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BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 6/26/23


By Lazlo

originally published: 06/26/2023


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 Hubbell Benson, BreakTime, Marc Ambrosia, The Vaughns, Andrew John, LIVIA and a look back at SSRi's "Go! Fight! Win!"

Hubbell Benson - "Gimme All You Got". Four months ago in this very column I was calling Hubbell Benson's single, "'Cept For Him", "quite the catchy earworm". Their new single, ""Gimme All You Got", is another earworm, this time with an upbeat funky soul rock vibe.

BreakTime - "Motor City Mama/Be Mine". Two new songs from BreakTime just in time for the summer."Motor City Mama" is a fun ditty with a 60's West Coast surf rock sound. "Be Mine" sounds like a lost Lennon/McCartney song from The Beatles early days. 

Marc Ambrosia - "Gay and Proud". Marc Ambrosia has just released what is likely his most personal song, "Gay and Proud", which the press release says is, "a celebratory song for him officially coming out of the closet." It truly is a beautiful, uplifting song, with an anthemic chorus!




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The Vaughns - "Gizzards". "Go on try to box me in but I’ve got the scissors", sings Anna Lies on the new The Vaughns single, "Gizzards". While that lyric is not about trying to box in the band's sound, it is fitting of a band whose music is all over the indie-rock spectrum.

Andrew John - "Songs from an English Garden". Just a couple of minutes into the opening "Overture" of Andrew John's new album, "Songs from an English Garden", I knew I was going to like this album. Even though an instrumental, the opening song showcases some lovely baroque rock music, which when complemented by Andrew John's vocals on later tracks, and some forays into psychedelic rock, makes for a beautiful & wonderful EP.

LIVIA - "Playground". "Playground" is another beautiful, melancholy, orchestral piano based indie song from LIVIA.

And now for a new section of our column...

Not New, But Memorable Corner

Spotlighting music that came out some time ago, but is well worth revisiting (or visiting for the first time for many of you)

SSRi - "Go! Fight! Win!" (2003). In the early 2000's SSRi was a band that did original power-pop and pop-punk songs. Their only release, "Go! Fight! Win!", came out 20 years ago, but is still a go to summer album that brings me joy. Look, I'm not going to say that all of their songs were deep and meaningful, that was not what this band was about. This band was about having fun.




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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


 

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City

City Winery NYC presents Sly and the Vine: A Funkadelic Tasting Experience with Vernon Reid of Living Colour

(NEW YORK, NY) -- City Winery NYC presents Sly and the Vine: A Funkadelic Tasting Experience with Vernon Reid of Living Colour on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 7:00pm. Join them for an immersive 8-glass wine tasting perfectly paired with the revolutionary sounds of Sly & The Family Stone—featuring special guest Vernon Reid, legendary guitarist and founder of Living Colour. Get ready for a one-of-a-kind night where rhythm meets the vine.



Shemekia

Shemekia Copeland to Perform Free Concert in Atlantic City

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Award-winning vocalist Shemekia Copeland will give a free performance as part of Tony Mart's Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk concert series at the Kennedy Plaza in Atlantic City on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. Copeland possesses one of the most instantly recognizable and deeply soulful roots music voices of our time. Showtime is 7:00pm.



State

State Theatre New Jersey presents Straight No Chaser - SUMMER: The 90's

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Straight No Chaser – SUMMER: The 90's Part 2 on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 7:30pm. Featuring their twist on 90s classics like Lisa Loeb's "Stay (I Missed You)," "Everybody" by Backstreet Boys, "Linger" from The Cranberries, and Santana's "Maria Maria," Straight No Chaser brings audiences of all ages back to a simpler time, one unafraid of bright neons, loud prints, and cool boy bands.
 



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Hoboken's

Hoboken's Sinatra Park to Host Concert by Freedy Johnson and Karyn Kuhl and the Gang

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Local events organizer, Geri Fallo, who retired last year, is inviting you to celebrate with her, as she embraces new and exciting endeavors. Come enjoy a free evening of music in Hoboken's Sinatra Park (525 Sinatra Drive) on Thursday, July 17, 2025. The evening is presented by Mayor Ravi Bhalla, The Hoboken Division of Cultural Affairs, and Geri Fallo. The event is free, and music starts at 6:30pm. Come early for the best seating.



FEATURED EVENTS

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

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Indigenous

Indigenous

Wednesday, July 16, 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

Wednesday, July 16, 2025 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 

Bria

Bria Skonberg

Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Morris Museum Back Deck
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

KC

KC and the Sunshine Band

Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

The

The Hit Men: The Ultimate Rock Concert

Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music