Since the early days of rock and roll, New Jersey has demanded greatness from its music scene, inspiring transformative acts like Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Skid Row, and My Chemical Romance. Now, Bobby Mahoney is answering the call. 

Growing up in East Brunswick, NJ, 31-year-old songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist Bobby Mahoney first began cultivating his ear for music like many kids do—in the back seat of his parents’ car. Basking in the sounds of classic artists like The Rolling Stones, Meatloaf, The Grateful Dead, Neil Young, Warren Zevon, and of course, Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi, Mahoney quickly found a home in the world of rock and roll. 

Having been given a second-hand guitar from his grandfather, Mahoney embarked on his self-taught journey as a musician, watching and learning wherever he could. However, his motivation to master guitar truly stemmed from his passion for songwriting. 

“I just got really into writing songs,” shares Mahoney. “I learned the guitar as a kind of vehicle for writing. I wanted to write songs, but I kind of realized I needed an instrument to do so. And then, I thought I was going to be a frontman, just a singer. But then I sang a Bon Jovi song in a fifth-grade talent show, and my friends were like, ‘Hey, don’t do that. You’re not very good.’ So, I was like, ‘Oh, ok, I guess I’ll just be a guitar player and a songwriter.’ But then I got back into singing. My first band drew straws, and I got stuck doing it. But yeah, I’ve been doing it ever since. It’s been a lot of fun, and I love doing it.”

By the age of 15, Mahoney had begun working as a semi-professional musician, making his debut performance at the legendary The Stone Pony in 2010. 

In 2024, Mahoney signed with New York City-based label Wicked Cool Records, founded by Steven Van Zandt— an original member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band and also known for his pivotal role as Silvio Dante in The Sopranos. 

“Joining the label is incredible. It still is huge for us,” says Mahoney. “Getting to work with Steven Van Zandt […] getting to send demos to him and getting feedback on songs from one of the best pop-rock songwriters in the last hundred years, is absurd. He’s a hero of ours.”

After joining the label, Mahoney released his first full-length record, Another Deadbeat Summer. The album is a collection of songs, originally part of Mahoney’s self-released EP and another EP recorded with Telegraph Hill Records, that were remixed by Geoff Sanoff. 

“It became an interesting assignment on creating a new album out of these two EPs that we did,” says Mahoney. “We could’ve kept it, ‘Side A is 2017-2018, and the other side is 2020,’ but I wanted to make it feel like a whole, brand new album, which I think we did. So, that was an interesting process, and if it wasn’t for Wicked Cool [Records], that record probably wouldn’t have happened in the way that it did.”

Along with bandmates Andrew Saul (guitar), James McIntosh (drums), and Brian Legentil (bass), Mahoney is now looking ahead to the next record, with new songs already in the works, including a newly released single, “Smoke and Drive.”

“We’re still going back, and we’re re-recording some older songs, which I’m excited about, and kind of playing them live now and bringing new life into them,” shares Mahoney. “We’re also recording some brand new songs, which excites me even more, as a writer. That’s what I’m most excited about, to get new stuff moving forward.”

Now, in describing his musical style, Mahoney explains how his sound is anchored by his iconic hometown influences, seeing New Jersey not as simply a state, but as a genre—one that he is very much a part of. 

“I think right now we say we’re alternative-punk rock and roll, but New Jersey alternative-punk rock and roll, because New Jersey is a genre,” states Mahoney. “I like to kid around and say Bruce Springsteen is our grandfather, Bon Jovi’s our father, Brian Fallon is like our older cousin. That’s kind of where our music lives.”  

Mahoney’s pride in his home state cannot be overstated, as he expresses his deep admiration for the local music scene, as well as his Jersey-born contemporaries.

“There’s definitely something in the water here,” Mahoney jokes, “in Asbury [Park], and really the whole state. You could throw a rock and hit an extremely talented artist. Not that you would, but you could. And it pushes us all to be even better. Especially nowadays, with venues closing, there are so many bands and so many deserving bands, with only so many slots. So, for as much competition as there is, it’s still so supportive.” 

When it comes to his own live shows, Mahoney works to create a fun and inclusive environment for all, using his platform to promote empathy and courage to audiences, as he wishes for his music to inspire and uplift listeners.    

“I hope they feel empowered or inspired to do whatever it is that they want to do in their life,” he says. “Whether it’s to just get through that day, and have a good time listening to something, or going to a show to have a good time. Or maybe it’s like, ‘Hey, that guy’s doing what he wants to do, so I’m going to be a lawyer, or be a doctor, or join a band, or volunteer and do something good.’”

On June 24, Mahoney will take part in The Listening Room: Songs & Stories event, hosted by RiverJam Music, a non-profit dedicated to the development of emerging songwriters, founded by Meredith and Dan Kasun. 

“They’re a lot of fun,” says Mahoney. “I like the Kasun family a lot, so they were the selling point. They do a lot of good work for the community, and they’re also partnering with our friend, Conni Freestone, for a photo gallery event of her work, which is really exciting.”

The night will be a family affair, as Mahoney will be joining fellow Williams Honor bandmates, Gordon Brown and Reagan Richards, in sharing music and stories from both their individual careers, as well as their experiences as a band. 

“It’s going to be a lot of fun for us to share stories as Williams Honor, and about my part with Williams Honor for the last 10 years now, at this point, which is crazy,” says Mahoney.

Mahoney recalls growing up and learning everything about the legendary musicians that defined the New Jersey music scene, including Brown and Richards. 

“These people were heroes of mine, so to be able to be in a band with Gordon and Reagan has been a blessing,” expresses Mahoney. “When they called me to play Madison Square Garden with them—what an honor that was, that’ll never not be a cool thing. They didn’t have to do that. They know a lot of people, so the fact that they wanted me there with them means more than I can say, and always will.” 

Coming full circle, Mahoney now passes along his own hard-earned musical wisdom, teaching guitar lessons to students of all ages. 

“Playing the guitar itself has been one of the blessings of my life,” says Mahoney. “I love singing, I love performing, I love all that, I love writing, but playing the guitar is one of the best things I’ve ever gotten to do. I’m very thankful.”

As for what comes next, Mahoney is keeping busy, with more music on the way, and with it, more of that homegrown sound. 

“I always have different songs at different points of completion, and sometimes they skip the line,” shares Mahoney. “I could write a song tomorrow that can supersede everything else and end up on the record, or be working on things for the next, next one. So, we’re working on booking other shows for the fall, as far as getting out and getting back to other parts of the East Coast, Midwest. You know, every time I feel like there’s less going on, things come up […] But yeah, we’re just working on writing new music, and rehearsing, and seeing what’s next.”

Photos courtesy of Bobby Mahoney, taken by Conni Freestone | Interviewed May 8, 2026