Tune In, Turn On
By Doug Deutsch
Looking forward to attending our first Elephant Talk Indie Music Festival (the 14th consecutive) this Friday, Oct. 13 through Sunday, Oct. 15 at Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall in Atlantic City. There’s an outdoor stage on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with 26 bands over three days, and an indoor stage with 25 solo/duo acoustic acts.
Admission is $15 per day or $30 for the weekend. All ages.
All proceeds go to Hearts Therapeutic Riding Center in Egg Harbor Township which offers therapeutic horse-riding lessons for people of all ages with physical, mental and emotional challenges.
“I started organizing the first Elephant Talk Festival in 2010 to fill a need for original music in the Atlantic City area,” said Elephant Talk Indie Music Festival promoter/founder Jerry Ryan in a recent interview. “The first festival took place the first weekend in August that year with 85 bands (just two local acts). My love for elephants and my buddy Alex Durante’s love for King Crimson is how the name came about. We were collaborating on a possible music magazine at the time,” Ryan recalls.
Besides being a festival, Elephant Talk has also spawned a musician’s awards show that takes place this year on Dec. 16 at Anchor Rock Club.
“That event (awards show) is also in its 14th year and is basically a celebration of our local original music community,” says Ryan. “The process starts with notes and then eventually becomes a hundred or so categories of nominees, which is then whittled down into smaller categories, until we have finalists, then winners.”
Ryan is excited for all of the bands performing at Elephant Talk, and mentions a few don’t-miss artists:
Rock duo Castle Black from Brooklyn (pictured above); Camille K (talented singer/keyboardist who we saw perform at the recent ACX1 Grand Opening Party); Gwenifer Raymond (who is touring from Wales); Juliana Frangella (Taylor Swift meets Warren Zevon); someone who has previously been written about in this column, Arato Brothers, and soulful vocalist, Laura Cheadle.
Also performing is accordionist Malcom Tent, who tells Tune In Turn On he’s excited about introducing and performing some new songs during his set at Elephant Indie Music Hall Friday night (we haven’t seen the colorful veteran rocker perform live since his set at Jim Tuohy’s house with 1adam12 this past Memorial Day weekend).
Festival is returning to Atlantic City after being away for four years.
“The festival was held in Atlantic City from 2010-2017, then Mays Landing from 2018-2022, and now back to Atlantic City for 2023,” says Ryan. “Let’s just say we outgrew Mays Landing, but are thankful for the opportunity to promote originality in the arts.”
He adds: “Keep supporting originality in the arts, support your local small businesses. And give back to your local community. It doesn’t have to be monetary; go volunteer and be the change!”
Info/tix: https://www.facebook.com/events/757401656111016.
New Moon Night Market: Noetrope is back with a holiday-themed Freakshow Rave event this Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Anchor Rock Club in Atlantic City. Doors open at 10 p.m. and expect this one to go way into the wee hours. DJs, vendors galore, and occasional live bands are highlights of the New Moon Night Markets. Info/tix: https://www.tixr.com/groups/anchorrockclub/events/new-moon-night-market-dance-party-8177
Pine Barrens Jamboree: Not far from us in Waretown, the 28th Annual Pine Barrens Jamboree in Wells Mills County Park, set for Saturday, Oct. 14, will offer some quality Americana-style music in a beautiful, nature setting. Info: www.oceancountyparks.org.
Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug also hàs experience writing for the one time shore-based weekly publication, Whoot! He also was a team member with Chip Braymes Advertising. Doug loves bicycling and aspires to bring the Blues to Atlantic City. He can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com and www.facebook.com/dougdeutschpublicity.
