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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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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


 

Always

Always Now

Thursday, March 12, 2026 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre Studio
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 

Air

Air Supply – 50th Anniversary Celebration

Friday, March 13, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

MPAC

MPAC presents Women of Americana: A Celebration of American Music

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Coinciding with the United States' upcoming semiquincentennial, Women of Americana: A Celebration of American Music, produced by Eli Wolf, comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 7:30pm.



The

The Levoy Theatre presents The Orchestra starring ELO and ELO Part II Former Members on Sunday

(MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents The Orchestra starring ELO and ELO Part II Former Members on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 7:00pm. The Orchestra continues the celebrated musical legacy of Electric Light Orchestra and ELO Part II, bringing decades of experience and iconic hits to the stage.



StocktonPAC

StocktonPAC presents Altan: Music of Ireland on Sunday

(GALLOWAY, NJ) -- Stockton Performing Arts Center presents Altan: Music of Ireland on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 2:00pm. Altan is regarded as one of the most popular Irish traditional bands of all time and is celebrating forty years on the road! Limited tickets remain.



Count

Count Basie Center for the Arts presents The Irish Tenors on Sunday

(RED BANK, NJ) -- Count Basie Center for the Arts presents The Irish Tenors on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 7:00pm. The Irish Tenors have been the acknowledged Celtic music kings since they burst upon the scene during a 1998 special. With ten best selling CD’s to their credit, they share company with the likes of The Three Tenors and Andrea Bocelli as the biggest money makers PBS has presented.



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.