ASBURY PARK VIBES PODCAST

Lightning in a Bottle – A Love Letter to Asbury Lanes is a raw, intimate, and unfiltered photographic chronicle of one of New Jersey’s most beloved underground venues. Shot over 11 years by photographer Mike McLaughlin, the book captures the heart and soul of Asbury Lanes, in the heart of Asbury Park—a vintage bowling alley turned DIY music venue—before its redevelopment in 2015.

We had the opportunity to talk long-distance with Mik...

Erik Mason and his band brought “coastal soft rock” to life in this episode—cinematic indie with ‘70s roots and a hint of pink-sky Americana. We dug into the stories behind his songwriting, from the timeless influence of Jackson Browne, Billy Joel, and Neil Young to the way Jersey Shore places and people have shaped his band’s music.

With his latest EP Butterfly Effects, Erik explores how small choices and fleeting moments can set e...

Our conversation with Monte Maybe flowed like one of her songs — intimate, energetic, and full of heart. Monte’s storytelling blends pop, folk, and country influences, grounded in her New Jersey roots, and you can hear it all over her 2025 debut album Jersey Devil — a record that stakes her claim in the NJ soundscape.

We dove deep into how she crafts songs from real-life experiences, how the New Jersey music scene shaped her voice, ...

Our conversation with Connor Bracken, frontman and guitarist of Connor Bracken and the Mother Leeds Band, was as electric as one of his live shows. We dug into the nuts and bolts of the music industry—what it really takes for a band to not just survive, but grow and thrive.

Connor spoke about his bandmates—drummer Rich Seyffart, guitarist Dee DiMeola, and bassist TJ Haefner—and how their shared dedication fuels everything they do. T...

Jon Caspi and the First Gun have been gracing the Asbury Park (and local area) with their homegrown rock and roll.  The band, made of the nicest fellows, came into the Asbury Park Vibes studio for an intimate three-song set.  They also stuck around to chat about their new EP, AIRPORT PLAZA.

Caspi has been a longstanding figure in the NJ indie, singer/songwriter, alternative, and punk scenes. In the late 80s, he fronted the new wave ...

We were already looking forward to our sit-down with The Band Palm, but the episode turned out to be so much more than we imagined. Their stripped-down acoustic performance was absolutely brilliant, setting the stage for a conversation that was equal parts engrossing, funny, and deeply introspective.

From stories about cool great-grandmothers, grandmothers and parents ... to the many interpretations of their band name, to the raw ho...

Burn in Tweed (Ronny Day - Guitar/Vox, Shane Dillon - Drums, Rebeca "Bexx" Qualls - Bass/B-Vox) is a new band with a very familiar face up front.  The band, heavy with purpose, is locked in Ronny's introspective and narrative lyrics.  

Ronny Day is an old-school throwback from the punk heyday of Long Branch and The Brighton Bar.  Most would know Ronny from starting the moshpit.  Now he has finally taken his place on the stage - and ...

In this episode, we sat down with Joe Brown—founder of Melting Trends—along with musicians Rachel Ana Dobken, Damion & Paul from Tango Machina, and Gia from The Azures. The conversation centered on the upcoming Bond Street Block Party, happening Saturday, September 6 from 1–10 PM outside Bond Street Bar in Asbury Park. This free community festival has become a staple of the local scene, drawing large crowds of music lovers every ye...

In this episode of the Asbury Park Vibes Podcast, I sat down with Billy Walton, a Jersey Shore staple whose guitar work and high-energy performances have taken him from Asbury Park clubs to international stages. Billy will be hitting the Hard Rock’s Sound Waves in Atlantic City on September 5th as part of North to Shore’s "Garden State Live" series — a showcase dedicated to original New Jersey talent.

We talked about everything from...

We  recently had the pleasure of chatting with Will Blakey, Tom Briant (and Will's son Allen) of Never The Name—a genre-blending band mixing funk, indie, emo, hip-hop, and rock into a sound that’s completely their own. Since coming together in 2024 with fellow bandmates Lisa LoVell and Joshua Van Ness, they’ve released their debut album Millennial Boomer Consumer and three standout music videos, including the VR-fueled Dirty, the f...

In this episode, we sit down with Jersey Shore singer-songwriter Francesca Fuentes (aka Chess) to talk about her journey from writing songs at age 12 to crafting her heartfelt, pop-rock inspired tracks today. Francesca shares the moments that shaped her music, the stories behind some of her most meaningful songs, her 2025 EP Can't Hide, and how her creative path has evolved along the way. As a special treat, she brought her guitar ...

In this episode, we sit down with Max Satow, the artist behind NOSHOWS, to explore the genre-blending sound and deeper mission behind his music. Fusing elements of alt-rock, hip-hop, and electronic textures, Max creates music that’s as emotionally raw as it is sonically dynamic. His upcoming EP, The Fear, dives into personal experiences and modern anxieties, drawing from his own lifestyle shifts and the uncertainties of his generat...

Separatr is an indie pop duo originally from Bellingham, WA. In 2022, married couple Stephanie Melvin and Joe Douglas sold most of their belongings, got in a van, and headed for the East Coast. Now calling the Asbury Park music scene home, the pair has been steadily touring the Northeast in their camper van, building their fanbase one show at a time.

In this episode, we talk about the band's unique journey, their commitment to creat...

On this episode of the Asbury Park Vibes Podcast, we caught up with Jordan Chez to talk about his evolution from Thelonious Funk to his solo project, where he’s been releasing fresh tracks that blend soul, pop, and introspective storytelling. Jordan opened up about his musical influences, what he’s learned from both the Asbury Park and Nashville music scenes, and how he's been leaning into the art of “crowd work” to create more con...

On the latest APV podcast, we sat down with the Phokupps—an exciting, unique cover band with a name that’s as playful as their sound (yes, it’s a nod to pho noodles). Known for taking songs you know and flipping them on their head, the Phokupps blend their wide-ranging musical tastes into reimagined versions of classics and current hits, often making them more danceable or giving them a whole new vibe. We talked about how the band ...

Ryan Gregg - you've heard him, you've seen him, and you would recognize him as being one of the most sought-after piano/keyboard players. In our latest episode, Doug gets to chat with Ryan in depth about his musical proclivity at a young age, how he operates and grows as a musician now, and the various musicians and groups he collaborates with.

The Ryan Gregg Trio is making its debut at the North to Shore Festival.  

Friday, June 20 ...

In this episode, we caught up with the dt’s — David Cacciatore and Tom Losito — as they gear up for their sold-out North to Shore Festival performance at Wonder Bar on June 22 with Penelope Road and the Mike Montrey Band. The North to Shore Festival is a unique celebration of New Jersey’s arts and culture, giving local artists like The DTs the opportunity to share the stage and gain exposure alongside nationally recognized acts. It...

In this episode, we sat down with an artist who truly lives and breathes creativity — Patty C. Whether fronting Patty C & The Pints or collaborating with En Delirium, Cranston Dean Band, and Daly Rituals, Patty brings a genre-bending sound full of joy, soul, and storytelling.

We talked about his latest EP Happy Camper — a vibrant collection that reminds us how music can uplift, connect, and spark curiosity. Patty’s positivity and ha...

Three-time Grammy nominee Brady Rymer joins us to celebrate 25 years of making music with his band, Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could. In this joyful and heartfelt episode, we talk about his journey from the band From Good Homes to writing family-focused songs that connect generations. Brady shares stories behind his new album Sunny Side Up, his creative process, and how a misheard name—“Baby Rhino”—sparked inspiration for...