Asbury Park Music Foundation Teaming with Tito's to Bring AP Artists to CBGB (at EWR)

Sit Back, Relax, and Enjoy Some Music

Asbury Park Music Foundation and Tito's Handmade Vodka announced today that they'll be teaming up for The Mockingbird Summer Series, a 10-week, live music series that will showcase artists from Asbury Park. The artists will serenade travelers from the CBGB Terminal C location at Newark Airport.

Acts including The Burns, Drew the Recluse & Miles NxBxDy, Accidental Seabirds, Bobby Mahoney, Rachel Ana Dobken, and more will perform on select Thursday and Friday evenings and Saturday mornings during the last 10 weeks of summer (July 12th - September 15th). Travelers can get a taste of the Asbury Park music scene while enjoying Tito's Handmade Vodka cocktails at CBGB. For each cocktail sold, Tito's will donate $1, up to $20,000, to Asbury Park Music Foundation. The Foundation strives "to keep the Asbury Park music legacy alive by providing underserved youth with life-changing music education, helping the local music scene thrive and uniting a diverse community through music."

"At Tito's, our mission is to turn spirits into love & goodness," said Zack Flores, Director of Philanthropic Programs at Tito's Handmade Vodka in a press release. "Asbury Park Music Foundation shares our vision of supporting local communities and we're grateful to be able to partner on The Mockingbird Summer Series to support emerging musicians."

"We want passionate music fans from throughout the US and the world to enjoy a taste of what Asbury Park musicians have to offer," said Jim Lenskold, President of the Asbury Park Music Foundation (and avid local music fan). "The CBGB stage in the Newark Airport is a great opportunity to introduce a new audience to Asbury Park's diverse original music. We hope to encourage travelers and locals to experience the live music playing every night of the year in one of our 20+ great venues."

Lenskold continued, "We are thankful to Tito's for spotlighting our current musicians while also contributing to the next generation of musicians through their donation supporting music education for underserved youth."

So far, APMF and Tito's have confirmed:

Accidental Seabirds
Drew the Recluse & Miles NxBxDy
Chris Brown
Emily Grove
Bobby Mahoney
The Apy Brothers
Rachel Ana Dobken
Eryn O’Ree
Poca
LEEDS
Pamela Flores
The Burns
Mackenzie Brown
Natalie Newbold

The entire series will feature over 20 up-and-coming artists from Asbury Park and kicks off with Accidental Seabirds on July 12, Drew the Recluse & Miles NxBxDy on July 13, and Chris Brown on July 19. Additional scheduling info, artist bios, a Spotify playlist, and more will be available at www.AsburyParkMusicLives.org/Titos by July 12th.

Exmaid Are Making a Video and Looking for Extras This Sunday, 3/4!

They'll Make You Famous. Maybe. Probably.

Our friends Exmaid will be making a music video this Sunday, 3/4, at Flemington DIY. The shoot happens from noon to 4pm, and the band are looking for extras or maybe just some extra muscle. If you're interested in launching your career as a punk rock / DIY video extra or helping out, then you should send an email indicating that to ExmaidVideo@gmail.com. Extras should come in formal dress. Bagels / snacks will be provided.

You can RSVP to the Facebook event, but you should use the email above if you're really interested in participating.

Exmaid recently announced that they'd be releasing their debut LP Fair Sex on 4/6 via SRA Records.

Brooklyn's Russian Baths Sign with Good Eye Records. EP Is Due 2/23.

Penance

Our good friends over at Good Eye Records are kicking off 2018 by announcing today that Brooklyn four-piece, Russian Baths, are the latest addition to the label's growing stable of bands. Comprised of Luke Koz (guitar / vox), Jess Rees (guitar / keys / vox), Evan Gill Smith (bass), and Jeff Widner (drums), Russian Baths combine harmony and dissonance into a sound that, at different times, recalls post-punk, shoegaze, and psych / noise rock.

In 2016, Russian Baths self-released the "Ambulance" cassette single, which was mixed by former-The Men bassist, Ben Greenberg. They will follow that promising and explosive beginning with their debut EP, Penance, on February 23rd.

And, in a very cool development about which I'm extremely excited, CoolDad Music will team up with Good Eye Records to host the New Jersey release show for Penance on February 22nd at The Saint. Joining Russian Baths on an amazing bill will be Dentist, The Black Clouds, Baked, and Grace Vonderkuhn.

Stay tuned for more from Russian Baths as the release date approaches. In the meantime, you can have a listen to / buy "Ambulance" as you get ready to join us on February 22nd.

