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."
bergenPAC presents Buddy Guy on August 4th
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Buddy Guy on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 7:00pm. Buddy Guy remains a singular force in American music. Fresh off earning his ninth GRAMMY® Award in 2026 for Best Traditional Blues Album (Ain't Done with the Blues), the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and one of the last living architects of electric blues will celebrate a historic milestone with the Buddy Guy 90 Tour, featuring select headline performances across North America in 2026.
The Newton Theatre presents Adrian Vandenberg "My Whitesnake Years Tour"
(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents Adrian Vandenberg "My Whitesnake Years Tour" with Marco Mendoza, and Vinnie Moore on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 8:00pm.
Cape May Convention Hall presents Croce Plays Croce on August 7th
(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- A.J. Croce brings his Croce Plays Croce show to the Cape May Convention Hall on Friday, August 7, 2026 at 8:00pm. Son of the legendary singer songwriter, Jim Croce, A.J. purposefully waited thirty years to perform his father's music, only introducing his acclaimed Croce Plays Croce Tour when he felt there was a meaningful way to honor his musical legacy with depth, intention, and musical integrity.
State Theatre New Jersey presents Buddy Guy
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Buddy Guy on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 8:00pm. At nearly 90 years old, Buddy Guy remains a singular force in American music. Fresh off earning his ninth Grammy® Award in 2026 for Best Traditional Blues Album (Ain't Done with the Blues), the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and one of the last living architects of electric blues will celebrate a historic milestone with the Buddy Guy 90 Tour, featuring select headline performances across North America in 2026.
TOTALLY TUBULAR FESTIVAL 80s New Wave Tour Comes to Atlantic City on August 8th
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Tour organizers for the acclaimed 80's New Wave tour TOTALLY TUBULAR FESTIVAL have announced a line-up change due to the unfortunate cancellation of The Motels. Bow Wow Wow will replace The Motels for some shows and Men Without Hats will replace The Motels for others. The tour comes to the Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena on Saturday, August 8, 2026. The tour's colorful lineup also features Thomas Dolby & The Lost Toy People, A Flock Of Seagulls, The Producers, Animotion, The Escape Club, and Tommy Tutone.
State Theatre New Jersey presents Buddy Guy on August 8th
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents the legendary Buddy Guy on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 8:00pm. Guy won his 9th career Grammy Award for 2025's Ain't Done With The Blues. Limited tickets remain.
Todd Rundgren to perform shows in Englewood, Ocean City, and Red Bank in August
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Legendary producer/songwriter/guitarist Todd Rundgren is bringing his 2026 Damned If I Do Tour to the Garden Sate in August. He's got shows at bergenPAC in Englewood on August 8th; Ocean City Music Pier on August 11th; and Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank on August 12th.
The Newton Theatre presents Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives on August 12th
(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 7:00pm. In a career spanning over 50 years, dozens of albums, and too many shows to count, Marty Stuart charts a course through new territory at every chance possible.
BoDeans - 40th Anniversary Tour comes to Newton Theatre in August
(NEWTON, NJ) -- BoDeans are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their critically acclaimed debut album, Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams, in 2026. In honor of the anniversary, the band has a special tour planned which comes to The Newton Theatre on Friday, August 14, 2026 at 8:00pm.
FEATURED EVENTS
