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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260718T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260718T233000
DTSTAMP:20260428T090646
CREATED:20260407T150055Z
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UID:10000064-1784401200-1784417400@elmthree.com
SUMMARY:The Heavy Heavy at Wonder Bar w/s/g MT Jones
DESCRIPTION:ElmThree presents The Heavy Heavy w/s/g MT Jones\nWith the arrival of their debut EP Life and Life Only\, The Heavy Heavy immediately filled a longtime void in the musical landscape\, delivering a soulful breed of rock & roll untouched by modern artifice. As audiences across the globe grew enchanted with their era-bending sound\, the UK-based band began selling out headline shows in major cities like New York and Chicago\, opening for the likes of Black Pumas and Band of Horses\, and earning critical comparisons to Jefferson Airplane\, The Band\, The Mamas & The Papas\, and more—all with only a handful of songs to their name\, including the AAA radio top five singles “Miles and Miles” and “Go Down River.” After spending the past two years on the road and in the studio\, The Heavy Heavy now draw listeners even deeper into their dreamworld with their long-awaited debut album One Of A Kind. \nWritten entirely by co-founders Georgie Fuller and William Turner and mostly recorded at Turner’s studio in Brighton\, One Of A Kind maintains the self-contained approach of Life and Life Only—a seven-song project acclaimed by outlets like NME (who named them an essential emerging artist for 2023) and The Guardian (who noted that The Heavy Heavy “write and play music with that lick of madness that makes early Fleetwood Mac and peak Stones so thrilling”). To that end\, Turner produced\, engineered\, and mixed every track and handled most of the LP’s lavish instrumentation (including guitar\, bass\, piano\, organ\, Mellotron\, and more)\, with The Heavy Heavy’s live band lending their explosive energy to the album. But in a departure from the EP\, One Of A Kind leans away from Laurel Canyon-esque folk-rock and fully embraces their British roots\, finding a particularly crucial inspiration in the gritty and groove-heavy hedonism of the Rolling Stones’ Goats Head Soup. “A lot of our EP was very bright and pretty\, so we wanted to smash the door down like we do in the live show\,” says Turner. “Because we were creating an entire album\, there was so much more space to explore and expand\,” Fuller adds. “It’s still undoubtedly that Heavy Heavy sound\, but now we have all these other rooms to play around in.” \nFor One Of A Kind’s lead single\, The Heavy Heavy chose a sun-drenched and sing-along-ready number that serves as an auspicious bridge to the band’s new era. The last song written for the album\, “Happiness” bends toward the lush psych-pop of Life and Life Only while introducing a new level of visceral intensity. “We felt we needed a song that had that summery\, flowery feel of the EP\, and somehow at the last minute we were able to pull magic out of thin air\,” Fuller recalls. A fast fan favorite at their live shows\, “Happiness” channels a bold determination to break free from loneliness and stagnation\, ultimately providing an automatic mood lift thanks to The Heavy Heavy’s resplendent melodies and signature multi-part harmonies. \nKicking off with a majestic bang\, One Of A Kind opens on the rolling drumbeats and walloping riffs of its title track—a feverishly chanted anthem whose lyrics transform the listener into the protagonist of their own impossibly glamorous movie (e.g.\, “You’re getting down/You’re keeping on/You look the best/You’re all night howling”). Graced with a breathtaking vocal performance from Fuller (a classically trained singer)\, “One Of A Kind” quickly set the tone for the album’s larger-than-life vitality. “Something about the primal nature of that song inspired us to keep making songs that feel quite big and powerful\,” says Turner. Later\, on “Because You’re Mine\,” The Heavy Heavy sustain that feel-good spirit and share a carefree love song lit up in slinky grooves and hallucinatory lyrics depicting what Fuller refers to as “the psychedelic daydream of a wandering nomad type—someone who goes wherever the wind takes them.” \nAs One Of A Kind floats along\, The Heavy Heavy endlessly push into previously uncharted sonic