MUSIC CORNER: Bergen Musician Makes Mark On Our County

It’s hard to break into the glitz and glam of New York City for almost anyone. The music industry is competitive, and full of would-be, could-be musicians, singers and song-writers. Bergen County’s own Jack Antonoff has not only made a splash into the music scene, but has dominated it with his collaborations for some of today’s biggest artists.

Antonoff is a typical New Jersey boy who just happens to be a brilliant music man and boasts celebrities for friends. Antonoff made headlines at the Grammy’s last year when Taylor Swift interacted with Antonoff after she won her award for album of the year.  Heads were spinning back home in Bergen as Swift, who is arguably one of the world’s biggest pop starts, laughed with Antonoff, treating him like a best friend.

Jack Antonoff is best known as Bergen’s homegrown music producer, songwriter and all around success story. Bergen County’s golden child has liner credits on Lorde’s new album as a co-writer and producer of her newest single, Green Light. In fact, he even made it into the music video.

Antonoff is back in Bergen, and this time he is with his own band Bleachers. As the lead singer and songwriter for the band, Bleachers is drawing huge local crowds to the venues they’re performing at. Bergen County residents have been eager to not only welcome him back, but bask in the native’s limelight. With his new song being released in June, Antonoff’s fans were thrilled to see him back where it all began.

Antonoff was clearly thrilled to be back in his home town and mixed and mingled with his fan following signing autographs, answering questions and just generally engaging with the crowds. Fans took to Instagram and Snapchat posting pics and videos with the music wiz.

The crowds sung along to their old favorites and danced along to the musician’s latest releases. His new tunes were well received by the audience of the sold out show, with many of the patrons screaming for more. The show in Webster Hall was overwhelmed with ticket sales from the first onsale date, as residents were eager to celebrate the homegrown talent.

So what does this mean for his Hollywood entourage? Only time will tell. Antonoff’s departure from main stream pop into his own organic genre seems to be what his current focus is, but when Taylor Swift is around it might not take much to lure him back into the music studio.

Antonoff is currently on tour and is playing in smaller venues. After the release of his new album, the band will likely embark on a tour that includes larger music halls and event spaces.

Looking for where to catch him next? Antonoff is rumored to be hosting the Shadow of the City music festival this year. While the dates have not been formally announced, rumor has it that’s it’s going to happen.

From Bergen Boy to music mogul, the future is looking bright for Jack Antonoff.