REVIEW — ‘Midheaven’ by Cory Blair

As an avid music listener, I’ve had no shortage of music to soak up in August. New releases at the tail end of summer capture a particularly warm feeling that, with luck, will stick with listeners as the weather slowly, or not so slowly, cools. Regardless, this month a variety of artists are gracing music lovers with new tracks, and I’ve found myself roped in by a hidden gem.

the-underground-edit.com

In conversation with Jack Romano: from Johnny Cash to his own voice

“We have a saying in my band: ‘All roads lead to Cash.’” For Jack Romano, Johnny Cash's influence extends far beyond the sound of his country voice. Like the late musician, Romano’s catalog is rooted in honesty, vulnerability, and raw emotion—songs that explore what it means to be human and, more specifically, what it means to be a man in a world that often discourages vulnerability.

the-underground-edit.com

In conversation with Erica M. Reilly: beach reads and the community behind the stories

For local author Erica M. Reilly, beach season is never really over. As a self-published author of The Swells of Stone Harbor and The Shallows of Avalon, Reilly’s writing always brings her back to the Jersey shore.  “It was something I’d always wanted to do,” Reilly said about writing a book. Having grown up in and around New Jersey—her parents even met in Ocean City, and her husband's family has a house in Stone Harbor—the shore had always been a big part of her life.

the-underground-edit.com

In conversation with Cole Hallman: riding the sound wave 

In the words of folk musician Jack Johnson, "time is just a melody." And for singer-songwriter Cole Hallman, the time is now.  Growing up in Manasquan, New Jersey, Hallman was surrounded by an endless coastline and a rich, local music scene. “There is a lot of music in my area, a lot of music in New Jersey,” says Hallman. “And I live along the coast, so every bar, every restaurant you go to, there’s some kind of music.” …

the-underground-edit.com

In conversation with Sandi Joy: beauty from the ashes

“I don't think I had a choice,” Sandi Joy says about her love of music. “And that's not a complaint whatsoever. I was literally born into music.” With a pianist, vocalist, and professional dancer mother and a touring guitarist father, Joy grew up in an aspiring musician’s dream household. Her musicianship, though, blossomed not at home but in an environment least expected: the Coast Guard.

the-underground-edit.com

In conversation with Ruby Alexander: keeping music playful

To Ruby Alexander, nothing is sacred. But don’t take this the wrong way; the mantra serves as her reminder that everything is just a moment in time, that music is meant to be playful. “As I was recording this whole project,” she said, speaking of her upcoming EP, “my message to myself that I had to keep reiterating was that nothing is sacred.

the-underground-edit.com

In conversation with Nathan Johnston: songs of an outlander  

Throughout his career, singer-songwriter Nathan Johnston has taken the road less traveled—and it has certainly made all the difference.   Brought up in the musical hub of Mullingar, Ireland, Johnston set out on his own journey as a performer at a young age, first picking up instruments around his family home. “My grandad was a showman,” says Johnston. “He used to perform onstage, but singing old ballads and things like that.

the-underground-edit.com

REVIEW — ‘Dragon Pearls’ by Deborah Rose

If you’re a writer, you probably have that one story scribbled down in a journal from when you were fourteen that will never see the light of day. Getting lost in faraway worlds and imagining dynamic characters fostered a goal of maybe, one day, becoming a real author.  The manifestation of every young writer’s dream is embodied in Dragon Pearls…

the-underground-edit.com

REVIEW — ‘I Could Be Famous’ by Sydney Rende

“A lot can happen in a year. I could become a whole new person. I could be famous by then.” This paragraph wraps up I Could Be Famous by Sydney Rende in a bow. This eleven-story collection is a darkly comedic and somehow timely book that touches on the lives of celebrities and those who admire them and are determined to be “more.” 

the-underground-edit.com

In conversation with Halogens: looking back on 15 years

Fifteen years is a long time to dedicate to anything—but for Asbury Park-based rock band Halogens, the journey has been, in the words of their appropriately titled 2023 EP, Time Well Spent. For lead vocalist and guitarist Zach Henry, his relationship with music felt serious “pretty much right from the beginning.” “I started playing guitar, and we made Halogens a couple of months later,” he explains.

