The Makin Waves Song of the Week is “Hero” by Dina Hall. PHOTO BY TINA PASTOR
Sayreville-raised, Bethlehem, Pa.-based singer-songwriter-guitarist-percussionist Dina Hall has been working hard in support of her recent debut album, "Firefly."
The dream-inspired track “Hero” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Hero” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Aug. 8 on “Radio Jersey at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and Mixcloud.
“I woke up from a vivid dream very early one morning, and knew that there was something powerful happening in my subconscious,” Dina said. “In the dream, I found myself in a large house that I didn't recognize. It was dark outside and there were many rooms, but no lights on in the house. Suddenly, I saw someone I recognized behind a large glass wall. This was someone that I loved very much, but had been estranged from over a year. The main point of the whole dream is that this was their teenage self, and yet they are an adult now. In the dream, I ran all through the house, up and down stairs, inside and outside, but could never reach them, before I woke up. That morning, I immediately started on the song and it just flowed out of me. Words, music, all complete within an hour or so. It was incredible.”
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Joining Dina on the track are bassist Nick Franclik, drummer Josh Kanusky, Hammond B-3 organist Andrew Portz, and guitarists And Killcoyne, Rameen Shayegan and Jay Lapp.
A dynamic Americana blend of folk, rock, and blues, the album was produced, recorded and mixed by Todd Schied at Red Rock Recording in Stroudsburg, Pa.
Hear “Hero” and the rest of the album”Firefly” live when Dina plays Aug. 8, Beneduce Vineyards, Pittstown; Aug. 9, Musikfest, Bethlehem; Aug. 15, Appalachian Mountain Club, Blairstown; Aug. 16, Lost Tavern, Hellertown, Pa.; Aug. 17 and Sept. 1 and Oct. 31, Stone Farm Cellars, Center Valley, Pa.; Aug. 22, SURV, Bethlehem; Aug. 23, Yergey Brewing, Emmaus, Pa.; Aug. 24, Daryl’s House, Pawling, N.Y.; Aug. 29 and Sept. 26, The Hub, Lake Harmony, Pa.; Aug. 30, Hotel Bethlehem; Aug. 31, Sept. 19 and Oct. 25, Stone Farm 46, Easton, Pa.; Sept. 5, Bucks County Brewery, Pipersville, Pa.; Sept. 6, Hopewell Valley Vineyards; Sept. 12 and Oct. 19, Brothers Kershner, Skippack, Pa.; Sept. 20, Mr. Lee’s, Bethlehem; Sept. 27, Lost Tavern, Hellertown, Pa.; Sept. 28, Phoenixville First, Phoenixville, Pa.; Oct. 24, Riegelsville Inn, Riegelsville, Pa., and Oct. 27, Sumneytown Hotel, Sumneytown, Pa.
She’ll also play with her full band Oct. 12 during Oktoberfest at SteelStacks in Bethlehem.
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.
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"That is still the latest album and I'm on the road quite a bit; fortunately, I'm young and strong and at the same time old and wise," laughed the ageless Tom Rush as he readies to once again take the stage at The Sellersville Theater in Sellersville, PA on August 15 for an 8 p.m. show. "Matt Nakoa will be with me, he's getting busier with stuff of his own, which is totally appropriate; this guy should be playing stadiums."
Buffalo, NY based jamband moe. has toured throughout the U.S. and internationally. This year, moe. is celebrating its 35th anniversary. Through ups and downs, moe. serves as a cornerstone of their musical genre and has triumphantly been on the road in support of their recent studio release, "Circle of Giants". I recently caught up with Vinnie Amico (drummer) on location at People Fest in Hillsboro, WI.
(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic baskets to Reeves-Reed Arboretum and celebrate summer with their 2025 concert series, Sounds of a Summer Night! All performances will be held on select Wednesday evenings on the grounds of this non-profit public garden located in Summit.
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