We're taking September off. Check back for our interview with

Thomas Johnston, October Musician of the Month!

August Musician of the Month

Jill Cagney

Jill Cagney does not bend the truth to be nice, get along with people or fit into society. In her music, she writes about the things most of us would not say out loud; then she sings them in public. With songs about friends who always ask but never take advice, Facebook addiction, wanting to curse someone out, forgiveness, the sweetness of falling in love and the pain of losing a cell phone, Jill’s music speaks to our everyday struggles, draws us in and makes us say “me too!”Jill has opened multiple times for Pat Dinizio of The Smithereens at The Crossroads in NJ.  She performed as a part of the WFMU Seven Second Delay during their record breaking 60 artists in 60 minutes show. She has showcased at multiple music conferences and festivals.“Perspective is everything, and a little sarcasm doesn’t hurt either” Jill Cagney

Discography

2012 - "Nerves Of Steel"
2011- "It's All In How You See Things"
2009 - "Sometimes I Tell The Truth" 

Venues
NYC - The National Underground, Googies Lounge, The Annex, UC Lounge, Bar East, The Upright Citizens Brigade, Bar 169, Alphabet Lounge, Ella Lounge
NJ - The Crossroads, The Stanhope House, The Record Collector, International Cafe, Rockin Joe's, Jersey Garden's Mall, Molly Maguires, Espresso Joes
PA - The Legendary Dobbs, The Grape Room, The Appalachian Brewing Company, Cornerstone Coffeehouse
IN - Birdy's
VT - Nectars
NC - Creatures Cafe
TN - The Buccaneer, Sapphire, The Art Market Gallery
Toronto, CA - Slacks, The Village Vapor Lounge

Jill's Website

The Interview

July Musician of the Month

Michael Askin

Michael Askin is a singer/songwriter with the ability to combine everyday, slice of life images with larger philosophical themes. Once the “guitarist with mystique” in such Jersey rock bands as Divine Sign and My State of Attraction, Michael has forged ahead, releasing his third EP, Road by the River, in the Spring of 2017.

Reverbnation

Bandcamp

The Interview

               

June 2017  Musician Of the Month

 Sheli Monacchio

                    

Sheli Monacchio
Bio

After an almost 5-year break from performing and writing songs, Sheli Monacchio has been slowly dipping her toe back into the New Jersey music scene.  She is in the process of recording her long overdue follow-up to the critically acclaimed 2011 “Kansas” release and are starting to take shape, with a spring 2018 release date in the planning.  The songs she is writing for the record are rooted and sprung from an awe-inspiring place of becoming a mother for the 3rd time.  The spark that started this creative period has also struck a chord with her to perform again and has been doing so steadily in 2017.  In addition to playing her solo shows, she has also been playing as often as she can with her daughter and favorite musical partner, the immensely talented Melissa Anthony Dimura.
Sheli Monacchio (formerly known as Sheli Aarden) has been a fixture on the New Jersey “coffee house” circuit since 2004. She has multiple Asbury Music Award nominations to her credit, as well as a JAM (Jersey Acoustic Musician) award for best folk-act for her collaborative effort with her husband, The Monacchios. From her debut album, Digging For Daylight, to the aforementioned Kansas LP and her work with The Monacchios, Sheli has established herself as one of the most honest, thought provoking and endearing songwriters around.  Having said that, the writing she has been doing over the last year is coming from a different place.  A place of quiet confidence, with her feet firmly cemented in a place happily unknown, but altogether familiar.  In flight, following her instinct for better or worse to a clearing in the distance that make make for a soft landing.

  Sheli's ReverbNation page

Link to Sheli's album "Kansas"



Link to "Alive Inside"



The Interview

             

March Musicians of the Month

 The Wag

                   

This upbeat high energy band are seasoned professionals. Whether performing in local establishments or opening for national acts such as Rick Springfield, John Cafferty, Peter Tork of The Monkees, and Jefferson Starship, you’re always guaranteed a ‘Class A’ performance filled with catchy melodies, beautiful harmonies, and exciting showmanship. The Wag has a monthly residence at Espresso Joe’s in Keyport, NJ, and within the last year, they have ventured out of their homeland to take part in 3 regional and international tours. The Wag has also added an acoustic set to their repertoire, further diversifying their sound and allowing them to reach a larger audience.

Awards

2012: Top Pop Band by The Jersey Acoustic Music Awards

2013: Brian Mowery of The Wag wins Top Instrumentalist by The Jersey Acoustic Music 
Awards


Helpful Links:

Facebook          Web           Reverb Nation          Soundcloud        Twitter         YouTube

The  Interview

We're taking a break

Todd and I are taking a break this month.

We will be back in March with a new interview.

January Musician of the Month

Dan Toye

                        photo courtesy of Bob Yellen at BOTMA

Dan Toye has been playing music for over 45 years, mostly as a singer/guitarist in a folk/rock/country/Irish vein but more recently as a songwriter. His CD tilted "Going Home" has been well received by his audiences, and more importantly to him, his musical peers. He loves performing and has met so many other talented musicians over the past 15 years through Espresso Joe's in Keyport and many other local venues. More recently he has shared the stage with Gorgo and Christian Beach, Bill Doerge and Kevin McGowan.

Dan's Facebook Page

Now sit back, relax, and enjoy the interview!

The Interview