terrain\, tapping into such unexpected influences as mid-’90s big beat on the bass-driven and gorgeously hazy “Miracle Sun.” “It’s a song with a lot of attitude to it—sort of our way of telling the world\, ‘We’re living the way we want to live\, and it doesn’t matter if you don’t understand\,’” says Turner. Meanwhile\, on “Feel\,” the band merges the mesmerizing grooves of Madchester-era Britpop with a bit of idiosyncratic poetry (“I am a freeloader love junkie/A real heavy cannonball and I’m hungry…I stand between the sun\, between the stone/I feel it in my fingers\, feel it in my bones”). And on “Wild Emotion\,” One Of A Kind offers up a country-infused serenade laced with galloping rhythms and twangy guitar tones partly inspired by the work of Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler. “That’s probably the most emotional song on the album\,” Turner points out. “It’s meant to have a reassuring message\, but at its center is the story of a woman who’s gone through a heartbreak and can’t find her way out of feeling hopeless and distraught.” \nAfter journeying through a whirlwind of sounds and textures—the hypnotic Mellotron of “Lemonade\,” the frenetic psych-rock organ and skyscraping vocals of “Dirt\,” the earthy acoustic guitar and sweetly playful harmonies of “Lovestruck”—One Of A Kind lands at the reverb-soaked splendor of its closing track\, “Salina.” Named for a sparsely populated volcanic island off the coast of Sicily (an otherworldly spot Fuller and Turner visited on vacation)\, the slow-building epic unfolds in so many exquisitely strange sonic details: moody cello lines\, thundering percussion\, a spellbinding pedal-steel part simultaneously played by two separate guest musicians. “‘Salina’ was one of those moments where we let ourselves get experimental with the production and create a whole ocean of sound\,” says Fuller. “We knew we had to put it at the end and let the reverb ring out in those final seconds—almost as if we’re leaving the album hanging in the air.” \nFormed in 2019\, The Heavy Heavy emerged from a potent alchemy of their eclectic sensibilities. Hailing from the small town of Malvern (a stretch of the English countryside he describes as “a beautiful place full of hippies and longhaired people”)\, Turner took up guitar in his early teens and later played in a series of psychedelic/surf-rock bands\, while Fuller’s extensive background includes performing at Montreux Jazz Festival as a teenager and acting in the London theater. As they moved forward with a mission of “making music that sounds like our favorite records ever” (including everything from Peter Green-era Fleetwood Mac to folk-blues act Delaney & Bonnie to Fleet Foxes)\, the duo dreamed up a batch of songs in a London flat and self-released an early version of Life and Life Only in late 2020\, eventually catching the attention of ATO Records and signing with the U.S.-based label in 2022. Fueled in part by the breakout success of “Miles and Miles” (their ATO debut single)\, The Heavy Heavy’s five-piece live band soon began playing bigger and bigger venues and taking the stage at leading festivals like Bonnaroo\, Boston Calling\, and Newport Folk Festival\, in addition to performing on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!\,” “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert\,” and “CBS Saturday Morning” and scoring major syncs with the likes of Nissan and Netflix’s “Outer Banks.” \nBecause of the rapturous response to their debut EP\, The Heavy Heavy found themselves in an unfamiliar headspace when it came to the creation of One Of A Kind. “With the EP we were making songs as a way to soundtrack our own lives\, but now it’s a different beast—it’s no longer theoretical\, which gives everything more weight\,” says Turner. But in the end\, the band discovered an essential touchstone in the connection they’ve forged with their fans over the last two years. “Not too long ago\, a woman came up to us at a show and told us she was getting a tattoo of one of our lyrics to remind herself to keep pushing on and keep chasing her dreams\,” Fuller says. “Moments like that always remind us that as long as we keep making what feels good\, chances are it’s going to make other people feel good too. I hope this album feels like a great big party to everyone\, and I hope it inspires them to live their lives however they want.”
