Welcome to The MIC's Monthly Roundup, where you can see what we've had on repeat all month long!
Asha Wells:
Asha Wells is a non-binary artist from the Bay area who started their musical journey as a child studying classical vocal performance and musical theater. Growing up, Wells moved to Salt Lake City with their family and found solace within the city's accepting underground music scene. After returning to San Francisco, Wells began experimenting with open guitar tunings, ethereal textures, and powerful imagery, being inspired by the greats Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, and Jeff Buckley. This year, Asha Wells released her highly anticipated debut album, Water Words. Read more about Asha Wells here! Listen to Asha Wells' Water Words here:
Bobby Mahoney's "Moth to the Flame":
Singer-songwriter and frontman of Bobby Mahoney and the Seventh Son, comes On The MIC to give us an acoustic performance of his track, "Moth to the Flame." Bobby Mahoney has shared the stage with the likes of Bon Jovi, Against Me! Frank Turner, and The Gaslight Anthem, and toured all over the East Coast and Midwest.
Read more about Bobby Mahoney here. Watch Bobby Mahoney's On the MIC episode here!
Diana Omar's "Bring Me Down":
From Maryland comes Diana Omar, a singer-songwriter and incoming freshman at Yale University. She started her musical journey with classical training on violin and piano before learning to improvise and write her songs at only 14. Diana Omar is an enthusiastic STEM advocate focusing on providing opportunities for underrepresented students.
She has written numerous songs with lyrics that reflect her inner monologue, with her latest release being "Bring Me Down." Omar wants to remind us with this track to "Put your life and soul in something that makes you happy. Don't let anyone bring you down– be carefree. :)" Read more about "Bring Me Down" here.
Stream Diana Omar's "Bring Me Down" here:
Ralph Puma's "So It Goes":
Known for his pop-punk and emo tunes, Ralph Puma has recently stepped into a pop world. He's toured and lived across the US spending most of his time in Nashville and NYC. Puma is currently working on collaboration singles with music videos he conceptualizes!
Read more about Ralph Puma here!
Watch Ralph Puma On The MIC here:
Ed Sheeran:
After watching "Ed Sheeran: The Sum Of It All" on Disney Plus, attending a show on the Mathematics Tour feels like you're living right inside an episode of the series.Never leaving the stage, he performed with acoustic and electric guitars, played solo, with a loop station, and a band, covering twenty-six of his biggest singalongs, captivating all 80,000. Read more of our review of the show here.
Watch clips from the show here.
Gordon Holland's "Skipping Stones On A Salt Lake":
Gordon Holland likes to explore, and his latest EP, Skipping Stones On A Salt Lake, explores blending genres. Gordon Holland played for many years in The Naysayers, a band he formed in 2010, bringing garage rock to the mainstages of Australia. After, he collaborated with singer-songwriter Charlie Lane on her successful track, "The Darkest Time," featured on Spotify's Badass Women playlist. His single "Melbourne Bitter" also became a semi-finalist in the 2019 International Songwriting Competition. Now, Gordon Holland is exploring his solo career, being a regular on the Melbourne music scene, and performing his alternative country, Britpop Fusion. His 'debut' EP is influenced by artists like Carole King, Gerry Cinnamon, and Bob Evans and inspired by his infatuation with melody and catchy hooks.
Read more about the track here!
Stream Skipping Stones On A Salt Lake here:
Auburn Grey's "When We Crawl":
"When We Crawl” is a tidal wave that just breaks through with intensity and charisma. One of our favorite songs to record off the album because of the diabolical guitar tones and (intentional) guitar feedback on the track gives it a dark and sinister sound." -Auburn Grey
Read more about Auburn Grey here. Watch Auburn Grey's On the MIC episode here!
Null Rays "Eyes Wide Open":
Out of Providence, Rhode Island, are the Null Rays. This band formed back in the '90s, calling themselves 'Nocturnal Sun' and playing post-punk and hard rock. Their influences, like Soundgarden, Dead Kennedys, Alice in Chains, and Guns N' Roses, are reflected in their current rock/metal sound. Since reforming, together the Null Rays have released two full-length albums since 2020. They're back with a newly released album titled, Midnight at High Noon. Let's dig into one of the tracks off the record, "Eyes Wide Open." Read more about "Eyes Wide Open" here.
Stream Null Rays' "Eyes Wide Open" here:
Analog Lab's "Monet"
Hailing from Indio, California, is Analog Lab, a two-piece alternative experimental band. Starting as a solo project of actor and solo acoustic artist Miguel Arballo, he began exploring songwriting with many artists. Through performing many sets at Coachella Valley, Arballo met rapper (known as AEIOU) and drummer Sean McCune and turned Analog into a band destined to create music inside their heads. Analog Lab's "Monet" is like two tracks in one, indie and alt-rock. You get an audio atmosphere with a hard rock chorus, all while telling a story that feels intimate yet universal. Read more about "Monet."
Stream "Monet" here:
Nothing but a Nightmare's The Salvation:
Nothing but a Nightmare, also known as NBN, is an alternative rock band from Philly. Made up of high school best friends, the group has been playing locally in venues and at festivals and has even opened for Andy Grammar. NBN recently released their album, TheSalvation, and has already amassed over 100K streams! Stef from The MIC sat down with the band to talk about their last release and what they're looking forward to next!