the-underground-edit.com

In conversation with EG Vines: choosing his own path

“I hope people open their minds when they listen to .” That philosophy sits at the heart of EG Vines' newest album, Kaleidoscope Dream. Blending Americana storytelling with alternative rock energy, the record draws from a life shaped by a conservative upbringing, a decade spent working in corporate America, and the leap of faith required to leave it all behind in pursuit of music.

the-underground-edit.com

In conversation with Sydney Schirripa: from myth to music   

Rising high school senior and New Jersey native Sydney Schirripa is putting her passion to paper.  Exploring many aspects of the arts from a very young age, it didn’t take Schirripa long to realize her unique call to music and love of songwriting. “When I was younger, thankfully my parents allowed me to experiment with many different things and I had a lot of opportunities to try different stuff,” shares Schirripa.

the-underground-edit.com

In conversation with Natasha Kalila: turning intentional energy into art

Film sun, music moon, and fashion rising. That’s how Natasha Kalila best described the persona of her passions. The Maryland native moved to New York City 11 years ago and has since woven a myriad of mediums into an impressive career. Kalila’s most recent venture has been in the world of music. She released her debut EP, Everything Ain’t for Everybody…

the-underground-edit.com

In conversation with Colin Hankenson: if you film it, they will watch     

From a young age, director and screenwriter Colin Hankenson knew he had a story to tell.  “My family would love to attest to this. I’ve always loved hamming it up, performing, and doing all that other stuff. Just presenting fun stories and ideas,” says Hankenson.  Starting with childhood performances in his grandmother’s house to making YouTube videos with his friends in middle school, Hankenson's own story quickly transitioned from stage to screen. 

the-underground-edit.com

REVIEW — ‘Lake Effect’ by Hillary Behrman

“All the enchantments of the place were gone.” Hillary Behrman scours the human condition with no time to slip on rose-colored glasses in Lake Effect. This debut short story collection received the 2024 Mary McCarthy Prize for Short Fiction, a distinguished award firmly rooted in the indie literary world. Its recipient is chosen by a rotating featured writer and is presented by Sarabande Books, an independent, non-profit publishing house in Louisville, Kentucky—my home city—which published…

the-underground-edit.com

REVIEW — BACKHOUSE’s debut album ‘Songs in the Key of Orange’

A debut album has one job: convince listeners that a band is worth paying attention to. Great ones become more than just introductions, instead establishing themselves as almost mythological benchmarks that every future release is measured against (such as Arctic Monkeys’ Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not or even The Killers’ Hot Fuss). In the least threatening way possible, BACKHOUSE’s debut…

the-underground-edit.com

In conversation with Lauren Oelkers: a community woven through hair

When people picture a hair salon, they often imagine rows of classic styling chairs, neutral colors, and shelves lined with hair products. But at Defiant Hair and Lonely Girl Vintage in Freehold, New Jersey, that familiar image is turned on its head. Equal parts salon and vintage boutique, the shop offers far more than a haircut. The space invites visitors into an environment where personal style and self-expression are all promoted and accepted.

the-underground-edit.com

In conversation with Sasha Perskie: exploring contemporary indie & working with RiverJAM

“I don't just record them myself, but I write them too,” explains indie pop artist Sasha Perskie. “And that's been a huge part of my life: writing music, performing, playing gigs, playing open mics.” Last year, Perskie released Day Night, a four-song EP self-described from the influences of Fiona Apple and Lizzy McAlpine. The project is self-composed, with mixing and mastering assistance from producers James Sleeman and Colin McCab.

the-underground-edit.com

REVIEW — Margot Miller’s EP ‘Downy Hair (Turns Into Stubble)’

I’m a firm believer that seasons shouldn’t be rushed. The hype for Halloween in July and the Christmas rush in November make me physically ill in a way that should be studied by the pumpkin spice latte enthusiasts. As much as I am stubborn in this and in more ways than one, I am open-minded. Thus, the only exception I’ve made for this rule in recent years is Margot Miller’s recent EP, …

the-underground-edit.com

In conversation with Alex Pickert: from booking DIY shows to producing NICE music fest