URL:https://elmthree.com/event/the-heavy-heavy-at-wonder-bar-w-s-g-mt-jones/
LOCATION:Wonder Bar\, 1213 Ocean Ave\, Asbury Park\, NJ\, 07712\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://elmthree.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/THH_AP_FACEBOOK-scaled.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260723T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260723T233000
DTSTAMP:20260428T090646
CREATED:20260408T015031Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T015031Z
UID:10000070-1784833200-1784849400@elmthree.com
SUMMARY:West 22nd w/ Fudge at Asbury Jams
DESCRIPTION:West 22nd is an Austin-based rock band formed by friends who met at the University of Texas\nwith a singular mission: become the next great rock band. \nThey call their sound carousel rock\, a style that spins through genre\, emotion\, and energy\nwithout losing its center. The term captures the tension at the heart of their music: controlled\nchaos that is sometimes dizzying\, sometimes grounding\, and always unforgettable.After a breakout EP and a debut album that have amassed over 75 million streams worldwide\, \nWest 22nd made one thing clear – they are not here to blend in. Their lyrics are autobiographical\, their shows are electric\, and their ambition is unmistakable. They have taken the stage at ACL\, sold out numerous dates on their debut headlining tour\, and built a fanbase that shouts every word back at them. \nWest 22nd is not chasing nostalgia or trends. They are writing what comes next. And if you have\never felt a chorus hit at exactly the right moment\, you already understand. \nFor the latest updates\, upcoming shows\, and more\, visit their official website: west-22nd.com
URL:https://elmthree.com/event/west-22nd-w-fudge-at-asbury-jams/
LOCATION:Wonder Bar\, 1213 Ocean Ave\, Asbury Park\, NJ\, 07712\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://elmthree.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/1200x628_West22wFudge_APJAMS_2026.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260730T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260730T233000
DTSTAMP:20260428T090646
CREATED:20260408T015414Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T015414Z
UID:10000071-1785438000-1785454200@elmthree.com
SUMMARY:Neighbor at Asbury Jams
DESCRIPTION:Neighbor is a dynamic quartet that blends ambitious compositions\, soulful balladry\, and fearless improvisations to create a unique musical experience. Featuring Richard James (vocals\, keys) Rob Compa (guitar)\, Dan Kelly (bass) and Dean Johnston (drums)\, together they fuel the groove and lay a solid foundation for Neighbor’s “down home” sound. \nThe band’s creative incubation began in early 2019 with a weekly residency that grew in large part by the passion of their fans\, the “Neighbors”\, who continue to inspire the band as the fan base has expanded across the country. This dedicated community and ongoing connection to fans has become a cornerstone of Neighbor’s success every time they step on stage. \nWith a diverse catalog of hundreds of songs\, the musical juggernaut Neighbor has become one of the most exciting and unpredictable live bands on the music scene today. Not boxed in by a single genre\, their songwriting brings elements of Americana\, Funk\, Rock\, Jazz\, Soul and more. The band is putting pen to paper once again as they head back into the studio to begin work on their second album.
URL:https://elmthree.com/event/neighbor-at-asbury-jams/
LOCATION:Wonder Bar\, 1213 Ocean Ave\, Asbury Park\, NJ\, 07712\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://elmthree.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/1200x628_Neighbor_APJAMS_2026.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260802T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260802T230000
DTSTAMP:20260428T090646
CREATED:20260324T164055Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260324T182914Z
UID:10000061-1785690000-1785711600@elmthree.com
SUMMARY:Oteil & Friends ft. Steve Kimock\, Jason Crosby\, Johnny Kimock\, Tom Guarna & Lamar Williams Jr. at French Broad River Brewing
