By Lazlo
originally published: 10/09/2023
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 the Banding Together 2023 Compilation and new releases by Roadside Graves, Gordon Vincent, and Fear of Falling. Plus a look back at "Win If You Can... Lose If You Must... But Always Break Even!" by The Break Evens.
Various Artists - "Banding Together 2023 Compilation". This year marks the 16th annual Banding Together benefit for the Spondylitis Association Of America. From October 13th-15th there will be 38 artists performing 30 minute sets on BlowUpRadio.com while we raise money to find a cure for Spondylitis.
For every $10 or more donation at https://www.spondylitis.org/webathon you will receive a download of the Banding Together 2023 Compilation, featuring 40 previously unreleased songs. The artists on the compilation are: Allison Strong, Antoine Poncelet Band, Bern Strong, Blisstique, Bruce Donnola, Bruce Tunkel, Catherine Wacha, Chitinous Mandible, Christian Beach, Colie Brice, Coolparadiso, Deena and The Pannacotta Army, Diego Allessandro, Dragondreams, erase:rewind, Fear Of Falling, Ferocious Designs, Frank Patrouch, Gwyn Jones, Happy Joe Canzano, Hello Whirled, Holistic Medicine Project, Jason Didner, Joe Billy, Katye Kellye and the Interruption, Kyla Tilley, Mark Parker, Orbis Max, Quiz Show, retrohaze, Shotgun Bill, Smallpox, The Fisherman & The Sea, The Gattsville Creeper, The Maravines, The Mighty Alrighty, The Random Hubiak, The Unemployed Teachers, The Winter Sounds, Val Emmich. You can find out more about the compilation and benefit here.
Roadside Graves - "We're Not Here". "We're Not Here", is the first single from Roadside Graves' upcoming album, "I Won't Cry Alone". It spotlights the beauty of their introspective lyrics blending with some fine Americana/Folk rock. I am so excited to hear the rest of the new album!
Gordon Vincent - "Exit Through The Gift Shop". On "Exit Through The Gift Shop", Gordon Vincent showcases some top-notch folk-blues rock along side some moving singer-songwriter folk balladry.
Fear of Falling - "Keanu Reeves". The return of Fear of Falling continues with their second new single, "Keanu Reeves". Much like the actor the song is named after, this song brings all around good vibes, and rocks! Now let's start a viral campaign to get Dogstar to cover the song (or have Fear of Falling open for them on tour).
Not New, But Memorable Corner
The Break Evens - "Win If You Can... Lose If You Must... But Always Break Even!". Somewhere at the crossroads of power-pop, punk rock, and indie-garage-rock, is The Break Evens. Their high-energy music was instantly catchy, and fun. Nothing may exemplify that more than their 2009 album, "Win If You Can... Lose If You Must... But Always Break Even!"
For the first time in about 10 years they will be reuniting to performing during this year's Banding Together benefit webathon for the Spondylitis Association of America, airing on BlowUpRadio.com October 13th-15th. More info can be found here: https://blowupradio.com/spondy2023pr.html
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. We're also on Mastodon at https://gardenstate.social/@BlowUpRadio
EVENT PREVIEWS
WBJB's Songwriters on the Beach series presents Nicole Atkins on August 27th
(BRADLEY BEACH, NJ) -- WBJB's Songwriters on the Beach presents Nicole Atkins on Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 7:00pm. Cory Blair will open the night. The free outdoor concert takes place at the Newark Avenue Beach in Bradley Beach. ** The show was rescheduled from July 16th due to the Air Quality Alert issued across New Jersey.
51st Annual New Jersey Folk Festival to Take Place August 29th
(SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Folk Festival (NJFF) is back for the 51st year on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Davidson's Mill Pond Park in South Brunswick. The event is free and open to the public. It runs from 11:00am to 5:00pm.
The Strand presents Matt Stone as Elvis on August 29th
(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- Most 22-year-olds are chasing the next trend, scrolling through TikTok, and binging Love Island. Matt Stone has spent the last decade looking in the opposite direction.
McCarter Theatre Center presents Mei Semones on September 4th
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre Center presents Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Mei Semones in the Berlind Theatre on Friday, September 4, 2026 at 7:30pm. Drawing on her background in jazz guitar and her Japanese heritage, she blends inventive harmonies, intricate rhythms, and bilingual lyricism into a sound that is both intimate and exploratory.
51st NJ Clearwater Festival to Take Place Labor Day Weekend in Asbury Park
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Friends of Clearwater invites everyone to start their Labor Day Weekend at its free 51st Annual Clearwater Festival Saturday September 5, 2026, a late summer, family-friendly celebration of great live music, Mother Earth and more in Sunset Park near the ocean in Asbury Park.
The Machine performs Pink Floyd at The Newton Theatre on September 5th
(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Machine Performs Pink Floyd on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at the Newton Theatre. The band has forged a nearly 40 year reputation of extending the musical legacy of Pink Floyd. Showtime is 8:00pm.
MPAC presents Melissa Etheridge: Rise Tour on September 9th
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) presents Melissa Etheridge: Rise Tour on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 7:30pm. Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Etheridge has remained one of America's favorite female singers for more than two decades.
Prudential Center presents Ella Langley on September 10th
(NEWARK, NJ) -- It's been a landmark year for Ella Langley. Fresh off a sweep at the ACM Awards where she won all seven awards she was nominated for, two recent American Music Award wins, and being the soundtrack of the summer for a trio of German fans on Twitter traveling through America during the World Cup. Ella continues one of the most dominant runs in music. She brings The Dandelion Tour to the Prudential Center in Newark on September 10, 2026 at 7:00pm. Special guests ERNEST and Gabriella Rose will open the night.
The Soundtrack of Resilience: Explore Music's Role in Post-9/11 America at the Lacey Library
(FORKED RIVER, NJ) -- In honor of Patriot Day, the Lacey Branch of the Ocean County Library will host "The Soundtrack of Resilience: Music and 9/11" on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The event begins at 2:00pm.
Tony Award Nominee Joshua Henry to open Kean Stage's 2026-2027 season
(HILLSIDE, NJ) -- Kean Stage is thrilled to announce that Joshua Henry, three-time Tony nominee and star of Lincoln Center Theater's Ragtime, will open their 2026-2027 season with two performances of his show Get Up, Stand Up! on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm at Enlow Recital Hall (215 North Avenue) in Hillside.
FEATURED EVENTS
