Asbury Park-based The Foes of Fern premiere in Makin Waves the video for the title track of their “Carpe Diem” debut LP on Telegraph Hill Records. It is the LP’s sixth clip and the third in a storytelling series lensed by Andrea Morgan, Bart Lentini and Rob Ciano and starring Ava Serene Portman and namesake band leader Matt “Fern” Fernicola.... READ ON

In my opinion, two of the most unsung heroes of rock ‘n’ roll are Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris, both of whom should be a lot larger than life than they are. That’s why it warms my musical heart to hear Mike Montrey and his sweetheart of the rodeo, Jen Augustine, sing duets because their soulful, pretty, bittersweet harmonies remind me so much of Gram & Emmylou. ... READ ON

Bob Makin reviews the latest releases from The Milwaukees and Morningside Lane in this month's Makin Waves Record Roundup.... READ ON

North Jersey-based singer-songwriter Brianna Musco has followed her international debut, “Forever,” with “Never Stay,” an intense but infectious tune about a toxic and abusive relationship that is the Makin Waves Song of the Week. Here’s the media premiere of the single... READ ON

After a long gap in recordings as a member of The Paper Jets, Asbury Park singer-songwriter Brian Erickson has released his third album in as many years with his compelling and completely self-produced and -performed solo debut LP, “Little Secrets,” on Mint 400 Records.... READ ON

Throughout 40 years covering the local music scene, it’s always been fun to watch a band grow up and mature into a really great act, such as From Good Homes and The Bouncing Souls. I’m happy to add The Happy Fits among them, whose brand-new sophomore LP, “What Could Be Better” lives up to its title by being the charming Clinton-based cello-driven indie-pop trio’s best work yet. While silly and fun as ever as far as videos and what eventually will be a return to live shows, the band demonstrates a maturation with their songwriting and playing that adds greater dimension to their music. While  classically trained singer-songwriter-cellist Calvin Langman’s chops are huge, his playing and songwriting on “What Could Be Better” is more dynamic than on 2018’s “Concentrate” and “Awfully Apeelin’,” which gives guitarist-vocalist Ross Monteith and drummer Luke Davis a greater sonic canvas. ... READ ON

Having kicked cancer’s butt twice, Mike Daly continues to write power-pop in the tradition of The Beatles, Elvis Costello, and The Smithereens, which he has done since the early 1990s. His latest single with his North Jersey-based band, The Planets, is “Falling Out of Love Song,” the Makin Waves Song of the Week, which made its radio premiere earlier this week on “Radio Jersey” and makes its media premiere right here, right now... READ ON

One of New Jersey’s consummate guitarists in such bands as Airacuda, The Burns, and Avery Mandeville & the Man Devils, Matt Fernicola recently dropped his debut LP as the leader and singer-songwriter of his own band, the massive Foes of Fern. Featuring more than 50 performers, the Foes’ 11-song “Carpe Diem” -- on producer (and Fern Airacuda bandmate) Joe “Pom” Pomarico’s Telegraph Hill Records -- is a quirky but passionate collection of odd tales and luny laments.... READ ON

Jersey City-based Detroit-raised blues-rocker Eliza Neals premieres the video for “Never Stray” from her latest LP, “Black Crow Moan,” with Makin Waves.... READ ON

Fans of latter-day Springsteen Americana heartland rock, the anthemic edge of U2, and Bon Jovi stadium pop will enjoy what Asbury Park-based Morningside Lane is calling their debut album, “These Are Our Years.” That is true for drummer Brian Morelli, lead guitarist Brandon Broderick, and bassist Frankie P., who only have been in the band since April 2019. But singer-songwriter-guitarist Marc Del Giudice formed the band in 2009 in Fort Lee, and with different lineups, released four EPs, as well as an LP that was recorded in England.... READ ON