DESCRIPTION:Oteil & Friends featuring Steve Kimock\, Jason Crosby\, Johnny Kimock\, Tom Guarna\, & Lamar Williams\, Jr. \nSHOW IS RAIN OR SHINE. NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES \nTwo-time Grammy Award–winning bassist Oteil Burbridge has spent more than three decades touring and recording at the highest level of modern music. Most recently known for his role in Dead & Company\, Oteil joined Bob Weir\, Bill Kreutzmann\, and Mickey Hart alongside John Mayer for ten major tours\, helping carry forward the Grateful Dead legacy for a new generation. \nA founding member of the early ’90s Southern jazz-fusion group Col. Bruce Hampton & the Aquarium Rescue Unit\, Oteil later became the longest-tenured bassist in the history of The Allman Brothers Band. In recognition of his 15-year tenure with the group\, he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. \nOteil continues to tour extensively with Oteil & Friends\, his ever-evolving project featuring a rotating lineup of world-class musicians including Melvin Seals\, Jason Crosby\, Jeff Chimenti\, Steve Kimock\, and more. He is also a member of The Toy Factory Project\, led by original Marshall Tucker Band drummer Paul T. Riddle\, honoring the legacy of guitarist Toy Caldwell and featuring collaborators such as Marcus King\, Charlie Starr\, and Josh Shilling. \nIn March 2026\, Oteil announced a new collaborative album with vocalist Lamar Williams Jr. titled ‘The Offering’ – set for release on May 1\, 2026. Recorded in December 2024 at Flóki Studios on Iceland’s north coast\, the album was produced by drummer\, bandleader\, and Soulive co-founder Alan Evans. \n‘The Offering’ centers on melody\, groove\, and message rather than genre\, weaving together Southern soul\, gospel harmonies\, improvisational rock\, and African-rooted rhythms\, all anchored by Burbridge’s banjo explorations and song-driven ensemble approach. The sessions feature drummer John Morgan Kimock\, percussionist Weedie Braimah\, organist Melvin Seals of the Jerry Garcia Band\, multi-instrumentalist Jason Crosby\, and guitarists Tom Guarna and Jaden Lehman – a collective whose shared lineage connects The Allman Brothers Band\, Dead & Company\, the Jerry Garcia Band\, Soulive\, and West African musical traditions. \nThe first single from The Offering\, available to stream. “The Way We Rise\,” is out now via Flóki Studios and \nOteil Burbridge Links: \nWEBSITE \nFACEBOOK \nINSTAGRAM \nSHOW IS RAIN OR SHINE. NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES
URL:https://elmthree.com/event/oteil-friends-ft-steve-kimock-jason-crosby-johnny-kimock-tom-guarna-lamar-williams-jr-at-french-broad-river-brewing/
LOCATION:French Broad River Brewing\, 101 Fairfield Ave #D\, NC\, 28803\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://elmthree.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/AVL-oteil-may-2026-VENUE-wide_NO-MELVIN.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260806T070000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260806T233000
DTSTAMP:20260428T090646
CREATED:20260408T015614Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T015614Z
UID:10000072-1785999600-1786059000@elmthree.com
SUMMARY:Bearly Dead at Asbury Jams
DESCRIPTION:Not just another Grateful Dead cover band. A cosmic exploration of the Grateful Dead catalog! Bearly Dead\, Boston-based quintet\, performs a concert-style show that celebrates the journey of the Grateful Dead from their earliest records until their final tours. The band delivers a full-spectrum experience filled with danceable energy and world-class musicianship. Each and every Grateful Dead member is honored through a collection of classics\, b-sides\, deep cuts\, and exploratory jams. Holding true to the spirit of the music\, Bearly Dead frequently adds to their 250+ song catalog and continues to showcase authentic\, spontaneous improvisation – live and in-person – making each show a wildly unique Grateful Dead experience you do not want to miss. \nBearly Dead played their first show at Church of Boston\, in 2015\, marking the beginning of its hallowed Wednesday Night Residency. Over the next 5 years the phrase “Never Miss A Wednesday Show” became ubiquitous around Boston and Bearly Dead was nominated multiple times for Boston Music Awards Live Music Residency of the Year. Fans really never knew what might happen\, the band never knew what might happen! Bearly Dead shows have featured notable appearances by Mike Campbell (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers)\, Paul Wolstencroft (Slightly Stoopid)\, Steve Molitz (Particle/Phil Lesh & Friends)\, Kebbi Williams (Tedeschi Trucks Band)\, Rob Compa (Dopapod)\, Hayley Jane (Hayley Jane & The Primates)\, Richard James (Neighbor)\, and Johnny Trama (Dub Apocalypse) — and even a surprise appearance by Jerry Garcia’s “Wolf” guitar in 2018 on Jerry Garcia’s birthday!  \nIn 2020\, Bearly Dead began performing at other prestigious Massachusetts venues\, including headline shows at Paradise Rock Club\, Sinclair\, Worcester Palladium\, MGM Music Hall Fenway\, and House of Blues Boston. After becoming a staple in the Northeast US festival community with multiple appearances at Camp Creek\, Jerry Jam\, Strangecreek\, Wormtown\, and many more\, it was only a matter of time before Bearly Dead shows were being requested in all corners of the country. In October 2022\, the band saddled up a new van and began touring nationally\, performing their interpretation of the catalog across the United States and growing the Bearly Dead Family all along the way.
