By Lazlo
originally published: 04/14/2025
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 Richard Peter Morris, The Bitter Chills, Diego Allessandro, noremi, Yellow Air Conditioned Feelings, Miracleworker, Tunnels, and Shotgun Bill. Plus a look back at "Spartan and Free" by SONOFDOV.
Richard Peter Morris - "Bamboozled!". "Bamboozled!" are new demos from Richard Peter Morris (Kül d'Sack and Corn Scupa) songs written between 1991 and 2024. Sometimes demos sound unpolished, but the rawness of bluegrass/folk songs make these songs sound perfectly complete to me.
The Bitter Chills - "Young Time Rock N' Roll". The Bitter Chills brand of Indie Folk Rock has fascinated me for years. On "Young Time Rock N' Roll" they showcase some lovely folk rock, but also have some nice forays into Swing Jazz and Rockabilly.
Diego Allessandro - "Still Standing". "Still Standing" is a free album that Diego Allessandro surprised the world with on April 5th. As he put it, "This one is for the resistance!" The 9 new songs, a remix of a song from 2022 and 3 bonus tracks, make for a very compelling rock album.
Sign up to his e-mail list on his website, https://www.diegoa.net, to get a download of this album.
noremi - "i am very young and i am learning how to live". I could describe noremi's amazing debut album, "i am very young and i am learning how to live", but I think noremi does a better job in the first paragraph of the liner notes of the album:
""i am very young and i am learning how to live" was my senior thesis project in music to graduate from college last spring. I consider it a culmination of both the musical and personal journey of my college experience, exploring themes of imposter syndrome, mental health, fear of falling behind and growing older, the glorification of youth, relationships with loved ones and temporality, filial piety, homesickness, nostalgia, and dreams (and the anxieties attached to their pursuit)."
Yellow Air Conditioned Feelings - "Dream From Your Left Nose". Original members of The Semibeings Tom McDonald, Patrick Baker, Dave Von Bargen, and Joe Baker, are making music together again as Yellow Air Conditioned Feelings. Their debut, "Dream From Your Left Nose", is 23 minutes of indie-psychedelic-rock with the catchiest of hooks.
Miracleworker - "Set Your Aim". Miracleworker's bio says, "Melodic, punk adjacent rock and roll. Peter Hart's shaky acoustic demos are supercharged by New Jersey punk vets Chris Ross, Dan Cav and Travis Omilian."
"Set Your Aim", and the B-Side, "Eyes, remind me a lot of indie-alt-rock from the 90's that I loved then, and still love now. And their lyrics (which they were kind enough to post on their Bandcamp page), creates imagery with their poetry.
Tunnels - "DEMO". "DEMO" may be demos of Tunnels' songs, but this shoegazey emo-alt-rock band has put together some fine sounding recordings of some excellent songs.
Shotgun Bill - "Songbook Vol.1". "Songbook Vol.1" is sort of "best of" Shotgun Bill, as decided by Bill himself. 15 songs from 6 albums, the collection is a nice snapshot of his Americana-Country-Rock.
Not New, But Memorable Corner
SONOFDOV - "Spartan and Free". Has it really been almost 11 years since Dennis King's SONOFDOV (formerly Son Of Dov) released his second EP, "Spartan and Free"? The EP is beautiful, moody, and haunting alt-folk. Described by Dennis as being, "A sparse look into letting go of fear, addiction and the slow rise to freedom." The standout track to me is, "Breathing Fire".
SONOFDOV can currently be seen performing with Melissa Anthony as Tiny Cities.
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)
EVENT PREVIEWS
Essex County Summer Players Orchestra present "Made in America" on August 2nd
(LIVINGSTON, NJ) -- As local residents and friends stroll, bike or jog around the Livingston Oval on Tuesday evenings this July, musicians from several community orchestras are gathering in the township's high school band room to celebrate works "Made in America."
New Jersey Symphony to Make Rowan's Marie Rader Series Debut with "Life & Liberty" on July 22nd
(GLASSBORO, NJ) -- The Marie Rader Series will launch its 2026-27 season, entitled "Life & Liberty," with the New Jersey Symphony's Rowan University debut. On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players featuring Rowan University Strings Faculty & Alumni will perform at Pfleeger Concert Hall. Showtime is 7:00pm.
The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny and the music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny - The Music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Dude Cervantes & The Panchos will open the night. Doors are at 7:00pm, music starts at 7:30pm.
Shinedown to Play Shows in Newark and Philly in July
(NEWARK, NJ) -- One of the biggest bands in the world, Shinedown, will be releasing their brand new studio album EI8HT on May 29, 2026 (via Atlantic Records) and released the new song "Outlaw." In addition, they announced their massive Dance Kid Dance Act II World Tour, taking the band to 11 countries across 54 dates, including local stops at Prudential Center in Newark on Tuesday, July 21st and Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Thursday, July 23rd.
Middletown Arts Center presents Reina Williams + The Remedy
(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The Middletown Arts Center presents a concert featuring Reina Williams + The Remedy on Thursday, July 23, 2026. Special guest performers Renee Maskin and Patrick Bamburak will open the show. Enjoy an evening of original music spanning reggae, hip-hop, soul, folk, Americana, and indie rock from some of New Jersey's most talented musicians. Showtime is 7:00pm.
Harmonium Choral Society presents "I Dreamed Last Night" on July 23rd
(MADISON, NJ) -- On Thursday, July 23, 2026, Harmonium Choral Society presents I Dreamed Last Night. Directed by Lennie Watts with music direction by John Fischer, I Dreamed Last Night is a one woman show with Gloria Bangiola. There are songs and stories about dreams, hopes, wishes, ambitions, fantasies, nightmares, impossibilities and that big ol' American one we are all still working to make real. Showtime is 7:00pm.
HOT 97's Summer Jam 2026 to Take Place July 24th at Prudential Center
(NEWARK, NJ) -- HOT 97, New York's #1 station for Hip Hop, is once again bringing the culture's biggest night back to the tri-state area with Summer Jam 2026, on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark. Produced by The Black Promoters Collective, Summer Jam continues its legacy as the most iconic Hip Hop concert in the world.
Strand Center for the Arts presents Lover Taylor - Tribute to Taylor Swift on Friday
(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- Swifties of all ages are invited to sing, dance and celebrate the music of one of pop's biggest superstars when Lover Taylor – Tribute to Taylor Swift comes to the Strand Center for the Arts on Friday, July 24, 2026 at 8:00pm.
Grammy-Winning Superstars Erica Campbell and Jonathan McReynolds to Headline 2026 Gospel Music Festival
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Middlesex County, as part of its FolkLIVE free community event series, will host its third annual Gospel Music Festival in New Brunswick (2 Livingston Ave) on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 3:30pm to 7:30pm. This year's star-studded lineup features multi-Grammy-winning performer Erica Campbell—known both for her solo work and as part of the dynamic "Mary Mary" duo—and Billboard chart-topper Jonathan McReynolds as the headliners.
Mahwah Museum Hosts "Unlock the Fretboard" Guitar Workshop with Mark Sganga on July 25th
(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Guitar players of all levels are invited to "Unlock the Fretboard," a hands-on guitar workshop taking place on Saturday, July 25, from 11:00am to 2:00pm, with a short break included, at The Mahwah Museum. The workshop will be taught by Mark Sganga, an International Fingerstyle Guitar Champion, bringing expert instruction and high-level musicianship to this special event. Designed to help players better understand the fretboard through a system of caged chords and scales, the workshop offers practical strategies that participants can apply immediately in their playing.
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