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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.




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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




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FEATURED EVENTS

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Glenn

Glenn Alexander & James JB Barnes

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


 

Candlelight

Candlelight Concerts - 90s Hip-Hop on Strings

Friday, January 30, 2026 @ 8:30pm
Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 

Candlelight

Candlelight Concerts - Tribute to Fleetwood Mac

Friday, January 30, 2026 @ 6:00pm
Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 

So

So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience

Friday, January 30, 2026 @ 8:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 

Elvis

Elvis Birthday Bash

Saturday, January 31, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

The

The Dryden Ensemble presents "In Praise of Tears: Why Dowland and Schubert Still Move Us" on Saturday

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- When The Dryden Ensemble presents Lachrimæ: In Praise of Tears on Saturday, January 31, 2026, audiences will be invited into a deeply expressive musical world shaped by two master songwriters separated by two centuries, John Dowland and Franz Schubert.



Mnozil

Mnozil Brass Brings Strau$$ to Rowan's Marie Rader Series in Rare U.S. Performance

(GLASSBORO, NJ) – After 20 years, Rowan University is thrilled to welcome back Mnozil Brass on Saturday, February 28, 2026 as part of a limited, 9-day U.S. tour. A group with fans around the globe, described as "Canadian Brass Meets Monty Python," Mnozil Brass will perform their latest stage sensation: Strau$$. Showtime is 7:30pm.



The

The Newton Theatre presents Dar Williams

(NEWTON, NJ) -- Dar Williams comes to The Newton Theatre on Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 8:00pm. She's touring in support of her 13th album, Hummingbird Highway, which was released in September 2025.



The

The Landis Theater presents BOSTYX - The Ultimate Boston & STYX Tribute Band on Friday

(VINELAND, NJ) -- The Landis Theater presents BOSTYX - The Ultimate Boston & STYX Tribute Band on Friday, January 30, 2026 at 8:00pm. BOSTYX is a group of seasoned professionals with decades of experience, from recording studios to playing live at venues throughout the country.



The

The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents Born This Way - A Lady Gaga Tribute show on Thursday

(PITMAN, NJ) -- The Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents Born This Way - A Lady Gaga Tribute show on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 7:00pm. Experience the magic and glamour of Lady Gaga like never before with this electrifying tribute show!