Barista's Goes Either Way

Barista’s Coffee House was more packed than usual for a Monday night in early March. 

Not a seat was to be had as teens and adults gathered to see their favorite local teen band, Either Way.

Monday night marked the second Student Night event the young band has hosted at Barista’s.   

Previously organized by college students, Student Night is a monthly event that opens the floor of the coffee house to young musicians looking to showcase their talents.

Consisting of three sophomores from Charter Tech High School and one Galloway Township Middle School Student, the band Either Way has been playing locally for nearly two years, guided by their parents, who have served as their managers and booking agents.

The band has played at many private and public events, including those at The Walk in Atlantic City.

“They’re young and they’re cute and they’re good,” Brigantine resident Janette Kessler—the mother of  Either Way bassist Bob Kessler—said. “We’d much rather be rocker moms than soccer moms.”

After playing a half-hour set consisting of mostly rock and pop covers, the singer, 13-year-old Galloway resident Sarah Holt, gregariously opened up to the floor to other musicians, mostly young singer/songwriters who were friends of the band.

While the members of Either Way have recently begun to write their own material and engage in the recording process, members say they particularly enjoy the act of performing.

Guitarist Johnny Zappos, a sophomore at Charter Tech says he particularly likes the “feeling of playing live,” a sentiment that was reiterated by nearly every young musician present.

Stockton college senior, Dave Rittinger, the original host of Student Night says he is happy to see teens excited about music.

“I like that there’s a younger crowd,” he said.

The band has really brought Student Night “back to life,” said Galloway resident Susanne Holt, mother of Sarah Holt.

The next event will occur on April 4, the first Monday of the month.