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One of the joys of growing up in New Jersey is its thriving music scene. Although it has seen a dip in open venues (RIP Bloomfield Ave. Café), it is undeniable that the Garden State’s most known spots have an abundance of loyal, lifelong followers. From the Wellmont Theater to the Meatlocker and the Stone Pony, there’s a place for people of all ages, musical tastes and economic standings. However, it seems my current fave is Teaneck’s Mexicali Live, where you can munch on burritos and get buzzed on margaritas while enjoying some of today’s most promising talent.

This past Friday, I decided it was time that I trek the sports and movie-loving boyfriend out to a show that didn’t include friends of ours on the bill. I figured what night would be better than to see Waking Lights, one of the tri-state area’s top up-and-coming bands. I’ve seen the indie/folk five-piece on a number of occasions in the past, and gave the group some coverage in William Paterson University’s Pioneer Times. After I heard their debut LP, The Rabbit Hole, I knew that they were an act to look out for. And as entertainment editor at the time, I strived to find talent in their prime – and in the least likely of places. But I digress – they were playing a show with girl-power trio Banditas and pop/rock troupe I Am Fighting, and I was more than excited to see what the night was going to hold.

Matt and Kyle of Waking Lights. Photo Courtesy: Henry Baum

As waitresses scurried around the room to serve drinks to the thirsty and down-to-party crowd, Hayley Thompson-King, Molly Maltezos, and Alec Tisdale aka Banditas took the stage. With an intriguing fusion of country harmonies and the grimy and chunky instrumentation of garage, the Bostonites stood their ground as concertgoers loudly made their way through the entrance. Thompson-King and Maltese hypnotized listeners with their harmonies as they belted out tracks from their debut opus Get Behind Us. Their cute outfits and petite frames were more than misleading as they belted tracks about shooting their men dead. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!

Next, the great wall of guitars that is I Am Fighting played a set filled with catchy guitar hooks and rhythms that could induce the need to head-bop in even the stiffest of characters. The Kearny, NJ band gave a grand performance in celebration of their new album Mesmerized, which was released today. Each member seemed absolutely enthralled in the performance as the crowd pogoed and sang along to every word through the set’s entirety. Although lead singer Joe Gehrmann admitted that their shows are few and far between, they’re definitely a band to check out live when they make their random stops around Jersey. Alongside Gehrmann is Dominick Gaglio who shredded on lead guitar, Dan Tretola on rhythm guitar, bassist Walter Dicristina, and drummer Joe Hughes.

Waking Lights’ Nicole jamming out. Photo Courtesy: Henry Baum

It was around 10 p.m. and I was still stabbing at my chicken burrito and slurping down my second magarita. As I began to sink my she-claws into my significant other’s half-full beer, it was time for us to experience Waking Lights in a packed house. This time the band was geared up with a smoke machine to give the crowd a performance filled with gritty passion and a distinct camaraderie that is only seen in the most rare of performances. The band, who humbly only go by their first names on their band bio – Matt (vocals), Dana (drums), Tommy (keyboards), Kyle (bass) and Nicole (violin) – played majority of their debut album, including the twangy “Where It All Began,” the sultry, R&B-infused “Never Meant to Hurt You,” and the harmonic indie gems “We All Die Alone” and “Lady in Rincon.” The band also previewed two new songs that will be on a new, currently unnamed, album. Each member of Waking Lights looked as if they were playing and singing with every bit of their strength. No one stole the show. Instead, they were one complete element, fueling each other until the very last note. Check out this great interview with the band and some bits of their set with the Aquarian Weekly’s Brian Schantz for the publication’s Project Greenroom and download The Rabbit Hole on iTunes.

With what started simply as a do-it-yourself project, New Jersey local Jason Soroka has turned his love for writing songs into a skyrocketing career in the underground indie-folk scene. Now a junior at William Paterson, he has teamed up with fellow classmate and trumpet player Mike Castellucci as the Exotic Aquatic.

Soroka’s appreciation for underground and independent music began with help from friends involved in the New Jersey music scene. He would soon be attending shows and listening to alternative and indie classics such as the Smiths, At the Drive-In, Cursive and Bright Eyes.

This newly-found love and appreciation for such artists led to the release of his first self-titled album at 16 years old. Getting a little help from his friends during live shows, Soroka soon felt “weird” playing under his own name. After meeting Castellucci in a music business and macroeconomics class, the duo discovered their mutual passion for performing. They eventually began playing music together and settled under the title of the Exotic Aquatic.

What can best be described as a concoction of the greatest elements of indie, folk and punk, mixed with a delivery reminiscent to garage rock, the Exotic Aquatic gives off pure grit with emotionally unstable yet poetic lyrics. However, it’s the imperfect quality of Soroka’s vocals and album finishing that make it most genuine in its delivery.  So genuine, in fact, the band was listed number 16 on NJ Underground’s list of the “top 20 bands to conquer New Jersey.”

“I’m not really a fan of perfection… I enjoy slight mistakes, imperfections, voice cracks, and the quiet sounds you hear as a song is ringing out,” Soroka said.

“I’m a kid from the suburban sprawl of New Jersey. I scrape my knees, I screw things up—why hide that?”

According to Soroka, the process of creating their debut album Where I Used to Sleep, was emotionally draining. Following the principles of pure DIY, he learned the methods of recording, mixing, engineering and producing an album first-hand. These techniques, he admits, he is still learning.

Castellucci added insight that in today’s technology-driven culture, record labels are no longer necessary to make a successful career in music. Most importantly, with being a part of DIY culture, an artist has the ability to “choose their own destiny.”

“In my eyes, it makes a more responsible musician.  You take the wheel, decide where you want to go, and its on you to get yourself where ever you want to go.  No pointing fingers, no excuses if you want to be the best, you get yourself there and I feel that’s something more people can respect,” he said.

The Exotic Aquatic will be touring the tri-state area starting in February. But what is there to expect during a typical performance? According to Castellucci, everything stems from fun.

“It’s not about playing the same when it comes to live, it is about living in the moment.  If its time to go nuts and you feel it, you rip the song apart,” he said.

“The main objective in every show is to have a good time. That’s why we listen to music and it’s why some play music. You have to love it or else why do it in the first place?”

What’s most enlightening about the band’s view on performing is that their live energy focuses on the importance of being genuine. What also sets them apart from many “indie” acts in the mainstream music world is their focus on creating a community within their musical world.

“My favorite part of playing shows is having our friends and fans sing back with us,” Soroka said.

“It’s a feeling I can’t describe. I think it adds a sense of camaraderie to the live experience. While our music is far from hardcore (the music genre), I’d like to think we take from their ideas and attitudes as being one with our friends and fans.”

Their truthful take on music and their passionate views on performing create the perfect foundation for a promising run in the music scene, proving that they are one of the top bands to look out for coming out of New Jersey.

Where I Used to Sleep and Soroka’s self-titled solo album are available on iTunes.