Visual Sound: Issue 9
RAHEEM DEVAUGHN,
“IF I DON’T”
Newark-born Raheem DeVaughn hearkens back to the age of classic soul men. His vocal chops, his charisma, and his thought-provoking lyrics make him a true Renaissance Man. “The inspiration behind the song came after having numerous conversations with Black women and I realized that they want to be recognized for how they show up in relationships…and how they want to be appreciated and recognized by the man in their life.” This is the first single off Reheem DeVaughn Presents “From Lust ‘Til Dawn (New Era Soul/SRG-ILS Group). We’re certainly going to be hearing a lot more from this young man.
BOB MALONE,
“GOOD PEOPLE EVERYWHERE”
“I grew up in Jefferson Township [Morris County],” says Bob Malone, “taking piano lessons in a music store on Route 46, just down the road from Fountains of Wayne. When the band of the same name hit all those years later, I knew they were our people. My first gig ever was the Middle School dance in 1982. We did Bruce and the Asbury Jukes and we sucked but we were representing hard for our world, when everybody lived in New Jersey and nobody lived anywhere else. Around 30 years later, after moving to many cities before landing in Los Angeles, and spending decades on the road, I was a member of John Fogerty’s band, on a tour bus rolling into the backstage of the Garden State Arts Center (I know, it’s named after a bank now, I don’t care) and it really was the moment I’d been waiting for. ‘Good People’ is a song for my wife, the most empathetic person I know, and for all of the other unsung heroes among us who quietly go about their business of making the world a better place.”
TIMESHARES,
“SIREN SOUND”
Half a mile out of Mahwah, Timeshares bassist/singer/songwriter Mike Natoli and his crew earned their stripes for years gigging in North Jersey bars. This is the lead-off single from an album due later this year on Wiretap Records. Known primarily as a Philly band, Mike was adamant about his Jersey cred. “Yeah,” he says, “I’m right on the border. My street ends in New Jersey. I coach hockey in New Jersey. My mom is from New Jersey. I get gas in New Jersey. I go to the beach in New Jersey. I am well-versed in diners, jug handles, the Wawa menu, shore things and both sides of the pork roll/Taylor Ham debate.”
LACES,
“BREAKING MY HEART”
Jessica Vaughn, originally from Wall Township down the shore, performs as LACES. According to the title of her new album, she’s a Super Weirdo. Fourteen years ago, she released a self-titled debut as Charlotte Sometimes. Her Bitch Music company is based in Los Angeles. Her unplugged version of “Say” comes out later this summer.
HIDDEN IN PLAIN VIEW,
“20 BELOW”
Straight outa Stanhope, this propulsive energetic band formed in 2000, had two rockin’ albums, broke up in 2007, reformed for the 2013 Philly show you see here, and, as a result of the crowd reaction, decided to tour in 2015. Now they have a new single, “Wildfire,” and they’re psyched to perform at this year’s Furnace Fest in Alabama with 90 other bands over three days in September.
NANCY GOUDINAKI,
“WHAT I WAS FOR YOU: RETHINK”
Guitar students in Fort Lee and Englewood lucky enough to have Nancy Goudinaki as a teacher should love this duet with trumpeter Antoine Drye on one of Goudinaki’s original compositions. Born in Greece, with a Master’s Degree in Musicology/Fine Arts/Classical Guitar, she performs regularly with her trio in New York City. “After the long musical journey in my life and trying several musical styles as a singer/composer/guitarist, I have returned to where I started from: The Classical Guitar," she recently explained to The Jersey Sound.
JONAH TOLCHIN,
“NEVER GIVING UP”
Princeton resident Jonah Tolchin, in previous projects, has had a distinct Mark Knopfler/JJ Cale vibe. Now he’s branching out but his coolness quotient is in full bloom on this song from his brand new Lava Lamp (Yep Roc Records).
WALTER TROUT,
“RIDE”
Walter Trout dedicated this video to Laurel Springs, his hometown in Camden County (although he’s been in California for the last 47 years). The album—his 30th—isn’t due until later this summer but the blues-rocker wanted us to hear it and we’re glad he did.