The Sharp Notes

The Sharp Notes The Garden State Plaza in Paramus, NJ: A brick and mortar record store, podcast and music journal.

Evan Toth, singer-songwriter, musician, and radio host, presents "Garden State Sound" which airs on Friday afternoons from 4:00pm to 5:00pm (EST). The hour-long, weekly program will stream live on WFDU-FM (www.wfdu.fm) and through other streaming outlets such as Tunein.com and IHeartRadio.com. Garden State Sound will feature musicians and music with connections to the state of New Jersey, music ab

out the state, and concert ticket giveaways to some of the greatest musical events in New Jersey.

“New Jersey has an astonishingly rich musical history and an extremely vibrant present,” says Toth, “unfortunately, there are not many outlets which focus solely on the Garden State.” Toth, host of the Good Music program which ran for nearly seven years on WFDU, 89.1 FM, has always shared a wide variety - and sometimes challenging - array of music with his listeners, “I want people to listen to the show and feel forced to perk up to hear what the New Jersey connection might be, listeners should walk away from each program surprised by how much music is produced with connections to the Garden State.” New Jersey musical legends will be on tap, but plenty of new talent will also be represented. Toth will also utilize his casual and intimate interview style and feature conversations with NJ music-makers. His history as a New Jersey musician gives him a unique perspective into the regional voice of New Jersey and what makes it stand out from the rest of the world. Wherever they may travel, New Jerseyans always have a voice of their own; Garden State Sound aims to discover and explore that voice - and sound - through music.

What an honor to interview this true musical pioneer! He’s won 10 Grammys and is a Kennedy Center Honors recipient. He’s...
05/22/2026

What an honor to interview this true musical pioneer! He’s won 10 Grammys and is a Kennedy Center Honors recipient. He’s written music for Clint Eastwood’s films and Andy Garcia played him in a film about his life. And now, Arturo Sandoval visits the Sharp Notes to discuss his dynamic new album, “Sangú”.

Arturo Sandoval on Sangú, Freedom, and the Sound of Home

The Beach Boys Pet Sounds turns 60 this year, and to mark the anniversary, Capitol Records and Interscope Records Defini...
05/14/2026

The Beach Boys Pet Sounds turns 60 this year, and to mark the anniversary, Capitol Records and Interscope Records Definitive Sound Series is releasing a new mono edition sourced from tapes connected to the highly collectible 1972 Brother/Reprise pressing.

To unpack the archival detective work behind a release like this, I’m joined by longtime music industry veteran Tom “Grover” Biery.

Today, we return to one of the most discussed albums in pop history: The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds.Nearly 60 years after Brian Wilson assembled its world of harmonies, longing, bass lines, sound effects, and impossible emotional detail, Interscope-Capitol’s Definitive Sound Series is preparing a ne...

Did you know we’re now an official Audio-Technica dealer?! Yes! It’s true! 🥂 As such, we’ll be fully stocked with the fa...
05/14/2026

Did you know we’re now an official Audio-Technica dealer?! Yes! It’s true! 🥂

As such, we’ll be fully stocked with the fantastic AT-LP70XBT: a quick and easy way to get those records spinning and streaming to your favorite Bluetooth speakers, too!

Stop by the mall: we’ve got you covered.

Alan Braufman joins Evan Toth on The Sharp Notes to discuss Anthem for Peace, his new album on Valley of Search. From th...
05/09/2026

Alan Braufman joins Evan Toth on The Sharp Notes to discuss Anthem for Peace, his new album on Valley of Search. From the 1970s New York loft jazz scene to a lifetime of “optimistic free jazz,” Braufman reflects on freedom, searching, returning to a sound, and whether this new record brings him closer to the musical peace he has been pursuing all along.

Alan Braufman joins The Sharp Notes to discuss Anthem for Peace, his new album on Valley of Search. From the 1970s New York loft jazz scene to a lifetime of “optimistic free jazz,” Braufman reflects on freedom, searching, returning to a sound, and whether this new record brings him closer to the...

Plenty of great used and new restocks for your Saturday morning shopping…and you don’t even need to hunt through the mal...
05/09/2026

Plenty of great used and new restocks for your Saturday morning shopping…and you don’t even need to hunt through the mall to find them, they’re all in the store. But sometimes I like to take the records out to get some fresh air and sunlight. Stop by the mall.

It’s a big day for Michael Jackson fans, and we’ve got the goods. Stop by to pick up one of a few copies of the soundtra...
04/24/2026

It’s a big day for Michael Jackson fans, and we’ve got the goods. Stop by to pick up one of a few copies of the soundtrack which came out today. High-five to those who wear white socks with black slacks and loafers. We salute you. 🫡

The new Foo (in opaque red). It’s in hand (literally). Out on the floor first thing on Friday morning!
04/24/2026

The new Foo (in opaque red). It’s in hand (literally). Out on the floor first thing on Friday morning!

Mikaela Davis joins The Sharp Notes Podcast to talk about her new album, "Graceland Way": a record full of atmosphere, e...
04/18/2026

Mikaela Davis joins The Sharp Notes Podcast to talk about her new album, "Graceland Way": a record full of atmosphere, emotional tension, and real artistic depth.

In this conversation, we discuss the environment that shaped the album, the balance of light and dark running through its songs, the harp as a vehicle for storytelling, the lingering magic of radio, and the ways collaboration can open up new creative ground.

More than anything, it's a discussion about how a record can become not only a collection of songs, but a world unto itself.

Mikaela Davis makes music that feels grounded, but never predictable. She has built a singular voice around the harp, and she uses it as a real expressive force, not as an ornament. On her new album Graceland Way, that voice carries the listener into a world shaped by atmosphere, instinct, and refle...

It’s Record Store Day! Thanks to The TJ Show for having me as a guest to talk about the big day. TJ, Kenny and I have kn...
04/18/2026

It’s Record Store Day! Thanks to The TJ Show for having me as a guest to talk about the big day. TJ, Kenny and I have know each other for nearly two decades, since our days at WFDU.

How kids help us grow, the chicken coop with a door cam, today's news, getting thrown in jail over ants, talking about how much money we make, Luna's Animal ...

We are unable to participate in Record Store Day this year: a store must be in business for one full calendar year (we o...
04/17/2026

We are unable to participate in Record Store Day this year: a store must be in business for one full calendar year (we opened in 9/25). However, we’ve got plenty of restocks and primo used titles to offer. Skip the lines and come to the mall!

Address

1 Garden State Plaza
Paramus, NJ
07652

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 9pm
Tuesday 10am - 9pm
Wednesday 10am - 9pm
Thursday 10am - 9pm
Friday 10am - 9:30pm
Saturday 10am - 9:30pm

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