In conversation with Sophia James: fall in love with music

“As long as I've been conscious, it's always been about music for me.” This is what Los Angeles-based alt-pop musician Sophia James says about her love for music, about a life that has never existed without it. “The musical journey has been the life journey, I guess,” she continued. “There is no separation.” Whether this declaration is destiny or chance, one will never know, as James grew up in a family of professional musicians.

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In conversation with Tristan McIntosh: the freedom to be herself

For Tristan McIntosh, songwriting has never been about staying in one lane. Since being a finalist on American Idol at just 15 years old, McIntosh has spent years developing her craft through Nashville's collaborative songwriting scene, drawing on everything from country storytelling to R&B and indie pop. Whether she's writing for herself, creating sync music for television, or lending her powerful vocals to the catalog of iconic artist Linda Ronstadt, McIntosh finds inspiration in exploring different sounds and perspectives.

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In conversation with Reagan Richards: finding a friend in music

When Reagan Richards tells you that she drove down to Nashville in a hearse, your first thought may be that she has to be joking. “A hearse, believe it or not,” she began, “is a great vehicle for loading musical equipment because it's got the rollers in the back.” Your second thought immediately after will be that she is absolutely…

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In conversation with Emily Grove: rooted in the past, looking toward the future

Believe it or not, before Emily Grove became the vocal powerhouse she is today, she struggled to find her voice. After experiencing bullying as a child, Grove became increasingly withdrawn, describing herself as a once-outgoing kid who suddenly grew quiet. “I was bullied to the point where I started to lose my voice. I just kind of became a little quiet kid out of nowhere,” Grove recalled.

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OCD Awareness Month: top recommended reads

October is OCD Awareness Month. Awareness around OCD, or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and its many different categories is important to break down the stigma surrounding OCD. As someone newly diagnosed myself, the different parts of your life that OCD decides to attach to are tiring and unexpected. For October, I wanted to highlight some books I’ve read that either touch on or focus on OCD that help bring awareness to the disorder in a realistic way: …

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REVIEW — ‘Call Off the Dark’ by Hallie Shepherd

Hallie Shepherd’s debut novel, Call Off the Dark, is the perfect genre-bending combo. It follows a woman named Helen, whom we first meet deep in the woods with her husband Wade. Helen’s lifestyle mimics that of a tradwife, but with Helen, the vibes are a little off. She sews her own dresses, hand-washes laundry, and tends to the gardens, but her heart just isn’t in it.

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In conversation with Couch Dog: behind ‘Rod Sterling’ and their latest sound

Couch Dog may be returning with new members and a new sound, but they bring the same love and passion for their music and the people around them that they’ve carried since the beginning. The Los Angeles indie/garage rock four-piece — consisting of Max Ferrer on vocals and rhythm guitar, Pablo Acosta on lead guitar, Tasha Lee on bass, and Liam Reece on drums— released their latest single, “Rod Sterling,” on October 20, introducing fans to a new side of the band.

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REVIEW — ‘Heap Earth Upon It’ by Chloe Michelle Howarth

One of the most significant aspects of indie literature is a distinct sense of personhood that fosters community. Chloe Michelle Howarth is a perfect example of an author who consistently reminds readers of this storytelling essence. In both of her novels, Sunburn and Heap Earth Upon It, Howarth explores themes about rural life, sapphic relationships, and closed societies. This is partly inspired by her own experiences growing up queer in rural Ireland as she actively embodies the core of indie writing: permitting her unique perspective to leap onto the page.

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In conversation with Blythe Woods: being the ‘weird kid’ and a loser

Blythe Woods is a loser. And no, that’s not a dig— it’s an avowed accolade that she wears with pride. “Hell yeah, I'm a loser,” she laughed, more enthusiastically than anticipated. “I am a loser. I'm the biggest loser ever.” Her debut album, aptly titled Loser’s Guide to Life and to be released on January 15, is less self-effacing humor, though, and more a beckoning to others similar to her.

