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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

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

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Tuesday

Tuesday Night Record Club - Stevie Wonder, Talking Book

Tuesday, February 03, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Monmouth University - The Great Hall
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 

Junior

Junior Mack

Tuesday, February 03, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

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 Growing Stage presents "Cinderella: A Salsa Fairy Tale"

Friday, February 06, 2026 @ 7:30pm
The Historic Palace Theatre
7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong, NJ 07857
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


 


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

State

State Theatre New Jersey presents The Sound Studio Series 2026

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey proudly presents The Sound Studio Series, an immersive musical experience that places concertgoers at the very heart of the performance. Held in STNJ's intimate Studio space, limited to just 80 attendees, The Sound Studio Series features a dynamic mix of both classical and rock performances. Each concert concludes with an exclusive post-show meet-and-greet with the artists, offering fans a rare opportunity to connect directly with the performers. Tickets for the eries are $20-$30.



RVCC

RVCC presents Bachelors of Broadway: Gentlemen of the Theatre on February 28th

(BRANCHBURG, NJ) -- The Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College will present Bachelors of Broadway: Gentlemen of the Theatre, Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 7:00pm. The concert will feature a trio of dashing men performing symphonic arrangements of beloved songs from musical theatre.



Altamura

Altamura Legacy Concerts presents "Moonlight in the Afternoon"

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 4:00pm, Altamura Legacy Concerts (ALC) will present Moonlight in the Afternoon at Princeton UMC (located on Nassau Street at Vandeventer Avenue.) The concert features the Italian pianist Francesco Mazzonetto from Turin, Italy in a recital of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, plus works by Clemente, Liszt and the Italian film score composer Ezio Bosso.



Starland

Starland Ballroom presents Cheap Trick on March 20th

(SAYREVILLE, NJ) -- Starland Ballroom presents Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Cheap Trick on Friday, March 20, 2026 at 8:00pm. Currently gearing up for their 50th anniversary year, Cheap Trick remain an indisputable, indispensable rock 'n' roll institution, beloved everywhere for their instantly identifiable, hugely influential union of mischievous wit and maximum melodies, powerhouse pop hooks and razor-sharp riffs. James Hatem will open the night.



The

The Philharmonic of Southern New Jersey presents "Shostakovich 5" on February 22nd

(VOORHEES, NJ) -- The Philharmonic of Southern New Jersey presents "Shostakovich 5" on Sunday, February 22, 2026 at Eastern Regional High School. Dive deep into a realm where every musical note tells a story with "Shostakovich 5," a symphonic celebration that intertwines the bold with the ethereal. Showtime is 3:00pm.