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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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Roomful

Roomful Of Blues - CD Release show

Sunday, January 18, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

Joe

Joe Cirotti Trio

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

Jazz

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis

Thursday, January 22, 2026 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 

Lee

Lee Brice: Acoustic

Friday, January 23, 2026 @ 8:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 

Matt

Matt O'Ree Band

Friday, January 23, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

The

The Leonia Chamber Musicians Society, Inc. presents "Romance in the Air"

(LEONIA, NJ) -- The Leonia Chamber Musicians Society, Inc. presents "Romance in the Air" on Sunday, February 15, 2026 at the Presbyterian Church in Leonia. The concert will reflect a Valentine's Day theme of delight and passion. This is the second concert of the Leonia Chamber Musicians' three concert series. Showtime is 3:00pm.



State

State Theatre New Jersey presents DRUM TAO - The Best on January 24th

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents DRUM TAO - The Best on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 7:30pm. DRUM TAO explodes on stage with a captivating performance full of flash and fire! Renowned for powerful and athletic drumming, their newest show, The Best, blends traditional "Wadaiko" (Japanese Drums) with modern energy and theatrical flair.



State

State Theatre New Jersey presents Freestyle Flashback Concert 2026 on January 31st

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey and Fever Records present Freestyle Flashback Concert 2026 on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 7:00pm. Freestyle and dance-pop artists of the 80s and 90s gather for one night at STNJ! Tickets start at $46.



The

The Adelphi Orchestra presents "Grace & Elegance"

(RIVER EDGE, NJ) -- The Adelphi Orchestra, now in its 72nd season of Music for All, presents Grace & Elegance, a concert celebrating the elegance and lyricism of Classical and Romantic masterworks, from February 27-28, 2026 with performances in New Jersey and New York City.



BBD

BBD Rhythm & Blues Band are 'Keeping the Blues Alive'

(OLD BRIDGE, NJ) -- People Get Ready for the 'Keeping the Blues Alive' 2026 Tour, featuring the BBD Rhythm & Blues Band. They have two shows in January - Sammy D's Bar Wine & Spirits in Old Bridge on Saturday, January 24th and Lizzie Rose Music Room in Tuckerton on Friday, January 30, 2026. Additional shows run throughout February.