By Danny Coleman
originally published: 10/20/2017

"It has been a dream of mine and ours to perform in the United States. It is a big country, a great country, a beautiful country and it has been a childhood dream of mine to play there and it is finally happening. The promoters are doing everything possible to make it a great experience for us," says guitarist German Vergara of the Chilean progressive rock band Aisles as they landed in America for their first ever tour of the U.S. beginning with the recent "ProgStock Festival" in Rahway, NJ

Vergara is highly enthusiastic about the band, its music and performing in America. He recognizes the difficulty with which many progressive rock bands (not named Genesis or Yes) have maintaining airplay and getting their music out to the masses. Progressive rock it seems is a genre that much like blues music is constantly under the radar, then seems to resurface only to fade away again; something he is very conscience of. "Chile is much harder, it's hard everywhere," he said speaking in realistic tones. "Chile is a very small country of only 17,000,000 people and that makes it harder to reach a larger audience. Progressive rock is a very hard style of music to make appealing but I think it's really up to the musicians to make it interesting so that people want to listen, want to come out to see and hear the bands. Progressive music is growing in Europe and we are doing well there as is the case with many other bands so it's all a matter of finding the right market; the style gets very little radio play like it did years ago."

Music, perhaps more than any other art form tends to reach every corner, nook and cranny of the world and one might think that growing up in a small country like Chile would lessen one's exposure to various forms. Vergara began playing guitar at the age of 11 and had some classic influences. "I loved Brian may of Queen," he said with the enthusiasm of that same 11 year old. "May, then as I grew older Led Zeppelin and Jimmy Page, he is awesome. Steve Howe of Yes, I love Steve Howe. I'm not so sure if it affects my style of play today because I never imitate others in any manner; I like to think I'm an innovator (laughs)."

Named after the connecting piece that runs from the back of a theater to the stage, Aisles are still riding high off of their last record, a double album conceptual work titled, "Hawaii" which was released in 2016. According to Vergara, the band is, "Very happy with the results and sales to this point" and they are extremely happy with the, "Rave reviews" it has gotten as well. "Yes, we are very pleased with how the album was received. There is always pressure on you when you're creative or when you create something so we are very much glad this one has done well. We are just about near the end of the cycle with this one and we are going to go back into studio once we return to Chile and start work on a new one." 

While on this first ever U.S. tour, they plan to promote their entire package of material as much as possible, relying on their live performance to seal the deal and win over American audiences that perhaps just listening to a recording cannot. "We plan on promoting the last CD, so we'll be playing many tracks from that as well as our other three albums. Sometimes the studio can't capture us as we sound live. We feel we have much more strength and a certain energy playing live that maybe is missing from studio recordings. We come to life on stage, we love to perform and feed off of the crowd's energy too." 

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Rahway, NJ witnessed it first hand and next up is Friday evening at, "Progtoberfest" in Chicago with more U.S. dates to be announced shortly but for now, the band is soaking it all in, enjoying their first taste of American audiences. "We are very excited and look forward to meeting the fans in America. Once we get home we have a few more dates in Chile and then we start over (laughs)." 

To discover more about Aisles, please visit www.aislesproject.com. 

That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!

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This week's event listings

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Bill's Olde Tavern
2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-0192
Thurs. 9 p.m. Trivia
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke Contest (Cash prizes) 
Ages 21+ 

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Blend Bar & Bistro
911 Highway 33 Hamilton 
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia  Jam
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Shaun Ruymen

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Bowman's Tavern
1600 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Neil Podgurski Trio
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan
Sat. 7 p.m. David Dales Trio
Sun. 6 p.m. Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Michael Long
Wed. 6 p.m. Tony Alosi

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Brickwall Tavern & Dining Room
19 E. Union Street Burlington
(609) 733-3562
Fri. 10 p.m.DJ Shorty Rock
Sat. 9 p.m. Camille Peruto

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Candlelight Lounge 
24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
 Sat. 3 p.m. (TBA) $10 (cover charge/$10 Minimum includes buffet) 
Tues. 6 p.m. "Tuesday Jazz Jam" Open Session feat. James Stewart / Tom Littwin Trios. $5 (Lite appetizers)

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Chickie's & Pete's
183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia 

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City Streets 
510 Highway 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
Fri. 9 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays" w/ DJ Brett Gash
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie & Chelsea
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval

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COARadio.com 
Main Street Hightstown 
(609) 241-7103
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. Gary Dvorkin

