a beast of strange measure. We fear it more than violence, and sometimes all we have is music and art to get us through the adverse tribulations of humankind.”

Vocalist Gia Rose, drummer Eric Brody, guitarist Ashton Millman and bassist Robbie Coss said they enjoyed producing their 11-song debut, which also features the single “Lust of the Night,” the 2023 Makin Waves Song of the Year.

The album consists of multiple themes, such as love, mystery, and the intangible, they said.

An East Coast spring tour and more music releases are on the horizon. In the meantime, enjoy The Azures live Feb. 23, Bar 2300, Philadelphia; Feb. 24, Millhill Basement, Trenton; Feb 29, Dingbatz, Clifton, and March 1, Pete’s Candy Store, Brooklyn.

For more, visit https://linktr.ee/theazures.

Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook 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

(NEWTON, NJ) -- L.A. Guns comes to The Newton Theatre on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 8:00pm. The band has been rocking for roughly 40 years since establishing themselves as the undisputed sleaze kings of the Sunset Strip, and, eventually, the world.

Jazz Royalty Comes to the Hamilton Stage on June 6th

(RAHWAY, NJ) -- Saturday, June 6, 2026 marks the date when Jazz Royalty comes to Hamilton Stage with Dizzy Gillespie alumni and Grammy winning bassist John Lee in collaboration with 16-time Grammy winner Paquito D' Rivera.
The Chamber Music Society of North Jersey presents "Music Under the June Moon" at Anderson Park

The Chamber Music Society of North Jersey presents "Music Under the June Moon" at Anderson Park

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The Chamber Music Society of North Jersey presents "Music Under the June Moon" on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Anderson Park. Bring a picnic and a blanket and enjoy an al fresco performance under the stars. Admission is free. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "The Boss Bash" featuring The B-Street Band

Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "The Boss Bash" featuring The B-Street Band

(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre will host its annual fundraising event, "The Boss Bash," on Saturday, June 6, 2026, featuring two electrifying performances by The B-Street Band — the longest-running and most requested tribute to Bruce Springsteen in the country.
Sinatra Celebration Concert To Swing in Ocean Grove This June

Sinatra Celebration Concert To Swing in Ocean Grove This June

(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Sinatra Celebration Concert, a theatrical special event to honor the legendary career of musical icon Frank Sinatra, is being presented by producer Karen Morris of Sand Castle Communications and The Rat Pack Music Alliance.
Broadcast Legend Sid Mark to be Remembered at Ocean Grove Event on June 7th

Broadcast Legend Sid Mark to be Remembered at Ocean Grove Event on June 7th

(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Sid Mark, the popular and iconic radio host, sadly passed away four years ago, on April 18th, 2022. Sid’s son Brian Mark, Executive Producer of Orange Productions' nationally syndicated radio program The Sounds of Sinatra with Sid Mark, will be a very special host/guest speaker, at a musical event which will highlight the legacy of his father and celebrate the 70th Anniversary of The Sounds of Sinatra broadcast program.

Prudential Center presents Mexican superstar Carín León on June 7th

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Mexican superstar Carín León entered a bold new chapter of his acclaimed career with the release of Muda - his new studio album and one of the most eclectic of his catalog. See for yourself when he performs at the Prudential Center on Sunday, June 7, 2026. Showtime is 8:00pm.

Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra presents "Music in Bloom" on June 7th

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra (GPYO) will present its Spring Concert, Music in Bloom, on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at Richardson Auditorium on the Princeton University campus. The performance will feature GPYO's top ensembles in a dynamic program of orchestral works by Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and John Philip Sousa. Showtime is 3:00pm.

The Vogel presents Jeffrey Gaines & Josh Joplin on June 7th

(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Vogel presents Jeffrey Gaines & Josh Joplin on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 7:00pm. NOTE: This show was originally scheduled for May 14. All tickets will be honored on the new date.

Orion Weiss Returns to South Jersey on June 7th

(SEWELL, NJ) -- Music at Bunker Hill welcomes pianist Orion Weiss in his third appearance on their series on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 3:00pm. Weiss is a "brilliant pianist" (The New York Times) with "powerful technique and exceptional insight" (The Washington Post).

 

MORE EVENTS

Click on the listing to bring up its webpage


The B Street Band: The Boss Bash

Saturday, June 06, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
Manasquan, NJ


The B Street Band: The Boss Bash

Saturday, June 06, 2026 @ 3:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
Manasquan, NJ


Indigo Girls

Saturday, June 06, 2026 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ


Rock This Town - A Tribute to Brian Setzer Orchestra

Sunday, June 07, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


Shannon McNally at Van Vleck House & Gardens

Sunday, June 07, 2026 @ 4:00pm
Outpost In The Burbs at Van Vleck House and Gardens
Montclair, NJ



 

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