Out today, “Like a Wave” is the haunting new single from Northern New Jersey singer-songwriter Erika Sherger. Known for her ability to fuse indie folk, Americana, and alt-country with raw emotional storytelling, Sherger returns with a song that captures the quiet force of memory, longing, and release. Her voice, both warm and unguarded, invites listeners into a reflective space where emotion leads the way.
Sherger’s path to songwriting began during a college geology trip across the country, when she first picked up a guitar as a way to process life’s complexities. For years, her songs remained private, never intended for an audience. That changed in 2018 when she gathered the courage to share them publicly at a local open mic. Since then, she has become a familiar face in the New Jersey music scene, performing regularly at intimate venues, songwriter circles, community events, and more. Whether appearing solo or with a rotating lineup of collaborators, Sherger brings a sense of presence and purpose to every stage she steps on.
“Like a Wave” was produced and mixed by Damian Calcagne at PineBox Studio in the woods of Northern New Jersey. The track offers a first glimpse at her forthcoming full-length album Wrap Me Up in Colored Feathers, set for release in summer 2025. The single builds slowly and deliberately, allowing Sherger’s expressive vocals to take center stage. The arrangement is rich without being overwhelming, with contributions from Mike Robinson on pedal steel, lending the song a spacious, windswept feel that mirrors its lyrical themes.
“When we were recording this song, Joe (Cirotti) said he was not sure what direction to go in with the electric guitar part. I remember saying “How about country?” and then it really took form. l really love how the song turned out. It is a perfect blend of indie folk and alt country. Killer harmonies by Tope (Tim “Tope” Bernards) and Adam (Minkoff). The song itself was written about those really intense, overwhelming emotions that come with the beginning and end of a romantic relationship- the ones that take over and make you feel like nothing else matters. Like a wave, they knock you over, but they eventually recede.”
The upcoming album Wrap Me Up in Colored Feathers features ten tracks and an accomplished lineup of musicians including Caleb Esty on drums, Paul Kuzik on bass, Joe Cirotti on electric guitar, and Calcagne on keys. The record also features Elliott Peck on vocals and Adam Minkoff on backing vocals. It was mastered by Frederic Kevorkian in Greenpoint, New York and continues Sherger’s growth as a songwriter who crafts music that feels both intimate and expansive.
This new chapter follows her 2023 full-length album Bad Wolf and her 2021 debut EP Like Birds. Influenced by artists such as Peter Gabriel, Jeff Tweedy, Ryan Adams, and Katie Crutchfield, Sherger’s work explores themes of transformation, connection, and emotional clarity. Her performances often include carefully chosen covers from the likes of Linda Ronstadt, Gillian Welch, Bob Dylan, The Band, and Bruce Springsteen, but her original songs remain the center of her artistic identity.
With comparisons to Natalie Merchant, Stevie Nicks, Emmylou Harris, and Bonnie Raitt, Erika Sherger continues to carve out a space that is unmistakably her own. Her music feels timeless and deeply rooted, grounded in tradition but always reaching for something just beyond the surface.
“Like a Wave” is available now on all streaming platforms. Stay tuned for more music and tour dates as Erika Sherger prepares to release Wrap Me Up in Colored Feathers this summer.
