By Lazlo
originally published: 04/08/2024
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 Timothy Larigan, The Cynz, Aaron Pinto, furiousBall, and Commons 2. Plus a look back at "Dead Roses" by Quick Trigger.
BlowUpRadio.com Needs your help. Due to a problem with Bandcamp's "New Arrivals" search, it has become more difficult for us to keep up on new local New Jersey Music. If you are releasing music please remember to forward your music to us to play on BlowUpRadio.com. If you know someone releasing new music, make sure they know to send their music our way so we can play them too. Contact us at [email protected]
Timothy Larigan - "Summer Camp". On the Bandcamp page for Timothy Larigan's "Summer Camp", and B-Side "Meteors", he writes of the two songs that he was, "suddenly inspired". I hope he gets more inspiration, because these two indie folk songs are lovely.
The Cynz - "Little Miss Lost". The Cynz come out of the gate strong with their debut album, "Little Miss Lost". Cyndi Dawson and Henry Seiz have created memorable power-pop tunes while writing semi-autobiographically about Cyndi's pre-adult life.
Aaron Pinto - "Aaron Pinto". There are few artists that would put out a double album as their debut, and even fewer artists who put out a double album that doesn't feel overlong. Aaron Pinto's self-titled double album is 30 songs, one hour and twenty two minutes, of pop rock earworms. An absolute joy to listen to from beginning to end!
furiousBall - "Fixt". The press release kind of says it all beautifully: "Fixt is perhaps the best entry point for all FuriousBall newcomers, since it’s a collection of some of his catchiest, most addictive songs to date, and they’ve all been given superb updated mixes."
Or to put it another way, let "Fixt" be your gateway drug to furiousBall's infectious, lush, music.
Commons 2 - "Real Life". Commons 2 returns with a catchy piece of art-pop in "Real Life". I could say more, but just listen to it.
Not New, But Memorable Corner
Quick Trigger - "Dead Roses (demo)". This one goes way back to the early 90's. Quick Trigger was a rock band that always put on a great live show and put out a series of demo tapes, some of which I am lucky enough to still have. Sadly, Quick Trigger's lead singer, Billy, tragically died in 1999, well before everyone's music was put on the internet. So most of Quick Trigger's music is unavailable, though I do occasionally still play their songs on BlowUpRadio.com. I did find this demo (I think all of their releases were demos) of "Dead Roses", which should give you some insight into this band's sound. Miss these guys!
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
EVENT PREVIEWS
Grounds For Sculpture and Third Way Cultural Alliance to Present an Intimate Evening of Art and Music on July 18th
(HAMILTON, NJ) -- Grounds For Sculpture (GFS) and Third Way Cultural Alliance announce a special evening celebrating the power of creative freedom through music, art and conversation. "Creative Freedom: A Salon Experience featuring Marshall Allen, Salvador Jiménez-Flores and Jamaaladeen Tacuma," will take place on Saturday, July 18, 2026 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm.
bergenPAC presents Swingtime Big Band on Saturday
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- New York's high-powered Swingtime Big Band returns to Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) on Saturday, July 18, 2026 to celebrate America250 by showcasing the popular music that kept Americans dancing for decades—from the Lindy and Fox Trot to the Cha Cha to the Twist! Showtime is 8:00pm.
DePue Brothers Band to Bring "Grassical" Music to Sewell
(SEWELL, NJ) -- Music at Bunker Hill welcomes the DePue Brothers Band on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at 3:00pm. In a departure from the series' customary chamber music fare, the DePue Brothers Band has long coined their music with the term "grassical," the combination of bluegrass with jazz, blues, rock, folk, and classical.
Albert Music Hall's "Back to Our Roots" Benefit on Sunday to Support Preservation of Pinelands Music History
(WARETOWN, NJ) -- Albert Music Hall will present Back to Our Roots, a special fundraising concert on Sunday, July 19, 2026, inviting music lovers to enjoy an afternoon of live performances while helping preserve an important piece of New Jersey's musical heritage.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Heather Maloney & Hayley Reardon on Sunday
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Heather Maloney & Hayley Reardon on Sunday, July 19, 2026. Doors are at 7:00pm, showtime is 7:30pm.
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.
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