By Bob Makin
originally published: 06/02/2023
Asbury Park singer-songwriter Kiersten Blue’s latest single, “Thriving,” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week. PHOTO BY JEFF CRESPI
Sometimes all as not as it seems on social media, and those who seem to be doing well might not be.
The truth of such situations inspired Asbury Park singer-songwriter Kiersten Blue’s latest single, “Thriving,” the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Thriving” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on June 2 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin or MixCloud.
“The lyrics of the song sort of outline the pain behind beauty standards and the ‘online image’ we portray,” Kiersten said. “I think a lot of us struggle with stuff behind closed doors but really only show off the highlights, and it causes us to constantly compare ourselves to others. Someone told me I was ‘thriving’ when behind the scenes, I really didn’t feel like I was, and that’s what inspired me to write this song.”
If Kiersten isn’t thriving, she sure is Makin Waves.
A graduate of the Lakehouse Academy, the Patti Smith-meets-Hope Sandoval songstress returned to Lakehouse Recording Studios to record “Thriving” with a house band who took the emotionally charged song to a whole other level.
“The lyrics were written exclusively by me, and the initial chords and melody on acoustic guitar were also written solo, but the song really took form in the studio,” Kiersten said. “I really love taking a song I wrote acoustically and watching it transform into a fuller sound. Working with a session band is a great collaborative experience!”
Kiersten is makin just as many waves with a bevy of high-profile summer shows.
They include those with a full band by the season’s end.
“I have many shows lined up to play, including a few full band gigs in August that I'm super stoked to play!,” she said. “I’ve been writing consistently and plan to record and release a bunch of new music this fall. I am doing a direct-to-vinyl session on Aug. 4 at Leesta Vall Sound Recordings. They are one-of-a-kind live takes of selected songs from my catalog, ‘musical Polaroids,’ essentially, that can be purchased at https://leestavall.com/products/kierstenblue.”
Upcoming shows include June 3, Point Pleasant Summerfest; June 4, The Grove at Shrewsbury; June 7, 902 Brewing, Jersey City; June 10 and 24, Brook 35, Wall; June 16, Baronet Rooftop After Party, Asbury Park; June 17, Brick Plaza; July 9, Riley Park, Bradley Beach; July 10 and Aug. 14, Wonder Bar, Asbury Park; Aug. 19, John & Peter’s, New Hope, Pa.; Aug. 30, Asbury Park LIVE on the boardwalk.
Those last three gigs for the typically solo singer-songwriter will be with the aforementioned full band.
To find out more about Kiersten, click www.flowcode.com/page/kierstenblue.
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
Sinatra Celebration Concert To Swing in Ocean Grove This June
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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).
Mahwah Museum to host Les Paul 111th Birthday Celebration: "The Les Paul & Mary Ford Tribute Show with Tom & Sandy Doyle" on June 7th
(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Raise a toast to a legend. Celebrate Les Paul's 111th birthday with an unforgettable Les Paul & Mary Ford Tribute at The Mahwah Museum performed by Tom & Sandy Doyle on Saturday, June 7, 2026 at 2:00pm. Cake will be served as they toast the birthday.
Anderson Brothers to Play 'Best of Berlin' at June Jersey Jazz LIVE! Concert in Madison
(MADISON, NJ) -- In March 2025, multireedists (and twin brothers) Will and Peter Anderson released an album on the Arbors Records label entitled The Best of Berlin, performing 13 tunes composed by Irving Berlin.
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.
Carteret PAC presents Jo Dee Messina
(CARTERET, NJ) -- Chart-topping country music icon Jo Dee Messina will perform at The URSB Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center on Friday, June 12, 2026. Messina is known for her powerful vocals and extensive catalog including nine number-one hits, 16 Top 40 songs, and awards and nominations from the ACM, CMA, AMA, Billboard, and the Grammys. Showtime is 8:000pm.
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