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 Val Emmich, Johnny Zarfati, and Prop House. Plus a look back at "We Can See America From Here" by The Campfire Flies.
Happy Pride Month! This Friday, June 6th, Rock Against Hate Volumes 7 & 8 come out. Each compilation features over 20 previously unreleased songs, benefiting two of many organizations working to help the LGBTQ+ community get through these trying times.
Rock Against Hate Volume 7 features previously unreleased songs from Ali Zanders, Blasfemme, Blisstique, Bruce Tunkel, Chitinous Mandible, Ferocious Designs, Frank Patrouch, Greg McGarvey, Jason Didner, Jill Sobule, Jon Caspi, Ken Kusama. Mark Owen Nutto & The Unemployed Teachers, Mark Parker, Michael Aquino (feat. Declan Remus and Christian Davis), Orbis Max, Teen Idle, The Mighty Alrighty, The Winter Sounds, Tommy Strazza, and Wally Chris Hoffner and the Noontime Nappers. The album benefits Trevor Project.
Rock Against Hate Volume 8 features previously unreleased songs from Anthony Walker, Bern Strong, Blasfemme, Bruce Donnola, Catherine Wacha, Ciara Zwicker, erase:rewind, Ferocious Designs, Happy Joe, Hit Like A Girl, Jason Didner, Jon Caspi & Pete Jager, Kookie, Mark Owen Nutto & The Unemployed Teachers, Mick Chorba, Sad About Girls, Sam Tunkel, The Delphobics, The Mighty Alrighty, The Winter Sounds, Wally Chris Hoffner and the Noontime Nappers, and Worm's Eye View / Maravines. The album benefits No More Dysphoria.
Val Emmich - "Here Comes The Dark". Val Emmich's latest release, "Here Comes The Dark", is something special. I've been a fan of Val's music since even before I started BlowUpRadio.com nearly 25 years ago, and two of the things I always appreciate about his albums are heartfelt, relatable lyrics (sometimes I wish I couldn't relate to the lyrics as much, as they are not always something you want to relate to), and that he's always trying to incorporate different sounds into his music (check out "Done With The Dishes" for example), while still sounding like him.
Johnny Zarfati - "Ceasefire". "Ceasefire" is the beautiful debut single from Johnny Zarfati. A really relaxing, laid back folk tune that I have been playing on repeat for days.
Prop House - "Vector". Prop House is kind of a local music supergroup. Members of Yawn Mower, the Vansaders, The Mischeif Kids, and several other local bands comprise the band on their new EP, "Vector". If you're familiar with these acts then you know you're going to get some infectious post-punk rock. If you aren't, then you should check out all of the groups mentioned in this.
Not New, But Memorable Corner
The Campfire Flies - "We Can See America From Here". On January 20th, 2017 the first Rock Against Hate compilation was released, benefiting Planned Parenthood & Trevor Project. It lead off with The Campfire Flies' song, "We Can See America From Here". The Campfire Flies is something of a local supergroup featuring members of The Cucumbers, Speed the Plough, and The Thousand Pities. The combining of these musical superpowers created a rousing, upbeat anthem.
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)
"Well, I had the great pleasure a few years back of interviewing most of the musicians who played on "Highway 61 Revisited," Dylan's 1965 album, one of his 1965 albums which in my view is still the greatest album ever made by anybody. After all of the magazine features, there was a vast whole of interview material that didn't make it to the articles just because of limited space and I always felt that one day it would make the crux of a good book and this being the 60th anniversary year of Dylan going electric and of "Highway 61" so it seemed an opportune moment."
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents One Vision of Queen featuring Marc Martel on Friday, June 13, 2025 at 8:00pm. Tickets range from $39-$118.
(NEWTON, NJ) -- Journeyman - A Tribute to Eric Clapton comes to The Newton Theatre on Friday, June 6, 2025 at 8:00pm. Fronted by Shaun Hague , Journeyman has become the #1 tribute to Clapton in a very short amount of time.
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