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
Gateway Playhouse to produce "Concert For A Cure" Fundraiser on June 28th
(SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Gateway Playhouse is producing Concert for a Cure, a three-part show highlighting three different musical acts on June 28, 2026, as a special fundraising event for three different cancer organizations: the American Cancer Society (ACS), Gilda's Club of Linwood, and Wigs & Wishes by Martino Cartier of Sewell. The event will feature three original musical acts: Tide ll Moon, a Philadelphia- based indie rock band formed by Drexel University film students; Steven Lemon, a South Jersey indie pop/rock/folk artist with a songwriting career that spans two decades; and Rachel Burghen, a dynamic South Jersey crossover artist known for her soaring pop sound, accompanied by Brian Conover on piano.
Brandon Tomasello to open Ocean City Pops Season with One-Man Rat Pack Spectacular on June 28th
(OCEAN CITY, NJ) -- Acclaimed vocalist and entertainer Brandon Tomasello will open the 2026 Ocean City Pops season with his highly anticipated "One-Man Rat Pack" concert on Sunday, June 28, at the historic Ocean City Music Pier. The Rat Pack will come to life musically on stage as local favorite Tomasello presents the timeless and unmistakable sounds of this remarkable musical era. Showtime is 7:30pm.
The Vogel presents Billy Bragg with special guest Sweet Petunia on Sunday
(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Vogel presents Billy Bragg with special guest Sweet Petunia on Sunday, June 28, 2026 at 8:00pm. Limited tickets remain.
Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul to Headline Concert at ParkStage on July 3rd
(FREEHOLD, NJ) -- Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul will headline a concert at ParkStage on Friday, July 3, 2026 that fans of Jersey music will love. The lineup includes Jake Clemons Band, Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers with Gary U.S. Bonds, Low Cut Connie, and The Weeklings. Showtime is 4:00pm.
Flamingosis to Bring Bright Moments 10th Anniversary Tour to Newark Culture Club
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Flamingosis is the stage name of Aaron Velasquez, a New Jersey-based DJ, beatboxer, and electronic music producer who is coming to Newark Culture Club on Friday, July 3, 2026 at 10:00pm. A special set by one world's leading DJs/producers!
The Sandbox at Seastreak presents Badfish on July 4th
(HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- Badfish is a vibe. Badfish is a sonic house party complete with plenty of gyrating fans sipping libations and enjoying various extracurricular activities. Simply put, Badfish is feel-good music. See for yourself when Badfish performs at The Sandbox at Seastreak on Saturday, July 4, 2026 at 7:00pm. It's a great way to celebrate the holiday!
MPAC presents Darren Criss on July 9th
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe winner Darren Criss returns to Mayo Performing Arts Center for an all-new solo show on Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 8:00pm. Since bursting onto the pop-culture landscape over a decade ago in Fox's hit TV show Glee, Darren Criss has embodied the kind of kaleidoscopic artistry that's entirely uninhibited by form or genre.
Asbury Lanes presents There, There (A Tribute to Radiohead) on July 11th
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- There, There (A Tribute to Radiohead) will perform at Asbury Lanes on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Doors open at 7:00pm, showtime is 8:00pm.
2026 Maplewoodstock Music + Art Festival to Take Place July 11-12
(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- Going on 20+ years, the annual, free, two-day Maplewoodstock Music + Art Festival will take place the weekend of July 11-12, 2026, in Memorial Park in Maplewood. The festival features performances by Anders Osborne, Lettuce, Slap Dragon, and Megan Jean's Secret Family. It kicks off with music at noon and ends around 9:30pm each night. As always, it is free and welcomes the entire community.
bergenPAC presents Warrant on July 12th
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Warrant on Sunday, July 12, 2026 at 7:00pm. The California band first hit it big in 1989 with their album Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich.
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