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Dadz Bar & Grill
744 Main Street Lumberton
(609) 267-4344
Thurs. 9 p.m. DJ Jason Byrd / "Beer Pong Tournament"
Fri. 10 p.m. Never Enough
Sat. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Dubbs
Sun. 4 p.m. Al Snyder
Tues. 8 p.m. "Game Night"
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Superstar Entertainment

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Dog & Bull Brew House
810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Jeff Selby
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. Cecil Middleton (9 p.m.) (TBA)
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch" feat. Jazz 180 (9 p.m.) New Pony
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Keli Vale Jazz (4 p.m.) Ivory & Steel
Wed. 8 p.m. Lynsay Salera

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Fran's Pub
116 South Main Street New Hope, PA
(215) 862-5539
Sat. 8 p.m. Mario & the Sliders

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Freddies Tavern
12 Railroad Avenue Ewing
(609) 882-0978
Fri. 8 p.m. The Gyrl Band 
Sat. 8 p.m. Smoked Ice
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Joe Vadala

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Grover's Mill Coffee House
Princeton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction
(609) 716-8771
Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Anker

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Havana New Hope
105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA. 
(215) 862-9897
Fri. (8:30 p.m.) LeCompt with DowntownHorns (12 a.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sat. (8:30 p.m.) Fish Out of Water (12 a.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sun. 7 p.m. Jeff Washington Band
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. "Local Original Music" Hosted by Pat Foran

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Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn
15 East Broad Street Hopewell
(609) 466-9889
Fri. 8 p.m. Open Mic. Night

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Hurricane Jacks Bar and Grill
7759 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(267) 914-4517
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paul Kircher
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paula & Sam

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Iron Plow Vineyards
26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. Grouser Girls
Sat. 2 p.m. Audio Pilot
Sun. 1 p.m. Bob & Dave

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Ivy Tavern 
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 9 p.m. Unleashed
Sat. 9 p.m. Audio Pilot
Tues. 7 p.m. Teddy Z Memorial Jam
All shows 21+

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John & Peter's 
96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 9 p.m. The Matt Woods Band / Cory Call
Fri. 9 p.m. John Beecher & The Common Ground
Sat. (3 p.m.) The Real Fugitives (9:30 p.m.) The Paper Jets Showcase
Sun. (3 p.m.) Lily Vakilli Band (9:30 p.m.) Sunset Kings
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic.
Tues. 9 p.m. Mountain John
Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+

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Killarney's Publick House
1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Wed. 7 p.m. Joe & Matt Radio Fiction Duo

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Laurita Winery
85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Thurs. 7 p.m. "Wooden Pumpkin Painting"
Fri. 7 p.m. "Sangriaville" feat. Jimmy & The Parrots
Sat. "Fall Fire Pits & Food Trucks Oktoberfest" (11 a.m.) Ben Weiner Trio (2 p.m.) Nikki Briar and the Sweet Briar Band (5 p.m.) Fast Forward 80's
Sun. "Fall Fire Pits & Food Trucks Oktoberfest" (11 a.m.) Kindred Spirit (1:30 p.m.) Pennington Station (5 p.m.) The Surge

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Mamma Rosa's 
572 Klockner Road Hamilton 
(609) 588-5454
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider 
Sun. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton

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McGuinn's Place
1781 Brunswick Avenue Lawrence
(609) 392-0599
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Ages 21+

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McStews Irish Sports Pub
5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim
Fri. 10 p.m. "Frisky Fridays" w/ DJ Favs. & MC Fredo Ages 21+
Sat. 10 p.m. Heavy Glow / Chris Trainor and Tyler Stetler
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike

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Mill Hill Amphitheater
Mill Hill Park (Corner of East Front and South Broad Streets) Trenton
Thurs. 6 p.m. Joshua Adair

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Millhill Basement
300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Pizza Hustle Shows" feat. Yomi, BeebeeSunny, Moron Girls, Stampy Goblyn, Raymond Strife x III-Omega-FTW. FOAD. $6 (cover charge)
Sat. (9 p.m.) "Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market After Party" feat. Crazy and The Brains, Duster, Thorazine, The Dirty Merlins. $8 (cover charge)
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase 

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New Hope Winery
6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA
(215) 794-2331
Fri. 8 p.m. Rick Emmett w/ Dave Dunlop. Doors at 7 p.m., $35/$50 (VIP Meet and Greet) 
Sat. 8 p.m. Average White Band. Doors at 7 p.m., $55