URL:https://elmthree.com/event/bearly-dead-at-asbury-jams/
LOCATION:Wonder Bar\, 1213 Ocean Ave\, Asbury Park\, NJ\, 07712\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://elmthree.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/1200x628_BearlyDead_APJAMS_2026.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260807T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260807T230000
DTSTAMP:20260428T090646
CREATED:20260402T155932Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260402T152228Z
UID:10000065-1786129200-1786143600@elmthree.com
SUMMARY:JJ GREY & MOFRO on the Seaside Beach
DESCRIPTION:JJ GREY & MOFRO  \nFrom his early days playing cover music behind chicken wire at a west side Jacksonville juke joint while still working at a lumberyard\, to playing sold-out shows at some of the largest venues and music festivals in the world\, JJ Grey has always delivered his soul-honest truths. Since his first album\, ‘Blackwater’\, back in 2001\, Grey has been releasing deeply moving\, masterfully written\, funkified rock and front porch Southern soul music. \n\nNow\, with ‘Olustee’ – his tenth album and first in eight years\, and the first he has self-produced – Grey is back\, singing his personal stories with universal themes of redemption\, rebirth\, hard luck\, and inner peace. With his music\, Grey also celebrates good times with friends\, oftentimes mixing the carnal with the cerebral in the very same song. Fueled by his vividly detailed\, timeless original songs spun from his life experiences\, Grey’s gritty baritone drips with honest passion and testifies with a preacher’s foot-pounding fervor. \nWith ‘Olustee’\, JJ Grey has once again pushed the boundaries of his own creative musical\, lyrical and vocal talents\, delivering an instant classic. Many of the songs are steeped in the mythical Southern stories of his ancestral Florida home and filled with people from JJ’s life. The songs are told through the eyes of a poet and sung with pure\, unvarnished soul. Grey’s message is simple and strong – respect the natural world and always try to live in the moment. And never forget the importance of having a good time!
URL:https://elmthree.com/event/jj-grey-mofro-on-the-seaside-beach/
LOCATION:Seaside Heights Beach\, Blaine Ave Beach Entrance on the Boardwalk\, Seaside Heights\, NJ\, 08751\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://elmthree.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/jj-grey-FB-banner.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260808T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260808T233000
DTSTAMP:20260428T090646
CREATED:20260414T140000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260411T030347Z
UID:10000076-1786215600-1786231800@elmthree.com
SUMMARY:Steely Dead at Wonder Bar
DESCRIPTION:Hailing from the vibrant music scene of Denver\, Colorado\, Steely Dead is a national touring‬\n‭ band that has satisfied the curiosity of music lovers with their unique blend of Grateful Dead and‬\n‭ Steely Dan. Comprised of four exceptionally talented musicians – Dave Abear on guitar\, Matt‬\n‭ Abear on bass\, Chris Sheldon on drums\, and Dylan Teifer on keys – Steely Dead has gained a‬\n‭ dedicated following with their electrifying performances and soulful interpretations of classic‬\n‭ tunes.‬\n\n‭ Steely Dead’s repertoire is a carefully crafted fusion of Grateful Dead and Steely Dan songs\,‬\n‭ between the arrangement and precision studio recordings of rock legends Steely Dan\,‬\n‭ cross-pollinated with the Grateful Dead’s free-flowing\, melodic improvisation and masterful song‬\n‭ segues. Steely Dead merges these major concepts together infusing the influence into each‬\n‭ band\, all the while creating an original jam element with the song segues. Steely Dead’s‬\n‭ performances are a musical journey that takes audiences on a nostalgic trip through the golden‬\n‭ era of rock and roll.‬\n\n‭ As a national touring band\, Steely Dead has built a loyal fan base that eagerly anticipates their‬\n‭ shows and follows them from city to city. Their performances are not just concerts\, but‬\n‭ communal gatherings where fans come together to celebrate the music they love\, dance\, and‬\n‭ create lasting memories.‬\n\n‭ Steely Dead’s performances are a testament to the power of live music\, bringing people‬\n‭ together and creating an unforgettable experience that resonates long after the last note fades.‬\n‭ Steely Dead is not just a band; it’s a musical experience that captures the hearts and souls of‬\n‭ music lovers everywhere‬\n\n\nArtist website/socials: \n https://www.steelydead.com
URL:https://elmthree.com/event/steely-dead-at-wonder-bar/
LOCATION:Wonder Bar\, 1213 Ocean Ave\, Asbury Park\, NJ\, 07712\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://elmthree.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Steely-Dead-AP-26_FACEBOOK-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260813T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260813T233000
DTSTAMP:20260428T090646
CREATED:20260331T160051Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T190313Z
UID:10000063-1786647600-1786663800@elmthree.com
SUMMARY:Neal Francis at Wonder Bar (Asbury Jams)
