Summer is just over the horizon, slowly turning up the heat on our sleepy little Island. Soon, the community pulse will beat a little louder with long, sunny days and hot late nights. Now’s a great time to get your playlist locked and loaded with music that can be seen live, right here.
Most highlighted here are year ’round locals you can catch at your favorite dive, with a few honorable mentions traveling in from adjacent Asbury, NYC or Philly, but the tie that binds is their originality. Here’s a guide to the latest releases by the artists we all either already love or have yet to discover, covering every genre imaginable.
This comprehensive guide lists (in order of local show dates) only the most recent or relevant single, but check out our playlist below–a specially curated Spotify playlist, which includes a wider variety of tunes by our featured artists. Make sure to listen on shuffle for a true mix.
Pick your musician 🎸
“Surf, Party, Repeat,” by The Dankster
Sometimes the song title says it all. The Danksters are longtime OGs, hailing from the north end, and this tune is a staple summer anthem for Islanders. See them live May 23 at The Shell or check out thedanksters.com to see where they’ll be next.
“Brick,” by Shallow Green
It’s been streamed almost 12,000 times for a reason. Shallow Green is bringing prog rock back to the Island with some modern influence for their own signature sound. If you love heavy music with funky time signatures, tasteful sax solos and an in-your-face frontman, these guys are for you. They’ll kick off summer at Ship Bottom Brewery on May 24. Follow them at @shallowgreennj on Instagram.
“One of Those Things,” by Michaelina Petti
She stormed onto the scene as a teenager in the midst of the pandemic and stole the Island with pipes reminiscent of Cher. Now in her mid 20s, she’s exploring the existential nuances of being and time. With The Pettis band backing her, she’s bringing her own originals front and center with her debut album Witherspoon Avenue, now streaming everywhere! Catch her at daddy O on May 24. Find her full schedule at michaelinapetti.com.
“Home Again,” by Skip Winters
His latest release is giving serious Noah Kahan energy, with lilting vocals, slide guitar and a bare-bones, folky feel. The Philly-based artist spent some years busking on the West Coast before making his way “home again,” to the Island, where he sits atop a kick drum with his guitar and transforms into a one-man band. See him on June 1 at Black Eyed Susan’s. Visit skipwinters.com to find his upcoming performances.
“You’re So Mean,” by Boose Rutledge
He’s known to most concertgoers as the gregarious front man of fan favorite bar band The Pickles. In the last few years, he’s finally begun recording and releasing his very own material, written from life experience. “You’re So Mean,” is a modern revival of classic blues rock, filled with emotionality and meant to be played loud. Here’s your permission to turn up the volume. See The Pickles at Nardi’s on June 6 and request a Boose original. Find their other dates at thepicklesnation.com.
“Flower Girl,” by innlet
The next generation of indie rock has arrived, and these guys have taken over with a viral impact and huge turnouts to their live shows in NYC and Philly. This summer, you can see them at Hopsauce in Beach Haven on June 14. Follow them on Instagram and TikTok: @innlet_.
“Phases of the Moon,” by Matt Fisher & the Telephone Junkies
He’s confessed this tune is a love song written for his wife, and it also happens to be the perfect beach bop. Fisher is a longtime local who made his mark with Y2K-era pop punk band the Sly Caps. These days he can be found all over the Island. See him June 14 at daddy O, and find his summer schedule at mattfisher.com.
“Always/Never,” by Rob Connolly
Just released last month, “Always/Never” is the latest of 10 singles by Ship Bottom’s very own. Known as the frontman for former national act the Double Negatives, Connolly is now forging a path in the baroque pop realm as an unmatched solo artist with haunting vocals. See him live at The Gateway Saturday, June 21, and find his full schedule at robconnollymusic.com.
“The Deciders,” by Allison Stella
A bold and unapologetic tune for the times, written by one of LBI’s most talented solo artists. In addition to masterful lyricism, Stella is known for building a one-woman-band experience for her audience utilizing live looping from behind her keyboard. If you haven’t seen her live, you’re missing out. See her June 21 on the patio at The Local Market and Kitchen and follow what she’s up to at allisonstellamusic.com.