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Nook's PourHouse
2043 Route 130 South Florence
(609) 447-0927
Thurs. 8 p.m. Karaoke 
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Tuesday w/ Quizoholics

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Nottingham Tavern
9 Mercer Street Hamilton Square
(609) 587-6623
Thurs. 7 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Super Dave
Wed. 5 p.m. "Weekend Warm-up" w/ DJ Chris Barlow
Ages 21+

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Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21 +

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Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton

(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Ernie White & Tom Reock
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Hit & Run

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Randy Now's Man Cave
134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Sat. (12 p.m.) "The Munsters" TV Car (8 p.m.) The Nick Clemons Band. $10

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Salt Creek Grille
1 Rockingham Row Princeton
(609) 419-4200
Fri. 8 p.m. Rainbow Fresh
Sat. 8 p.m. Jerry Topinka

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Small World Coffee
14 Witherspoon Street Princeton 
(609) 924-4377 x2
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Rick Fiori Jazz Trio

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1867 Sanctuary 
101 Scotch Road Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Fri. 8 p.m. David Rogers. $20
Sat. 7 p.m. "Otherness: A Night to Experience Difference" 
Sun. 7:30 p.m. Classical Cello w/ Ovidiu Marinescu and Anna Kislitsyna

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Tara's Tavern 
1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Big Daddy G
Sat. 10 p.m. Slip Mickey

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Tavern On The Lake
101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. (7:30 p.m.) Jerry Topinka / Lil Asmar. Doors at 7 p.m. (Upstairs) (9 p.m.) Pretty Baby (Bar)
Sat. 9 p.m. Black Rose
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night

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The Cool Cricket
216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. El Ka Bong

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The HOB Tavern
146 Second Street Bordentown
(609) 291-7020
Fri. 9 p.m. Sir Xieri
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. (TBA)

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The Ivy Inn
248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Rockin' Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. Seth Tieger
Sat. 10 p.m. Paper Shakers
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron

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The Nottingham Ballroom
200 Mercer Street Hamilton Square
Thurs. 6 p.m. "I believe In Pink" Breast Cancer Fundraiser feat. DJ Anthony Bradley and Total Soul Band. FREE Admission Donations Accepted, Buffet dinner/Cash bar

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The Pines Tavern
6217 North Radcliffe Street Bristol, PA
(215) 788-1659
Sat. 9 p.m. Ghantt & Skaggs
Sun. 3 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Bill Monach Jr.

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The Raven 
385 West Bridge Street New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2081
Thurs. (5 p.m.) Russell Eiffert (8 p.m.) Will & Grace Viewing Party (10 p.m.) All Male Revue
Fri. (9 p.m.) Michael Ferreri (10 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sat. (5 p.m.) Russell Eiffert (10 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Tues. 8 p.m. "Bearlesque In The Oak Room"
Wed. 7 p.m. Dena Underwood

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The Record Collector
358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Fri. 8 p.m. Successful Failures "New Release Party" / The Paper Jets. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (advance)
Sat. 8 p.m. The Doughboys. All ages, doors at 7:30, $12 (advance)

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The Sticky Wicket 
2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Throwback Thursday" w/ DJ Chillio
Fri. 9 p.m. Synergy
Sat. 9 p.m. Einstein Bridge
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke

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The Sun National Bank Center 
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events

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Third State Brewing 
352 High Street Burlington
(609) 387-1620 
Fri. 7 p.m. John Johnson

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Tir Na Nog 
1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Derry Brigade
Sat. 9 p.m. Rick Winow
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia
All shows  21+

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Trenton Buzz
702 Pine Street Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic. 

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Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. "Audio History of Funk and Soul" w/ Professor DJ Tangency
Fri. 9 p.m. Charles Laurita & The Mischief
Sat. 7 p.m. "Zen That Beat" Yoga w/ Cheryl Young scored to live music
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Benny

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Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Shenna. $5 (cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Crucial. $5 (cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Stage Night (Sign ups at 6:30 p.m.)
All shows 21+ 

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Triumph Brewing Company
138 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 924-7855
Fri. 9 p.m. The Wallace Brothers
All shows 21+

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Wildflowers Inn
2572 Pennington Road Pennington
(609) 773-2392
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. Ernie White
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock Night
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia
Tues. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson
Ages 21+
 

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Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.

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