Wave Gathering 2008 Preview
I love technology. It's what allows me to run this website and do my internet radio show.
I hate technology. It's what can ruin a perfectly good interview.
On Thursday June 12th I did a half hour interview with Gordon Brown, co-organizer of the Wave Gathering (www.WaveGathering.com). Shortly after I finished recording the interview my computer froze and when I rebooted the entire interview was gone.
I spent hours trying to find the MP3 file, but alas, it appears to be gone forever. While planning to commit seppuku for dishonoring Gordon with the loss of the interview, I realized first that I wanted to live, and second that I could write a review (or recap) of the interview, in order to restore some of my honor and save some face.
So here are some of the things we discussed (to the best of my recollection):
The Wave Gathering will be taking place at 24 venues throughout Asbury Park from Friday June 20th through Sunday 22nd, and feature over 170 performances.
Rebirth
One of the themes mentioned on www.WaveGathering.com, "Rebirth", plays heavily into this festival, now in it's third year. There was time when Asbury Park was bustling with business, attractions, and lots of music. The city then largely died, with a few music venues left, but not much else. Now the city is on the turnaround with Cookman Ave. and other streets lively with stores, restaurants and music once again. Even the boardwalk recently reopened with a bunch of new stores. Gordon explained one of the reasons the Wave Gathering was pushed back a month from previous years when the festival took place the weekend before Memorial Day was to capitalize on the reopening of the boardwalk. It was obvious from my interview that The Wave Gathering could not have happened anywhere else in New Jersey but Asbury Park, because it's as much about the city as it is the music.
The Music
When I asked Gordon how he and Scott Stamper went about picking the bands for the festival, he explained that there was a team that listened to all the submissions, and it was not so much about picking the best bands (although that was certainly a factor), as much as it was picking bands that would sound good on a bill together. Many of the shows are set up so that if you're there to see one band you like, you should stick around as the other bands on the bill are bands that you might like also. Of course the great thing about a festival is that there are always several different acts playing on different stages, so if you don't like what you're seeing in one venue you can easily go to another nearby venue to hear something different. With over 170 bands playing in 24 venues, you are bound to find something you like. Gordon pointed out that there was definitely something for everyone, including my parents, who only listen to Lite and oldies stations. You can see the full list of performers at www.WaveGathering.com. At the site you can also find out which shows are free so if you aren't sure if you want to invest in getting the pass for the fest, come down and check out a couple of the free shows before making a decision.
Getting Around Asbury Park
One of the comments I've often heard, and thought to myself about past years of the Wave Gathering, was while many of the venues are close together, going from Cookman Ave. to Asbury Lanes, or from Asbury Lanes to the Saint can be a bit of a walk (especially if it's a 90 degree day), it would be nice to have a shuttle of some sort to get around town. While Gordon could not confirm that there will be shuttle this year he said that they are trying to work out a deal and HOPE to have a shuttle this year.
Music Industry Panels & Workshops
Since inception in 2006, The Wave Gathering has grown each year. Last year was the first year for the music industry panels & workshops. This year there are more panels and workshops, with some great topics and people involved. All of the panels and workshops will be in the basement of Trillium Antiques.
Topics include:
MANAGEMENT/BOOKING AGENT PANEL
PRODUCTION/STUDIO/RECORDING PANEL
PRESS & RADIO PANEL
PUBLIC RELATIONS & MARKETING PANEL
60 MINUTE ARTIST INTERVIEW: NICOLE ATKINS
ARTIST DEVELOPMENT PANEL
SONGWRITING & PUBLISHING PANEL of BILLBOARD #1's
And will include panelists: John Eddie, Glen Burtnik, Colie Brice, Jim Testa, Jeff Raspe, Tony Black, Brian Nelson, and more.
A complete list of panels and panelists is available at www.WaveGathering.com
Shopping & Lodging
Many of the stores and restaurants in Asbury Park will be doing specials and sales all weekend long to coincide with the Wave Gathering.
And the two major hotels in Asbury Park, The Empress and the Berkeley Carteret are both offering discounts if you mention the Wave Gathering.
There is more information about the Wave Gathering at www.WaveGathering.com.
