By Lazlo
originally published: 07/04/2022
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 Chris Tiedemann, Deviant Youth, Sammy Kay, Well Wisher, Classic Traffic, and Driving Underwater.
Chris Tiedemann - "Small Secrets" - Psst... let me tell you a small secret... Chris Tiedemann has crafted an epic rock album that you should check out right now. Why? Because all 12 songs on this album are amazing, and diverse sounding. I love this album!
tara, just tara - "graduation day" - Folk-Punk/Poet tara, just tara, gives us seven songs & a spoken word piece on her new album, that have an intimate, like reading her diary, feel to it.
Donnie Aarons - "Early World Maps" - Donnie Aarons's latest album is chock full of mellow to mid-tempo, synthy-pop, with a light airy feel and a sound that would be just as at home in the 80's as it is today.
Deviant Youth - "A Promise I Can't Keep" [single] and "The Art Of Letting Go" [single] - Two new singles from Deviant Youth showcases different styles of emo-pop-punk rock. "A Promise I Can't Keep" is an excellent emo-rock song that starts of acoustic and builds to its full band crescendo, while "The Art Of Letting Go" sounds like it would fit well side by side with one of Blink-182's more melancholy songs (ex. "Adam's Song").
Sammy Kay - "Aid & Abet - a single to benefit WHO OHIO" - Folk-Punk Sammy kay returns with two new songs, one a contemplative original "letter to my former self", the other a cover of Bad Religion's "don't pray on me", that really let's the lyrics shine with his acoustic, but no less intense, rendition. Those two songs alone are a great reason to buy "Aid & Abet", but knowing that 100% of the proceeds go to Women Have Options Ohio, "to help aid and abet abortions in the state of Ohio", makes this great music for a great cause.
Well Wisher - "Need You Around" [single] - "Need You Around" is a perfectly crafted pop-alt-rock song. It is endlessly catchy and upbeat, while lyrically, by the band's own statement on the single, is about "fragility and the need for others’ love." This is the first single from their forthcoming album, "That Weight", out on September 16th.
Classic Traffic - "Classic traffic" - No not a Traffic tribute band, Classic Traffic is some beautiful power-pop! Every one of the 8 songs on this album could be a hit sigle. I hope to hear more from these guys soon, if they can continue to utilize a certain music store's return policy to their advantage (see liner notes on their Bandcamp page). This is also a reminder that if you like an artist's music, purchase it to support them so they can continue to make their music without having to have to "game the system."
Driving Underwater - "One Sided Conversations" - One sided conversations can be frustrating, expecially to the listener, but Driving Underwater's "One Sided Conversations" is a emo/indie-rock album well worth listening to.
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
Prudential Center presents Reggae stars Beres Hammond and Beenie Man on August 20th
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Newark will see a night of reggae's best when Beres Hammond and Beenie Man perform live at Prudential Center on Saturday, August 20, 2026 at 8:00pm. Experience the artistry of Beres Hammond, one of Jamaica's most esteemed vocalists, as he graces the stage with Marcia Griffiths and Baby Cham. It will be an exceptional evening featuring the captivating performances of reggae music, showcasing soulful melodies and heartfelt expressions.
MPAC presents Glen Burtnik's Summer of Love Concert on August 20th
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Relive the memories, share the spirit and celebrate the songs of the Woodstock Generation when Glen Burtnik's Summer of Love concert comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 8:00pm.
Middletown Arts Center presents an Indoor Summer Nights Singer-Songwriter Showcase on August 20th
(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The Middletown Arts Center invites music lovers to an Indoor Summer Nights Concert: Singer/Songwriter Showcase on Thursday, August 20, 2026 in the MAC Theater. Enjoy an evening of original music and exceptional live performances from some of New Jersey’s talented singer-songwriters, including Shotgun Bill, Dan Toye, Christian Beach, Michael Brett, Erika Sherger, Frank Patrouch, Jim Crawford, Roger Gardella, Kevin Liebkemann, and Stu Coogan. Showtime is 7:00pm.
Hunterdon Hills Playhouse presents Vegas Country Show
(HAMPTON, NJ) -- Hunterdon Hills Playhouse presents Vegas Country Show August 21-23, 2026. Get ready for a night of country hits, high energy, and pure star power as Vegas Country brings the music of Shania Twain and Tim McGraw to life.
WBJB's Songwriters on the Beach series presents Nicole Atkins on August 27th
(BRADLEY BEACH, NJ) -- WBJB's Songwriters on the Beach presents Nicole Atkins on Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 7:00pm. Cory Blair will open the night. The free outdoor concert takes place at the Newark Avenue Beach in Bradley Beach. ** The show was rescheduled from July 16th due to the Air Quality Alert issued across New Jersey.
51st Annual New Jersey Folk Festival to Take Place August 29th
(SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Folk Festival (NJFF) is back for the 51st year on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Davidson's Mill Pond Park in South Brunswick. The event is free and open to the public. It runs from 11:00am to 5:00pm.
The Strand presents Matt Stone as Elvis on August 29th
(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- Most 22-year-olds are chasing the next trend, scrolling through TikTok, and binging Love Island. Matt Stone has spent the last decade looking in the opposite direction.
McCarter Theatre Center presents Mei Semones on September 4th
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre Center presents Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Mei Semones in the Berlind Theatre on Friday, September 4, 2026 at 7:30pm. Drawing on her background in jazz guitar and her Japanese heritage, she blends inventive harmonies, intricate rhythms, and bilingual lyricism into a sound that is both intimate and exploratory.
51st NJ Clearwater Festival to Take Place Labor Day Weekend in Asbury Park
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Friends of Clearwater invites everyone to start their Labor Day Weekend at its free 51st Annual Clearwater Festival Saturday September 5, 2026, a late summer, family-friendly celebration of great live music, Mother Earth and more in Sunset Park near the ocean in Asbury Park.
The Machine performs Pink Floyd at The Newton Theatre on September 5th
(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Machine Performs Pink Floyd on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at the Newton Theatre. The band has forged a nearly 40 year reputation of extending the musical legacy of Pink Floyd. Showtime is 8:00pm.
FEATURED EVENTS