DESCRIPTION:Neal Francis w/s/g Pearl Charles \nNEAL FRANCIS – RETURN TO ZERO \nThe latest album from Neal Francis\, Return To Zero\, emerged from the kind of visionary fever dream that only the most masterful and inventive artists are capable of bringing to life. Amid a grueling tour schedule that found him playing nearly 400 shows from 2021 to 2024\, the Chicago-based singer/songwriter/pianist immersed himself in creating a beautifully strange entangling of timeless rock & roll and ’70s-era dance music\, merging supremely heavy guitar riffs with lush and pulsating grooves—all constructed sans digital programming\, in keeping with his devotion to all things analog. Worlds away from the glitzy fantasia of archetypal disco\, Return To Zero inhabits a far moodier atmosphere and ultimately makes for the most thrilling manifestation of Francis’ peerless musicality yet. \nEqual parts heady and hedonistic\, pensive and euphoric\, Francis’ third studio LP echoes both his deep-rooted psych-rock sensibilities and a lifelong affinity for classic funk. “I’ve always been intrigued by music that toes the line between funk and rock\,” notes Francis. “In the past I’ve asked myself things like\, ‘What would it sound like if Thin Lizzy cut a disco record?’ It’s something I’ve been fascinated with for a very long time\, so I finally decided to really go for it.” \nThe follow-up to his 2023 double live album and concert film Francis Comes Alive\, Return To Zero marks Francis’ first full-length studio effort since In Plain Sight—a 2021 release acclaimed by the likes of leading rock critic Steven Hyden\, who praised its “throwback big-band sound that recalls the highs of 1970s funk and swamp rock.” With his past work also including his 2019 debut album Changes (hailed as “the reincarnation of Allen Toussaint” by BBC Radio 6)\, Francis began playing piano at the young age of four and became an in-demand sideman while still a teenager\, touring with revered blues artists and beloved instrumental band The Heard before embarking on his solo career. Over the years\, he’s sold out headline shows all across the globe\, supported the likes of Wilco\, Black Pumas\, and My Morning Jacket\, appeared at major festivals such as Bonnaroo\, Fuji Rock\,  and Lollapalooza\, and even performed at historic venues like Carnegie Hall. \nLike all of his studio work so far (including his 2022 EP Sentimental Garbage)\, Return To Zero finds Francis co-producing alongside his frequent collaborator Sergio Rios and recording live with members of his touring band (drummer Collin O’Brien\, bassist Mike Starr\, guitarist Kellen Boersma)\, elegantly showcasing his prodigious talent and dazzling originality as a keyboard player. Mainly created at Rios’ L.A. studio\, the album’s grandiose yet warmly inviting sound also took shape from his close collaboration with composer/conductor Dom Frigo (who aided Francis by transcribing the LP’s symphonic string sections)\, Say She She (a Brooklyn-based psychedelic-soul trio who adorn a number of songs with their beguiling backing vocals)\, and a stacked lineup of co-writers that includes Queens of the Stone Age bassist Michael Shuman and Wild Belle co-founder Elliot Bergman. \nIn the making of his most ambitious work to date\, Francis faced countless moments of creative frustration—a factor that eventually gave the album its title. “I was cutting a lot of the vocals at home\, using a hybrid process where I’d bounce the tracks from my computer to a tape machine and then record the vocals to tape\,” he explains. “I’d be in my vocal booth in the closet with all our winter coats\, and every time I needed to start over I’d press this button that says ‘RTZ\,’ which stands for ‘Return To Zero.’ I was doing take after take and pressing that button over and over—it was a huge pain\, but it also linked up with what I’ve learned in my meditation practice: no matter how frustrated you get\, just remain calm and take inventory\, and then begin again.” \nAlthough executing Return To Zero’s highly elaborate arrangements often involved a very time-intensive trial-and-error approach\, the album-opening “Need You Again” surfaced from an immediate burst of inspiration after Francis attended a DJ set by Derrick Carter (a Chicago house legend who created a 12-inch remix of “BNYLV” from In Plain Sight). “My girlfriend and I went out to a queer dance party called Queen! and stayed till about four in the morning\, and Derrick played a track that was a big rock riff over a funk beat\,” he recalls. “The next day I went into the studio on very little sleep and started working on the demo for ‘Need You Again\,’ and after I finished I couldn’t stop listening to it.” Featuring a guest spot from Grammy-winning guitarist Eric Krasno (Soulive\, Lettuce)\, the result is a glorious entry point into the album’s groove-heavy soundscape\, unfolding in sinewy riffs and larger-than-life rhythms as Francis narrates a tale of ruinous infatuation. “It’s a song about a love affair\, and the experience of projecting magical qualities onto another person and feeling almost addicted or beholden to them\,” he reveals. \nAnother charmed moment in the album’s creation\, “Broken Glass” was sparked from a session featuring Francis on bass and Shuman on drums\, with the two soon conjuring the hypnotically potent riff that propels the track forward. With its viscerally charged depiction of lust and self-denial\, the darkly majestic epic reaches a stratospheric crescendo at the bridge\, when pounding drums meet with Say She She’s near-operatic