By Lazlo
originally published: 10/24/2022
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 releases by Loyalty To Me, Diamond Waves, Elk City, The Jack Moves, Hit Like A Girl, Val Emmich, and Jon Caspi & The First Gun.
Loyalty To Me - "Nuisance" - Emo-Alt-Punk rock band Loyalty To Me return with a strong new single, "Nuisance".
Diamond Waves - "Demos" - The 3 songs that makes up "Demos" is all I know about Red Bank's Diamond Waves. But these indie rock songs make me want to know more, and hear more, from this band.
Elk City - "Above the Water" - Elk City continues to put out album after album of endearing chill dream-pop. Their latest, "Above the Water", may be their finest to date.
The Jack Moves - "Cruiserweight" - The Jack Moves are masters of soul rock, sometimes with a hint of funky goodness. If that doesn't make you immediately want to check their music out then I don't know what to tell you.
Hit Like A Girl - "Dismay" [single] - "Dismay" is about the music industry and how jaded it's made me over the years," says Hit Like A Girl frontperson, Nicolle Maroulis. It has also made them hardcore, which was a little startling at first to hear compared to their previous output, but it is a strong song and I can't wait to hear the rest of the new EP, "Becoming", from which this is the first single.
Val Emmich - "Destiny" [single] - "Christmas Eve Eve, 2020. My wife rushed our older daughter Harper to the ER while I stayed home with our younger daughter Lennon. It was the midst of the pandemic, only one parent allowed in the hospital. Feeling powerless, I sat at the piano and wrote "Destiny."
"Harper's diagnosis was type 1 diabetes. We had no idea what that meant or what it would mean going forward. We had no idea that eighteen months later Lennon would get the same diagnosis and we'd now have two children living with this condition." - Val Emmich
Val has in recent year's allowed more personal lyrics to surface in his songs (with "Autobio Parts 1 & 2", among others), but I don't think anything is quite so personal as "Destiny". You can really hear the worry of a parent fearing for his child. it is very emotional.
If you like this song, please make a donation to the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund): http://tinyurl.com/jdrfw
Jon Caspi & The First Gun - "Raise 'Em High! & Other Delights" - Jon Caspi & The First Gun have been busy. In the last month or so they have released a live in studio album, and had a beer named after their drinking song "Raise 'Em High!". Now they have a new EP that kicks off with a rousing new recording of "Raise 'Em High!" which features Jesse Malin and often First Gun member Dez Cadena. The other 4 songs mix upbeat rockers (Watching You & Somebody Else), with introspective singer-songwriter rock (Last Ride Home & Ghosted). I particularly love the way "Ghosted" starts off mellow before turning into a playfully peppy mid-tempo roots rock tune.
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 part of BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable, please send downloads or contact Lazlo at Lazlo-at-BlowUpRadio-dot-com
EVENT PREVIEWS
Essex County Summer Players Orchestra present "Made in America" on August 2nd
(LIVINGSTON, NJ) -- As local residents and friends stroll, bike or jog around the Livingston Oval on Tuesday evenings this July, musicians from several community orchestras are gathering in the township's high school band room to celebrate works "Made in America."
Middletown Arts Center presents Reina Williams + The Remedy
(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The Middletown Arts Center presents a concert featuring Reina Williams + The Remedy on Thursday, July 23, 2026. Special guest performers Renee Maskin and Patrick Bamburak will open the show. Enjoy an evening of original music spanning reggae, hip-hop, soul, folk, Americana, and indie rock from some of New Jersey's most talented musicians. Showtime is 7:00pm.
Harmonium Choral Society presents "I Dreamed Last Night" on July 23rd
(MADISON, NJ) -- On Thursday, July 23, 2026, Harmonium Choral Society presents I Dreamed Last Night. Directed by Lennie Watts with music direction by John Fischer, I Dreamed Last Night is a one woman show with Gloria Bangiola. There are songs and stories about dreams, hopes, wishes, ambitions, fantasies, nightmares, impossibilities and that big ol' American one we are all still working to make real. Showtime is 7:00pm.
HOT 97's Summer Jam 2026 to Take Place July 24th at Prudential Center
(NEWARK, NJ) -- HOT 97, New York's #1 station for Hip Hop, is once again bringing the culture's biggest night back to the tri-state area with Summer Jam 2026, on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark. Produced by The Black Promoters Collective, Summer Jam continues its legacy as the most iconic Hip Hop concert in the world.
Strand Center for the Arts presents Lover Taylor - Tribute to Taylor Swift on Friday
(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- Swifties of all ages are invited to sing, dance and celebrate the music of one of pop's biggest superstars when Lover Taylor – Tribute to Taylor Swift comes to the Strand Center for the Arts on Friday, July 24, 2026 at 8:00pm.
Grammy-Winning Superstars Erica Campbell and Jonathan McReynolds to Headline 2026 Gospel Music Festival
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Middlesex County, as part of its FolkLIVE free community event series, will host its third annual Gospel Music Festival in New Brunswick (2 Livingston Ave) on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 3:30pm to 7:30pm. This year's star-studded lineup features multi-Grammy-winning performer Erica Campbell—known both for her solo work and as part of the dynamic "Mary Mary" duo—and Billboard chart-topper Jonathan McReynolds as the headliners.
Mahwah Museum Hosts "Unlock the Fretboard" Guitar Workshop with Mark Sganga on July 25th
(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Guitar players of all levels are invited to "Unlock the Fretboard," a hands-on guitar workshop taking place on Saturday, July 25, from 11:00am to 2:00pm, with a short break included, at The Mahwah Museum. The workshop will be taught by Mark Sganga, an International Fingerstyle Guitar Champion, bringing expert instruction and high-level musicianship to this special event. Designed to help players better understand the fretboard through a system of caged chords and scales, the workshop offers practical strategies that participants can apply immediately in their playing.
The 2026 Sourland Mountain Fest to Take Place July 25th
(RINGOES, NJ) -- The Sourland Mountain Fest is back for its 21st year on Saturday, July 25, 2026. It promises a summer afternoon of soulful talent, tasty bites, refreshing drinks and meaningful dialogue on why the Sourland Region is so important to Central Jersey, and why it's more important than ever to protect it. Performers include Gravity Hill, The Swiss Guard, Hickory, Jake Thistle, and headliners The Harrisons and Company.
Two River Theater presents Tiny Room Concerts with Joe Iconis
(RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater presents Tiny Room Concerts w/ Joe Iconis, a concert series offering audiences an up-close and personal experience with one of musical theater's most celebrated songwriters. The series takes place July 23-25, 2026 in the Victoria J. Mastrobuono Library at Two River Theater.
Centenary Stage Company's Summerfest 2026 presents FOUR STICKS: The Music of Led Zeppelin on July 25th
(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's Summerfest 2026 continues with an electrifying evening of classic rock as FOUR STICKS: The Music of Led Zeppelin takes the stage on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 8:00pm in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center.
FEATURED EVENTS
