MARLA NORTON
FREEDY JOHNSTON
(UPDATE: Due to the forecast of inclement weather, this concert has been moved to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at 67 Church St. in Montclair.)
In May, Freedy Johnston discussed his first album in seven years, Back on the Road to You, with NJArts.net, as well as his plans to release another album this year. His previous brilliant albums such as Can You Fly (1992) and This Perfect World (1994) conjure moments of deep contemplation on songs like “Trying to Tell You I Don’t Know,” “The Lucky One,” “Bad Reputation” and “This Perfect World.”
You can hear some of his evocative tunes at the Outpost in the Burbs’ OutpostFest at Van Vleck House & Gardens in Montclair Sept. 23, from noon to 6 p.m.
In addition to Johnston, the festival will feature Neptune Township native Nicole Atkins. I’m looking forward to hearing her rich and sultry voice. Her songs feel like a warm whisper shared in an intimate conversation with a close friend. In “Far From Home,” from her 2020 album Italian Ice, she sings eloquently about feeling lost and lonely when you are actually surrounded by people:
NICOLE ATKINS
Come here, baby, you look lost
I don’t need to tell you, you’re far from home
Out here where the shadows grew
Aligned with yours, forever blue
So far from home
Bluesy rocker Debra Devi should bring crowd members to their feet with her soulful voice and exciting psychedelic guitar shredding. Her new live EP Jamification Station Vol. 1 showcases her Jersey City-based band.
Joining Johnston, Atkins and Devi on two stages, on the gorgeous Van Vleck grounds, will be Joe Pug (creator of the long-running podcast, “The Working Songwriter”), the band Hodera and Adam Falcon.
The Outpost and co-hosts The Montclair Foundation aspire to bring the community together through the draw of music. The family-friendly event will feature food and beverage vendors, as well as children’s activities.
Blankets or lawn chairs are recommended; for information, visit outpostintheburbs.org.
In addition to being the vice president of NJArts.net, Cindy Stagoff is a member of the Outpost in the Burbs’ board of trustees.
CONTRIBUTE TO NJARTS.NET
Since launching in September 2014, NJArts.net, a 501(c)(3) organization, has become one of the most important media outlets for the Garden State arts scene. And it has always offered its content without a subscription fee, or a paywall. Its continued existence depends on support from members of that scene, and the state’s arts lovers. Please consider making a contribution of any amount to NJArts.net via PayPal, or by sending a check made out to NJArts.net to 11 Skytop Terrace, Montclair, NJ 07043.
