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.




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



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




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



 

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.


Kenny

Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band

Tuesday, March 10, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

Gregorian:

Gregorian: Pure Chants World Tour featuring Songs of Enigma

Tuesday, March 10, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

The

The High Kings: The Rocky Road Tour

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

Kenny

Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band: Ledbetter Heights 30th Anniversary Tour

Thursday, March 12, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

Yasmin

Yasmin Williams

Thursday, March 12, 2026 @ 8:00pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theatre)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
category: music


 


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

State

State Theatre presents Colombian singer-songwriter Santiago Cruz on Saturday

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Colombian singer-songwriter Santiago Cruz is returning to the United States with Quince de Caminos, a special anniversary tour celebrating 15 years of his iconic album Cruce de Caminos. The tour comes to State Theatre New Jersey on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 8:00pm.



The

The Ravi Shankar Ensemble to Perform at McCarter Theatre

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Schirmer Theatrical, part of Wise Music Group, presents a new concert production introducing The Ravi Shankar Ensemble— a multi-generational collective of world-class musicians curated by Anoushka and Sukanya Shankar. The ensemble is dedicated to the masterful compositions and enduring legacy of sitarist Ravi Shankar whose innovative artistry brought Indian classical music to the world. The production comes to McCarter Theatre on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 7:30pm.



MPAC

MPAC presents Spyro Gyra with Special Guest Stanley Jordan on Friday

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) presents Spyro Gyra with Special Guest Stanley Jordan on Friday, March 13, 2026 at 8:00pm. It's a double bill of contemporary jazz legends!



Kean

Kean Stage presents Candlelight Celtic on Sunday

(HILLSIDE, NJ) -- Kean Stage presents Candlelight Celtic on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at Enlow Recital Hall. From the producers and co-creators of Rockin' Road to Dublin and Christmas in Killarney comes the new intimate and illuminating show Candlelight Celtic. Showtime is 3:00pm.



Lizzie

Lizzie Rose Music Room presents The Billy Walton Band on Sunday

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Lizzie Rose Music Room presents the Billy Walton Band on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Doors are at 7:00pm; showtime is 7:30pm.