ISTA and Yawn Mower

Summer Nights on the Sand: Brookdale Public Radio’s Beloved Beach Concert Series Returns to Bradley Beach with ISTA and Yawn Mower

There are few traditions that capture the spirit of a New Jersey summer quite like live music on the beach. The sound of crashing waves blending with electric guitars, families spreading blankets across the sand, children dancing barefoot under a setting sun, and neighbors gathering together for an evening that feels both timeless and distinctly local. For more than two decades, one concert series has delivered exactly that experience while helping introduce audiences to some of the most exciting independent artists working today.

This summer, Brookdale Public Radio’s celebrated Beach Concert Series returns to Newark Avenue Beach in Bradley Beach, continuing a tradition that has become one of the Shore’s most anticipated annual events. Produced by 90.5 The Night since 2005, the free weekly concert series has evolved into one of New Jersey’s premier showcases for emerging artists, regional favorites, and nationally recognized independent acts. The family-friendly series once again invites music lovers to gather on the sand every Thursday evening throughout July and August for performances that celebrate creativity, community, and the enduring vitality of live music.

Among the season’s most exciting evenings is the July 9 concert featuring Brooklyn psychedelic rock collective ISTA and Asbury Park indie-rock favorites Yawn Mower. Together, the two bands represent different corners of the modern independent music landscape while sharing a common commitment to energetic live performance, adventurous songwriting, and the kind of authenticity that has become increasingly valuable in today’s music industry.

The Beach Concert Series has always thrived by creating pairings that feel both unexpected and perfectly suited to a summer evening along the Jersey Shore. This year’s combination of ISTA and Yawn Mower continues that tradition, bringing together two bands whose sounds are rooted in experimentation, individuality, and a genuine love of performing in front of a live audience.

For New Jersey music fans, Yawn Mower hardly needs an introduction. Over the last decade, the band has become one of the defining acts of the modern Asbury Park music scene. Originally formed in 2015 by guitarist and vocalist Mike Chick and drummer Biff Swenson, the project began as a stripped-down fuzz-rock duo before expanding into a full five-piece ensemble capable of delivering both sonic power and surprising musical sophistication.

What makes Yawn Mower particularly compelling is its refusal to stay confined within a single genre. Their music pulls from the raw energy of garage rock, the melodic instincts of indie pop, the grit of alternative rock, and even touches of surf-inspired atmosphere. The result is a sound that feels simultaneously nostalgic and contemporary, drawing inspiration from influential 1990s artists while maintaining a personality entirely its own.

The band’s evolution mirrors the broader growth of the Asbury Park music community itself. What started as a local underground project has developed into one of New Jersey’s most respected independent acts. Alongside founding members Chick and Swenson, the current lineup includes Rudy Meier on lead guitar, Nicole Scorsone on violin and fiddle, and Dana Yurcisin on bass. Together they have crafted a live show that balances explosive energy with thoughtful musicianship.

Their rise has not gone unnoticed. Yawn Mower earned recognition as a Makin Waves Band of the Year and achieved a milestone many independent artists only dream about when they shared stages with major rock acts at Asbury Park’s massive Sea.Hear.Now Festival. Their recordings have received praise throughout the independent music world, particularly following the release of their full-length albums To Each Their Own and I Just Can’t Wait to Die, projects that showcase the band’s ability to pair humor, vulnerability, and razor-sharp songwriting into a uniquely engaging package.

Live performance, however, remains the heart of the Yawn Mower experience. Their concerts are known for creating an immediate connection with audiences, transforming casual listeners into devoted fans through a combination of memorable hooks, infectious enthusiasm, and a refreshing absence of pretension. Whether performing in clubs, festivals, theaters, or outdoor settings, the band consistently delivers the type of performance that reminds audiences why live music matters.

Joining them on the Bradley Beach stage is one of Brooklyn’s most intriguing emerging musical collectives. ISTA, short for “In Sound To All,” has spent the last several years developing a reputation as one of New York City’s most dynamic and unpredictable live acts. Formed by West Coast transplants Rex Costello and Oliver Hart, the seven-piece ensemble has built its identity around a fearless fusion of genres that feels simultaneously vintage and forward-thinking.

Describing ISTA’s music can be challenging precisely because the band thrives on defying easy categorization. Elements of psychedelic rock, garage punk, disco, funk, and classic groove-driven songwriting collide throughout their catalog. Their performances often feel like a collision between a 1970s dance party and a modern indie-rock revival, creating a musical experience that encourages audiences to both think and move.

The band’s latest chapter arrived with the release of their ambitious full-length album In Sound To All, which debuted in April 2026. Produced in collaboration with acclaimed producer Sam Cohen, the project further expanded the group’s sonic palette while reinforcing their commitment to expansive, genre-blurring songwriting. Tracks such as “Waves” and “Up to Chance” showcase the band’s ability to merge infectious melodies with adventurous arrangements, creating songs that feel both familiar and surprising.

Fronted by Costello alongside vocalist Diona West and supported by an accomplished ensemble of musicians, ISTA has become a fixture throughout the New York independent music circuit. Their growing reputation stems largely from a live show that prioritizes spontaneity, energy, and audience engagement. Every performance feels like an invitation to participate in a communal celebration rather than simply observe a concert.

That spirit makes them particularly well suited for the Beach Concert Series environment. Outdoor performances have a unique way of breaking down barriers between performers and audiences, and ISTA’s inclusive approach to live music aligns perfectly with the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that has become a hallmark of Brookdale Public Radio’s summer programming.

The concert also reflects something larger happening across New Jersey’s music landscape. The Shore region continues to serve as one of the most vibrant and important music communities in the country, nurturing both established artists and emerging talent while attracting performers from neighboring creative centers such as New York City and Philadelphia. Events like the Beach Concert Series help strengthen those connections, creating opportunities for audiences to discover new artists while supporting a broader ecosystem of independent music.

The role of Brookdale Public Radio in that process cannot be overstated. Since launching the series in 2005, 90.5 The Night has consistently championed artists operating outside the mainstream while helping build audiences for independent music throughout New Jersey. Long before streaming algorithms and social media trends dominated music discovery, the station was introducing listeners to artists based on artistic merit, originality, and passion. That mission remains as important today as it was when the concert series first began.

Sponsored by Monmouth Ocean Realtors, the July 9 event continues the tradition of making high-quality live music accessible to everyone. There are no ticket barriers, no complicated entry procedures, and no exclusive sections. Instead, attendees are invited to simply arrive, find a spot on the sand, and experience live music in one of New Jersey’s most scenic settings.

As the sun sets over Bradley Beach and the first notes echo across the shoreline, audiences will experience something increasingly rare in modern entertainment: a genuine community gathering centered around music, creativity, and shared experience. In an age dominated by screens, schedules, and constant digital distraction, evenings like these offer something refreshingly simple and profoundly meaningful.

For one summer night, the beach becomes a concert hall, the ocean becomes a backdrop, and two exceptional bands help create the kind of memories that keep people returning year after year. That combination of music, community, and Jersey Shore atmosphere is exactly why Brookdale Public Radio’s Beach Concert Series remains one of New Jersey’s most beloved summer traditions and why the July 9 performance featuring ISTA and Yawn Mower promises to be one of the highlights of the season.