Music Machine

The third season of “Virgin River,” the small-town, big-hearted romance from Netflix, doubles down on the evolving relationship between Mel and Jack, facing another crossroads involving her pregnancy.

But it’s not the plot that makes it a standout, at least not for a group of local musicians behind the song, “In My Time,” featured in episode 303.

“In my time, I wanna see more light

I wanna feel the life when it’s going in

In my time, I wanna feel more love

See more of what I never knew…”

Fitting lyrics and equally as fitting instrumentals for the Netflix favorite––not to mention decent exposure for an original band that has been navigating the North Jersey music scene for more than five years.

Welcome Brock & Sgro (pronounced Suh-gro), a rockin’ indie band made up of a Laker, a Townshipper, plus two out-of-towners.

Studio Sessions 

Deep into their fifth studio album, the quartet is named for its founders, Alan Brock of Mountain Lakes and Chip Sgro of Boonton Township. The pair met by word of mouth when Sgro and a friend were putting a cover band together. Well, the friend just so happened to be next-door neighbors with Brock and brought him into the fold. The ensemble had a good run playing as “Past Tense,” but then the present and future would take them in different directions.

Brock and Sgro, however, remained in touch and took on new directions of their own and began sharing their solo projects.

Then came album number one, followed by air time, and then the addition of drummer Ken Trimmer of Lavallette and bassist Rich Santiago of Haverstraw, New York.

“Rich was really the missing piece,” says Sgro. Much like the pairing of Brock and Sgro, Santiago also made his way into the band through the grapevine of “a guy who knew a guy,” jokes Brock. “At the barbershop.”

With Brock and Sgro bringing the lyrics, lead vocals, and guitars, the quartet is on their fifth album and rehearses Tuesday evenings in the basement studio of Sgro’s Boonton Township home.

In addition to the “Virgin River” episode, the band boasts a number of commercial placements, including seven custom songs for “The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers.” The sitcom, based on the ’60s counterculture comic book, is voiced by big names such as Woody Harrelson, Pete Davidson, John Goodman, and Tiffany Haddish. The show’s first episode featured “Peace in a World of War” from their fourth album, “Cut the Wires.”

Coming Together

The band brings a lifetime of talent to the table, prioritizing their passions while counter-balancing day jobs.

Now a collective of mostly empty-nesters and semi-retirees, the quartet has had more time to dedicate to their burgeoning midlife careers. They rehearse weekly and try to take their show on the road locally several times a month. To date, Brock & Sgro have taken the stages at Harrigan's Family Restaurant in Montville, Krogh’s Restaurant, and Brew Pub in Sparta, and play regularly at Autodidact Brewery in Morris Plains.

Sgro likens the independent music scene to the shop local movement, meaning venues should be more open to homegrown talent.

“You know the whole “shop small” campaign?” Sgro asks. “Well, the same could be said for independent music–play small.”

As for their genre? It depends on who you ask, but indie rock seems to fit, as does the subgenres of pop-rock and alternative. “Melded with British Invasion,” Sgro adds.

Genre aside, the instrumentals are complemented by solid vocals that demonstrate range and emotions. With Brock and Sgro in command of the lyrics, the instrumentals further represent the rock legends that inspired them, such as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Prince, even a bit of oldies and doo-wop.

The “Virgin River” placement came by way of band manager Kim Sgro—Chip’s wife—who handles marketing such as bookings, placement, and press. In keeping music in the family, Kim is also the sister of drummer Ken, who is Chip’s brother-in-law.

“We love playing local and having friends come,” says Kim.

The band distinguishes itself from the otherwise crowded music scene that tends to favor cover bands over original acts. In widening their bandwidth, the homegrown musicians continue to turn to more behind-the-scenes tactics in shopping their music—such as the TV show placements and streaming stations across the country.

A Base in Mountain Lakes

So, how did this blend of talent come to call Mountain Lakes and Boonton Township their command center for creativity?

In leading up to their collaboration, their separate, past lives were always defined and driven by music. Music was an outlet and a constant that uses sound to tell experiences and emotions.

While growing their families and careers, music was an accessory within reach and a gift to share with loved ones. It is both fun and functional and definitely trickles down to those around them, such as to Sgro’s 19-year-old son, Will.

A student at Lehigh University, Will is in command of his own band, “Carpal Tunnel,” and you guessed it, he plays the guitar.

So, what exactly were their side hustles before the band?

Chip is the lawyer contingent, having had a past life as counsel to an investment bank, Brock brings the graphic design into the fold, while Trimer represents the medical technology sector. This leaves Santiago standing as the career musician-turned music teacher, who criss-crossed the country and even provided onboard entertainment on cruise ships. Now, he drives a school bus to give back to his community.

Past and present work lives aside, the band performs just as many random acts of charity as they do music. Proceeds from the emotionally encompassing “Soldier’s Song” off their second album, “No Reason to Complain,” were donated to the Wounded Warrior Project.

On a recent Tuesday night, music reverberated from Sgro’s basement studio—his wall-mounted guitar collection and Beatles’ memorabilia, front and center.

The studio doubles as a home base for rehearsals and recordings alike. While the music is certainly staged here, the muses behind the music often happen outside the studio. That is where tech comes in handy: Files are shared, collaborations unfold, and piece by piece, a song comes to life.

“Alan and I will write the songs, then Ken will drop a beat, and Rich will come in on bass,” Sgro says.

With exposure comes success measured by way of streams across the country, such as WMMR in Cleveland, where they charted in the top 100, Homegrown Radio here in Boonton, and they are represented on Spotify and Apple Music, too.

“We went from 1,000 streams to 100,000,” Brock says, regarding the “Virgin River” accolade. With established TV placements, airtime, and gigs, what’s the future frequency?

Brock & Sgro have their sights set on larger venues and have made headway with multiple invitations from the Delancey in the city. Harrigan’s also insisted on many happy returns, and “The bartender and owner said they were the best band they ever had,” Kim says.

Ever the networker, Kim is always one placement ahead. Word on the street is that Brock & Sgro have achieved finalist status for commercials and movies. “The band would love to continue to custom-write songs and have their original music placed,” she adds. “Or have someone more famous sing their songs.”

Any takers, Lakers?

Listen to Brock & Sgro at brockandsgro.com or see them live at The Delancey at 168 Delancey St. in New York City, April 18 at 6:45 p.m.

Photographs courtesy of Brock & Sgro and Ellen S. Wilkowe