If you're a Grateful Dead or My Morning Jacket fan, you're in luck.  There are a handful of young bands coming from lower Monmouth & Ocean County with a great roots rock/folk rock sound.    They are starting to catch on. 
Check em out:

The Amboys -  myspace.com/theamboysnj
The Boy Judas - myspace.com/theboyjudas
The Downtowns - myspace.com/thedowntownsnj
The Mad Feather Group - myspace.com/madfeathergroup
The Riverwinds - myspace.com/theriverwinds

It was just about one year ago that a young lady walked into Espresso Joe's Open Mic to audition a few songs.   It was just a couple of weeks prior that she cancelled a show with a rock band promoter, thinking the young fans wouldn't appreciate her music.  Little did she know she would attract fans of all types of genres. 
The petite, then 16year old with a smokey-raspy voice sat down and started playing her keyboard, her first several words gave you images of Fiona Apple and Norah Jones.  Then the lyrics set in...and they were nothing less than briliant!   "Cigarette Smoke", "Anything At All", "MoonSong", to just name a few are some of her many great songs.   Since then, she's performed at numerous venues in NJ and NYC.  She has worked hard to juggle High School, songwriting, performances, friends and family. 

That young lady is Cara Salimando! (www.myspace.com/carasala)

A year after her first appearance at Espresso Joe's and numerous shows from 2008 - 2009, she has OFFICALLY SIGNED with UNIVERSAL/MOTOWN RECORDS!!!

We can proudly say that one of our own has made it in a world filled with talented singer/songwriters.   Espresso Joe's was her first venue and has been a featured performer since day one.  We've knew Cara was special and only a matter of time before a label would grab her.   She is an exceptionally gifted singer, songwriter, poet and truly humble person who simply enjoyings performing.    

We encourage anyone who hasn't listened to her music to visit: www.myspace.com/carasala sit back and enjoy the her music. 

We congratulate and wish her much success.

Also visit the latest Asbury Park Press write up on Cara at:
http://www.app.com/article/20090522/ENT06/905220315/1031/ENT

Sonny
Espresso Joe's

Hello all,   
We'd like to make all our shows fun and allow music lovers to listen to everyone who performs.  In order for this to happen, we need to work together in keeping the noise level - low.   We are not asking that you completely stop talking but if you can keep the conversation volume as if you were not trying to be heard from across the room - that'd be great!  Please respect the other performers and their respected fans who traveled to see them.   Also, try to refrain from walking out during a song but rather when its over. 
Remember:  Talk Softly and Listen Carefully

