Dug in NJ
a.k.a talents that are based locally to The Underground Edit
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In conversation with James Maddock: unraveling the mystery of songwriting
British-born singer/songwriter James Maddock is renowned for his rousing live performances, deeply emotional music, and his innate ability to connect with audiences everywhere. For Maddock, his passion for music began at a very young age, under the wing of his grandfather, a semi-professional ukulele player. Learning to play the instrument himself, Maddock soon understood the…
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In conversation with Kiersten Blue: looking at the ‘Girl In The Mirror’
On the outside, Kiersten Blue is exactly what her name suggests: blue hair, melancholic lyrics, and even a single appropriately titled “Blue.” On the inside, though, Kiersten is overcome by an unmistakable drive and love for creating music. The singer is relatively new to the music world, having started during the COVID-19 pandemic almost six…
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In conversation with Chris Messineo: bringing ‘The Strange Dark’ to light
Before movies ever felt like a career path, they felt like a kind of magic for Chris Messineo. Growing up, Messineo believed the people who made films lived somewhere far away on the West Coast, in a world that felt unreachable. It wasn’t until his twenties, as independent film began flourishing outside of Hollywood, that…
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RiverJAM Music hosts thrilling line-up at Songs & Stories concert series
On Jan. 9, RiverJAM Music hosted yet another sold-out night as part of their Listening Room: Songs & Stories intimate concert series in Red Bank, NJ. Fronted by English singer-songwriter James Maddock, Reagan Richards and Gordon Brown of Williams Honor, and the legendary guitarist Ricky Byrd, the night was pleasantly filled with both philanthropy and…
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In conversation with Ron Gallo: honesty over expectation
Ron Gallo never set out to be a musician. In fact, picking up a guitar came without much intention at all. “I can’t say there really was much of a passion to play guitar,” he admits. “I kind of just thought it was a thing I should have.” “I think the thing I was most…
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In conversation with Ricky Byrd: bringing stories of rock ’n’ roll and recovery to RiverJAM Music
Like many musicians of his generation, Ricky Byrd’s relationship with music shifted the moment he watched The Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show. “There was a lot of music in my house,” Byrd recalled. “My parents were divorced at that point, so we were living with my grandparents, and there was always music playing—but…
