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BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 1/20/25


By Lazlo

originally published: 01/20/2025

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 The Extensions, Psychic Wars, Synaptic Ooze, James William Eccles, and Southpaw. Plus a look back at "Are We Truly Great Again?" by Laree Cisco.

On January 20th, Rock Against Hate Volumes 5 & 6 were released, each containing 30 incredible songs to help raise money for Planned Parenthood and Kids In Need of Defense. There was a webathon with live sets from 14 acts - it counter-programing to that other event going on that day (and no I don't mean Martin Luther King Jr. Day). Rock Against Hate Volume 5 benefits Planned Parenthood and Rock Against Hate Volume 6 benefit Kids In Need of Defense (KIND) More info is at http://rockagainsthate.org 

The Extensions - "Gravitas". "Gravitas", The new EP by The Extensions, begins with what I feel is a gratuitous Intro of someone introducing the band at a concert with a lot of hype. At a live concert, an introduction like this can excite the audience, but on an album it feels unnecessary, especially since the 6 songs that follow it are so strong that they speak for themselves. It is funny to find that these songs were ones that didn't fit previous releases, because they not only fit together here as a cohesive release, but this might just be my favorite release from The Extensions so far.

Psychic Wars - "Takers". Psychic Wars' latest release is a three song EP, "Takers", inspired by the novel "Black Tongue Thief" by Christopher Buehlman. I am not familiar with the 2021 fantasy novel, but if it as good as this EP of psychedelic hard rock, then I should probably check it out.

Synaptic Ooze - "Canyon EP". Synaptic Ooze is Eric Pseja from 3rDegree, and "Canyon EP" consists of 2 versions of the title track. The new version is a fully fleshed out prog-rock song with lovely harmonies. The demo version from 2020 feels moodier and feels even more prog-jam-rock. Both versions are magnificent.




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James William Eccles - "Canterbury". If you are familiar with the doom/stoner metal that Troll Teeth are so good at making, you may be surprised to find that bassist/songwriter James William Eccles (AKA Moe) has an acoustic side he's toying with over the last few years. The culmination is, "Canterbury", an incredible album of Folk-Americana with hints of doom & stoner motifs. Ben Dallackesia & Kyle Applebaum from Troll Teeth also appear on the album to add some drums and additional guitars to the album. Don't let this one slip past you, it's a keeper!

Southpaw - "Tumbleweeds". I am not a big fan of modern country, but Southpaw is an anomaly. They are definitely modern country, but there is also a pinch of a classic country sound in there. There is also no denying the beauty of the harmonies on their new song, "Tumbleweeds", and the infectiousness of it.

Not New, But Memorable Corner

8 years ago today Rock Against Hate Volume 1 was released (and is still available at https://rockagainsthate.org), benefiting Planned Parenthood and The Trevor Project.

In May of 2018 Rock Against Hate Volume 2 was released (also benefiting Planned Parenthood and The Trevor Project). It contained what I think is a very fitting song for today, Laree Cisco's "Are We Truly Great Again?" it is said that here we are almost 7 years after this song originally came out, and this song seems new again.

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 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




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EVENT PREVIEWS

NJPAC

NJPAC presents Latin Star Natalia Lafourcade

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents the world-renowned singer, songwriter, and music producer Natalia Lafourcade on Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 8:00pm. She is one of this century's most influential voices in Latin popular culture.



HOT

HOT 97's Summer Jam 2025 to Take Place at Prudential Center

(NEWARK, NJ) -- HOT 97, New York's #1 station for Hip Hop, is again turning up the heat with Summer Jam 2025, the ultimate one-night-only celebration of the culture. Produced by The Black Promoters Collective and part of the Prudential North to Shore Festival, the biggest names in Hip Hop will take the stage on Friday, June 20, 2025 at the Prudential Center.



North

North to Shore Festival presents Third Eye Blind and Stars at NJPAC

(NEWARK, NJ) -- The Prudential North to Shore Festival is set to present an incredible night of alternative rock featuring Third Eye Blind at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Friday, June 20, 2025 at 8:00pm. Canadian indie rock band Stars will open the night.



Baroque

Baroque Music and Violin Recital with a Touch of Bluegrass Coming to the Princeton Festival

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Violinist Tessa Lark, The Sebastians, and violin/cello duo Daniel Rowland and Maja Bogdanović, in performance with the Princeton Symphony Orchestra, offer refreshing renditions of works showcasing the violin and music of the Baroque era at 2025 Princeton Festival mid-June concerts.



311

311 to Perform in Atlantic City

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- 311 is bringing the energy back to the road with the return of their Unity Tour in 2025. In support of their latest full-length album, Full Bloom, the tour kicks off in Atlantic City at Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Resort on Friday, June 20, 2025, and will span coast to coast, bringing 311's signature fusion of rock, reggae, and funk to fans nationwide. Joining them on this epic run will be direct support from Badflower, with Sitting on Saturn opening the show as the first of three acts.



FEATURED EVENTS

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Early

Early Elton Trio

Thursday, June 19, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

Trouble

Trouble Man: A Tribute to Marvin Gaye

Thursday, June 19, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Axelrod Performing Arts Center
100 Grant Avenue, Deal Park, NJ 07723
category: music


 

Soul

Soul Project Nola

Thursday, June 19, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

Jazz

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis

Thursday, June 19, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

Juneteenth

Juneteenth – The Soundtrack of Freedom

Friday, June 20, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Hamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC)
360 Hamilton Avenue, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: music