New Jersey Is The World

Kerri and Andrea are back, talking with another Jersey author! This time around, they're chatting with Nick Corsaniti, New York Times correspondent and author of I Don't Want to Go Home: The Oral History of the Stone Pony. They dive into the book's exploration of Asbury Park's music scene, its unique culture, and its rich New Jersey history. They talk writing process, anecdotes from the iconic venue, and what it was like giving Bruce Springsteen a deadline. It's a fun and fascinating discussion that complements a really fantastic book.

Pick up I Don't Want to Go Home: The Oral History of the Stone Pony - Nick Corasaniti

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Mike D was able to sit down with Scot DeBockler the founder and everything else of NJ’s iconic SNK Pedals. They discuss what it’s like to start a business in NJ, the important role that NJ has played in the history of music gear and of course a very nerdy exploration of guitar pedals and amps. All the music fans out there are going to love this one.

As a thank you for all the support over the years Scot shared a discount code for 10% off anything at SNK Pedals & Amplification. Just type ZEPOLE when you check out. 

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First off, a big announcement in this episode. More on that to follow soon.

Secondly - your voicemails! Our reactions! Lots of laughs! Lots of reminiscing. Chef Volas! Letters home from camp! Road signs that are inappropriate even for New Jersey. And much, much more!

Turnpike tier patrons, you'll get a second dose of these soon including a voicemail from Rick from Bergenfield that set the discussion on fire. 

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As you can see, this was supposed to be an episode of our Patreon-exclusive Garden State Gagootz. It went in a different direction. I couldn't hide this behind a paywall. Don't worry patrons - the new Gagootz is coming soon with some killer voicemails. But in the meantime, enjoy whatever the hell this is. 

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It’s finally happening. Andrea has been threatening it for years, and now she’s got backup in the form of the great Kerri Sullivan, who our listeners know as the editor of New Jersey Fan Club: Artists and Writers Celebrate the Garden State and the person behind Jersey Collective. This episode is the first installment of our unofficial book club. They’re starting with a conversation with Dewar MacLeod about his fantastic book Making the Scene in the Garden State: Popular Music in New Jersey from Edison to Springsteen and Beyond. It’s a really fun, accessible, informative look at the various points in space, time, and place that have helped to create and define Jersey’s rich, varied relationship with music. They talk about everything from Edison’s crappy taste in music, to the club where Bruce really got his start, to visiting the Meatlocker as an adult, and a million things in between. We think you’re gonna love this book.

Making the Scene in the Garden State: Popular Music in New Jersey from Edison to Springsteen and Beyond - Use discount code RUP30 for 30% off and free shipping.

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The Devil and Daisy is a play. But it's not just a play - it's a play that involves an eight foot tall Jersey Devil puppet and a whole lot of Jersey folklore embedded deep in its roots. In this interview we talk with Alex Dawson and Dan Diana about how this play came to be, their involvement in immersive/grassroots Jersey art, how one makes an eight foot tall Jersey Devil puppet, and much much more. 

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If you’ve been with NJITW for a while, you might remember a super brief stint we had way back in August of 2021 with a New Jersey Is the World role-playing game, appropriately titled, New Jersey: The Role Playing Game. It was livestreamed just for our Patreon subscribers, and it only happened three times, so even long-time listeners might have missed it.

Well, since it’s the 3-year anniversary, we figured it’s the perfect time to dust it off and share it with you all. Here’s the plan: Today, everyone is getting the first installment. Then, on Thursday, our Patreon subscribers will get the rest. We didn’t finish the campaign, but we wrapped up a pretty satisfying (absolutely ridiculous) first arc, so you’ll definitely want to hear it all.

We’ve done a bit of editing, but it’s still just the original livestream audio, which means you’ll catch some crosstalk, on-mic snacking, and various imperfections. But it’s really funny, and totally stupid, and we think you’re all gonna love it.

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If you've been listening to the show, you know that Hebba is a woman who asked to intern for us, and to whom we explained that we aren't nearly successful enough to need an intern, BUT she occasionally comes out of nowhere and designs killer episodes of the show even though I literally don't have her contact information. This time, Hebba let us know that she has a friend coming to town. Her friend has some strict parameters on what she wants out of New Jersey. Their base of operations is Bloomfield. The friend has some limits on food that mean it can't just be a "show off the sick food of the Essex County area" trip. And Hebba has asked US to come together to recommend how to show off New Jersey to this friend. I am sure we got some things majorly wrong. I am sure we nailed some others. 

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On today's episode we have a great interview with none other than S.P. Sullivan, who covers the crime beat at the Star Ledger. He talks us through the Menendez trial, Norcross, the county line, who's now sweating it, in what ways Menendez might be an empathetic figure, and why this state is as shady as it is. It was a true joy and honor talking to Sean, who gave us a real insider view into the crime side of this sometimes sordid state.

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We are joined by Jodie Bergen County and Kerri Sullivan as we discuss Bobby Gold Barz, his downfall, what happened, and our quick reactions to this insane year in New Jersey politics. THEN some of your voicemails, from heartfelt to strange to nonsense, and our delighted reactions. 

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