Local Music: The Sounds of Union City

Photo from share.america.gov

BY MATTHEW HEARON-SMITH

Working as a music supervisor in television and film, sometimes people assume I know everything there is to know about music. It's flattering, but it's nowhere near the truth. Not even close. The history and depth of this cultural art form is literally limitless - rooted in individual and shared experience, a specific time and a particular place. To make up ground on this impossible task, I've learned to be a great listener, a meticulous notetaker, and to soak in as much as I can learn from each new experience. 

My new life in Hudson County has been no different. As a guy that most people would call 'really, really white', my family's new home in Union City has opened my eyes to so many new sights and sounds. I've learned some things too - that Cubans like their coffee really really strong, or that every well-dressed man needs a good guayabera. I've also become a big admirer of the music that floats through the shared outdoor spaces in my new neighborhood - whether from the backyard cookouts of the Ecuadorian family on the corner, or from the old Cuban Jazz records streaming out the kitchen window of the Grandmother across the street. I can even appreciate the reggaeton and Puerto Rican hip hop vibrating through the cars of the kids revving their engines on my block. These sounds are so new to me, so refreshing and so exhilarating. 

To document my musical experiences here in Hudson County, I've compiled a playlist of some of my favorite tracks that I've overheard on Summer evenings, from backyard parties or in the corner bodega. The sounds are as diverse and unique as Union City itself - and are a small glimpse into the depth and history of this amazing little town. 

A playlist featuring José Luis Rodríguez, J Balvin, Buena Vista Social Club, and others

Matthew Hearon-Smith is a Union City based Music Supervisor currently working on Film, TV and Ads. He is a three-time Guild of Music Supervisors Awards nominee, a Hollywood Music In Media Awards nominee and winner of "Best Use of Music in a Film" at the 22nd Chlotrudis Awards. His specialties include music curation, licensing and clearances, creative placement and deliverables management.

You can follow Matt on Twitter here.

Jersey City Business: Gringo's Tacos

I had been to Gringo’s Tacos once before when a couple of friends came over from Queens to visit us. I remember really enjoying the place and thought this would be a great place to feature in the future. The restaurant itself is settled on a little offshoot street in Downtown Jersey City that makes it feel like it’s in its own little private area. When you walk in the vibe is all FUN. There are piñatas on the wall, neon signs and sombreros hanging. Not to mention the long bar that feels like a great place to party with friends.

All three owners are there, Darren Conway, Chef Rick and John Polkowski, Beverage Director, and all are ready to get down to business. First, we speak with Darren about the restaurant and the upcoming Gringo’s Block Party on September 29th, that will benefit the Liberty Human Society and will feature food, drinks, music, a pumpkin patch and even a moon bounce. Did you know that on Tuesday’s $25 will buy you all the tacos you can eat???

We then move on to Chef Rick, who handles (obviously) the food portion of this show. We start with my favorite: Nachos. The crispy tortilla chips are smothered in homemade queso, some more chips and queso (layering is key with nachos, people!), followed by some shredded cheese and then thrown in the broiler. They’re then topped with green onions, jalapeños pickled on premises, sour cream, and guac (DUHH). It resulted in the most camera un-friendly bite I’ve ever taken, but 100% delicious. We move on to the “Chicken n’ Waffle” taco— a thin taco shell, filled with a juicy fried chicken tender, spooned on chili honey butter and topped with burnt maple butter. I’m going to be bold and tell you that I don’t really love chicken and waffles. I don’t really feel that sweet and savory have a place in my mouth together, but these tacos proved me wrong. The mixture of sweet and savory, with the crunch of the waffle taco shell was perfect. Lastly, Chef Rick made the “We Found Nemo”, a lightly battered white fish, on a freshly homemade corn tortilla, topped with a slaw, house-made salsa, and the piece de resistance: chili-lime mayo. It was one of the most perfectly made fish tacos I’ve had.

Lastly, we visit with John Polkowski, Beverage Director, and start tasting the happy juice, as I call it. We start with the “El Chapo”, a jalapeño infused tequila, blood orange juice and lime— this is my ideal adult beverage. It’s a little spicy, but light and citrusy, all served in a beautiful skull cup. Up next I try out the cocktail flight of 3, perfect for the person who wants to try multiple drinks, but just can’t commit (did I mention it’s $15???). We go with a flight made up of the “Mex on the Beach”, the “Summer in Mexico” and their signature Frozen Margarita with Hibiscus floater. Each is light, refreshing and strong but well balanced. All cocktails are made fresh daily, and then put on tap to be easily poured, which results in… GETTING YOUR DRINK QUICKER. Side bar: they have a $6 Tecate beer and shot combo. I mean C’mon.

Gringo’s is a great place for a party, dinner with friends, or just a fun, affordable date night. For more info on Gringo’s Tacos, check out their Instagram here, or their website here. Whatever you do, try it out and have some fun.

Jersey City Business: Another Man's Treasure Vintage

My day at AMT Vintage was basically a fashion fantasy. I think it may be as close to that episode of Sex and the City where Carrie gets to try on clothes in the Vogue closest as I'll ever get. A staple in Jersey City for 12 years, and having been at 2 previous locations, AMT Vintage is one of the best known Jersey City businesses. It's no wonder why, either. Owner Meika Franz has spent years making relationships with collections, owners and attends vintage trade shows regularly. 

The store is a huge 2 story space, that's beautifully organized, making finding the perfect vintage piece easy. They sell mens, womens and children's clothing, along with records and accessories (cufflinks, glasses, patches, scarves, cigarette holders, etc.). There are Victorian lace dresses, 1940's gowns, 1950's rompers, leather bombers, and even 1990's Levi's. 

When you meet Meika, a woman who's whole life is about vintage clothing, I expect to meet a cheeky, Bette Page pinup looking vintage aficionado. Instead, it's clear that she wears vintage, but in a classic and everyday way. I immediately knew that I was going to the right person to learn how to incorporate vintage into my everyday look. I myself, have been wearing vintage t-shirts for years, and also went through a phase in high school where I wore a lot of 50's cocktail dresses. But I wanted to expand my horizons. I tried on a gorgeous 1980's silk Chanel blouse, a pair of high waisted Chloe slacks, and a men's Hawaiian print button-down-- all things I would HAPPILY wear in my everyday life.

But for our next episode I really lived my dreams. With Meika's help, we pulled all kinds of fashion fantasies. The kinds of pieces that make you wish you lived in certain time periods. I tried on a pristine The Who t-shirt, a red 1960's cocktail dress that may have been made for me, and a 1950's prom dress. But the piece that has long been a dream was an ivory robe with feather trim-- a piece I have long fantasized about wearing as an older woman living in a 1930's Manhattan penthouse, with lots of perfectly groomed poodles, all sitting with me on a velvet chaise lounge, as I eat bon-bons and drink vodka martinis. Too specifc?

AMT Vintage has pieces for whatever you're looking for. They'll have whatever you need for a costume party, an AMAZING selection of vintage wedding dresses for the bride looking for something a little different, but don't forget all the amazing pieces you can wear everyday!

Make sure to follow along with their Instagram, as they post new pieces weekly. Plus they's offering 10% off of purchases for HudsonCounty60 viewers.

Happy shopping!