Sat, July 13, 2024:
Noon to 12:30 PM: Sarah Bernadette
NJ Native Sarah Bernadette is a versatile vocalist, improviser, and composer. Her music fuses the complexity of jazz and r&b with the catchiness of pop songwriting. (Boston, MA). sarahbernadettemusic.com
12:45 to 1:15 PM: Daniel Feinberg
After honing his craft in Gainesville and Seattle, Daniel Feinberg has been making melodic indie-rock in Maplewood since 2019. Daniel’s eight solo albums are on streaming services. (Maplewood, NJ). instagram.com/feinbergmusic
1:30 to 2:00 PM: DC & The Desperados
Garage and psych rock band from right here in Maplewood and South Orange. (Maplewood, NJ). instagram.com/dcandthedesperados
2:15 to 2:45 PM: Sheik’s Garage
A South Orange / Maplewood band, playing original and cover songs inspired through improvisational funk, rock, jazz, and blues music. (South Orange, NJ). sheiksgarage.com
3:00 to 3:30 PM: Dipsea Flower
Five-piece Folk-Rock band based in Boston, MA. With a sound fostered by a love for live music, Dipsea Flower is soulful, high energy, and feel-good. (Boston, MA). instagram.com/dipseaflower
3:45 to 4:15 PM: The Extensions
An indie rock band from Asbury Park described as “a tightly wound, vibrant project with choruses that will almost certainly lodge themselves in your hippocampus. (Asbury Park, NJ). theextensions.bandzoogle.com
4:30 to 5:00 PM: Deadtide
Modern metalcore meets (older) Metallica mixed with Pink Floyd’s flair for epic, cinematic music. Featuring lead guitarist Kenny Sheldon – a Maplewoodian for over 35 years. (Maplewood, NJ, and NYC, NY). instagram.com/deadtide
5:15 to 5:45 PM: Believe in Ghost!
Believe in Ghost! is an act like no other, bringing a kaleidoscope of rap, funk, blues, and more to stages and studios across the Northeast. (Queens, NY). believeinghost.band
6:00 to 6:30 PM: DJ Prince Hakim
Influenced by the sound of the 80’s and today, Prince Hakim has traveled from New York to Tokyo sharing his passion and spreading his message to “Celebrate Life.” (West Orange, NJ). djprincehakim.com
7:00 to 8:00 PM: Nation Beat
What makes Nation Beat so special is that it offers no simple answers. When band leader Scott Kettner looks at a map, he sees a direct line that connects the rivers of northeastern Brazil to the parishes of New Orleans and the streets of NYC. A master percussionist, composer and educator, Kettner is the guiding force behind Nation Beat and has been tracing the similarities between the music and culture of northeastern Brazil and the American South for two decades, through recordings and performances as well as educational and community outreach programs.
More recently, Kettner has been conceptualizing a new sound for Nation Beat that blends the roots styles of New Orleans and Brazil with his background in jazz and hybrid drumming. In 2018 he began composing and collaborating with tenor saxophonist and arranger Paul Carlon. Together, they shaped the ensemble’s sound for their new phase in cross-cultural explorations, and furthering Nation Beat’s history of being rhythm gatherers, harvesting the fruit of 500 years of cultural crossbreeding resulting in a 21st century mash-up of the thunderous grooves of northeastern Brazil with the strolling swagger of New Orleans via NYC. Nation Beat is a NYC-Brazilian collision that parades with an infectious, audacious energy, seamlessly bridging folkloric Brazilian rhythms with classic American roots and jazz in an altogether creative and original manner.
Scott Kettner describes the impetus behind Nation Beat: “In the globalized music industry, Nation Beat aims to reach into roots-based traditions and bring those voices to the surface by creating new music that impacts the people around us, recognizing and assuring that our similarities are stronger than our differences.” Scott is a local musical hero and educator and proud to be playing for his hometown.
8:30 to 10:00 PM: Remember Jones
National touring artist heralded as “New Jersey’s most ambitious song interpreter” and recently one of “Jersey Shore’s Most Influential People of 2024” by The Asbury Park Press (alongside Bruce Springsteen, Kevin Smith, and more), Remember Jones is a captivating showman, soul/pop singer, storyteller, and bandleader, who keeps audiences on their toes and emotions in the moment. Evoking the authentic energy of the greatest front men and women, his original music, high energy, show-band staging, and theatrical events have played to sold-out clubs and theaters throughout the US.
Remember Jones has shared stages with Springsteen, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Darlene Love, Ronnie Spector, Buster Poindexter, Rebirth Brass Band, Dumpstaphunk, Robert Randolph, and many more. In addition to supporting original material, Remember Jones presents multiple productions, such as: back to BACK TO BLACK, a recreation of the entire Amy Winehouse album, Joe Cocker’s Mad Dogs and Englishmen, YAS QUEEN!, a theatrical celebration of the music of Queen, a concert re-envisioning Tommy by The Who, recently starred as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar with a 35-piece Symphonic Orchestra, among others! Remember Jones looks to bring Maplewoodstock some of these treats as well as original material – a plethora of body-moving goodness!
