By Bob Makin
originally published: 12/18/2020
“Not for Sale” is a new single by Blaise co-written with and produced by former Deal Casino frontman Joe Parella and video directed by sought-after videographer Kris Khunachak. Makin Waves premieres the clip at New Jersey Stage having done the same with the single earlier in the week on “Radio Jersey” at The Penguin Rocks. PHOTO BY CRAIG PETERS
With his latest video, “Not for Sale,” Asbury Park singer-songwriter Blaise and his team tell the tale of a queer love story.
Featuring a spoken-word intro that glides into a soulful George Michael-like dance track, “Not for Sale” is the artist’s latest single from a 2021 album, his fourth. As the Song of the Week, Makin Waves is honored to premiere the video of “Not for Sale”:
Also as the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Not for Sale” can be heard 5 and 11 a.m., 5 p.m., and midnight through Thursday at ThePenguinRocks.com and 6:45 p.m. Friday and Monday on its “Radio Jersey” show.
Lovingly and expertly lensed by Kris Khunachak throughout Asbury Park and 10PRL Studios in Long Branch, the video follows many works by the videographer-photographer. His resume includes such local acts as Shred Flinstone, America Part Two, Latewaves, With Sails Ahead, and Connor Bracken and the Mother Leeds Band.
Like Blaise’s 2018 sophomore LP, “Velvet Noir,” the single and its forthcoming album, Silver Linings Only, were co-written with and produced by Joe Parella, the former frontman of Deal Casino now pursuing a solo music career. The LP’s second single will be released early next year, Blaise said.
“Joe and I have been working for the last two years on a follow up to ‘Velvet Noir,’ he said, “expanding on subjects and sounds, creating tons of music and demos. A pandemic and a heartbreak set us into high speed into the exact direction we were searching for.”
Additional production, mixing, and mastering was by Dylan McLean, a staff engineer at Lakehouse Recording Studios in Asbury.
Kris’ short film stars Skylar Graham of the Jersey band Skylar Pocket as Blaise’s lover.
“My art is founded on both sonic and visual art, so a corresponding video was not only an obvious choice, it was imperative to its full realization,” Blaise said. “Directed by Kris Khunachak, with creative direction by myself and Marissa Nanarone, and starring Skylar Graham, the film tells the story of the song. It speaks on the themes of the fluidity of love and memory, and how these both intersect and inspire life.
“It was important to me to create a queer love story where the central conflict wasn’t the characters dealing with coming to terms with being queer or tackling the world’s opposition to being queer,” Blaise continued. “The story is about two queer characters having this beautiful loving and passionate moment, and trying to hold onto that. I felt compelled to show a queer love story that didn’t end in tragedy but with hope.”
For Blaise, 2021 is going to be a “huge year.” He and Joe P. already have a second album in the works. Both will offer a plethora of visuals, Blaise said.
The new single and video follow a brilliant collaboration between Blaise and David Ross Lawn, who re-arranged much of the “Velvet Noir” to feature only his piano accompaniment. The results produced one of the best albums of the year, as was the original LP in 2018.
Like everyone in the virus-sidelined Asbury scene, Blaise said he’s looking forward to performing as much as possible as soon as possible. In the meantime, he’ll participate with David Ross Lawn in Telegraph Hill Records’ annual Wonderful Year year-end concerts on Dec. 28 and 29 at Asbury Lanes and Danny Clinch Transparent Gallery.
“2020 might have sidelined a lot of things, like touring and bigger shows, but it will never stop me from creating art, and for paving sequin pathways toward the future and success in my cards,” he said.
While that future develops, here’s a look at other videos Blaise has made:
Bob Makin has been a New Jersey music writer for 40 years and is a former reporter with USA TODAY NETWORK and former managing editor of The Aquarian Weekly, which launched this column in 1988. Contact him at [email protected]. And like Makin Waves on Facebook.
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.
Floyd Pink - Celebrating The Music Of Pink Floyd
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJFLOYD PINK is a Pink Floyd tribute band from the New York metro area, celebrating the music of Pink Floyd.
Geoff Tate’s Operation: Mindcrime
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJMulti-platinum selling, Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Geoff Tate is best known for his 30-plus years as the creative and driving force behind the progressive metal band Queensryche. Since its inception with Geoff at the helm, Queensryche has sold over 20 million albums worldwide and has performed in upwards of fifty countries. Geoff is regarded as one of the most skilled vocalists in the genre with hundreds of modern, popular artists citing him and his former band as a major influence. Combining social consciousness and expertly crafted lyrics with high-energy, melodically complex music, Queensryche with Geoff Tate at the forefront became internationally recognized as the thinking man’s rock band. The band’s first three albums — their self-titled EP (1983), The Warning (1984) and Rage for Order (1986) — all hit gold status selling over 500,000 units each.
