The Aquarian

Man wearing a blue suit and glasses sits on a pile of leather guitar cases. He rests his chin on his hand.

March 28, 2025 0

Al Di Meola’s ongoing fascination with complex rhythmic syncopation, combined with provocative lyrical melodies and sophisticated harmony, has been at...

Six musicians crowd together in a room with a makeshift stage. Two are holding electric guitars, one is holding a bass, and a woman stands behind a keyboard. Another woman sings into a microphone and wears a black hat. A man is behind them at a drum kit with sheet music in front of him. Everyone is singing. There are twinkling lights strung behind them and an old chandelier is almost noticeable at the top hanging from the wooden ceiling. There are people in the audience recording the musicians on their phones. Everyone is close to amps and speakers and tables.

James Mastro & The Gold Stars with Renee Maskin at Old Franklin Schoolhouse in Metuchen / March 8, 2025

Bob Makin

Concerts

March 19, 2025 0

In a sold-out show, James Mastro and the Golden Stars, plus opener Renee Maskin, demonstrated why Franklin Schoolhouse is a...

Makin Waves with Ocean Avenue Stompers: Bringing the Carnival Back to the Boardwalk

Bob Makin

Columns

February 24, 2025 0

Both Asbury Park and New Orleans have a history of brass bands. NOLA’s history is a bit better known than...

Makin Waves Roundtable Discussion: LGBTQ & POC Concerns about Returning Trump Administration

Bob Makin

Columns

January 20, 2025 0

Eight days before Donald Trump’s inauguration, East Rutherford-raised singer-songwriter-guitarist Carolyn Marosy, Asbury Park-based singer-songwriter Blaise, and Asbury Park musicians and...

Makin Waves: Dirty Jersey Dozen

Bob Makin

Columns

December 27, 2024 0

Each year, Makin Waves picks the 12 independent New Jersey bands who made the most waves. That means extensive touring...

Makin Waves: Top 10 Jersey Indie Albums

Bob Makin

Columns

December 23, 2024 0

The top 10 albums by New Jersey indie artists, according to Makin Waves: Jackson Pines – Pine Barrens Volume Two...

Makin Waves: Top 10 Jersey Indie Songs

Bob Makin

Columns

December 23, 2024 0

The top 10 songs by New Jersey indie artists, according to Makin Waves: James Mastro – “My God” They oughta...

26th Annual Makin Waves Awards

Bob Makin

Columns

December 20, 2024 0

Makin Waves’ annual holiday gift to the New Jersey music scene turns 26 this year with a bevy of goodness,...

Makin Waves with Jackson Pines: The Makin Waves Band of the Year

Bob Makin

Columns

December 16, 2024 0

Jackson Pines have been my favorite Jersey band for a few years now. They keep getting better and making more waves,...

Makin Waves with The Smithereens: ‘Maintain That Spirit’

Bob Makin

Columns

November 29, 2024 0

New Jersey Hall of Fame power pop act The Smithereens will return December 7 to Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center for...

Features

Fear Stalks the Aisles: Horror Hits Broadway

The Darkness: The Toast of the Town & Beyond

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull – Then & Now With a Lyrical ‘Lone Wolf’

Featured

The Allman Betts Band—Keep On Growing

Reviews

Disturbed Sell Out the Garden for the First Time

James Mastro & The Gold Stars with Renee Maskin at Old Franklin Schoolhouse in Metuchen / March 8, 2025

Judy Collins & Friends: 85 Years of Music & Protest

Featured

HOT ROCKS: New Releases from Green Day, Stone Temple Pilots, Liam Gallagher, DIO, and Sepultura

Columns

Makin Waves with Al Di Meola: ‘Straight Out in the Open’

On The Record: An Anthology Collects Hits from 1960, plus San Francisco Salsa, & CDs from Lance Cowan & Antonio Andrade

Profonde Musique: Top 10 Most Misunderstood Songs Ever

Featured

Queued Up: Exploring the World of Bong Joon-Ho (‘Parasite’), plus ‘Doctor Sleep,’ ‘The Siren,’ ‘Scandalous,’ ‘Untouchable,’ and more.

Live Events

Live Music Choices for a NYC Weekend

The Coolest Live Music in NYC This Week

Spring Begins with Good Live Music in NYC

Featured

Phish’s Mike Gordon & Jon Fishman Perform at Bernie Sanders Super Tuesday Rally

Makin Waves with Al Di Meola: ‘Straight Out in the Open’

James Mastro & The Gold Stars with Renee Maskin at Old Franklin Schoolhouse in Metuchen / March 8, 2025

Makin Waves with Ocean Avenue Stompers: Bringing the Carnival Back to the Boardwalk

Makin Waves Roundtable Discussion: LGBTQ & POC Concerns about Returning Trump Administration

Makin Waves: Dirty Jersey Dozen

Makin Waves: Top 10 Jersey Indie Albums

Makin Waves: Top 10 Jersey Indie Songs

26th Annual Makin Waves Awards

Makin Waves with Jackson Pines: The Makin Waves Band of the Year

Makin Waves with The Smithereens: ‘Maintain That Spirit’

#THROWBACK: Linkin Park, April 25, 2007

Makin Waves with Al Di Meola: ‘Straight Out in the Open’

Live Music Choices for a NYC Weekend

On The Record: An Anthology Collects Hits from 1960, plus San Francisco Salsa, & CDs from Lance Cowan & Antonio Andrade

Fear Stalks the Aisles: Horror Hits Broadway

Features

Featured

Reviews

Featured

Columns

Featured

Live Events

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