New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

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.

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.




Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info



“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]



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.




Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info



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.


Dirty

Dirty Deeds - Tribute to AC/DC

Friday, May 08, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

Richard

Richard Shindell

Friday, May 08, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

Eaglemania

Eaglemania

Friday, May 08, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ 07008
category: music


 

The

The Doo Wop Project

Saturday, May 09, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

Three

Three American Troubadours Tribute

Saturday, May 09, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Main Stage
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: music


 


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Telegraph

Telegraph Quartet to Perform on the Morris Museum's Back Deck to Kick Off Its Celebrated Summer Outdoor Concerts Series

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- On Thursday, June 11, 2026, the Telegraph Quartet will return to perform for the Morris Museum's seventh annual Back Deck season. This outdoor concert series began during the pandemic, and The New York Times describes it as "Live Music Splendor in a Parking Lot." Showtime is 7:30pm.



Grammy-Winning

Grammy-Winning Superstars Erica Campbell and Jonathan McReynolds to Headline 2026 Gospel Music Festival

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Middlesex County, as part of its FolkLIVE free community event series, will host its third annual Gospel Music Festival in New Brunswick (2 Livingston Ave) on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 3:30pm to 7:30pm. This year's star-studded lineup features multi-Grammy-winning performer Erica Campbell—known both for her solo work and as part of the dynamic "Mary Mary" duo—and Billboard chart-topper Jonathan McReynolds as the headliners.



Going

Going Acoustic at Quig's to Mark 4 Years with Featured Sets from Emily Drinker and Gina LC on June 22nd

(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Four years in, Going Acoustic at Quig's is still doing what it does best: creating a welcoming space where artists feel comfortable to take risks, and audiences are lucky enough to hear it unfold. On Monday, June 22, 2026 the beloved open mic series returns to Quig's Pub for its 4th Anniversary Show, with featured performances from Emily Drinker and Gina LC, alongside the series' signature blend of emerging voices and open mic performers.



Outpost

Outpost in the Burbs presents The Lone Bellow on Saturday

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents The Lone Bellow on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at the First Congregational Church of Montclair. Eli Kollman will open the night. Showtime is 8:00pm.



2026

2026 Cape May Exit Zero Jazz Festival to take place May 15-17

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- The Cape May Exit Zero Jazz Festival takes place May 15-17, 2026. Twice a year, the festival takes over the historic seaside town, transforming it into a music village that welcomes an impressive array of cultures and musical styles, including blockbuster jazz, NEA Jazz Masters, Grammy-winning legends and crowd favorites.