I hope to see you all there June 20th thru 22nd.
www.wavegathering.com
I love technology. It's what allows me to run this website and do my internet radio show.
I hate technology. It's what can ruin a perfectly good interview.
On Thursday June 12th I did a half hour interview with Gordon Brown, co-organizer of the Wave Gathering (www.WaveGathering.com). Shortly after I finished recording the interview my computer froze and when I rebooted the entire interview was gone.
I spent hours trying to find the MP3 file, but alas, it appears to be gone forever. While planning to commit seppuku for dishonoring Gordon with the loss of the interview, I realized first that I wanted to live, and second that I could write a review (or recap) of the interview, in order to restore some of my honor and save some face.
So here are some of the things we discussed (to the best of my recollection):
The Wave Gathering will be taking place at 24 venues throughout Asbury Park from Friday June 20th through Sunday 22nd, and feature over 170 performances.
Rebirth
One of the themes mentioned on www.WaveGathering.com, "Rebirth", plays heavily into this festival, now in it's third year. There was time when Asbury Park was bustling with business, attractions, and lots of music. The city then largely died, with a few music venues left, but not much else. Now the city is on the turnaround with Cookman Ave. and other streets lively with stores, restaurants and music once again. Even the boardwalk recently reopened with a bunch of new stores. Gordon explained one of the reasons the Wave Gathering was pushed back a month from previous years when the festival took place the weekend before Memorial Day was to capitalize on the reopening of the boardwalk. It was obvious from my interview that The Wave Gathering could not have happened anywhere else in New Jersey but Asbury Park, because it's as much about the city as it is the music.
The Music
When I asked Gordon how he and Scott Stamper went about picking the bands for the festival, he explained that there was a team that listened to all the submissions, and it was not so much about picking the best bands (although that was certainly a factor), as much as it was picking bands that would sound good on a bill together. Many of the shows are set up so that if you're there to see one band you like, you should stick around as the other bands on the bill are bands that you might like also. Of course the great thing about a festival is that there are always several different acts playing on different stages, so if you don't like what you're seeing in one venue you can easily go to another nearby venue to hear something different. With over 170 bands playing in 24 venues, you are bound to find something you like. Gordon pointed out that there was definitely something for everyone, including my parents, who only listen to Lite and oldies stations. You can see the full list of performers at www.WaveGathering.com. At the site you can also find out which shows are free so if you aren't sure if you want to invest in getting the pass for the fest, come down and check out a couple of the free shows before making a decision.
Getting Around Asbury Park
One of the comments I've often heard, and thought to myself about past years of the Wave Gathering, was while many of the venues are close together, going from Cookman Ave. to Asbury Lanes, or from Asbury Lanes to the Saint can be a bit of a walk (especially if it's a 90 degree day), it would be nice to have a shuttle of some sort to get around town. While Gordon could not confirm that there will be shuttle this year he said that they are trying to work out a deal and HOPE to have a shuttle this year.
Music Industry Panels & Workshops
Since inception in 2006, The Wave Gathering has grown each year. Last year was the first year for the music industry panels & workshops. This year there are more panels and workshops, with some great topics and people involved. All of the panels and workshops will be in the basement of Trillium Antiques.
Topics include:
MANAGEMENT/BOOKING AGENT PANEL
PRODUCTION/STUDIO/RECORDING PANEL
PRESS & RADIO PANEL
PUBLIC RELATIONS & MARKETING PANEL
60 MINUTE ARTIST INTERVIEW: NICOLE ATKINS
ARTIST DEVELOPMENT PANEL
SONGWRITING & PUBLISHING PANEL of BILLBOARD #1's
And will include panelists: John Eddie, Glen Burtnik, Colie Brice, Jim Testa, Jeff Raspe, Tony Black, Brian Nelson, and more.
A complete list of panels and panelists is available at www.WaveGathering.com
Shopping & Lodging
Many of the stores and restaurants in Asbury Park will be doing specials and sales all weekend long to coincide with the Wave Gathering.
And the two major hotels in Asbury Park, The Empress and the Berkeley Carteret are both offering discounts if you mention the Wave Gathering.
There is more information about the Wave Gathering at www.WaveGathering.com.
I hope to see you all there June 20th thru 22nd.
www.wavegathering.com