Author: Brian Erickson

Website:

Bio: Brian Erickson is an award-winning vocalist and a lover of all things music-related. When he’s not writing for YDKJ, he’s busy fronting his group The Extensions, or hosting his weekly talk show ‘One More w/ Brian Erickson.’ Former projects include Apple Music’s #1 music podcast, The Great Albums, and long-running Princeton-based band The Paper Jets.

Author Posts:

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  Still So Far to Go: Reviewing “Fault Lines” by Dave Vargo

  October 29, 2021 • Arts & Entertainment, Music • 115

  There’s a story of humility that Dave Vargo sometimes likes to tell. He’s finished grocery shopping and he’s paying at the...

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  Put on Your Records: the dt’s Premiere “White T-Shirt”

  September 24, 2021 • Arts & Entertainment, Music • 123

  From 2014 – 2019, The Vaughns were one of the most ascendant bands in New Jersey. But after the release of their full-length...

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  Through These Lines: Reviewing “Half Bad” by Dave Vargo

  June 25, 2021 • Arts & Entertainment, Music • 197

  Dave Vargo sure is living his best life! After landing a gig with Whitney Houston as the touring guitarist during her prime...

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  Lowlight Premieres New Single; Signs to Mint 400 Records

  June 9, 2021 • Arts & Entertainment, Music • 230

  One of New Jersey’s most beloved local outfits, Asbury Park’s Lowlight, have become the latest addition to long-running...

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  Video Premiere: Former Paper Jets Take on Phil Collins

  March 22, 2021 • Arts & Entertainment, Music • 245

  Since disbanding after their epic 2018 final show, each of the former Paper Jets have kept themselves varying degrees of busy....

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  Exactly What I Need: Artists We’re Most Excited About in 2021 – 2020 Roundup Part III

  December 19, 2020 • Arts & Entertainment, Music • 793

  By now, if you’ve somehow missed the first two parts of this three-part series, I really don’t know what to tell you. First...

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  What a Mess: Top Albums & EPs – 2020 Roundup Pt. II

  December 16, 2020 • Arts & Entertainment, Music • 772

  In case you missed the introduction in Part One of this three-part series, we’re highlighting (1) the top songs and (2) top...

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  Till My Eyes Fall Out: Top 20 Songs of the Year – 2020 Roundup Part I

  December 14, 2020 • Arts & Entertainment, Music • 749

  Wow this year sucked, amirite? But before we embark upon this exchange, I’d like to pay proper respect to friends who lost...

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  Choose Wisely: Reviewing ‘#AlbumNumber5Sessions’ by Matt Cook

  September 8, 2020 • Arts & Entertainment, Music • 424

  At this point, the story is well-told. Asbury Park piano man Matt Cook spent the formative years of his musical life out in...

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  I’m Sure She’d Hate This: Reviewing ‘Carpe Diem’ by The Foes of Fern

  August 29, 2020 • Arts & Entertainment, Music • 498

  Foes of Fern head honcho Matt Fernicola begun life in the New Jersey music scene as the consummate foil. He took his Boston-based...

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  Pictures I’ll Never See: Premiering “Money Man” (Live) by The Foes of Fern

  March 6, 2020 • Arts & Entertainment, Music • 683

  Matt Fernicola is a master of controlled chaos; something for which his Foes of Fern have come to be known. Starting initially as...

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  From NJ to AU with Love: A Benefit

  January 24, 2020 • Arts & Entertainment, Charity, Music, Newsy Jersey • 664

  You’d be forgiven if you’re unsure what 10PRL is. But if you recall seeing the name Fourth Wave Rehearsal pop up last spring...

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  In Waist Deep: Matt Cook Debut’s New Single

  November 30, 2019 • Arts & Entertainment, Music • 600

  As 2017 came to a close, Matt Cook released Girasole, his fourth LP in eight years. And while his recorded work is the truest...

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  Words Unspoken: Interviewing Lowlight

  March 11, 2019 • Arts & Entertainment, Music • 1036

  Since 2015, Lowlight has been spinning its self-described “Roadhouse Chic” sound to the tune of an ever-increasing audience,...

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  Tell Myself It’s Fine: Introducing Scout’s First Single “Maybe”

  October 20, 2018 • Arts & Entertainment, Music • 821

  As 2017 wound down, Devon Alana closed up shop on Fun While You Wait. And in just three short years, Alana & Co had gone from...

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  Losing My Heroes: Reviewing ‘Eight Million to One’ by Roy Orbitron

  September 13, 2018 • Arts & Entertainment, Music • 825

  Over the past decade, Conor Meara has become the New Jersey music scene’s quintessential anti-hero. A union representative by...

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  Find Our Bliss: Reviewing “Still Frames” by Karma Gambit

  July 6, 2018 • Arts & Entertainment, Music • 794

  From 2014 – 2017, Rose Boulevard was one of New Jersey’s most promising young acts. And since the group’s split early last...

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  Still Golden & True: Lowlight Premieres New Song, Announces Live LP

  June 27, 2018 • Arts & Entertainment, Music • 825

  On the heels of their latest EP Born to Run and a successful tour with The Pretenders, Lowlight has announced It’s Later Than...

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  Makin Music: Local Journalist Sponsors Summer Concert Series

  June 14, 2018 • Arts & Entertainment, Music • 756

  Thirty years is a long time to be doing one thing. But journalist Bob Makin – who started his Makin Waves column back in 1988...

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  Go Gracefully: Reviewing “Run” by Charlie Kupilik

  June 3, 2018 • Arts & Entertainment, Music • 732

  After helping his former band Modern Crowds release their dazzling self-titled debut last year, drummer Charlie Kupilik got up...