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BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 8/28/23


By Lazlo

originally published: 08/28/2023


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 BreakTime, The Martyr, The Funky JC's, Joe P, A Ghostly Heart, and Latewaves. Plus a look back at "Nurture" by Cuppa Joe.

BreakTime - "Specials". BreakTime's second album, "Specials", is another special collection of fun retro 60's tunes (think early Beatles meets Beach Boys).

Fun fact: Listening to "Specials" produces the same amount of serotonin as a day's worth of sunlight*

(* this statement has not been scientifically proven)

The Martyr - "Jackrabbit". The band formerly known as The Last Martyr, return with a new name & single, but still kick-ass as a punk infused metal band. Here is hoping that The Martyr's single, "Jackrabbit", is far from the last we will hear from this high energy band.




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The Funky JC's - "Greetings From The Funky JC's". "Greetings From The Funky JC's" showcases 7 funky, jazz-rock tunes, plus a unique take on Madonna's "Crazy For You". Don't sleep on The Funky JC's. Honestly it is impossible for me to sleep during their music as they make me get up on my feet and dance... badly... I am not a good dancer. But that is not the point. Go check their music out!

Joe P - "Don't Wanna Love U". "Don't Wanna Love U" may be the name of Joe P's new single, but if you love anthemic alt-pop there is a good chance you will love this song.

A Ghostly Heart - "A Ghostly Heart". The self-titled debut album from the former front man for Meet Me In Montauk, Andrew Golburn, new project, A Ghostly Heart, is 13 excellent mid-tempo modern rock songs. While it was well worth the wait, I hope we don't have to wait more than 15 years for the new release from a Golburn project.

Latewaves - "Italian Smokes". "Italian Smokes" is the first single from Latewaves forthcoming self-titled LP. I haven't heard the rest of the album yet, but this song is an indie-rock anthem that makes me want to hear more. And the video is a nice snapshot of their touring life.

Not New, But Memorable Corner

Cuppa Joe - "Nurture". This album pre-dates BlowUpRadio.com, which was established in 2000. Cuppa Joe'e "Nurture" came out in 1994, during my college radio days. Here we are nearly 30 years later and the album is still an outstanding collection of indie-pop tunes. In particular, "Broken Arms", is an earworm that I find rattling around in my head frequently.

That's all for this week.




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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://gardenstate.social/@BlowUpRadio


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Prudential

Prudential Center presents Keyshia Cole

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Two decades after her breakthrough debut album changed the R&B game, Keyshia Cole is taking it back to where it all started. The Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and "Princess of Hip-Hop and R&B" has officially announced The Way It Is 20th Anniversary Tour, presented by AEG Presents and Free Lunch. The tour comes to the Prudential Center in Newark on Sunday, July 13, 2025 with Tink and Wale.



2025

2025 Maplewoodstock Music and Art Festival to Take Place July 12-13

(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- The annual, free, two-day Maplewoodstock Music and Art Festival will take place the weekend of July 12-13, 2025. The Festival kicks off with music at noon and ends around 9:30pm each night. Ozomatli from Los Angeles headlines the festival on Sunday night. Boston-based Couch will close out Saturday night, preceded by New York’s The Big Takeover.



WXPN

WXPN Takes Us Back to Live Aid this Sunday to Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of The Legendary Concert

(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- This Sunday, July 13, 2025, listen live as Philadelphia-based AAA public radio station, WXPN commemorates the 40th anniversary of the transcontinental Live Aid concerts by playing performances from the day when the power of music unified the world from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. WXPN will play back highlights and sets of music in chronological order matching the event that changed pop forever.



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.



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


 

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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
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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