Sun, July 14, 2024:
Noon to 12:30 PM: sasso
A rock band of 5 CHS teens who’ve grown up with Maplewoodstock. They play an eclectic mix of covers from the 60’s to alternative/indie music of today. (Maplewood/South Orange, NJ). instagram.com/official.sasso.band
12:45 to 1:15 PM: Joy and the Wildfire
Your new favorite band from NYC, with influences ranging from New Wave to 90s R&B, collaging ideas from the past to express the present moment. Come dance with them. (NYC, NY). joyandthewildfire.com
1:30 to 2:00 PM: Emily Cavanagh
Emily is a singer/songwriter based in NYC. Singer, songwriter, founder, performer working at the intersection of music and service in NYC, Dublin, Chicago, and beyond. (NYC, NY). emilycavanaghmusic.com
Sadly, the heavy rain came in just after Emily started her set and we had to pause the festival. We hope to have Emily back in a future year.
2:15 to 2:45 PM: Sarah Hodd & The Drive
This is neo-soul meets rock n roll, with a throwback vibe that keeps you dancing. Bluesy, explosive originals – fun, funky covers – and a whole lot of heart. (Maplewood, NJ). sarahhoddmusic.com
(Due to unforeseen circumstances, the originally-scheduled Gina D’Soto has had to drop out; we hope to present her in a future year.)
And, sadly, the heavy rain that came in required us to pause the festival. We hope to have Sarah and her band back in a future year.
3:00 to 3:30 PM: Skyfactor
Acoustic pop rock quartet that writes memorable songs that grab you and won’t let go. They are thrilled to be playing Maplewoodstock in their singer’s home town. (NYC, NY). skyfactormusic.com
3:45 to 4:15 PM: Owls & Lions
Indie Folk Rock musical experience, playing both originals and reimagined covers, while drawing inspiration from artists like Chris Stapleton & Brandi Carlile. (Wyckoff, NJ). owlsandlions.com
4:30 to 5:00 PM: Honest Wagner
Sound at the crossroads of Alt-Rock & Americana – each show capturing the essence of raw emotion & heartfelt authenticity. (Maplewood, NJ). honestwagner.com
5:15 to 5:45 PM: The Parkers
Sensual and subversive grungy synth-pop are anthems of disenfranchisement, burning missives to toxic love, and searing social commentary. (NYC, NY). theparkersnyc.com
6:00 to 6:30 PM: Alessandra & The Smallworld Band
Experience their funk-rock-soul fusion! With keys, bass, drums, and guitar, they deliver raw energy, blending rock, funk, and soul with inspiring messages of life and love. (Jersey City, NJ, and NYC, NY). sandrasmall.com
6:45 to 7:30 PM: The Tia Holt Experience
Maplewoodstock has elevated Tia from a local daytime performer to her now ‘Featured Artist’ status”- CONGRATS Tia! Embark on a musical journey with The Tia Holt Experience, where every genre finds its home. From soulful melodies to upbeat anthems, our band embraces the full spectrum of music, promising an unforgettable experience at every performance. With a mission to spread positivity and make the world a better place through our diverse repertoire, we invite you to join us in celebration of music’s universal language. Get ready to dance, sing, and connect with The Tia Holt Experience.
The Voice you need to hear and the Experience you need to have. With every note, they soar to new heights, delivering an unforgettable performance.
8:00 to 9:30 PM: Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country
There are a lot of musical influences and sources that Daniel Donato has drawn on during his career and that inform Reflector (Retrace Music), the Nashville guitarist-singer-songwriter-band leader’s first all-original album. But within those Donato has carved out a unique and individualized spot for himself, one that speaks to the deep American music heritage that inspires him — and that he’s pushing towards the future with inspired, intentional vigor.
He calls it Cosmic Country, a moniker that’s both self-descriptive and a statement of purpose. It’s an organic rock band aesthetic with plenty of roadhouse twang, a showcase for Donato’s instrumental virtuosity and facility for melodically infectious songcraft. Bridging Nashville and the Great West, Kentucky and mid-60s northern California, tie-dye and plaid, it’s a world of his own, and wide world of musical adventure at that.
“I think Cosmic Country is a tale as old as time, really,” Donato explains. “It’s yin and yang in a musical form. It’s three chords and the truth, and then on the other side it’s exploration and bravery. I really went through a lot of years of grinding, and still am, to achieve this sound which is a vehicle for my personality, and the personality is a vehicle for my soul. So (Reflector) is more that than any other record I ever put out.”
