By Lazlo
originally published: 07/11/2022
Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com (an online 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 Sweaty Lamarr, Diego Allessandro, Katye Kellye And The Interruption, Southpaw, Vincent Brue, GIN WAR, Money For The Toll, Timelord Smith, and Connor Bracken and the Mother Leeds Band.
Sweaty Lamarr- "A Little Bit Cuntry, A Little Bit Rock & Roll" - Sweaty Lamarr's debut EP is a little bit country, a little bit rock & roll, and a whole lot of awesome tunes! Whether it is "Abbey, I'm Sorry I Stole Your Man", her sequel to Dolly Parton's "Jolene", the upbeat rockabilly country fun of "Brass Ring" (with lovely harmonies from Kim Foxen and Mel Johnston), the more laid-back musical (but not lyrical) vibe of "Dorothy No More" & "Both Feet", or the amped up punk rockabilly cover of Kitty Wells's "It Wasn't God Who Made honky Tonk", there is a little something for everyone on this stellar debut!
Diego Allessandro - "The Best of Diego Allessandro 2012-2022" - Diego goes back through ten years , and six albums, for a best of collection, but records new versions of each, and in most cases the new versions are the versions I prefer. If you order directly on his website, you get an additional 3 songs that you won't find on other download or streaming sites.
Katye Kellye And The Interruption - "When You Still Loved Me" [single] - Katye Kellye And The Interruption have been killing it this year with their series of singles! Their latest, "When You Still Loved Me", is a peppy little garage-pop-punk tune.
Southpaw - "Whiskey & Whine" [single] - Southpaw has returned with a barnburner of a country rocker with a hint of blues rock to it. I think this is what we would call an anthem that I am sure fans at their shows will soon be singing & fist pumping along to.
Vincent Brue - "Trash Eagle" - First album I listened to on the 4th of July this year was Vincent Brue's latest, "Trash Eagle", and I can't think of a finer way to spend the holiday than listening to an album he describes as a "Buncha songs about the impending apocalypse, doom/gloom, that sorta shit." Despite the unhappy lyrical content, they are masterfully embedded in catchy alternative-folk-rock that will have you singing along to our impending apocalypse.
GIN WAR - "Between Emergencies" - Way, way back in our second New & Notable I raved about GIN WAR's single, "75 Cents", and how they are, "masters of indie rock/pop punk with riffs and hooks that will stick around in your head long after the song is over." Well. their full length album contains that song and 11 other radio ready singles. Each one made me go, "oohhh, this should be the single!" Having too many possible singles is a good problem to have.
Money For The Toll - "Land" - Money For The Toll reunited just to record this new album, and boy am I glad they did. This Sean Faust fronted prog-rock band really created an epic album with "Land".
Timelord Smith - "Who Made The Egg Salad Sandwiches?" - I must have missed where Timelord Smith's new EP answers the question in their title, but I guess I don't really care. What I do care about is how good their EP is at mid-tempo indie-alt rock, with a hint of prog for good measure.
Connor Bracken and the Mother Leeds Band - "Root" [single] - Hell yes, this song rocks! Connor Bracken and the Mother Leeds Band return with the first of what I hope are many new singles.
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
EVENT PREVIEWS
MPAC presents Darren Criss on July 9th
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe winner Darren Criss returns to Mayo Performing Arts Center for an all-new solo show on Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 8:00pm. Since bursting onto the pop-culture landscape over a decade ago in Fox's hit TV show Glee, Darren Criss has embodied the kind of kaleidoscopic artistry that's entirely uninhibited by form or genre.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Bell Bottom Blues on July 10th
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Bell Bottom Blues returns to the Lizzie Rose Music Room on Friday, July 10, 2026. The band was formed in 2007 with the vision of providing an audience with a true Eric Clapton Experience. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Basie Center to Honor Kate Pierson and Fred Schneider of The B-52s, Dramarama on Walk of Fame
(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Count Basie Center for the Arts will honor Kate Pierson and Fred Schneider of The B-52s and Dramarama by welcoming them onto its Walk of Fame. Pierson and Schneider will be inducted during a special ceremony on Friday, July 10, 2026 at 12:00pm, outside the historic theater in Red Bank, ahead of The B-52s’ concert at ParkStage in Freehold on Saturday, July 11. Dramarama, also performing at that concert, will be presented with a commemorative plaque at the show.
Asbury Lanes presents There, There (A Tribute to Radiohead) on July 11th
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- There, There (A Tribute to Radiohead) will perform at Asbury Lanes on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Doors open at 7:00pm, showtime is 8:00pm.
Newton Theatre presents Dio Rules: Tribute to Rainbow, Black Sabbath & Dio on July 11th
(NEWTON, NJ) -- One voice. Three legendary bands. One unforgettable decade of rock. DIO RULES is a powerful live concert experience celebrating the music and legacy of Ronnie James Dio, one of the most influential voices in the history of hard rock and heavy metal. See for yourself when the band comes to The Newton Theatre on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 8:00pm.
2026 Maplewoodstock Music + Art Festival to Take Place July 11-12
(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- Going on 20+ years, the annual, free, two-day Maplewoodstock Music + Art Festival will take place the weekend of July 11-12, 2026, in Memorial Park in Maplewood. The festival features performances by Anders Osborne, Lettuce, Slap Dragon, and Megan Jean's Secret Family. It kicks off with music at noon and ends around 9:30pm each night. As always, it is free and welcomes the entire community.
bergenPAC presents Warrant on July 12th
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Warrant on Sunday, July 12, 2026 at 7:00pm. The California band first hit it big in 1989 with their album Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich.
Benson Boone to Perform at Prudential Center on July 13th
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Benson Boone brings his 2026 U.S. Wanted Man Tour to the Prudential Center in Newark on Monday, July 13, 2026 at 8:00pm. Last year, Boone received his first GRAMMY® nomination for Best New Artist at the 67th Annual GRAMMY® Awards, where Boone delivered a show-stopping performance of his breakthrough smash "Beautiful Things."
Good Damage to perform at House of Independents on July 15th
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- New Jersey alt rock/pop-punk band Good Damage will return to the House of Independents on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 supporting American Vanity and Faded 2 Gray. This will be the band's third time playing the venue. Doors are at 7:00pm, music starts at 8:00pm.
Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul to Headline Concert at ParkStage on July 17th
(FREEHOLD, NJ) -- Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul will headline a concert at ParkStage on Friday, July 17, 2026 that fans of Jersey music will love. The lineup includes Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, Jake Clemons Band, Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers with Gary U.S. Bonds, and The Weeklings. Showtime is 4:00pm.
FEATURED EVENTS
