New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 2/6/23


By Lazlo

originally published: 02/06/2023

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 releases by Play Head, Jason Didner, THIEV, Hubbell Benson, erase:rewind, Quiz Show, and Joe Billy.

Play Head - "Around an Autumn Moon". Play Head's, "Around an Autumn Moon", is some lyrically heavy, amazing modern rock. 'Nuff said.

Jason Didner - "Side Effects". Jason Didner has always been an amazing artist, but in the last couple of years he's been talking his songwriting (often co-writing with his wife, Amy) and recording to new levels. His latest album, "Side Effects" has a little something for everyone, as he traverses multiple styles of rock music, and has lyrics about life's joys and challenges.

To paraphrase a lyric from the chorus of "This Man's Eyes", "Jason Didner's music brings so much joy to my life." Hopefully it will for you too!

Also check out an interview Sean Manuel did with Jason Didner on BlowUpRadio.com here.




Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



THIEV - "fade". THIEV describe their music as, "melodic hardcore with heavy west coast influence while sticking to their NJ pop-punk/hardcore roots."

I describe their new EP, "fade", as three alt-punk/melodic hardcore tunes that rock!

Hubbell Benson - "'Cept For Him" [single]. The new single from Hubbell Benson, "'Cept For Him" is quite the catchy earworm. Their name may be an obscure reference to the Monkees, but this song sounds like a song that would be at home on Joe Jackson's "Look Sharp!" album. Love it!



 

erase:rewind - "Watching Life Through Dirty Glasses" [single]. erase:rewind's "Watching Life Through Dirty Glasses" is a peppy, catchy tune that they describe as being about, "going to Atlantic City and talking with a fake accent." I'm sure none of us can relate to that (don't call my bluff).

Quiz Show - "What If?" [single]. Look, if your one of those people that like name dropping, then let me explain that Quiz Show contains Chris Matthews, a founding member of Shudder To Think, and Kevin March, the drummer for Guided By Voices, but that's not why you should listen to Quiz Show.

You should check out Quiz Show because their songs are incredible punk/post punk alt-rock, and "What If?", one of two singles just released from their forthcoming self-titled  album (out on March 17th), is a prime example.




Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



Joe Billy - "Fissure". Joe Billy has come a long way from is first folk-punk album six years ago. He has always been a great songwriter, but "Fissure" has a full band on most of the songs, which adds so much to this collection of songs. He also deftly knows which songs benefit most from the full band, and which should be more stripped down. This album is a masterpiece!

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

FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


The

The Breakers: A Tribute to Tom Petty

Saturday, April 19, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

Alex

Alex Bugnon - WBGO Presents All That Jazz at Hamilton Stage

Saturday, April 19, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Hamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC)
360 Hamilton Avenue, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: music


 

Alex

Alex Bugnon - WBGO Presents All That Jazz at Hamilton Stage

Saturday, April 19, 2025 @ 5:00pm
Hamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC)
360 Hamilton Avenue, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: music


 

The

The Keyes-Bergson-Hooks Band

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


 

Friends

Friends of the Brothers + Special Guest Jaimoe

Saturday, April 19, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

The

The Newton Theatre presents John Lodge from The Moody Blues

(NEWTON, NJ) -- John Lodge, legendary bass player, songwriter and vocalist of The Moody Blues and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, brings his electrifying new show "Singer in a Rock and Roll Band" to The Newton Theatre on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Doors are at 6:00pm, showtime is 7:00pm.



William

William Paterson University presents An Evening with Roger McGuinn

(WAYNE, NJ) -- William Paterson University presents An Evening with Roger McGuinn on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at the Shea Center for Performing Arts. This show is a love for folk music – the music that took him to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.



SOPAC

SOPAC presents Emeline Michel: Haiti's Queen of Creole Song

(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- On Friday, May 22, 2025, South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) presents the premiere performance of a Haitian artist on the SOPAC stage. Emeline Michel is internationally acclaimed for fusing pop, jazz, blues, and traditional Haitian rhythms into deeply moving, joyful music delivered with a charismatic live show. Showtime is 7:30pm.



2nd

2nd Annual Raven Drum Foundation Benefit for First Responders Has All-Star Lineup and Will Honor Peter Criss of Kiss with Legacy Award

(NEW YORK, NY) -- On Friday, April 25, 2025, Raven Drum Foundation brings together an all-star lineup at NYC's famed Cutting Room to support first responders and veterans for the second year in a row. Founded in 2001 by Rick Allen, drummer of Def Leppard, and healing arts educator and musician, Lauren Monroe, Raven Drum Foundation brings musicians, health educators, and the philanthropic community together to serve the healing of first responders and veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress.



The

The Stone Pony Summer Stage presents The Head and the Heart with special guests Wilderado and Marfa

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- The Stone Pony Summer Stage presents The Head and the Heart with special guests Wilderado and Marfa on Thursday, July 31, 2025. Showtime is 6:00pm.