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
South Jersey Jazz Society's Concert on the Beach with the PJ Keiter Octet Set for June 5th
(SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- For the fifth year, the South Jersey Jazz Society (SJJS) will "unofficially" kick off the summer beach concerts on the William Morrow Beach in Somers Point with music by the PJ Keiter Octet on Friday, June 5, 2026.
The Vogel presents Pete Yorn Solo Acoustic: 25th Anniversary of "musicforthemorningafter"
(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Vogel presents Pete Yorn Solo Acoustic: 25th Anniversary of musicforthemorningafter on Friday, June 5, 2026 at 8:00pm. The New Jersey native celebrates the release of his debut album, which put him in the national spotlight.
Concerts in the Studio presents Bastards of Fine Arts on June 5th
(FREEHOLD, NJ) -- Concerts in the Studio presents Bastards of Fine Arts on Friday, June 5, 2026 at 7:30pm. The band includes Matt Keating, Jason Mercer, Steve Mayone, and Greg Wieczorek. You could say they are a new band with old roots.
The Newton Theatre presents L.A. Guns on June 6th
(NEWTON, NJ) -- L.A. Guns comes to The Newton Theatre on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 8:00pm. The band has been rocking for roughly 40 years since establishing themselves as the undisputed sleaze kings of the Sunset Strip, and, eventually, the world.
Jazz Royalty Comes to the Hamilton Stage on June 6th
(RAHWAY, NJ) -- Saturday, June 6, 2026 marks the date when Jazz Royalty comes to Hamilton Stage with Dizzy Gillespie alumni and Grammy winning bassist John Lee in collaboration with 16-time Grammy winner Paquito D' Rivera.
The Chamber Music Society of North Jersey presents "Music Under the June Moon" at Anderson Park
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The Chamber Music Society of North Jersey presents "Music Under the June Moon" on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Anderson Park. Bring a picnic and a blanket and enjoy an al fresco performance under the stars. Admission is free. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Algonquin Arts Theatre presents "The Boss Bash" featuring The B-Street Band
(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre will host its annual fundraising event, "The Boss Bash," on Saturday, June 6, 2026, featuring two electrifying performances by The B-Street Band — the longest-running and most requested tribute to Bruce Springsteen in the country.
Sinatra Celebration Concert To Swing in Ocean Grove This June
(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Sinatra Celebration Concert, a theatrical special event to honor the legendary career of musical icon Frank Sinatra, is being presented by producer Karen Morris of Sand Castle Communications and The Rat Pack Music Alliance.
Broadcast Legend Sid Mark to be Remembered at Ocean Grove Event on June 7th
(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Sid Mark, the popular and iconic radio host, sadly passed away four years ago, on April 18th, 2022. Sid’s son Brian Mark, Executive Producer of Orange Productions' nationally syndicated radio program The Sounds of Sinatra with Sid Mark, will be a very special host/guest speaker, at a musical event which will highlight the legacy of his father and celebrate the 70th Anniversary of The Sounds of Sinatra broadcast program.
Prudential Center presents Mexican superstar Carín León on June 7th
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Mexican superstar Carín León entered a bold new chapter of his acclaimed career with the release of Muda - his new studio album and one of the most eclectic of his catalog. See for yourself when he performs at the Prudential Center on Sunday, June 7, 2026. Showtime is 8:00pm.
MORE EVENTS
Click on the listing to bring up its webpage
