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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.




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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.




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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


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Celebrate

Celebrate America! 'Music of the Revolution' at the Ocean County Library Brick Branch

(BRICK TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The momentous decision by our founding fathers to emerge from colonization and establish a new nation will soon mark its 250th anniversary. In honor of this historic milestone, join us for Anne and Ridley Enslow's "Music of the American Revolution" at the Ocean County Library Brick Branch on Saturday, July 5, 2025. The event begins at 2:00pm.



Count

Count Basie Center for the Arts presents Graham Nash

(RED BANK, NJ) -- Graham Nash, two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and founding member of both the Hollies and Crosby, Stills & Nash, will perform at Count Basie Center for the Arts on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Nash will be joined on stage by Todd Caldwell (keyboards and vocals), Adam Minkoff (bass, drums, guitars and vocals) and Zach Djanikian (guitars, mandolin, drums and vocals), performing favorites from across his sixty-year career. Showtime is 7:30pm.



bergenPAC

bergenPAC presents Straight No Chaser - Summer: The 90's Part 2

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- After a totally fly 2024 summer tour packed full of 90s boy band, pop, and R&B hits, RIAA-certified Gold a cappella group Straight No Chaser is back by popular demand with "Straight No Chaser Summer: 90s Part 2." The tour comes to Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) on Thursday, July 8, 2025 at 7:00pm.



An

An Interview with Dan Kurtz of The New Deal

Formed in 1999, Toronto, Canada based trio The New Deal, is a pioneer in jam-based electronic music. The group was founded by remaining members Dan Kurtz (bass) and Jamie Shields (keys), along with Darren Shearer (drums) who left tND in 2011. Since its inception, tND has remained committed to its improvisational roots and has served as a model for other jamtronica bands bridging the gap between multiple music genres as well as the border between Canada and the United States.



Rick

Rick Springfield, John Waite, Wang Chung, and Paul Young to bring the "I Want My 80s Tour" to NJPAC

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Get ready to revive the spirit of the 1980s! Iconic rock star and eternal heartthrob Rick Springfield, a true emblem of the '80s music scene, is set to take the stage on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). Showtime is 7:00pm.



FEATURED EVENTS

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

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or region of New Jersey
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Blues

Blues People with Special Guest: Jeff Levine

Saturday, July 05, 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

Tuesday, July 08, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

Frisson

Frisson Winds

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Morris Museum Back Deck
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

Three

Three American Troubadours: A Tribute to James Taylor, Carly Simon, and Carole King

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Axelrod Performing Arts Center
100 Grant Avenue, Deal Park, NJ 07723
category: music


 

Candlelight

Candlelight Concert: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music