harmonies. “Once we had that riff I started filling in some freeform poetry from my notebook\, which had to do with the idea of taking direction in an intimate liaison\,” says Francis. “It all came together so naturally because of how Michael was playing drums\, bringing that Queens of the Stone Age heavy-rock thing I love so much.” \nOne of the most dance-ready tracks on Return To Zero\, “Back It Up” glides along on glossy synth lines and a playfully swaggering riff\, imbuing a carefree spirit into Francis’ deliberately over-the-top confession of romantic desperation. “That song went through a few different phases before we got to the final iteration\,” he says. “It took me a while to accept that it’s okay to have fun with the lyrics\, instead of making everything so serious all the time.” Meanwhile\, on “What’s Left Of Me\,” Francis presents a gorgeously sprawling power-pop anthem built on his resplendent piano work. Co-written with Nashville-based songwriter Chris Gelbuda\, the track arose from a piano-and-vocal demo captured at Chicago’s Fine Arts Building\, soon evolving into a piercingly candid reflection on life on the road. “Chris and I are good friends and we got to talking about the challenges of being in a committed relationship while you’re on tour\,” says Francis. “A lot of these songs were influenced by Electric Light Orchestra and the way Jeff Lynne synthesizes classical music and pop songwriting\, and ‘What’s Left Of Me’ was definitely one where I was going for an ELO vibe.” \nPartly inspired by the funk and dance records he typically spins during his sets as an all-vinyl DJ\, Return To Zero also encompasses everything from the spaced-out drama of “Dance Through Life” to the string-laced reverie of “Can’t Get Enough” (a collaboration with Durand Jones & The Indications’ Blake Rhein that is a sublimely mellowed-out homage to acid-jazz pioneer Roy Ayers). In creating such a complex body of work\, Francis found his sense of perseverance repeatedly tested. “Most of these songs were pretty hard-won\,” he says. “There was a feeling of pulling out all the stops to achieve what I was going for\, and in the middle of that I was dealing with some depression and exhaustion. I ended up learning a lot about myself\, and now I feel like I’m in a completely different place in terms of my priorities with mental health.” Despite its more daunting aspects\, the writing and recording of Return To Zero also brought plenty of moments of pleasure\, including composing with strings for the very first time and tracking songs with his longtime bandmates. “All those guys are like my brothers\, and there was a feeling of us working together with an almost athletic desire to get better every time we did a new take\,” Francis says. “Those were really long days at the studio\, but they were also so much fun.” \nLooking back on the making of Return To Zero\, Francis points to certain crucial lessons absorbed while creating his most extravagantly realized work so far. “One of the main things I’ve learned is that every album is going to be its own journey; I can’t really take the arsenal of things I’ve learned in the past and expect them to save me from any kind of frustration with whatever I make next\,” he says. “Creating art is always going to be a challenge\, which maybe goes back to why AI-created music is never going to be all that compelling—it’s just too fucking easy. The best I can do is use what’s at my disposal and try not to freak out or despair when it gets difficult\, and hopefully end up making something that gives people joy.” \n# # #
URL:https://elmthree.com/event/neal-francis-at-wonder-bar-asbury-jams/
LOCATION:Wonder Bar\, 1213 Ocean Ave\, Asbury Park\, NJ\, 07712\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://elmthree.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Neal-Francis-Asbury_FACEBOOK-1-scaled.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260820T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260820T233000
DTSTAMP:20260428T090646
CREATED:20260408T015852Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T020153Z
UID:10000073-1787252400-1787268600@elmthree.com
SUMMARY:David Murphy's For My Peeps at Asbury Jams
DESCRIPTION:David Murphy – For My Peeps is the latest chapter in the storied musical journey of bassist and synth player David Murphy. \nRooted in a dynamic mix of funk\, jam\, and electronic music\, David Murphy – For My Peeps bridges the past and future. Live performances weave in classics alongside new solo material\, inviting audiences into an evolving soundscape of rhythm\, energy\, and emotion. Musically influenced by trailblazers like Nine Inch Nails\, Daft Punk\, Pink Floyd\, Empire of the Sun\, Tame Impala\, and Herbie Hancock & the Headhunters\, Murphy’s compositions are instrumental stories—deep\, immersive experiences that speak without words. His philosophy is clear: music and art are not possessions; they’re collective experiences\, and the artist is simply a channel. \nDavid’s current mission is simple yet profound: to bring joy and happiness through music. Whether reconnecting with longtime fans or welcoming new listeners in search of the funk\, David Murphy – For My Peeps is a celebration of connection\, creativity\, and community—joined by the talented Kevin Donohue (Sunsquabi)\, Scott Hannay (Mihali)\, and Rohan Prakash (Rohan Solo).
