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!

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.

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

FEATURED EVENTS

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Candlelight Concerts: Best of Hans Zimmer

Saturday, March 22, 2025 @ 6:00pm
Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music

 

NBPAC presents 70s vs. 80s: A Musical Battle

Saturday, March 22, 2025 @ 8:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music

 

Beetlejuice, Jr.

Saturday, March 22, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bell Theater
101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
category: music

 

Bees Deluxe; Opening- Twisted Livin' Band

Saturday, March 22, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music

 

Beetlejuice, Jr.

Sunday, March 23, 2025 @ 3:00pm
Bell Theater
101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
category: music

 

 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Eddie Skuller to pay tribute to Tom Waits in Hoboken

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Looking for the heart of Saturday night? Find it in Hoboken on Saturday, May 10, 2025 when the 503 Social Club presents singer/songwriter Eddie Skuller's tribute to the "Ballads of Tom Waits." Skuller explores the dark, poetic world of Tom Waits with diverse selections from his extensive catalog. Although Skuller's amber-saturated vocals contrast with Wait's raucous gravel-like voice, there is a connection channeled through the music's emotional depth and lyrical intensity. Skuller can forge a deep, powerful bond with his audience, which enhances the tragic expression at the core of Waits' music.

Tusk to perform Two Nights at The Newton Theatre

(NEWTON, NJ) -- Tusk, the Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute, comes to The Newton Theatre for performances on Friday, May 30th and Saturday, May 31, 2025. Showtime is 8:00pm each night.

bergenPAC presents Blackmore's Night

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Blackmore's Night on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 8:00pm.  The band features Ritchie Blackmore (legendary guitarist formerly of Deep Purple and Rainbow) and award-winning vocalist Candice Night.

Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey presents Drama & Irony: Rossini, Mozart and Beethoven

(TRENTON, NJ) -- The Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey presents Drama & Irony: Rossini, Mozart and Beethoven at Patriots Theater at the War Memorial on Saturday, April 12, 2025. Showtime is 7:30pm.

'On Banjo' with Alison Brown

There was a time when I would have told you that my knowledge of the banjo was limited to whom I considered one of the most famous banjo players, who also happens to be my favorite musical amphibian, Mr. Kermit The Frog. "The Rainbow Connection" a la "The Muppet Movie" as performed by the little green dude, the world's greatest producer, was my first introduction to the string instrument and will forever hold a special place in my heart.