By Bob Makin
originally published: 11/26/2020
Here’s a look at the 10 best independent New Jersey songs to cross my desk in what surprisingly was a great year for record music from the Garden State. All are self-released unless indicated by an indie label.
If you’re spending money on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday or Giving Tuesday, invest in these great Jersey artists:
1. Foxanne, "Opportunity" -- Foxanne takes something as fanciful as a trip to Mars and makes the loneliness and sense of abandonment bone-achingly real. Like a great animated family movie, “Opportunity” blurs the lines between man and machine because your heart is breaking for a Mars Rover, the unlikely narrator of the emotional tale. Disney should come knockin’ on Foxanne’s door to expand this tune into a feature or at least a short.
2. The Milwaukees, “The Calling” (Mint 400 Records) -- The closing piece de resistance of The Milwaukees’ first album in nine years is the plaintive, piano-driven title track. “The Calling” exquisitely summarizes the album’s hopefulness in the face of hardship, especially heartbreak, with a tale about how music (or any passion) can heal the hurt it often causes.
3. Stella Mrowicki, “Without Me” -- Sunny, piano-driven, banjo ‘n’ fiddle-flavored opening single to Stella’s impressive EP, “Pine Trees and Wildflowers.”
4. Stella Mrowicki, “High St.” -- Soul-stirring song that sounds like Emmylou Harris singing at New Orleans jazz funeral.
5. Bruce Tunkel, “I Can Do Better” -- Bruce at his one-man best, especially the haunting, tubular-sounding guitar work. But what makes this track the standout among 22 songs released on two records this year are powerful Springsteenesque lyrics.
6. Rick Barry, “No Smoking” -- Pretty piano-driven, string-spiced chronicle of the United States’ decline since the 9/11 terrotist attack that makes a fascinating comparison between the freedoms that smokers lost when driven out into the cold to the disregard for science of self-proclaimed patriots who refuse to a wear a mask during the pandemic.
7. Mike Montrey Band, “Spirit of Youth” -- Haunting, rousing, soulful single featuring a splendid pedal steel by Jack Stanton that glides alongside Mike & Jen Augustine’s stirring vocals.
8. Mike Montrey Band, "New Mexico” -- Standout EP track that would make a Flying Burritos Brother fan cry in their beer.
9: Originaire, "Off the Ship" -- Exquisite duet as powerful as it is lovely, especially CiBon’s otherworldly vocals and fantastic fiddler Valerie Vuolo’s beautiful bowing.
10. Candy Cavity, "Fuck Boy" -- Toxic entanglement that finds an unsuspecting lass infatuated with an Asbury Park player, a fate Candy compares to “swimming with the sharks.” Lead guitarist Steve Markow plays fantastically with a searing, seething solo on this Nirvana-like menacing but melodic track.
Bob Makin is a reporter for USA TODAY NETWORK and the former managing editor of The Aquarian Weekly, which launched this column in 1988. Contact him via email 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.
EVENT PREVIEWS
Essex County Summer Players Orchestra present "Made in America" on August 2nd
(LIVINGSTON, NJ) -- As local residents and friends stroll, bike or jog around the Livingston Oval on Tuesday evenings this July, musicians from several community orchestras are gathering in the township's high school band room to celebrate works "Made in America."
HOT 97's Summer Jam 2026 to Take Place July 24th at Prudential Center
(NEWARK, NJ) -- HOT 97, New York's #1 station for Hip Hop, is once again bringing the culture's biggest night back to the tri-state area with Summer Jam 2026, on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark. Produced by The Black Promoters Collective, Summer Jam continues its legacy as the most iconic Hip Hop concert in the world.
Strand Center for the Arts presents Lover Taylor - Tribute to Taylor Swift on Friday
(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- Swifties of all ages are invited to sing, dance and celebrate the music of one of pop's biggest superstars when Lover Taylor – Tribute to Taylor Swift comes to the Strand Center for the Arts on Friday, July 24, 2026 at 8:00pm.
Grammy-Winning Superstars Erica Campbell and Jonathan McReynolds to Headline 2026 Gospel Music Festival
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Middlesex County, as part of its FolkLIVE free community event series, will host its third annual Gospel Music Festival in New Brunswick (2 Livingston Ave) on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 3:30pm to 7:30pm. This year's star-studded lineup features multi-Grammy-winning performer Erica Campbell—known both for her solo work and as part of the dynamic "Mary Mary" duo—and Billboard chart-topper Jonathan McReynolds as the headliners.
Mahwah Museum Hosts "Unlock the Fretboard" Guitar Workshop with Mark Sganga on July 25th
(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Guitar players of all levels are invited to "Unlock the Fretboard," a hands-on guitar workshop taking place on Saturday, July 25, from 11:00am to 2:00pm, with a short break included, at The Mahwah Museum. The workshop will be taught by Mark Sganga, an International Fingerstyle Guitar Champion, bringing expert instruction and high-level musicianship to this special event. Designed to help players better understand the fretboard through a system of caged chords and scales, the workshop offers practical strategies that participants can apply immediately in their playing.
The 2026 Sourland Mountain Fest to Take Place July 25th
(RINGOES, NJ) -- The Sourland Mountain Fest is back for its 21st year on Saturday, July 25, 2026. It promises a summer afternoon of soulful talent, tasty bites, refreshing drinks and meaningful dialogue on why the Sourland Region is so important to Central Jersey, and why it's more important than ever to protect it. Performers include Gravity Hill, The Swiss Guard, Hickory, Jake Thistle, and headliners The Harrisons and Company.
Centenary Stage Company's Summerfest 2026 presents FOUR STICKS: The Music of Led Zeppelin on July 25th
(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's Summerfest 2026 continues with an electrifying evening of classic rock as FOUR STICKS: The Music of Led Zeppelin takes the stage on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 8:00pm in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center.
interACT Theatre Productions presents interACT Sings: Around the World
(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- interACT Theatre Productions presents interACT Sings: Around the World on July 24-25, 2026 at The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts. This is a first-class musical journey to benefit the theatre company's 2026-27 season. A cocktail hour takes place at 6:30pm; showtime is 7:30pm.
"The Boardwalk Sessions" Aims to Change How Independent Artists are Supported at the Jersey Shore
(TINTON FALLS, NJ) -- Loudly Inclusive Media Collective will present The Boardwalk Sessions, a free, two-night live music showcase on Friday, July 24, and Saturday, July 25, 2026 from 5:00pm–10:00pm at Twin Lights Brewing in Tinton Falls. More than just a concert series, The Boardwalk Sessions was created to celebrate original music while demonstrating a different model for supporting independent artists: one built on fair compensation, authentic community, and meaningful opportunities to connect with audiences.
Centenary Stage Company presents FOUR STICKS: The Music of Led Zeppelin on July 25th
(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's Summerfest 2026 continues with an electrifying evening of classic rock as FOUR STICKS: The Music of Led Zeppelin takes the stage on Saturday, July 25 in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center. Showtime is 8:00pm.
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