URL:https://elmthree.com/event/david-murphys-for-my-peeps-at-asbury-jams/
LOCATION:Wonder Bar\, 1213 Ocean Ave\, Asbury Park\, NJ\, 07712\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://elmthree.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/1200x628_DavidMurphy_APJAMS_2026.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260827T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260827T233000
DTSTAMP:20260428T090646
CREATED:20260408T020120Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T020120Z
UID:10000074-1787857200-1787873400@elmthree.com
SUMMARY:Deadtronica ft. Aron Magner at Asbury Jams
DESCRIPTION:Deadtronica is keyboardist Aron Magner (the Disco Biscuits\, Billy and the Kids) & Emmy winning guitarist/ producer Cloudchord. \nThey merge the improvisational spirit of the Grateful Dead with the pulsating energy of electronic dance music. \nFrom the acid test ethos to dance floor bangers\, hear the legendary compositions re-imagined through a new lens. Experience the Dead\, wired for the future. \nListen to their debut album\, Deadtronica Vol 1 at .www.deadtronica.com
URL:https://elmthree.com/event/deadtronica-ft-aron-magner-at-asbury-jams/
LOCATION:Wonder Bar\, 1213 Ocean Ave\, Asbury Park\, NJ\, 07712\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://elmthree.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/1200x628_Deadtronica_APJAMS_2026.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261011T070000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261011T230000
DTSTAMP:20260428T090646
CREATED:20260422T160045Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T213507Z
UID:10000077-1791702000-1791759600@elmthree.com
SUMMARY:Briscoe at Wonder Bar
DESCRIPTION:If Briscoe’s debut album was a coming-of-age soundtrack set against the backdrop of the Texas Hill Country\, then its follow-up\, Heat of July\, is the sound of a fully-formed duo chasing down a broader horizon. Inspired by marriage\, landscapes\, and the cross-country tours that took the band across America\, these new songs were written on the road\, as eclectic and evocative as the terrain that unfolded just outside the van’s windshield. Once again\, Briscoe teamed up with Grammy-nominated producer Brad Cook to bring the songs to life\, collaboratively creating a record that expands Briscoe’s folk-rock sound in all directions. There are bigger arrangements\, sharper vocal harmonies\, and enough top-tier guest musicians — including members of Houndmouth\, Hiss Golden Messenger\, Bon Iver\, Mipso\, and Watchhouse — to form their own supergroup. The result is a cinematic\, widescreen version of American roots music\, created by two lifelong friends who’ve learned to distill the thrill of the open road — and the challenges of growing up — into an ever-evolving soundtrack. \nVIP Available through artist website only \nWebsite: https://www.briscoetheband.com/ \nMeet Briscoe VIP Upgrade Includes the following:  \n25 Upgrades per Show \n$50 lift + fees \n•Pre-show Meet & Greet and photo opportunity \n•Access to a 2-song soundcheck performance \n•Tour poster\, signed by Briscoe \n•Early entry into the venue
URL:https://elmthree.com/event/briscoe-at-wonder-bar/
LOCATION:NC
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://elmthree.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/BRICOE_AP_FACEBOOK-scaled.jpg
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