Yawn Mower Sign to Mint 400 Records. Playing The Saint on Thursday, 9/7.

Yawn Mower in the backyard at CDMHQ

Big Time

The title pretty much says it all. Asbury Park doom / surf / garage duo, Yawn Mower, have signed with New Jersey's Mint 400 Records.

Since forming Yawn Mower in 2015 as kind of a break from their day jobs, Mike Chick (vocals / guitar) and Biff Swenson (drums) have seen the project grow into a mainstay of the Asbury Park music scene. In that time, they've released two proper EPs, some covers, and a Christmas EP. And, while the guys don't take themselves too seriously, a not-even-all-that-close read of many of their songs reveals that Yawn Mower don't shy away from dealing with the big issues like climate change, the news media, and parking in Asbury Park.

Mint 400 will be re-releasing Yawn Mower's holiday EP, Yawn Mower Ruins Christmas, right around holiday time; and the band plan to release their third EP of originals in 2018.

Yawn Mower will be playing The Saint this Thursday, 9/7, on a bill that also includes Well Wisher (the new project of dollys' Natalie Newbold), no thank you, and ACQUI. You can check out the rest of the band's upcoming dates below. As we get closer to Halloween, I'm sure you'll be able to hear Yawn Mower's version of seasonal classic, "DING DONG! (Fill My Plastic Pumpkin)," at some of these shows.

Sept.  7 - The Saint, AP
Sept. 16 - Bond Street Block Party, AP
Oct.  13 - Stosh's, Fair Lawn, NJ
Oct.  22 - Asbury Park Brewery, AP

Here's video of Yawn Mower performing "The Teleprompter Rolls" at the 8/16 installment of Asbury Park Live.

Speak Into My Good Eye Announce Their 4th Annual 24-Hour Songwriting Challenge. It's 10/21.

We had the honor of premiering Fruit & Flowers' contribution to last year's 24-hour Songwriting Challenge.

To Benefit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Well, our friends from way back, Speak Into My Good Eye, are coming back for another go 'round with their always fun 24-Hour Songwriting Challenge. This is that thing where artists create a completely original work over the course of a specific 24-hour period.

Previous challenges have resulted in songs that ended up on albums or EPs like The Vansaders' "Ripped It Apart" or Hot Blood's "Cop in a Tank." We've gotten to premiere a couple of tracks here like the Rick Barry / Andy Bova collaboration, "All Is Well," and Fruit & Flowers' great live-set staple, "Way Out." There have been those unexpected contributions like Rick Barry's 27.5-minute "Prisoners" on the first-ever challenge and Roy Orbitron's first-date-story-set-to-music, "#tinderfail," back in 2015.

Each year, the comp has attracted great artists, and sales have benefited a worthy charity. This year's challenge will begin at the stroke of midnight on October 21st with proceeds from the sale of the final compilation going to support the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Speak Into My Good Eye have tapped uber-talented individual and tireless supporter of local music, Nicole Calascibetta (fka, Nikki Black), for an as-yet-to-be-determined role; but her involvement can do nothing but enhance an already successful tradition.

SIMGE and Nicole have decided that they'd like to open the challenge up to artists in all media, and they're in the process of trying to come up with some type of combined art show / concert to coincide with this year's release. If you're interested in participating in any artistic capacity, you can get in touch at speakimge@gmail.com.

So, mark your calendars; and, remember, no cheating. Everything needs to be done in 24 hours starting on October 21st. Keep your eyes on speakimge.com for details as they develop.

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2015



2016

Speak Into My Good Eye Announce Wilco Tribute Album in Support of The Project Matters. Submissions Welcome.

I'll Be Around

Our longtime buds over at Speak Into My Good Eye have a track record of interesting compilation releases. Back in 2014, the site released a five-song covers tribute to Queens Of The Stone Age. For the last three years, SIMGE has sponsored a 24-hour songwriting challenge during which artists write, record, and submit an entirely new song all in a single day. Each of those comps raised money for a specific charity. Today, Speak Into My Good Eye are announcing I'll Be Around: A Tribute To Wilco. Due on May 5th, 2017, this release represents both the second volume in SIMGE's covers series and a continuation of the site's charitable efforts.

Proceeds from I'll Be Around will benefit The Project Matters, a 501 (C) (3) corporation that works to further the creation of music with an emphasis on aspiring musicians aged 25 and younger. Artists are offered a network of industry advisors and mentors who lend their expertise in the areas of business, technical, performance, and emotional support.

