Beyond the Covers: How Hickory is Rewriting the NJ Music Scene

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In this week’s episode of Greetings From the Garden State, host Mike Ham is joined by the full lineup of Hickory, a rising New Jersey folk-rock band that’s quickly carving out a name for themselves across the state and beyond. What started as a few friends trading GarageBand tracks during downtime has grown into a six-piece powerhouse fueled by years of shared history, tight musicianship, and a deep love for original music.

The group dives into how Hickory came together after years of playing in different cover bands, how they balance creative drive with day jobs and families, and the challenges—and rewards—of pushing original music in a cover band-heavy market. With one album already under their belt and a second slated for September, Hickory isn’t just here to play shows—they’re building something bigger.

We cover:

• The band’s origin story and collaborative songwriting process
• Navigating the NJ music scene as an original act
• The shift from playing covers to building a library of original work
• Their growing catalog, including Postcard Picture Show and a new album on the way
• Upcoming gigs at Stanhope House, Cricket Hill Brewery, Hidden Track Records, and more

Stick around after the interview for a special performance. If you love honest songwriting, tight harmonies, and the kind of band that clearly loves playing together, Hickory is one to watch.

🎶 hickoryband.com
📱 Instagram: @hickory_music]

Thank you to the NJ Lottery for supporting the show!

Music: "Ride" by Jackson Pines

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