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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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Tuesday

Tuesday Night Record Club: The Beatles, Rubber Soul

Tuesday, December 02, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Monmouth University - The Great Hall
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
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Preservation Hall Jazz Band Creole Christmas

Tuesday, December 02, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
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Chris

Chris Botti

Wednesday, December 03, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Grunin Center - Main Stage
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
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NEVER

NEVER ENDING ‘90s PRESENTS: EZRA RAY HART 90’s HITS & XMAS RIFFS

Wednesday, December 03, 2025 @ 7:00pm
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30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

Candlelight

Candlelight Concerts - Tribute to Adele

Thursday, December 04, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
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EVENT PREVIEWS

The

The Landis Theater presents Mysterious Ways - The U2 Christmas Experience

(VINELAND, NJ) -- The Landis Theater presents - The U2 Christmas Experience on Friday, December 12, 2025 at 8:00pm. The band brings a special holiday twist to the iconic sound of U2! This festive performance blends the spirit of Christmas with the passion and energy of one of the greatest bands in rock history.



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MPAC

MPAC presents LeAnn Rimes: Greatest Hits Christmas Tour on Thursday

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) presents LeAnn Rimes: Greatest Hits Christmas Tour on Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 7:30pm. The international multi-platinum selling superstar has won two Grammy® Awards, 12 Billboard Music Awards, two World Music Awards, three Academy of Country Music Awards, two Country Music Association Awards and one Dove Award.



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Lizzie Rose Music Room presents David Jacobs-Strain and Bob Beach on Friday

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents David Jacobs-Strain and Bob Beach on Friday, December 5, 2025. They are a multigenerational, bicoastal duo who have been performing together since 2010. Doors are at 7:00pm, showtime is 7:30pm.



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Grunin Center for the Arts presents Chris Botti on Wednesday

(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Grunin Center for the Arts presents GRAMMY-winning trumpeter Chris Botti on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at 7:00pm. Only a limited number of tickets remain.