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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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Umphrey’s

Umphrey’s McGee

Wednesday, February 04, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

The

The Commodores

Friday, February 06, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

512:

512: The Selena Experience

Friday, February 06, 2026 @ 8:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 

Emanuel

Emanuel Ax, piano

Friday, February 06, 2026 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
category: music


 

An

An Intimate Evening With David Foster & Katharine McPhee

Friday, February 06, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Singer-Songwriter

Singer-Songwriter Conference & Showcase Returns to Cape May in March

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- The annual Singer-Songwriter of Cape May Conference & Showcase returns March 27–28, 2026, bringing two inspiring days of music, learning, and connection to historic Congress Hall and venues throughout downtown Cape May. Hosted in Congress Hall's Grand Ballroom and Harrison Conference Center, the 2026 conference continues its tradition of uniting songwriters, performers, and music industry professionals in one of the East Coast's most iconic seaside towns.



State

State Theatre New Jersey presents Who's Bad - The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience on Saturday

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Who's Bad - The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 8:00pm. This power-packed tribute to Michael Jackson has ignited crowds around the world and can only be described as a jaw-dropping, musical must-see. Limited tickets remain.



MPAC

MPAC presents Alan Cumming: Uncut

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Multi-hyphenate, multi-award winning, multimedia mogul Alan Cumming returns to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Thursday, February 5, 2026 with a new cabaret show, this time even more revealing, hilarious and authentic than ever before. It is, in fact, Alan Cumming Uncut. With musical direction by Henry Koperski. Showtime is 7:30pm. Limited tickets remain.



Lizzie

Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Tim Hause on Friday

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Philadelphia singer-songwriter Tim Hause on Friday, February 6, 2026 at 7:30pm. Mindful Melodies will open the night.



Split

Split Level Concerts presents Shannon McNally with her band; Arlan Feiles to Open

(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Grammy nominated songstress Shannon McNally will perform with her band at the Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 8:00pm. Arlan Feiles, whose 2025 release Diaspora was recently named Album of the Year by Makin Waves, will open the show.