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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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Dan

Dan Navarro

Sunday, April 12, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

An

An Opera Celebration

Sunday, April 12, 2026 @ 3:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan, NJ 08736
category: music


 

Itzhak

Itzhak Perlman In Recital

Sunday, April 12, 2026 @ 3:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 

Paul

Paul Anka

Wednesday, April 15, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

The

The Concert: Tribute To ABBA

Thursday, April 16, 2026 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

New

New Jersey Youth Symphony Presents "Voices of the North: Nordic & Baltic Soundscapes" featuring 2026 Concerto Competition Winner Mason Chu

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Youth Symphony (NJYS), a program of Wharton Arts, presents its signature spring concert, Voices of the North: Nordic & Baltic Soundscapes, on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at the Nicholas Music Center at Rutgers University in New Brunswick. Showtime is 7:00pm.



Barrymore

Barrymore Film Center presents Ann Talman: Elizabeth Taylor and the Shadow of Her Smile

(FORT LEE, NJ) -- Ann Talman brings her award-winning show Ann Talman: Elizabeth Taylor and The Shadow of Her Smile to the Barrymore Film Center on Friday, May 8, 2026 at 7:30pm. Ann joined Actors' Equity with co-star Elizabeth Taylor in 1981 when she landed the plum role in The Little Foxes playing Miss Taylor's daughter on Broadway. The Little Foxes traveled the world for eighteen months including six months in London and their loving friendship lasted for the rest of Miss Taylor's life.



WilloLand

WilloLand Duo performs on April 16 as part of Westminster Conservatory Noontime Series

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 12:15pm, Westminster Conservatory at Nassau will present the WilloLand Duo. The performers, Kevin Willois, flute and Patricia Tupta Landy, piano, are members of the teaching faculty of Westminster Conservatory. The recital will take place in the Niles Chapel of Nassau Presbyterian Church (61 Nassau Street) in Princeton. It is open to the public free of charge.



SOPAC

SOPAC to Celebrate 20th Anniversary with Gala 20: Featuring Max Weinberg's Jukebox

(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) will celebrate its 20th Anniversary on Friday, June 12, 2026 with Gala 20: Featuring Max Weinberg's Jukebox — a venue-wide celebration from 5:00pm–11:00pm.



Westminster

Westminster Choir College to celebrate 100th anniversary

(LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ) -- Westminster Choir College of Rider University is celebrating its 100th anniversary, marking a century of excellence in music education and performance. Centennial events in Lawrenceville and Princeton honor legacy while supporting future generations of musicians.