New Jersey's Answer to Adele at NJPAC

Turn on the radio and more often than not, music that looks back at America's soul and rock roots fill the airwaves.

Whether it's Adele, Amy Winehouse, or Janelle Monáe, there's a hint of nostalgia in the music.

New Jersey has its own answer to the retro sound upsurge with Caldwell-based band called "Stephanie White & the Philth Harmonic" and they're bringing their mix of blues, rock, and soul to their biggest show yet in the "Sounds of the City" music festival tonight at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.

"We're really excited for this show coming up. I mean we've been trying to book this summer concert series at NJPAC for, like, three years," said singer Stephanie White, who has a blues-inflected, soulful voice.

"I think this is one of our bigger, better shows. I was, literally, sending them demos for six or seven years and she (NJPAC official) called me while I was holding the one I hadn't even sent in yet. I was like, ‘What?' She said, ‘Oh yeah, we're going through last year's submissions,'" said drummer Robbie LaFalce.

He continued, "I'm just really glad this one came through because New Jersey is what we do. This is where we are and NJPAC is probably the biggest venue near us."

For lead singer White, this isn't her first brush with fame. Back in August of 2005 she auditioned for "American Idol" and even made it as far as  Hollywood. Unfortunately, the judges felt something was missing. However, White didn't let the setback knock her down.

"I came back, not feeling defeated. I came back ready, more driven to get moving than anything else," she said.

She said she realized that maybe a more age-old approach might work and the missing element might be a group to showcase her sound. She decided to form her own band in March of 2006.

Having been a self-described "groupie" for the New Jersey ska band, The Miasmics, for years, White looked at that band's hiatus as an opportunity. She approached the drummer, LaFalce, and told him, "I don't have a band and you need a band so we should make this happen."

They played their first show, the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer at James Caldwell High School, in August 2006 - one year after White's audition for "American Idol".

They quickly gained popularity, playing shows at The Bitter End and even The Stone Pony along with singer-songwriter, Rachel Yamagata.

They also released two albums: Knee Deep Insanity and This is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things.

Eventually, Sony Records took notice, but were not sure how to market them, according to band members.

That was in 2009, before anyone from the current crop of British retro soul and rock singers had made it to the number one spot on U.S. charts. Now, with retro sounds en vogue, the country seems primed to have one of our own in the race.

Stephanie White and the Philth Harmonic will be taking the stage at 5:45 p.m. at tonight's "Sounds of the City" music festival at NJPAC.

The following night they will play Buffstock at 8 p.m. at an "undisclosed location" in upstate New York (invite only) and then August 28th at 1:30 p.m. at "The Gazebo" at Crane Park in West Caldwell.

To hear them before the show, go to www.youtube.com/philthharmonic.