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 Rhonette Smith, Nick Scafuto, Evil Nature, Rich Lancia, Radar & Satellite, and Todd Bailey. Plus a look back at "We Go High" by Boots.
Before we get into this week's New & Notable, a quick reminder that two new Rock Against Hate compilations are available now. Each features over 20 previously unreleased songs, with 100% of proceeds going to LGBTQ+ non-profits. Volume 7 benefits Trevor Project, and Volume 8 benefits No More Dysphoria. Go to https://rockagainsthate.org for more info.
Rhonette Smith - "Bent". Rhonette Smith returns with the new single, "Bent". Those familiar with her earlier works may be surprised by the more aggressive rock sound of this song, which features screaming vocals from Manny "Nondasson" Mavrakis from New York City rap/rock band Saints In Exile, but I feel it is the perfect fit for this song.
Rhonette describes "Bent" as, "an ode to the nonlinear nature of progress and how it sometimes feels like pushing against a brick wall."
Nick Scafuto - "Digital Firepit". Nick Scafuto, of Nick And The Leg-Heavy Boys, releases his first solo EP, "Digital Firepit", a glorious collection of 5 catchy songs. They are all more acoustic/folk based, but don't let that make you think is a mellow album. These songs are upbeat and have a full band backing him, with an energy coursing through it that is infectious. Below is the video for the leadoff track, "Drip Drip Drip", which is my Earworm of the Week!
Evil Nature - "Quasi-Demonic". Alternative/Post-Punk band Evil Nature, has just put out one heck of a good album in "Quasi-Demonic". Nothing more needs to be said about it. Go listen, now!
Rich Lancia - "Wondering". Rich Lancia returns with his new single, "Wondering", a beautiful Adult-Alternative song that leaves me wondering when we're going to hear more new music from this mainstay of the local music scene.
Radar & Satellite - "Something to Unload / Exercise in Silence". "Something to Unload / Exercise in Silence" are two new songs from Radar & Satellite. They describe it as, "Two tracks (count 'em) filled to the brim with nonsensical noise and tomfoolery." I describe it as some catchy garage rock fun.
Todd Bailey - "Cover Band Town". When I started BlowUpRadio.com nearly 25 years ago I had lofty dreams of changing people's minds, the people that would rather go hear a cover band than see an original band... you know, the musician's who if they are lucky, will one day have there songs played by a cover band. its been an uphill battle, but one I continue to this day.
Todd Bailey's new song, "Cover Band Town" (also the title of a forthcoming album due later this month), encapsulates from a local singer-songwriter perspective of the challenge of wanting to play originals in a "cover band town".
Wouldn't be wonderful if this became a big enough hit that cover bands started playing it...
Boots - "We Go High". It has been almost 7 years since Boots' debut (and to my knowledge only) album, "Made for This". The album is chock full of great jangly acoustic songs. "We Go High" closes the album, and is as much an anthem today as it was 7 years ago.
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 (and bridged on BlueSky)
The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Dirty," the third and final single from the debut LP, "Millennial Boomer Consumer," by the local supergroup Never the Name.
(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- Get ready for an electrifying night of classic rock as the PettyBreakers, "The World's Greatest Tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers!" (AXS-tv), return to the Strand Theater in Lakewood, NJ on Friday, September 12, 2025 at 8:00pm.
The Princeton Festival was first founded in 2004, beginning its inaugural season in 2005 with four performances of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd in the Kirby Theatre at the Lawrenceville School and a performance by the Concordia Chamber Players. It has since grown to a nearly month-long event featuring opera, musical theater, baroque and chamber music, and a constantly evolving selection of other genres, including dance, world music, orchestral pops, and choral concerts.
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