Alex Pickert made the strenuous, cross-country move from Pleasanton, CA, to Boston to attend school at Berklee College of Music. Once he started to play in bands and book DIY shows, he never made the decision to turn back. “What started as helping friends book gigs in Allston basements eventually turned into Get To The Gig Boston,” Pickert explained, “where we’ve spent the last decade helping local artists find opportunities and building community around live music.” …

the-underground-edit.com

In conversation with Conni Freestone: proof she was here

Every photograph is, in some way, an act of preservation. For photographer Conni Freestone, whose camera has captured everything from sweaty club shows and wrinkled bulldog faces to classic cars and the changing landscape of Asbury Park, photography has always been about proving a moment existed before it didn't.  That philosophy became the foundation of Proof I Was Here…

the-underground-edit.com

In conversation with Srijani Mitra: reflections on the making of ‘Mantras of the Moon’

“It has always been my dream to publish a book of poetry,” said Srijani Mitra, a poet based in Bangalore, India. Now, with her debut collection, Mantras of the Moon, she can finally say it has come true. Born and raised in Kolkata, India, Mitra has been a poet ever since she was a child. “I really felt that poetry was my safe space,” she said.

the-underground-edit.com

In conversation with Paul Luke Bonenfant of Blush Boy: building a band, part 4

Paul Luke Bonenfant took a semester off for a reason. Who knew it would lead to late-night sessions and New York City bookings?  At the ages of 12 and 13, Paul Luke Bonenfant and Gavin Kim performed alongside each other in Broadway’s School of Rock; nearly ten years later, they now do so in Blush Boy as budding guitarists.

the-underground-edit.com

In conversation with Kyle Silverio: ‘Garbage Day’ short film set to debut this summer

If you could go back to any day in your life and relive it one more time, which would youchoose? The independent, coming-of-age short film, Garbage Day, could help inspire ananswer. This feature, directed and written by Kyle Silverio, a filmmaker and recent NYU graduate, firstbegan after he experienced a creative rut in the Fall of 2024.

the-underground-edit.com

Review — ‘Verity Guild’ by Mai Corland

What do you think of when someone says the word “romantasy”? Medieval worlds full of castles? Dragons and magical creatures? Warriors and queens? The popular subgenre that combines fantasy and romance has slowly become a monolith that promotes a singular aesthetic vision; yet, Verity Guild veers away and paves its own path.  Written by Mai Corland and published last month by…

the-underground-edit.com

REVIEW – ‘Mantras of the Moon’ by Srijana Mitra

Srijana Mitra’s collection of poems, Mantras of the Moon, reflects an appreciation and longing for one’s culture and past heritage. Mitra herself is a writer based in India who has spoken at many literary festivals (Mangalore Lit Fest and Shoolini University Literary Festival, to name a few). She’s been published previously in publications such as Certain Age Magazine and ItGetsBetter.

the-underground-edit.com

In conversation with Jake Radano of Blush Boy: building a band, part 3

Jake Radano knew exactly what he wanted from a young age: to be in a band, to be a musician, and that’s exactly what he’s made of himself.  As a music industry and business major at Rowan University, Radano now stands as the drummer of Blush Boy. But his journey with the band dates back to his middle school days, with Blush Boy’s guitarist…

the-underground-edit.com

In conversation with Kay E. Bancroft: examining generational ties and identity through pop horror in ‘Bloodroom’

“I think that I view the page as a playground,” Kay E. Bancroft said, describing their writing style. “And what I mean by that is I seek to understand what the limitations of the page are.” This writing approach has sustained Bancroft’s work since they embarked on their MFA in creative writing with a poetry focus at Randolph College, from 2020 to 2022.

the-underground-edit.com

In conversation with SYLVR: leaning into “nightmare pop” and embracing the strange

There’s something instantly intriguing about SYLVR (pronounced “silver”). This UK-Peruvian duo seems to have arrived fully formed, with a sound that feels less like a debut and more like recollecting your dream from a few nights ago. Made up of Jamie Thomas and Raquel Bartra, SYLVR's sound lives somewhere between goth-pop and electronic haze. It’s what they call “nightmare pop”—a phrase that makes perfect sense when you press play.

the-underground-edit.com

In conversation with Bobby Mahoney: playing in the key of Jersey 

Since the early days of rock and roll, New Jersey has demanded greatness from its music scene, inspiring transformative acts like Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Skid Row, and My Chemical Romance. Now, Bobby Mahoney is answering the call.  Growing up in East Brunswick, NJ, 31-year-old songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist Bobby Mahoney first began cultivating his ear for music like many kids do—in the back seat of his parents' car.

the-underground-edit.com