New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 6/24/24


By Lazlo

originally published: 06/24/2024

Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com (an online radio station based around New Jersey artists), shines a light on some of the many new releases from NJ based musicians each week with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at new releases by Alibi, Szwei & Marat, Somebody Club, Mixolydian Dreamer, KLOUTMISFIT, The Mediocre Friends, and Tide Bends. Plus a look back at "In My Yard" by Mr. Reality.

Alibi - "Pretty To Think So". Alibi's Bandcamp page bio says, "music for the spring of the summer of love", but to these ears their new album, "Pretty To Think So" sounds like a Fall album, or maybe early Spring album. That is not a knock on the album, I enjoyed it immensely, but people should go in expecting a mellow acoustic album with a maudlin vibe, not a fun, poppy summer album.

Szwei & Marat - "Moonlighting". Carol Szwei and Nick Maratta are Szwei & Marat, and their debut single, "Moonlighting", is an exquisite piece of chamber-pop. Looking forward to hearing more form them.

Somebody Club - "The Epilogue of Unmade Plans". Somebody Club's latest release, "The Epilogue of Unmade Plans", is a lush electroacoustic folk rock album.

Mixolydian Dreamer - "mending!". Self described as, "Artsy prog rock", Mixolydian Dreamer only leaves out in their bio description that their music is absolutely beautiful and that "artsy" does not mean inaccessible to those with more pop sensibilities.




Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



KLOUTMISFIT - "2". "2" is a nice slowcore, alt-pop album from KLOUTMISFIT. Check it out.

The Mediocre Friends - "So, this is it?". Four musicians from the scene, who are also friends, join together to put out a 4 song EP of excellent power-pop rock songs. Each member (Bill Cederroth, Chris Dickscheid, Mike Eckhart, Gay Elvis) wrote one song, but the EP is cohesive, possibly because they play the same instruments through, and Gay Elvis sings lead on all of them. Highly recommended.

Tide Bends - "Say Yeah". The Tide Bends' bio refers to their sound as a blend of "Brit rock, alternative, and shoegaze influences". I could not have put it better myself. Their new EP, "Say Yeah", is magnificent!

Not New, But Memorable Corner

Mr. Reality - "In My Yard". The year was 1992 when Mr. Reality released their self-titled debut (and only) album, on SBK Records. Their blend of harmonies with acoustic pop, brings as much joy to me today as it did 32 years ago when it came out. "In My Yard" is a classic, nostalgic summer song to me.

That's all for this week.

Remember BlowUpRadio.com, plays these and many other New Jersey based artists on our internet radio station, so please check us out. #SupportGoodMusic - If you like any of the above artists, please purchase their music from their site. And if you would like to be part of BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable, please send downloads or contact Lazlo at Lazlo-at-BlowUpRadio-dot-com. We're also on Mastodon at https://gardenstate.social/@BlowUpRadio




Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



 

FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Father

Father Alphonse's New Year 2026

Sunday, January 04, 2026 @ 3:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736
category: music


 

Tuesday

Tuesday Night Record Club - The Band, Music from Big Pink

Tuesday, January 06, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Monmouth University - The Great Hall
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 

New

New Jersey Symphony Presents Randall Goosby Returns

Thursday, January 08, 2026 @ 7:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 

James

James Maddock

Friday, January 09, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

Candlelight

Candlelight Concerts - Tribute to Queen and The Beatles

Friday, January 09, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Prudential

Prudential Center presents Rascal Flatts with Openers Lauren Alaina and Chris Lane

(NEWARK, NJ) -- On the heels of their sold-out return to touring this year, country music icons Rascal Flatts will hit the road again for their Life Is A Highway Tour in 2026, including a stop at the Prudential Center on Friday, January 30, 2026. The Live Nation-produced, 21-stop trek will bring "the harmonies and charisma that made them one of the biggest country groups" (American Songwriter) to fans nationwide. Fellow country stars Lauren Alaina and Chris Lane will continue to support the trio across this new run.



Music

Music Box at the Borgata presents Billy F Gibbons and the BFG Band

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Music Box at the Borgata presents Billy F Gibbons and the BFG Band on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 8:00pm. With his signature beard and African headgear, Gibbons is instantly recognizable and best known as the centerpiece of ZZ Top.



NJPAC

NJPAC presents Grammy Winner Avery Sunshine

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Avery Sunshine, an extraordinary singer known for her captivating music that resonates with audiences everywhere. Join in the celebration of Avery's GRAMMY® win on Friday, January 16, 2025, at 8:00pm as she performs in the Victoria Theater.



NJPAC

NJPAC presents a Spring Season of Jazz

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents a Spring Season of Jazz with free monthly jazz jams at Clement's Place and two special concert events inside the Victoria Theater. This series, running from September through June, is co-presented by NJPAC's Jazz Advisory Committee and Rutgers University–Newark's Institute of Jazz Studies (IJS). Immerse yourself in the relaxing sounds of jazz music that stimulate the players’ and listeners' minds.



Jazz

Jazz at the Morris Museum: Bassist/Vocalist Thaddeus Exposé Celebrates the Music and History of New Orleans

The City of New Orleans, obviously, holds a mythical status in the world of jazz. The genre (or at least the form with which listeners are familiar) was invented and developed there, and every jazz musician – from the swingiest to the most avant-garde – holds at least some debt to the bygone inhabitants of the Big Easy. However, while the city is rightfully revered for its place in jazz history, its musicians tell a more complicated story.