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.




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage



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




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage



 

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.


Roger

Roger McGuinn Music Lecture

Thursday, April 30, 2026 @ 2:00pm
Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 

Candlelight

Candlelight Concerts - Tribute to Queen and The Beatles

Thursday, April 30, 2026 @ 6:00pm
Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 

Alastair

Alastair Greene

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


 

Roger

Roger McGuinn

Friday, May 01, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 

The

The Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD Eugene Onegin

Saturday, May 02, 2026 @ 1:00pm
Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Rising

Rising Sun Presents: A Funky Reggae Party on August 1st

(KING OF PRUSSIA, PA) -- Rising Sun Presents will celebrate summer with A Funky Reggae Party in Heuser Park on Saturday, August 1, 2026. The evening will feature performances from legendary acts Steel Pulse, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe playing Jimmy Cliff, and The Original Wailers ft. Al Anderson. The lineup also includes The Philly Reggae Allstars ft. members of Wareika Hill. Tabernacle & more, along with DJ sets from Solomonic Sound System (Rob Paine) and Traveler Sounds.



Outpost

Outpost in the Burbs presents Willie Nile Band on Sunday

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents Willie Nile Band on Sunday, May 3, 2026. The New York Times once called Buffalo, NY born Willie Nile "one of the most gifted singer-songwriters to emerge from the New York scene in years." Jersey City based artist Debra Devi will open the night.



Scottish

Scottish Rite Auditorium presents The Robert Cray Band

(COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- Scottish Rite Auditorium presents The Robert Cray Band on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 8:00pm. Blues icon. Soul man. Rock and roller. Robert Cray is all these things – and more.



Lizzie

Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Cold Shot on Saturday

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Cold Shot on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 7:30pm. The band is dedicated to capturing the electrifying energy and soulful sound of legendary Texas blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan.



Grunin

Grunin Center presents Taylor Simon King on May 9th

(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Grunin Center for the Arts presents Taylor Simon King - Celebrating Three American Troubadours on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 7:30pm. The show features James Gedeon, Lisa Sherman, and Alice Leon paying tribute to James Taylor, Carly Simon, and Carole King. Limited tickets remain.