Jesse Cook
Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 8:00pm
NJPAC - Victoria Theater
1 Center Street, Newark, NJA global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music’s power to connect people across cultures and continents. The Paris-born, Toronto-raised master of the Spanish guitar weaves together flamenco, samba, jazz and world folk traditions into something spellbinding and uniquely his own. On stage, Cook radiates infectious energy — collaborating with his band to craft immersive experiences celebrated for their warmth, precision and emotional depth. With over a billion streams and views across platforms, his sound remains as relevant as it is revered.
Don Mclean & Lee Greenwood
Sunday, November 15, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJTwo iconic singers perform their hits and celebrate America’s 250 birthday! Singer/songwriter Don McLean is best known for the classic hit “American Pie,” as well as “Vincent” and “Castles in the Air.” Country superstar Lee Greenwood has seven top charting singles, including “I.O.U,” “It Turns Me Inside Out,” and the patriotic favorite, “God Bless the U.S.A.”
Song Of The Meadowlark
Sunday, November 15, 2026 @ 2:30pm
Highland Design Farm
159 Van Dyke Road, Hopewell, NJA meditative rock odyssey weaving reimagined contemporary songs, stream-of-consciousness poetry and live painting.
EVENT PREVIEWS
NJPAC presents Jesse Cook on Saturday
(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Jesse Cook on Saturday, November 14, 2026 in the Victoria Theater at 8:00pm. A global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music's power to connect people across cultures and continents.
Forte Piano Music Company presents Exquisite Contrasts: Haydn & Schubert Piano Trios
(PARAMUS, NJ) -- The Forte Piano Music Company presents a Piano Trio Concert - "Exquisite Contrasts" - Haydn & Schubert on Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 2:30pm. This program brings together two landmarks of the piano trio repertoire, revealing the evolution of the genre from the Classical era to early Romanticism.
Mahwah Museum Hosts "Les Paul from Start to Finish" with Jim Wysocki
(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Come to the Mahwah Museum on Sunday, November 15, 2026 for a discussion of a 29-year friendship, rare memorabilia, and the story behind Les Paul's home with Mahwah Mayor Jim Wysocki from his nearly three-decade friendship with legendary musician and inventor Les Paul. The event begins at 2:00pm.
Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition to take place on Sunday
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- You can get your holiday shopping done on Sunday, November 15, 2026 when Anchor Rock Club hosts the Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition. The event runs from noon to 6:00pm.
Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell
(HOPEWELL, NJ) -- Song of the Meadowlark takes place Sunday, November 15, 2026 at Highland Design Farm. This is a meditative rock odyssey weaving reimagined contemporary songs, stream-of-consciousness poetry, and live painting. Doors are at 2:00pm, showtime is 2:30pm.
Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Chris Smither
(AVENEL, NJ) -- Chris Smither will perform at the Avenel Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. Born in Miami, during World War II, Chris Smither grew up in New Orleans where he first started playing music as a child. The son of a Tulane University professor, he was taught the rudiments of instrumentation by his uncle on his mother's ukulele.
Rufus Wainwright to Perform with Princeton "Super-Orchestra" at McCarter Theatre
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Thursday, November 19, 2026 at 7:30pm, GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright takes the McCarter stage for one night only with the Princeton Playhouse Sinfonia, a dynamic new collaborative ensemble created specifically for this concert.
Princeton Folk Music Society presents Kate Taylor
(PRINCETON, NJ) — The Princeton Folk Music Society presents Kate Taylor on Friday, November 20, 2026 in an evening of upbeat and bubbling song filled with enthusiasm and love. The concert takes place at Christ Congregation Church in Princeton. Showtime is 8:00pm. A livestream option is available as well.
Private Eyes Brings the Greatest Hits of Hall & Oates to the Strand Center for the Arts
(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- Few musical acts defined the sound of the late 1970s and 1980s quite like Daryl Hall and John Oates. On Friday, November 20, 2026, the Strand Center for the Arts will celebrate their extraordinary catalog when Private Eyes – The Premier Tribute To Daryl Hall & John Oates takes the stage for an evening of classic pop, rock, and blue-eyed soul. Showtime is 8:00pm.
NJPAC to Celebrate Ben Vereen's 80th Birthday with All-Star Concert on November 21st
(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Ben Vereen's 80th Birthday Concert on Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 8:00pm. This special one-night only celebration is part of NJPAC’s 2026 TD James Moody Jazz Festival (November 6-22). Several of today's leading Broadway stars and vocalists unite for a spectacular birthday bash performance toasting the legendary actor/dancer/singer Ben Vereen who turns 80 on October 10, 2026.
