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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  Dealing With the Side Effects: Reviewing ‘Reverie’ by Fake Pockets

  June 2, 2023 • Arts & Entertainment, Music • 159

  I met Devon Alana back in 2015 at The Scarlet Pub in New Brunswick; an unassuming little place with a good open mic night adorned...

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  My Heart is Contented: Fake Pockets Release “Reverie” Music Video

  May 26, 2023 • Arts & Entertainment, Music • 121

  Three years ago, Fake Pockets released perhaps the most overlooked record of 2020. Just as a number of national tragedies...

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  Get Me Out of This Funk: Reviewing “Fake Authenticity” by Natalie Farrell

  June 3, 2022 • Arts & Entertainment, Music • 399

  Let’s get this out of the way early. Natalie Farrell is one of the best in the entire game. Singers. Performers. Writers. You...

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  Forbidden Tropics Dazzle with New Single “Café Frio”

  March 25, 2022 • Arts & Entertainment, Music • 364

  Metuchen-based guitarist/composer Alejandro Ataucusi has had quite a musical journey! Somedays, you can catch him in the corner...

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  Ain’t Sure I Deserved It: Reviewing “Samantha” by Lowlight

  January 28, 2022 • Arts & Entertainment, Music • 378

  Well, ain’t life just a kick in the head sometimes! After signing to the venerable Mint 400 Records and issuing Strange Light,...

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

  October 29, 2021 • Arts & Entertainment, Music • 481

  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 • 394

  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 • 524

  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 • 559

  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 • 509

  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 • 1223

  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 • 1265

  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 • 1190

  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 • 739

  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 • 836

  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 • 969

  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 • 953

  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 • 848

  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 • 1287

  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 • 1056

  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...