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Water Street Brings New Label, New Album to Hope

February 26, 2025

band members on stage with instruments and at the microphone — Water Street in Hope. From left, Eddie Woodcock, Dave Paulson and Julia Aiello. Photo by Joe Phalon.

Blairstown-born indie band Water Street has signed with Philadelphia-based label Free Dive Collective and will release a new album of eight tracks this spring.

band members on stage with guitars illuminated by red lights — Guitar Center of Water Street, Dave Paulson and Brendon Gardner. Photo by Joe Phalon.

But the band’s local fans had a chance to hear a few of those new songs when it debuted them at the historic Community Center in Hope on Feb. 15 for its Valentine’s Day “Show the Love” show. Yes, it was the day after Valentine’s Day, having been postponed by the threat of snow.

Drummer at kit illuminated by green lights — Drummer Connor Konecnik of Water Street at the Valentine’s Day show in Hope. Photo by Joe Phalon.

“We thought this would be a nice way to share new music, while engaging with the community,” said Dave Paulson, the band’s frontman.

band on stage with instruments and mics — Blairstown’s own Water Street has a new album coming out, and they previewed the music at the Hope Community Center. Photo by Joe Phalon.

The event brought together several clubs, charitable organizations and purveyors of sweet treats for an afternoon of fun and was made possible by the Hope Creative Team. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Hope’s events and projects.

Paulson formed Water Street in 2014. The band took its name from Water Street in Blairstown, where its members would meet to rehearse and write. The name serves as a nod to their roots, reflecting the close sense of community bonding them to their town, each other, and their work.

The band released its first full-length album Waiting for Martin, in 2016 and followed with Dear You, a six-track EP, in 2018. They have been featured in Vents Magazine and The Indie Music Review and have played hundreds of shows across the Northeast.

“The new songs sound like nothing we’ve ever put out before,” Paulson said. “We couldn’t be more excited to play them for the first time locally.”

Upcoming shows include Finnegan’s Pub in Hoboken on Feb. 27 and Czig Meister Brewing in Hackettstown March 7.

To learn more about Water Street, visit www.waterstreetofficial.com and follow them on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok — @waterstreetofiicial.

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer

Contributing Writer

Joe brings decades of journalism experience to the Ridge View Echo, covering everything from local school boards to the U.S. Supreme Court. A former National Law Journal editor and Columbia Law School press officer, he now enjoys telling community stories in Blairstown, where he lives with his wife, Rose, and their two dachshunds.