Have you ever heard live, original music in Hoboken? Do you have any recordings of local musicians? Very possibly, this week’s “Face” has been involved. Who’s that guy that’s anywhere music is, spreading warmth with his smile and generous spirit? That’s David Entwistle, deep into the Hoboken music scene for the nine years he’s been living here.

A man of many talents, he has the pleasure of applying his passion for music as a recording engineer, live concert engineer, booking agent, singer/ songwriter, live event producer and founder/director of the annual Hoboken Music Awards. For years he has run “The People’s Open Mic”, Hoboken's longest running open mic, at such venues as Rodeo Ristra (now Hoboken Bar & Grill), The Shannon, The Goldhawk (now Turtle Club) and Maxwells (11th/Washington st.). After The Goldhawk closed, a temporary home was found at Maxwells, but Entwistle was thrilled to find another venue that was open to presenting live, original music. “Right now, the favorite part of my work week is at Northern Soul, 557 First Street, between Madison and Monroe. Tuesdays is Singer/Songwriter night 8-10, Wednesday is Open Mic from 8 -11. Anything goes. Music, spoken word, comedy. Ventriloquism. Mime. Thursday's we do bands 8-11. The room is intimate and the level of musicianship is amazing.”

Entwistle knows what’s he’s talking about. He’s been working in entertainment professionally for 25 years, and has paid some interesting dues and picked up a wide range of skills. He studied dance –classical ballet, tap and jazz –as a very young man and later became a teacher while performing professionally in musical theater. He also worked professionally as an actor on tv and in film before eventually focusing on music. Before moving to Hoboken, he was signed to a record contract in Canada and was distributed by Warner Bros. and later EMI. The label named him David Michael Anthony. To get a hint about what that act might have been like... he did some touring opening for N’Sync in the late 90’s. One can easily imagine the twinkle in his eye just as sparkling but a bit more innocent. It is not surprising then, given how he chooses to live his life now, that when asked to name a hobby, he answers, “Introspection. What it means to be alive, and to know one’s self and how you fit into this world and what’s going on around you.” His actions reveal the result of that reflection. His passion to support live music and other artists informs all aspects of his work and life. “I love being my own boss. Every day is different for me. I might be in my studio recording a singer/songwriter. I might be in the field, mixing live sound for a band. I might be rehearsing with The Fave, the band I’m presently in, or maybe sitting in at a gig playing drums or guitar for a friend.”

Entwistle sits on the board of The Hoboken Arts Center, the proposed theater, gallery and educational space more easily understood as “a Lincoln Center for Hoboken. He’s very enthusiastic about the role it could play in both serving the community and shaping Hoboken’s cultural identity. He starts to go into details, then defers with a chuckle, “Don’t quote me. There’s a lot more info on both www.hobokenartscenter.org and facebook page.” Another big project even nearer and dearer to his heart is The Hoboken Music Awards. “This is the third year. I was inspired by Asbury Park Music Awards. I felt like there was enough of a scene here, and the event has gotten bigger and better each time. The press has been good, and I’m hoping to get more exposure this year, with my partner on that, Stephen Bailey.”

Entwistle, “loves Hoboken because you don’t need a car and there’s an amazing array of restaurants. My favorite place is a cafe on 918 Willow. D’s Soul Full Cafe sandwich bar. They’ve got artists’ paintings on the wall –they rotate every month. And musicians play on weekends. It’s just a great social hangout place for coffee and breakfast/lunch. It’s a really good life here. Not to big, not too small. I love that we have parks. When I go for a walk, it’s very pleasing to the eye. I grew up in Liverpool England, and something about the red bricks and the closeness of the buildings to each other reminds me of that. And of course being near the water. What would I change? Ha, that’s easy. More venues for live music.”

Every week hMAG posts Faces articles featuring someone from the community because, after all, hMAG is all about the community.

Do you know someone we should interview for an upcoming article? Pitch your idea to editorial@hmag.com and we might include you or someone you know on hmag.com or an upcoming issue of the magazine!

All candidates MUST live or work in Hoboken and agree to have their picture posted.