By Lazlo
originally published: 09/30/2024
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 Marc Ambrosia, Signal Valley, The Deflators, High., June Bean, Joey Biondi, and Renee Maskin. Plus a look back at "Just Like You" by The Spectacle Experiment.
Marc Ambrosia - "Gay & Proud". In the era of streaming, many people don't listen to albums as albums anymore. I urge you to listen to Marc Ambrosia's new album, "Gay & Proud", as a complete album. The songs detail his story of coming out as gay last year. It is an upbeat, spirit raising, pop/pop-rock album.
Signal Valley - "Value and Meaning". At 26 songs, you could think Signal Valley's latest release, "Value and Meaning", would be a double album length, but with most songs clocking under 2 minutes, the whole album is still under 60 minutes. The songs are a wonderful mixture of psychedelic rock, prog rock, indie-folk... a real blend of songs that somehow do sound cohesive together. It is quite stunning!
The Deflators - "Inside Out". The Deflators' new EP, "Inside Out" is full of upbeat power-pop-punk with hooks that will stick around long after you finish listening, almost hiding the less upbeat, but quite compelling lyrics.
High. - "In A Hole". The first single from High.'s forthcoming album, "Come Back Down" (out in January 2025), "In A Hole" is some gripping shoegaze rock.
June Bean - "An Introduction to June Bean". June Bean is the latest project from John Bradley (Dads, Cardinal Cardinal, Plesiosaurs). The aptly titled debut album, "An Introduction to June Bean", is a fascinating blend of alt-folk-indie-art-psychedelic-rock. You need to hear this album!
Joey Biondi - "Just Like The Movies". Hot damn, "Just Like The Movies", the latest single from Joey Biondi, is a perfect piece of synth-pop-rock. And if there is any justice in this world, this song will be used in a movie at some point.
Renee Maskin - "Sage". If you listen to BlowUpRadio.com, or regularly read this column, you already know I love Renee Maskin's music, so anytime she releases something new I am there for it. In this case, the new song is "Sage", and the video that accompanies it (embedded below) is just a perfect pairing with the song.
Not New, But Memorable Corner
The Spectacle Experiment - "Just Like You". Back in 2003, Hadrian Mordecai was the force behind the band The Spectacle Experiment. Their album, "Just In Time For Nothing" blew my mind back then, and is still a force to be reckoned with now. Their combination of gothic rock, punk, industrial, and modern rock, is personified (to me at least) on their single, "Just Like You". Live this song was blistering, but even the studio version has an energy to it that moves me, and hopefully you.
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
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.
WBJB's Songwriters on the Beach series presents Nicole Atkins on Thursday
(BRADLEY BEACH, NJ) -- WBJB's Songwriters on the Beach presents Nicole Atkins on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 7:00pm. Cory Blair will open the night. The free outdoor concert takes place at the Newark Avenue Beach in Bradley Beach.
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.
The Menzingers to Celebrate Album Release at Stone Pony on Friday
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- The Stone Pony presents The Menzingers' Album Release Show on Friday, July 17, 2026. The band will be celebrating the release of "Everything I Ever Saw". At this point, the Philadelphia punk legends are an absolute institution.
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.
bergenPAC presents Swingtime Big Band on Saturday
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- New York's high-powered Swingtime Big Band returns to Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) on Saturday, July 18, 2026 to celebrate America250 by showcasing the popular music that kept Americans dancing for decades—from the Lindy and Fox Trot to the Cha Cha to the Twist! Showtime is 8:00pm.
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.
Albert Music Hall's "Back to Our Roots" Benefit on Sunday to Support Preservation of Pinelands Music History
(WARETOWN, NJ) -- Albert Music Hall will present Back to Our Roots, a special fundraising concert on Sunday, July 19, 2026, inviting music lovers to enjoy an afternoon of live performances while helping preserve an important piece of New Jersey's musical heritage.
FEATURED EVENTS
