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BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 2/3/25


By Lazlo

originally published: 02/03/2025

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 High., Sunshine Slackers, bronwyn, Happy Joe, The Grip Weeds, Cut The Kids In Half, Jon Caspi & The First Gun, and Rich Lancia. Plus a look back at "Winnebago" by The Wailing Kids.

High. - "Come Back Down". the debut album from High., "Come Back Down", is some mighty fine shoegaze/noisegaze. Lie comfortably with some big headphones, and enjoy.

Sunshine Slackers - "I'll Meet You Down There". Sunshine Slackers' press release states their, "sound is the product of over a decade of musical chemistry between Jack Linden (Karma Gambit), Deirdre Padric (American Stereo), and Chris Dubrow (Karma Gambit), who’ve played in something like five music projects together." It also describes their EP, "I'll Meet You Down There", as having "themes of loneliness, anger, and longing for comfort amidst chaos."

If it were early/mid 90's I have no doubt that their music, self described as, "grungy hooky alternative rock", would be all over mainstream rock radio... but those stations don't really exist anymore... a real shame because this music is outstanding! At least BlowUpRadio.com is here to play it.

bronwyn - "Uno (& friends)". According to the liner notes "Uno (& friends)" was recorded in bronwyn's bedroom, so in that sense it does qualify as "bedroom rock". Yet, calling it that seems incongruous, as this is no lo-fi recording. The 8 songs on this collection (4 regular tracks plus 4 bonus tracks) are fully fleshed out shoegaze indie rock, and engaging ones at that.




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Happy Joe - "Primitive". Happy Joe (AKA Joe Canzano) last release, "Big Mouth", came out 15 years ago, so it is not surprising that the new album, "Primitive" is 26 songs. Is a 70 minute album too much of a good thing? Not to my ears. Happy Joe's "rowdy guitar rock" (his perfect description of his music) is a great soundtrack to the crazy times we live in.

The Grip Weeds - "Early Clues EP". The Grip Weeds have been a mainstay in New Jersey for over 35 years, putting out one release after another of killer power-pop. Their latest release, "Early Clues EP", continues the tradition with 3 pieces of ear candy for your enjoyment.

Cut The Kids In Half - "What We Became". "What We Became" is the debut album from Cut The Kids In Half, and it is a fascinating debut. Their alt-rock/indie-rock is hypnotic, with the less rocking songs having an almost Leonard Cohen-esque feel to them.

Jon Caspi & The First Gun - "On The Way Now". Jon Caspi & The First Gun's latest single, "On The Way Now" is my Earworm of the Week! It also may be the most relatable song I've heard this week, described by the band as being about having, "a friend that needs help and then when you try to help, they make it impossible".

Rich Lancia - "Look What I Found". Do like jangly, roots-pop-rock music? Then you need to check out the latest single from Rich Lancia, "Look What I Found", and then you can tell your friends, "hey, look what I found, an awesome song by Rich Lancia".

 




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Not New, But Memorable Corner

The Wailing Kids - "Winnebago". The Wailing Kids were a, "Three piece existential rock/dream punk from Trenton". To my ears, they also dabbled in shoegaze with a hint of psychedelia. I was, and still am, a huge fan of this band. Hard to believe their "I Saved Latin" album, which contained the song "Winnebago", came out a decade ago.



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 at https://gardenstate.social/@BlowUpRadio (and bridged on BlueSky)


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

City

City Winery NYC presents Sly and the Vine: A Funkadelic Tasting Experience with Vernon Reid of Living Colour

(NEW YORK, NY) -- City Winery NYC presents Sly and the Vine: A Funkadelic Tasting Experience with Vernon Reid of Living Colour on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 7:00pm. Join them for an immersive 8-glass wine tasting perfectly paired with the revolutionary sounds of Sly & The Family Stone—featuring special guest Vernon Reid, legendary guitarist and founder of Living Colour. Get ready for a one-of-a-kind night where rhythm meets the vine.



Shemekia

Shemekia Copeland to Perform Free Concert in Atlantic City

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Award-winning vocalist Shemekia Copeland will give a free performance as part of Tony Mart's Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk concert series at the Kennedy Plaza in Atlantic City on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. Copeland possesses one of the most instantly recognizable and deeply soulful roots music voices of our time. Showtime is 7:00pm.



State

State Theatre New Jersey presents Straight No Chaser - SUMMER: The 90's

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Straight No Chaser – SUMMER: The 90's Part 2 on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 7:30pm. Featuring their twist on 90s classics like Lisa Loeb's "Stay (I Missed You)," "Everybody" by Backstreet Boys, "Linger" from The Cranberries, and Santana's "Maria Maria," Straight No Chaser brings audiences of all ages back to a simpler time, one unafraid of bright neons, loud prints, and cool boy bands.
 



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A Chat with Jasper Smith of Straight No Chaser Which Brings its "Summer: The '90s Part 2" Tour to STNJ on July 16

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Hoboken's

Hoboken's Sinatra Park to Host Concert by Freedy Johnson and Karyn Kuhl and the Gang

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Local events organizer, Geri Fallo, who retired last year, is inviting you to celebrate with her, as she embraces new and exciting endeavors. Come enjoy a free evening of music in Hoboken's Sinatra Park (525 Sinatra Drive) on Thursday, July 17, 2025. The evening is presented by Mayor Ravi Bhalla, The Hoboken Division of Cultural Affairs, and Geri Fallo. The event is free, and music starts at 6:30pm. Come early for the best seating.



FEATURED EVENTS

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Indigenous

Indigenous

Wednesday, July 16, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

Straight

Straight No Chaser - SUMMER: The 90's Part 2

Wednesday, July 16, 2025 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 

Bria

Bria Skonberg

Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Morris Museum Back Deck
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

KC

KC and the Sunshine Band

Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

The

The Hit Men: The Ultimate Rock Concert

Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 7:30pm
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100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music