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Monmouth University’s student run Blue Hawk Records is readying to release their Ninth compilation, recorded at Asbury Park’s Lakehouse Music Academy on Lake Avenue.

“The artists and students on the label gained valuable experience through our recording process at Lakehouse Studios,” said Blue Hawk member Matt Basilotto.

The album- 9 Lives- was recorded under the guidance of Lakehouse Recording Studios head engineer and University adjunct professor Erik Romero [at right].

The EP’s six songs is a journey through everything from hip hop to indie rock, all written by a roster of the University’s burgeoning talents.

Freshmen Monica Flores, 18, of Edison, seeking a music industry and communications degree performs pop and R&B sounds; freshman Antonio Gonzalez, 18, of Amesbury, Mass., a music industry major, lends his folk rock sound; sophomore Trevon Bailey, 19, of Mount Laurel, a biology major, brings the rap and hip hop along with senior Jamir Gee, 23, of Trenton, also a music industry major. Also featured are music majors Eriks Grinvalds, 23, of Howell, who is a part of indie rock group Sun Room and Singer/Songwriter Nicole Govel, 19, of  Marlboro, a junior.

With their own soon to be complete recording space at Lakehouse Academy, the label will cement their ties to Asbury Park’s music scene.

Blue Hawk Records launched in 2013 as a club to give students the hands on experience of running a record label.

Through the Applied Music Industry class, students do everything from making a record and branding an artist to marketing and setting up shows. This involves auditions, pre-production, recording, distribution, marketing and live performances, Basilotto said. In the course of a semester the class does all aspects of developing an album and distributing it physically and online.

Their partnerships with Lakehouse Recording Studio, The Music Business Association and The Grammy Museum helps facilitate real life opportunities, including trips, conferences and internships.

Blue Hawk artists have performed at venues throughout Long Branch, Asbury Park, Red Bank,  and New York. Locally they’ve given featured performances at Langosta Lounge, The Saint, The Stone Pony, and Asbury Park Yacht Club.

Each year Blue Hawk hosts events like their Artist of the Week program, and produce two compilations. Their recordings have premiered on 95.9 The Wrat, as well as, 88.9 The X.  Blue Hawk Record’s compilations also can be found on Itunes, Spotify, and Tidal.

For more information visit the following:

http://www.bluehawkrecords.com/

https://www.facebook.com/BlueHawkRecords

https://soundcloud.com/bluehawkrecords

[photos courtesy of Blue Hawk Record Label]

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