By Lazlo
originally published: 09/02/2024
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 new releases by Jacob Chacko, Kathleen Elle, Chitinous Mandible, operants, Silver06, Vincent Brue, Cathedral Ceilings, Marty I'm Afraid, and Walkinghorse. Plus a look back at "Don't Come to Maryland" by Logs In The Mainstream.
Jacob Chacko - "Much Sublime". If you are a regular listener of BlowUpRadio.com (and I hope you are), you've been hearing us playing singles from Jacob Chacko for over a year now. With the final single, "Stay On", the entire "Much Sublime" album is now complete and available on his website (https://jacobchacko2022.com). His songs are catchy singer-songwriter pop-rock, that to my ears falls into the more upbeat side of Yacht Rock.
Kathleen Elle - "Callin You Mine". Are you looking for a post-breakup song, that is also a fun, upbeat pop tune? Then look no further than Kathleen Elle's new single, "Callin You Mine". It has the potential to be an anthem for those getting over being dumped and moving on.
Chitinous Mandible - "Pattern Sensor". Chitinous Mandible has been putting out a series of singles this year that have been fascinating. The latest, "Pattern Sensor", may be my favorite so far. It is a chill, lo-fi pop gem!
operants - "Mass Monomania". There is always a reason to be joyous when there is new music from operants, for they are masters of post-punk rock. Their latest EP, "Mass Monomania", is a great collection of songs.
Silver06 - "Labyrinth II". I know fall doesn't officially start until September 22nd, but Silver06's new album, "Labyrinth II", is a decidedly fall album. A melancholy, synthwave album, this is not the album to blast on a sunny day, but a perfect album to listen to on a gray day as the leaves start to wither and die on the ground.
Kickapoo, Volume 1 by Vincent Brue">Vincent Brue - "Kickapoo, Volume 1". "On August 15th, 2024, Vincent Brue, ventured out into the desert for a lil vision quest with his boy Rocky.", says the description of his new album, "Kickapoo, Volume 1", released 8 days later on his Bandcamp page. I would call the desert excursion a success, as the 8 songs on Volume 1 traverse indie-alt-folk-pop-rock. I'm impatiently awaiting Volume 2 (and 3, if we should be so lucky).
Cathedral Ceilings - "La La La... Whatever". Cathedral Ceilings, "La La La... Whatever", is a high energy fusion of garage, punk, and power pop. What more do you need to know? Go! Enjoy!
Marty I'm Afraid - "(my best friend's) the axolotl". Earworm alert! Marty I'm Afraid's, "(my best friend's) the axolotl", will get stuck in your head, but it is such a fun power pop tune about their cat's favorite toy, that I'm glad it does. The song makes me happy.
Walkinghorse - "Walkinghorse". The self-titled debut album from Walkinghorse is a powerful album. Musically it lies somewhere between folk rock and indie rock, lyrically it feels very personal... almost as if singing about things helps to work it out... there is something very compelling and moving in that intimacy.
Not New, But Memorable Corner
Logs In The Mainstream - "Don't Come to Maryland". How do I describe Logs In The Mainstream... They were a rock band, and they had great pop melodies, but they were also eclectic, fusing different styles and sounds. Some of their songs were funny, and some were serious, but I loved them all! "Don't Come to Maryland", from their "The Ridiculous and the Sublime", may not be their best song, but it is a fun song and an earworm.
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 be 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
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.
Scottish Rite Auditorium hosts An Evening with Patty Griffin & Kathleen Edwards
(COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- The Scottish Rite Auditorium hosts An Evening with Patty Griffin & Kathleen Edwards on Friday, July 17, 2026 at 8:00pm. The concert is presented by the Camden County Board of Commissioners.
LoMotion Live Presents America at 250: A Celebration in Song to Benefit Elks Army of Hope
(PARSIPPANY, NJ) -- LoMotion Live invites the community to an inspiring evening of music, storytelling, and patriotism with America at 250: A Celebration in Song, a special benefit cabaret on Friday, July 17, 2026 at the Parsippany Arts Center. Showtime is 7:30pm. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Elks Army of Hope, a charitable program dedicated to providing assistance to veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families during times of need.
Grounds For Sculpture and Third Way Cultural Alliance to Present an Intimate Evening of Art and Music on July 18th
(HAMILTON, NJ) -- Grounds For Sculpture (GFS) and Third Way Cultural Alliance announce a special evening celebrating the power of creative freedom through music, art and conversation. "Creative Freedom: A Salon Experience featuring Marshall Allen, Salvador Jiménez-Flores and Jamaaladeen Tacuma," will take place on Saturday, July 18, 2026 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm.
DePue Brothers Band to Bring "Grassical" Music to Sewell
(SEWELL, NJ) -- Music at Bunker Hill welcomes the DePue Brothers Band on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at 3:00pm. In a departure from the series' customary chamber music fare, the DePue Brothers Band has long coined their music with the term "grassical," the combination of bluegrass with jazz, blues, rock, folk, and classical.
24 Hours of Music Jamboree Stretches from Jersey City to the Jersey Shore with a week's worth of live concerts
New Jersey's cultural corridors will come alive from July 12-19, 2026 as the 24 Hours of Music Jamboree – Horizontal Edition returns with a vibrant multi‑town celebration stretching from Jersey City to the Jersey Shore. The reimagined expanded format brings seven days of concerts, community gatherings, jazz showcases, jazz bashes and festival‑style programming designed to unite neighborhoods through music.
New Jersey Symphony to Make Rowan's Marie Rader Series Debut with "Life & Liberty" on July 22nd
(GLASSBORO, NJ) -- The Marie Rader Series will launch its 2026-27 season, entitled "Life & Liberty," with the New Jersey Symphony's Rowan University debut. On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players featuring Rowan University Strings Faculty & Alumni will perform at Pfleeger Concert Hall. Showtime is 7:00pm.
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