By Lazlo
originally published: 12/12/2022
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 Tony Lio, Funny Fuel, Jason Didner, Samuel Vincent, Renee Maskin, tiyu (ft. eleanor forte), thin ear, Zachary West & The Good Grief, JEFFREY, Long Neck,and Omen and the Possum.
Tony Lio - "Kaleidoscope" [single]. Tony Lio's colorful new single is a beautiful, poetic, indie rock ballad.
Funny Fuel - "Get Told". Funny Fuel's new release is called "Get Told", but currently only contains one song, "Future Self", which is a rather catchy piece of mid-tempo bedroom pop. Hoping there is more on the way!
Jason Didner - "When The Time Came" [single]. Jason Didner's latest single, "When The Time Came", is a beautiful song about growing, changing, leaving the past behind, and finding some peace and happiness. Something we all aspire to!
Samuel Vincent - "Deadlock" [single]. A lot of hip-hop incorporates numerous loops, effects, and all sorts of gimmicks, often burying the lyrical content, but the first single from Samuel Vincent's upcoming EP is all about a simple drum & bass beat where the lyrics can be heard loud and clear.
Renee Maskin - "Dreams a River". Listening to Renee Maskin is like getting in a car, heading out to the middle of nowhere and driving towards the skyline. It is not about the destination, it is the journey, and, as Renee always does, "Dreams a River" is a wonderous journey!
tiyu (ft. eleanor forte) - "another summer..." [single]. "another summer" from tiyu (ft. eleanor forte) is an amazing retro sounding synth-pop-disco-lite tune, that evokes the days when ABBA were the band the DJ played at the local roller rink. This tune was fun!
thin ear - "Your Mind Walked Away". Jon Gonnelli, of Rye Coalition & The Black Hollies, uses thin ears as his songwriter project, and the new EP "Your Mind Walked Away" showcases four different varieties of indie rock. Definitely check it out!
Zachary West & The Good Grief - "Head Empty". It is ironic that my favorite track on Zachary West & The Good Grief's amazing new EP, "Head Empty" begins with the line, "I'm so sick of nostalgia". Their anthemic alt-pop-punk/modern rock sound has a certain bit of nostalgia to it. Not sounding specifically like any one band that came before them, but capturing the essence and spirit of a bygone era. I freaking love it!
JEFFREY - "JEFFREY". The harmonies on JEFFREY's self-titled album are chill inducing, and the music is all around wonderful alt-dream-pop!
Long Neck - "Live from Kaleidoscope Studios". Long Neck's music is always amazing, albeit it often lyrically depressing, but the live energy in this recording just brings the songs to a new level!
Omen and the Possum - "Omen and the Possum". Omen and the Possum's self-titled album is beautifully crafted mellow, singer-songwriter indie-rock.
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://mstdn.social/@BlowUpRadio
EVENT PREVIEWS
Low Cut Connie to Celebrate Album Release at The Vogel on July 3rd
(RED BANK, NJ) -- Low Cut Connie was going to play the ParkStage show on July 3, 2026, but it was rescheduled due to the heat. Instead, he will celebrate the release of his latest album Livin' In The USA at The Vogel. Doors are at 6:30pm, showtime is 7:30pm.
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!
Carteret PAC presents Hellfest
(CARTERET, NJ) -- Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center presents Hellfest from July 3-5, 2026 with over 18 bands performing each day! Tickets are available per day or with a three day pass.
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.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Bell Bottom Blues on July 10th
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Bell Bottom Blues returns to the Lizzie Rose Music Room on Friday, July 10, 2026. The band was formed in 2007 with the vision of providing an audience with a true Eric Clapton Experience. Showtime is 7:30pm.
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.
Newton Theatre presents Dio Rules: Tribute to Rainbow, Black Sabbath & Dio on July 11th
(NEWTON, NJ) -- One voice. Three legendary bands. One unforgettable decade of rock. DIO RULES is a powerful live concert experience celebrating the music and legacy of Ronnie James Dio, one of the most influential voices in the history of hard rock and heavy metal. See for yourself when the band comes to The Newton Theatre on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 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.
FEATURED EVENTS
