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."
bergenPAC presents Buddy Guy on August 4th
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Buddy Guy on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 7:00pm. Buddy Guy remains a singular force in American music. Fresh off earning his ninth GRAMMY® Award in 2026 for Best Traditional Blues Album (Ain't Done with the Blues), the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and one of the last living architects of electric blues will celebrate a historic milestone with the Buddy Guy 90 Tour, featuring select headline performances across North America in 2026.
The Newton Theatre presents Adrian Vandenberg "My Whitesnake Years Tour"
(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents Adrian Vandenberg "My Whitesnake Years Tour" with Marco Mendoza, and Vinnie Moore on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 8:00pm.
Cape May Convention Hall presents Croce Plays Croce on August 7th
(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- A.J. Croce brings his Croce Plays Croce show to the Cape May Convention Hall on Friday, August 7, 2026 at 8:00pm. Son of the legendary singer songwriter, Jim Croce, A.J. purposefully waited thirty years to perform his father's music, only introducing his acclaimed Croce Plays Croce Tour when he felt there was a meaningful way to honor his musical legacy with depth, intention, and musical integrity.
State Theatre New Jersey presents Buddy Guy
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Buddy Guy on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 8:00pm. At nearly 90 years old, Buddy Guy remains a singular force in American music. Fresh off earning his ninth Grammy® Award in 2026 for Best Traditional Blues Album (Ain't Done with the Blues), the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and one of the last living architects of electric blues will celebrate a historic milestone with the Buddy Guy 90 Tour, featuring select headline performances across North America in 2026.
TOTALLY TUBULAR FESTIVAL 80s New Wave Tour Comes to Atlantic City on August 8th
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Tour organizers for the acclaimed 80's New Wave tour TOTALLY TUBULAR FESTIVAL have announced a line-up change due to the unfortunate cancellation of The Motels. Bow Wow Wow will replace The Motels for some shows and Men Without Hats will replace The Motels for others. The tour comes to the Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena on Saturday, August 8, 2026. The tour's colorful lineup also features Thomas Dolby & The Lost Toy People, A Flock Of Seagulls, The Producers, Animotion, The Escape Club, and Tommy Tutone.
State Theatre New Jersey presents Buddy Guy on August 8th
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents the legendary Buddy Guy on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 8:00pm. Guy won his 9th career Grammy Award for 2025's Ain't Done With The Blues. Limited tickets remain.
Todd Rundgren to perform shows in Englewood, Ocean City, and Red Bank in August
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Legendary producer/songwriter/guitarist Todd Rundgren is bringing his 2026 Damned If I Do Tour to the Garden Sate in August. He's got shows at bergenPAC in Englewood on August 8th; Ocean City Music Pier on August 11th; and Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank on August 12th.
The Newton Theatre presents Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives on August 12th
(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 7:00pm. In a career spanning over 50 years, dozens of albums, and too many shows to count, Marty Stuart charts a course through new territory at every chance possible.
BoDeans - 40th Anniversary Tour comes to Newton Theatre in August
(NEWTON, NJ) -- BoDeans are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their critically acclaimed debut album, Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams, in 2026. In honor of the anniversary, the band has a special tour planned which comes to The Newton Theatre on Friday, August 14, 2026 at 8:00pm.
FEATURED EVENTS