The choice of Wilco is significant explains The Project Matters' executive director, Karen High:

"Shortly before my beautiful son passed, he had me listen to two Wilco songs. Both from their latest release [at the time], Sky Blue Sky. The first was the track "Either Way" and the other, the title track. I started to listen and had to stop. Those songs affected me physically, and I started to cry. I have to say, it was a very strong reaction. I explained this to Ben, and he understood saying, "that's what it's supposed to do, emotionally touch you as a listener." Sky Blue Sky turned out to be the last CD he purchased. Jeff Tweedy was one of his influences. And I continue to be a huge fan."

Today, we also get the first track from I'll Be Around in the form of Being There's "Red Eyed and Blue" as realized by Jackson Pines.

"Ben was one of the first people to push Wilco on me," shares Jackson Pines' J.T. Makoviecki. "I had heard of them and liked 'Jesus Etc.' but Ben FORCED me to dig deeper; and when I discovered Being There, the record changed my idea of writing an album, and what pop music could do.

This song reminds me of Ben, not because of the references in the song, but because of how it's about recording; and Ben LOVED making records. Recording parts of my first album, YES (Makoveskus), in the Highs' basement were some of the best memories I have of my teenhood. Believing in music, doing it yourself, and doing it with Ben at the helm."

Speak Into My Good Eye are looking for additional contributions for a May 5th release of I'll Be Around. Any artists interested in contributing a cover or a re-conceptualization of any Wilco song can contact Michael Mehalick at mikemehalickmm@gmail.com. Contributions are due by April 28th.

Lunch Ladies Announce Debut Full-Length on Good Eye Records

Photo: Daniel Topete

Down on Sunset Strip

New Jersey dream pop quartet, Lunch Ladies, have announced that they'll be releasing their debut full-length with Good Eye Records. Down on Sunset Strip is due on March 10th, 2017 via digital release.

Whenever I've had the chance to see Lunch Ladies live, their sound has taken me back to hazy memories of my own past growing up here on the Jersey Shore. Matt Whitley (vox, guitar), Cynthia Rittenbach (vox, bass), Matt Ramiz (vox, guitar), and Peter Gargano (drums) fuse shoegaze, dream and jangle pop, painting images that roll by like old, faded photographs. The guitars create a cinematic backdrop as each of the three singers takes their turn at lead vocals. I've always been impressed at the way a young band is able to conjure such familiar images in an old guy like me.

Anyway...

You can check out the tracklist for Down on Sunset Strip below along with Lunch Ladies' current list of upcoming shows. And, would you look at that? One of those upcoming dates happens on January 23rd at The Saint in Asbury Park when Little Dickman Records and CoolDad Music bring you Kino Kimino, Fruit & Flowers, Lunch Ladies, and EVL MOMMZ for the very friendly price of just $5.

Give Lunch Ladies a like on Facebook, follow Good Eye Records on Soundcloud, or keep it tuned right here for continued updates on Down on Sunset Strip. Congrats to our friends in Lunch Ladies and at Good Eye Records. May you have a long and fruitful relationship.

Down on Sunset Strip tracklist:

01: Sunshine

02: You’re Not There

03: Love Is Overrated

04: Sad Jeans

05: Lazy

06: Bumming Too Much

07: Pick Yourself Up

Lunch Ladies dates:

1/23 - The Saint - Asbury Park, NJ

1/28 - Blackburn Hall - Watchung, NJ

2/07 - The Meatlocker - Montclair, NJ

2/15 - Shea Stadium - Brooklyn, NY

3/10 - The J House (Album Release) - New Brunswick, NJ

4/14 - Brighton Bar - Long Branch, NJ

Leonia's Darkwing Touring To SXSW

Darkwing at Porta JC in December

Twice In Asbury

Like lots of our friends, "surf grunge" trio and "The Pride of Leonia," Darkwing, are heading out on a tour that will take them to and from Austin, TX for South By Southwest.

In the band's own words, "Darkwing has a sound crafted in basements and backyards. Yes, the deepest darkest basements." Having seen Darkwing a few times now, I can vouch for the dark, surfy, grungey, garaginess of their sound; and, if you're near any of the spots that Darkwing will be hitting on this tour, you should make it a point to check them out.

For those of you in my neck of the woods, that will be easy to do as the current tour brings Darkwing to Asbury Park twice. First, they hit APYC on 3/4 with Sharkmuffin. Darkwing wind things up with a show at The Saint on 4/2. Check out all of Darkwing's tour dates below.

Flyer: Ana Asnes Becker, Photo: Thomas Ignatius