Support Syrian refugee’s with the power of art by donating to Mercy Corps this Tuesday @ 8:30, The Inkwell
All interviews done over text message or social media messaging
Write ups will be published as they are written
“For me writing is less about making a name for myself but effecting a positive change in the hearts and the minds of those who read or hear my words,” said 28-year-old Gregory Dube an artist, writer, philosopher and friend.
Dube says that art is the bridge between souls and the more we consciously travrse the distances between them, the more well rounded and compassionate we are. With that being as it may, Dube wants to be what closes that gap. He himself, by reading at this event, is to help build a more compassionate humanity.
“Considering the cause,” said Dube, in regards to the event’s support for Syrian refugees, “[building compassion and humanity] is very much needed in this time.”
The writer goes on by saying that there is nothing more that gravitates him to this event than his own life, which is enveloped by all the lives in proximity to his own, including the known and unknown. His manifested destiny—desire—is for our species as a whole become more considerate and kind towards one another.
Greg, thank you for the beauty and eloquence you have brought to not only my life, but The Inkwell. It is a great privilege and honor to have discussed the world, its treasures, humans, and all the unknowns we and our universe possess.
Teenage Halloween (Luke Hendriks)
Politics are a huge aspect of Tuesday’s show, whether we say it or not. We aren’t going to shy away from what is important, and that is helping our Syrian refugees. “It is incredibly important to us to be playing this show,” said Luke Hendriks, guitarist and vocalist of Teenage Halloween, “because through all of the political warfare, even going on in classrooms, the truth is, we are leaning towards fascism.”
The voice of Hendrik’s stretches to the ears of many when they say how hard it is for them to watch people drown in their privilege and act as if nothing is going on. “This is incredibly serious, our country does not support LGBTQI+ and POC individuals. Syrian refugees escaping hardships of their land are being banished by a land that was hypocritically build on “liberty and freedom,” while we just stole land from indigenious people,” said the activist.
Hendriks calls this bigotry at its finest.
Teenage Halloween’s upcoming record will definitely envelop politics and songs about identity. The musical gypsy says, the only thing we can do as artists in this time of regression is fight with music, force and words. Hendriks adds, “We want to take our feelings of passion toward identity, mental health, and freedom to the next level with this release.”
Hendriks, tells me they are coming on by to The Inkwell for their performance straight from a gig with Jake Ewald from Modern Baseball’s band Slaughter Beach, Dog in Ramapo for a 12am set. Teenage will rock n’roll with a three-piece acoustic set, from the original eight, with Brandon Hakim, sax player, Brian DeSeno, drummer, and Hendriks himself, guitarist and vocalist.
“Hakim, Brian, and I are doing a stripped down, mic-less set of sax, acoustic guitar, and a snare drum with a blanket,” said Hendriks.
The audience should expect their to be a lot of discussion about themes behind the music that makes Teenage a huge part of who they are as artists. “Definitely expect the unexpected because we are totally winging it!” Said an honest Hendriks.
In terms of the other acts, Hendriks says that it is great to be able to play with everyone. They said, “…everyone on this bill has been very special to me personally, these folks are what keep the scene on the shore going. They turned a desolate, non-existent music community (for a few years) into something very special.”
Hendriks said he has seen Frank Lombardi play at a house show with Pinegrove and has played with Avery Mandeville on a few different ocassions, saying her songs are super relatable and personal. Halogens, Alex Fabio, Jake Newcomb, and Freddie Koechlin are people who, Hendriks says, have kept the DIY punk ethic going, that they are awesome folks who obviously, deeply, care for their community.
Hendriks, and every band I have ever seen him play in, has always stressed the importance of staying authentic and true. Discussing Teenage’s growing presence, like their feature the band had on a Little Elephant, Hendriks said, “Even though it may seem large, I try not to look at the quantity of an event, they continuing on, “I think that as a band, we have tried to stay a positive force, and wherever that has gotten us, that is the reason behind it.”
The band tries to be a sort of voice for those who want to get involved. If you follow Teenage Halloween, you can see this as true, always inclusive and diverse at mind and heart, the sounds, voices, actions, and shows the musicians stitch so carefully together, are sewn with much thoughtfullness, heart, and the truest displayal of self honesty, embracing other humans. If anyone read on about Gregory Dube, a poet reading at Tuesday’s event, he says that this is what we need more of in our humankind, he too uses his art to embrace, and be that sort of voice for the people himself.
Zach Henry of Halogens, vocalist and guitarist, the 22-year-old from Wall Township said, “We [Halogens] hopes to bring out a lot of people and raise money for a wonderful cause, and hopefully to make some new fans as well.”
Henry says he is proud of Mark Embrey for organizing such a great event. “We haven’t played a show like this before,” says Henry, “we plan on performing stripped down versions of all our songs, which we haven’t done before.”
The artist says the crowd can additionally anticipate a few covers the band expects the crowd will have a really solid reaction too.