Read more about The Salvation here. Listen to NBN's The Salvation here!
The Lightning Bug Situation's "Crazy Stuff":
"This is a live version of a song that appears on my latest album (the album's called "You're Always on My Mind,") and this version is performed with my wife Nancy, a drum machine, and a looper pedal. The song's about the leap of faith that it takes to get to know somebody on a deeper level, because no matter who you are, there's always some hard, difficult, painful, kinda wild stuff in there that you gotta get to know if you want to be close to another person." -Brian Miller
Read more about The Lightning Bug Situation here. Watch The Lightning Bug's On the MIC episode here!
Christine Tarquinio's "You and Me":
Christine Tarquinio's "You and Me" gives big "Walking On Sunshine" vibes. This track is an easy-listening, upbeat, uplifting song with simple production and a positive message. Instilling the message about hope, Tarquinio sings, "One day you'll see, we will be, we will be, we'll be free, you and me." It even has a subtle addition of jingle bells! If you're having a bad day, this is the song to put on.
Read more about "You and Me" here!
Listen to "You and Me" here:
ZOE's "Sun":
Clocking in at 5:17, ZOE's "Sun" is a longer track that keeps you entertained. You're transported into her world for those five minutes with minimal production and ZOE's clear vocal timbre. At 2:34, you get an eerie and unexpected chord change as she sings one of her most pivotal lines,"Stop thinking that you're powerless/You have all the power within." Leading into the 3-minute mark, the drums create a powerful build-up solidifying the celestial energy. You can feel the Kate Bush influences while ZOE creates a track all her own. Read more about ZOE's "Sun" here.
Listen to ZOE's "Sun' here.
ACTHEKiDFROMSPACE, Pupa Tee, Rhaffy's "EARTHQUAKE":
ACTHEKiDFROMSPACE, Pupa Tee, and Rhaffy's "Earthquake" will shake your speakers. From the infectious beat to the energy from each artist to the catchy chorus, you'll have your next playlist add.
Read more about the track here!
Stream "EARTHQUAKE" here:
GETLOST's "Moon Water":
"Moon Water is a slow burner and chilling set-opener. It shows the band’s darker side and hints at themes of living through negative experiences. The studio version of this song will be out in the world by this summer." -GETLOST
Read more about The Lightning Bug Situation here.
Watch GETLOST's On the MIC episode here!
Other Fun Things The MIC Did In June:
The MIC's Baseball Cap Launch
This hat is a home run for style! Just in time for baseball season is The MIC's Baseball Cap, adorned with the embroidered two-tone MIC logo.
The classic unstructured cap is made of brushed cotton twill and features a low profile fit and curved visor. Adjustable hook-and-loop closure to provide only the most comfortable fit!
*Local Orders Contact The MIC for Delivery Availability*
Started Collaborating with Local Papers
Together with The MIC, our Founder, Stefani started collaborating with local papers to highlight upcoming live music in West Milford and Sussex County!
Check out one of our favorites here! And if you're local, check us out in WM Messenger, The Advertiser North, The Advertiser South, The Sparta Independent and The Township Journal!
YouTube #Shorts
Ed Sheeran - Perfect Live in East Rutherford, NJ 6/10/2023:
Saturday, June 10, 2023, Ed Sheeran turned MetLife Stadium into his playground, performing to a crowd of 80,000. He performed tracks from his newer records, older material and hits like "Perfect."
Ed Sheeran - Bloodstream Live in East Rutherford, NJ 6/10/2023
Full Song: Saturday, June 10, 2023, Ed Sheeran turned MetLife Stadium into his playground, performing to a crowd of 80,000. He performed tracks from his newer records along with older material like this one, "Bloodstream."
Ed Sheeran - Bloodstream Live in East Rutherford, NJ 6/10/2023
Saturday, June 10, 2023, Ed Sheeran turned MetLife Stadium into his playground, performing to a crowd of 80,000. He performed tracks from his newer records along with older material like this one, "Bloodstream."
Ed Sheeran, Khalid - Beautiful People Live East Rutherford, NJ 6/10/2023
Saturday, June 10, 2023, Ed Sheeran turned MetLife Stadium into his playground, performing to a crowd of 80,000. He brought Khalid, one of his openers, back out to perform their chart-topping hit, "Beautiful People."
Ed Sheeran - The A Team Live in East Rutherford, NJ 6/10/2023
Saturday, June 10, 2023, Ed Sheeran turned MetLife Stadium into his playground, performing to a crowd of 80,000. He performed tracks from his newer records along with older material like this one, "The A Team."
Monica Martin & Rachel Mazer "Go Easy, Kid" NJ PAC 2/5/2023
Sunday, February 5, 2023, Monica Martin and Rachel Mazer opened for Lake Street Dive at the NJ PAC for their Gather Round Sounds Tour. Her incredible voice echoed throughout the theater, performing her song "Go Easy, Kid" with Rachel Mazer on guitar and harmonies.