Thank you

E-Joe's

Some of the many great singer/songwriters(writes & sings their own) who have passed through here:  Sheli Aarden, Amber Blues, Bob Andrews, Cory Andrews, Anjelia & The Boy, Melissa Anthony, Tommy Anton, Mike Askin, Samantha Aurelio, Bears & Bright Lights, Beth Arentsen, Elana Arian, Arnie Baird, Kacie Baker, Denise Barbarita, Rick Barry, The BCC's, Belafonte, Alex Biese, Allison Blackwell, The Billies, The Boy Judas, John Bradley, Michael Brett, The Brixton Riot, Nell Bryden, Mike Butler, Joanna Burns, Blue Suede Bombers, Caller Nine, Johnny Cams, Calm & Repose, Justina Carubia, Jon Caspi, Joe Cassidy, Causeway, The Chardonairs, Melissa Chill, Circle Round the Sun, ClueLess, The Commons, Laura Crisci, Rick Cusik, Chris Dargis, Dark Song, Anton Daub, Karen Davis, Melinda Davis, Bob Denson, Jessica DeFino, Nicole De Fino, Dan DeFonza, Darren DeMarco, Matt Diff, Divine Sign, Sarah Donner, Billy Doremus, Ariel Dixon, The Downtowns, Amanda Duncan, Dunfor, Joe D'Urso, Jake Ehrlich, Eugene(The Everyday), Caisy Falzone, Arlan Feiles, Adam Finchler, Anthony Fiumano, Kat, Kathy Fleischmann, Leah Francesca, Rowan Freeman, Jim Gaven, Genevieve, Andy Germak, Eric Ginsberg, David Greenberg, Emily Grove, Joe Harvard, Caleb Hawley, Helena & Maria, Gary Hermus, Hsu-nami, Joe Hughes, Natalie Jane, Jay & I(Birdie), Jersey Jung, KAGERO, Kathouse Rhythm, Matt Kay, Matt Keppler, Lizanne Knott, Elisa Korenne, Matt Koziol, Mike Kovacs, Steve Kunzman, Don Lee, Gina Lee, Mikael Lewis, Dani Linnetz, Majnun, Amy Malkoff, Mama Grizzly, Anthony Manno, Maryann Marino, Tom Martin, Christine Martucci, Keith McCarthy, Stephen MacDonald, Nick MaGuire, Kevin McGowan, Me and Chris Idell Band, Matt Meade, Joe Miller, Keith Monacchio, Allie Moss, Laura Monzo, Dave Murphy, Jenna Murphy, Quincy Mumford, Karisa Nowak, Northern Point, Mary Ellen O'Brien, Jeanine O'Neill, Dan Padgett, Michael Patrick, Vanessa Peters, Peas & Carrots, Katie Pearlman, Gary Philips, Jessie (Charlotte Sometimes) Poland, Bob Polding, PlumRun, John Powers, Rebecca Pronsky, Regarding Jones, Tim Rager, Return to the Dream, Chip Robertson, Bess Rodgers, Joe Rapolo, Danny Rongo, Cara Salimando, Jen Scatturo(I am Jen), Shana Scudder, Talia Segal, Carolyn Selheim, Ken Shane, Eryn Shewell, Sonni Shine, Sam Sims, Corey Small, April Smith, Cook Smith, Sonuva(Lance Green), Bob Speidell, St. Sat. B, Statleman, Johanna Stahley, Starless, A.J. Stone, Stefan Stynychy, The Sunday Blues, John Taglieri, Tanjents, Marc Tappan, Allison Tartalia, Tony Tedesco, Terra Plane Blues, Tip Canary, Jo Wymer, Taking Chances, Bill Toms, Dan Toye, Tokyo Tramps, Trust, UWAWA, Virago, Catherine Wacha, Matt Wade, The Wag, Amy Ward, Laura Warshauer, Mike Wells, Zachery West, The White Shark, Joe Whyte, George Wirth, Hank Woji, Kim Yarson, Yo Jesse, Sandy Zio, Mike Zuko, and many more to come... 

In the middle of September 2009, a band of misfits stepped on the football field.  An accountant, a group of factory workers, a guy who brings his coffee cart/kiosk on the sidelines, a construction worker, three guys who we have no idea what they do, where they do it and from the looks of them, we dare not ask.  We knew we wouldn't be self made millionaires, America's top model or win a gold medal in figure skating but we yearned for something greater.

On Dec. 6th, 2009, the Warriors entered the playoffs as a wildcard team, finishing just 2 games above .500.  Being out-sized by almost 80lbs man for man in all three playoff games, it was David versus Goliath x 3.   Every year the behemoth teams with semi-pro players would raise the trophy.  Despite the physical differences and terrible referee calls against us, we prevailed with heart, hustle, speed and little trash talking(a lot of trash talking) to beat three former champions.  Warriors made GSFFA history and the owner never handed us a trophy or took our picture, which he does every year.  Could it be because we weren't suppose to win?  We simply recieved a: "Ok, game over, you win" and they hopped in their vehicles and took off. 

Warriors!

Ok, I'll shut up now and make a cappuccino or something.

(for new performers)


1.   You can come to one of our Open Mics, every Wednesday nights at 7:30pm    and then email us or talk to us after your set. 

2.   Send us a "LIVE" demo (not a recording) to our address

3.   Slip us a $50 under the counter

Any of these methods will help you get a show here.   Selection is based on a combination of similar/complementary genres, skill level, songwriting & singing ability as well as availability of dates.

Do Not ask for a show with a "friend request".  Its not going to help.

thank you,
Management

P.S.  If you are brave enough to take on critiquing, inquire within.  The best critiquing comes from non friends and family.