Friends of performers of the night, Zach said, “I’m ecstatic to be able to perform with Freddie, Jake, and Alex, particularly because it’s their band’s first show and I know how excited they are.” Henry also adds that having only played with Teenage Halloween a few times, it’s always great to perform with with bands you don’t normally have the chance to.
The Jersey Rock Band of the Week on 95.9 The Wrat this past January, also came out with a split EP with local musician Staten, made of Justin Fernandez Dec. 2, 2016. Support and check it out on either the Halogen’s bandcamp and, or, Staten’s bandcamp.
Asking Henry what music means to him, he responded, “Music, specifically writing music, means a lot to me because it provides an outlet for me to express the things I am currently feeling in a way that can (hopefully) allow people to relate.”
You have certainly done a fine job of this, Zach. I have heard many side conversations at shows, on WMCX 88.9, and at the very famous houses we know so well about how Halogens are either the bees knees, how Halogen’s are a sticker in every basement show venue around, and I have certainly heard, “Zach from Halogens take your shirt off,” more times than I have fingers. I’m stoked to see you, dude! Let’s rock n’roll.
“I offer up that up not as a form of self-flattery, but rather as a sort of preemptive apology, in that the years have a way of generating a deep-seated cynicism and doubt in both, a) human-beings’ ability to change and b) one’s own ability to affect that change,” said 29-year-old Frank Lombardi, a well-known folk artist from Ocean Township, in explaining his slight to significant age difference to those in attendance of Tuesday’s show.
However, Lombardi does not fail to hold an abiding and deep appreciation for those who continue to hold ideals and persistence in creating a better and more just world, even in the harshest of obstacles and as they understand it.
Lombardi is a passionate soul and whether he likes it or not. He has certainly made a change in my life because he gets it. As a musician, artist, as a human being he understands the truth that many do not. He does not fluff up this world with bullshit and glamor, he educates, philosophizes, and shares in conversation and in his music about what is difficult to hear, and, still, calmly influence in his life, but are the people listening? Lombardi has a way of transcending an energy that, although maybe cynical, is still positive (to me), and I believe will come off so, because he has once hoped for humanity’s ability to make change and one’s own ability to affect it—he has a lot of love and care in him.
“My excitement for this show rests with its potential to restore my faith in fellow human beings, even if only temporarily,” said the finger picking machine.
Lombardi says this as he praises any positive collective response to the xenophobic demography that has, as of late, been thrown around in great reckless abandonment.
In discussing the meaning of art in such political catastrophe, Lombardi said that he believes music and art has the power to change and challenge cultural perceptions. Nevertheless, he adds, “At the end of the day, [music and art] does not subsitute for real power and direct action.”
“What can art ultimately achieve?” Asks the folk musician. He responds by saying that art can surreptitiously and effectively articulate the artist’s message to those who do not share the same opinion; if done right art can inspire those predisposed to your message; and, if even for a minute, allow people to forget about their problems.
“I think art has the undeniable ability to make life, in all of its imperfection, worth living,” said Lombardi.
America Part Two (Alex!Freddie!Jake!)
Alex Fabio, Freddie Koechlin, and Jake Newcomb, friends for years, in bands and performing together since their early teens, have started the beginnings of a new band named America Part Two. Tuesday night will be their debut performance as a band.
Fabio and Koechlin featured together in the DIY band, On Your Marks, which they started at the tender ages of 14-years-old and 15-years-old with Phillip McGarry. In the midst of collaborating and playing together, in 2013, members of On Your Marks and the band, Cross Town Train birthed The Mayflower Collective, a DIY media and entertainment group thst releases music from the likes of A Will Away, Have a Good Season, Save Face, My Heart My Anchor, and Head North.
“What garnered the decision to be in a band together was friendship, past musical experience, and the strength of our collective vibes,” said the band.
America Part Two says it feels amazing to be playing a show that brings up such important discussion, and we’re proud to have friends who are so culturally aware and active in fighting for the good of the world.
The bandmates live together and have been jamming out for years. Koechlin once told me the importance of his music in the fighting against political imposters like our president. He discussed how all of his own cultural awareness would all go into the music.
“All forms of expression should be powerful,” said Koechlin, “If art doesn’t convey emotion or doesn’t take a stance, is it art at all?”
Koechlin continues by adding that art is for people to perceive. He says that it is a vehicle to provoke thought. “What makes a powerful idea is the passionate artist. It’s the vibration inside us that needs to get out. We need to scream and slam our guitars,” says Koechlin.
Passion certainly embellishes the group as a whole and as individuals. Having said this, everyone should heavily anticipate the music and art that shall be delivered by America Part Two.
Having seen the coming and going of many musical groups, America Part Two describes bands as a collective consciousness that takes on its own life and death cycle. As a group of musicians they live together as a collective soul for the duration of that cycle to then die as a collective soul when that time comes.
“Thank you for having faith in us,” says the band, “that means the world.”