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In conversation with Hunter Flynn: an artist’s heart and an Appalachian soul    

As musician Hunter Flynn felt his car flip three times on a rainy drive to Lexington, he thought his story was coming to a sudden end—but really, it was only just beginning. Born and raised in Pulaski County, Kentucky, Flynn spent his early years hunting, fishing, spending time with his family, and finding his voice. “I grew up singing in church.

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In conversation with Spyne!: returning to music with their newest single, “Sister Make You”

A new era of Spyne! has begun. The Asbury Park-based three-piece released their newest single, “Sister Make You,” on September 25, marking their first release since their 2024 debut album, Out From Nowhere. Now, Spyne! is back with a self-produced track that stays true to the genre the band knows best while embracing a new recording environment that gives the song a sound of its own.

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RiverJAM Music highlights local voices and personal stories at Songs & Stories showcase

On September 23, RiverJAM Music hosted its sixth official Listening Room: Songs & Stories event in Red Bank, New Jersey. The evening highlighted and honored four local musicians: Cole Hallman, Johnny Kasun, Sandi Joy, and Jack Romano. The night began with an introduction from Reagan Richards and Gordon Brown of Williams Honor, members of the RiverJAM team and mentors within the organization.

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Blaise interview at Sea.Hear.Now Festival 2026

Asbury Park’s music scene encompasses many genres, and is home to a variety of singers, songwriters, and artists. Among them all, only one has been dubbed “The People’s Pop Star”. When he takes the stage in his hometown, get ready for a show that’s bigger than the music. Blaise, the independent alternative-pop artist and Asbury Park native, brought his signature energy to the Sand Stage at the 2026 Sea.Hear.Now festival, delivering a set that felt just as much a celebration of life and creativity as it did a festival performance.

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Jarod Clemons brings friends, family, and fun to Sea.Hear.Now Festival 2026

Asbury Park’s Sea.Hear.Now Festival is no stranger to promoting underground acts, especially those from its own backyard. Asbury Park native Jarod Clemons opened the Park Stage on Saturday, September 19, welcoming festivalgoers with an energetic performance and a fitting greeting to his hometown. Arriving onstage in golden cheetah-print pants and his signature sunglasses, Clemons immediately brought a sense of fun and personality to the stage.

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King Stingray interview at Sea.Hear.Now Festival 2026

King Stingray is more than just an Australian rock band; they’re a tangible connection between home and elsewhere. A five-piece comprised of Yolŋu (Aboriginal people of northeast Arnhem Land) and balanda (non-Indigenous) musicians, King Stingray mixes elements of rock and the ancient Indigenous tradition of manikay to make something that is uniquely their own (dubbed as Yolŋu surf rock). Currently, the band’s members are Roy Kellaway (guitarist), Dimathaya Burarrwanga (lead vocals), Campbell Messer (bassist), Lewis Stiles (drummer), and Ngalakan "Billy" Wanambi (didgeridoo, vocals, bilma).

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REVIEW — ‘Saturn Returning’ by Kim Narby

“Jordan felt a similar desperation to be Silvia’s friend that she’d once felt with Trace. It was something she wanted to tamp down inside herself. It seemed so embracing to pine for friendship, but something about Silvia was addictive.” If the Fleetwood Mac album Rumours were a book, it would be Saturn Returning. Messy relationships, a yearning for personal growth, and a determination to forge one’s identity are wrapped up together with one bow in Kim Narby’s debut novel.

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In conversation with No Soap Radio: from adolescence to adulthood

No Soap Radio’s namesake is rooted in absurdity: a punchline that refuses to arrive, a story that deliberately goes nowhere. The band themselves, though, seem intent on making a habit of going somewhere entirely their own. “ was the second or third thing that came to mind when we were kids, and it stuck,” explained Drew Coll, the band’s lead guitarist, who plays the instrument alongside Jay Blezow.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.” …

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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…

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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.” 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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…

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