interview
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King Stingray interview at Sea.Hear.Now Festival 2026
King Stingray is more than just an Australian rock band; they’re a tangible connection between home and elsewhere. A five-piece comprised of Yolŋu (Aboriginal people of northeast Arnhem Land) and balanda (non-Indigenous) musicians, King Stingray mixes elements of rock and the ancient Indigenous tradition of manikay to make something that is uniquely their own (dubbed…
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In conversation with Erica M. Reilly: beach reads and the community behind the stories
For local author Erica M. Reilly, beach season is never really over. As a self-published author of The Swells of Stone Harbor and The Shallows of Avalon, Reilly’s writing always brings her back to the Jersey shore. “It was something I’d always wanted to do,” Reilly said about writing a book. Having grown up in…
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In conversation with Cole Hallman: riding the sound wave
In the words of folk musician Jack Johnson, “time is just a melody.” And for singer-songwriter Cole Hallman, the time is now. Growing up in Manasquan, New Jersey, Hallman was surrounded by an endless coastline and a rich, local music scene. “There is a lot of music in my area, a lot of music in…
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In conversation with Ruby Alexander: keeping music playful
To Ruby Alexander, nothing is sacred. But don’t take this the wrong way; the mantra serves as her reminder that everything is just a moment in time, that music is meant to be playful. “As I was recording this whole project,” she said, speaking of her upcoming EP, “my message to myself that I had…
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In conversation with Nathan Johnston: songs of an outlander
Throughout his career, singer-songwriter Nathan Johnston has taken the road less traveled—and it has certainly made all the difference. Brought up in the musical hub of Mullingar, Ireland, Johnston set out on his own journey as a performer at a young age, first picking up instruments around his family home. “My grandad was a showman,”…
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In conversation with Halogens: looking back on 15 years
Fifteen years is a long time to dedicate to anything—but for Asbury Park-based rock band Halogens, the journey has been, in the words of their appropriately titled 2023 EP, Time Well Spent. For lead vocalist and guitarist Zach Henry, his relationship with music felt serious “pretty much right from the beginning.” “I started playing guitar,…