“COVER BAND,” by Barney Cortez
Some blues-infused commentary on your typical shore band, made original. Based in Philly, Barney Cortez has made waves in the Asbury Park music scene with an indie sound all his own, fusing folk, punk rock and Delta blues. He’ll be at Bird & Betty’s Tuesday, June 24 and hear more of him at https://linktr.ee/barneycortez.
“Still Breathing,” by Ty Mares
Mares has made a name for himself as a versatile singer-songwriter and guitar virtuoso, known in the jam sphere for his work with Cosmic Jerry Band and, now, with his original band, the Metaphorical. Featuring Zach Jones on drums and production, this Marvin Gaye-inspired tune was built to jam. So definitely see it live, because they never play it the same way twice. Get the full band experience at Daymark on July 5, and see their schedule at tymaresmusic.com
“Where We Are Now,” by Chris Fritz
He served the community as a Stafford police officer for several decades, and now he’s performing all over the Island region in three different projects – party band The Impulsives, original hardcore band Dying Light, and his own original outfit, the Chris Fritz Band. See the band perform at Bay Breeze Park in Barnegat Light on July 7 and find more upcoming shows at chrisfritz.com.
“Need More Bob,” by Robin Tricker
Known as the face of the Gypsy Moon Duet, Tricker has dominated trop-rock charts for a handful of years with feel-good ukulele tunes infused with saltwater and sunshine. This one is inspired by reggae icon Bob Marley. Hear it live, sprinkled in with your favorite covers, at the Arlington on July 11, and see what else she’s up to at robintricker.com
“No Ink,” by Chevy Lopez
Known for their very own genre – gnar-n-b – Chevy Lopez throws down a soulful groove that will make you move, period. Featuring larger-than-life front woman Lexi Todd, Chevy was founded right on LBI well over a decade ago and have shown no signs of slowing anytime soon. Catch them at Surf City Hotel on July 18. Find their summer schedule at chevylopez.com.
“The Wheel,” by Gab Cinque Band
The party band with big sex appeal and a reputation for breathing new life into heavy classic rock hits and deep cuts just released a 12-song original album, The Wheel. Check them out at Bird & Betty’s on July 19 and maybe they’ll play one of their own! Visit thegabcinqueband.com to see what’s next for them.
“Hold Me If I Stay,” by Sahara Moon
LBI’s sweetheart got her start almost a decade ago, singing acoustic Americana tunes to the cars passing by in front of Firefly Gallery. These days, she lives in Nashville and takes a few national tours a year, sharing the stage with some of the most legendary artists of our time, but never forgetting her roots. Stay tuned with her at saharamoon.live.
“With You,” by Zinnia Moon
Sahara’s little sister has followed close behind with massive vocals and a pop style all her own. Find her latest at linktr.ee/zinniamoon. Catch the Moon sisters at Tunes at the Dunes in Holgate on July 31.
“Tell Me Where It Hurts, by the Amy Elizabeth Band
After struggling against gatekeeping in the music industry, singer-songwriter Amy Elizabeth has become a dedicated advocate for creating opportunities for independent artist, helping build events like Tuckerton Porchfest. She brings a ’60s era rock flair to her performances, backed by driving blues guitar. Hear it live by the Amy Elizabeth Duo at Firefly Gallery on August 5 and see what else she’s up to on Facebook and Instagram – @amywiththepinkhair.
“Even Monsters,” by Brad Wilson
A folk artist who described his songwriting style as “painting with sound,” Wilson has been hard at work recording music all over the country. This one’s his latest release, and you can hear it live this summer at The Local on July 15th. Follow his trajectory on Instagram: @bradwilsonmusic.
Monique is a local creative with a passion for music and the written word.
A Waretown native, she studied at SUNY New Paltz and then traveled the world for over a decade as a fine art model and performing artist.
Over the last six years, she’s brought a focus to independent artists through her work as a music and entertainment writer for The SandPaper, becoming a trusted resource in the music scene with her column Sound Waves, as well as through her contributions to various other publications, like Breaker Zine and Rootfire Magazine.
These days, she’s leaning even more into the indie scene as a copywriter and brand manager for small businesses and local artists alike.
To learn more about Monique and her services, visit her website at www.markmywordsmo.com or follow her on Instagram @markmywords.mo.