New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music: 9/5/22


By Lazlo

originally published: 09/05/2022


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 Sunblossom, Kristy Chmura, Tom Barrett, The Lovely Creatures, John Cozz, Damfino, illuminihilation, Jon Caspi & The First Gun and two compilation albums.

Various Artists - "Don't Get Up, Relax""Don't Get Up, Relax" is a trio of covers of songs by NJ musician, Sean Faust, with all proceeds going to help with his mental health costs. Full disclosure, I helped put this benefit EP together, and I *gasp* attempt to sing on it! If anything, that is not a reason to get it, because I cannot sing. However, the other two songs (by NJ's The Maravines, and Finnish band The Fisherman & The Sea) are outstanding, as is Pat Veil's work on my song, which makes this no musical talent DJ sound... well you be the judge.

Various Artists - "The Light Between: Songs of Hope and Mercy".  Local musician Dw Dunphy put together this excellent collection of 22 previously unreleased songs, some of which are NJ artists, with all proceeds going to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Good music for a good cause. A win-win!

Sunblossom - "The Open". Bedroom-indie-rocker Sunblossom return with their latest album of tunes, "The Open". this is a beautiful patchwork of rock, pop, melancholy, and a downright epic closing track.

Kristy Chmura - "Where The Light Gets In". Kristy Chmura's new EP, "Where The Light Gets In", showcases the skillfulness of her harp playing melding seamlessly with her vocals, creating beautiful adult contemporary music.




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage



Tom Barrett - "You Are And You've Always Been". Summer is coming to a close and fall will soon be in the air... the smell of pumpkin spice already is (yuck!) Why do I mention fall, because Tom Barrett's latest album is a fall album. Sparse arrangements, perfect for listening to while walking through the woods, the album is as beautiful as the colors of fall foliage, but also melancholic... like the realization that fall's beautiful foliage means winter will soon be here.

 

The Lovely Creatures - "Black Heart". The Lovely Creatures are a duo (Mike Calamari & Chris Vigorito), but not a folk duo or a guitar & drums duo (Local H, The White Stripes)... in fact they don't have drums on their excellent album. Acoustic & electric guitars, along with keyboards from Mike mix beautifully with Chris's bass to create music influenced by Joy Division, Nick Cave, and The Cure, without sounding like trying to be any one of them.

John Cozz - "Sunday Sauced". "This album isn’t just about the people I hate it’s about the people I love, it’s about myself. This album is a reminder that music has saved my life more times than there are words on this page. So I wrote this album as a reminder to keep moving on." - John Cozz

This album is all the above and has relatable songs for someone who has been involved with any local music scene, be it as a performer, or onlooker.

Damfino - "Skywriting by Word of Mouth". Is alt-pop-rock allowed to be this infectious? It is, and this is one infection I urge you to catch, and maybe, if you are like me, get up and dance (doesn't matter if you dance well) to these tunes.

illuminihilation - "Shattered Shields, Pt. 1". With song titles such as "Let's All Eat Shit & Die!" and "Burn Utopia, Burn!", if you were looking for a feel good album, this is not it. However, if you are looking for an excellent metal/hardcore rock album, then you should check out illuminihilation's new album, "Shattered Shields, Pt. 1".




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage



Jon Caspi & The First Gun - "Watching You" [single]. Well hot damn, I am a sucker for harmonies, and the harmonies that kick off this peppy little garage-pop-punk tune gave me chills. The rest of the song was just a heck of a lot of fun to bop along to. And this song is benefit for A Leg To Stand On, an organization that helps children with limb disabilities get the care and prosthetic devices they need to live better lives.

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

An

An Interview with Tim Palmieri of Lotus

Lotus was founded between 1998-1999 at Goshen College in Goshen, IN. Now based out of Dever, Colorado and Philadelphia, PA primarily, Lotus continues to bloom as a premiere jamtronica band for over the past 25 years. In 2021, founding member and longtime guitarist, Micheal Rempel left Lotus ushering in new guitarist, Tim Palmieri.



Bergen

Bergen County presents 2nd Annual Star-Spangled Spectacular

(RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ) -- County Executive Jim Tedesco, the County Board of Commissioners, and the County Parks Department are excited to announce the full schedule for Bergen County's 2nd Annual Star-Spangled Spectacular on July 4, 2025 in Overpeck County Park. Musical groups Super Trans Am, Glenn Roberts Country Band, and Tempo Alegre will take the stage ahead of a performance from the New Jersey Wind Symphony.



Celebrate

Celebrate America! 'Music of the Revolution' at the Ocean County Library Brick Branch

(BRICK TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The momentous decision by our founding fathers to emerge from colonization and establish a new nation will soon mark its 250th anniversary. In honor of this historic milestone, join us for Anne and Ridley Enslow's "Music of the American Revolution" at the Ocean County Library Brick Branch on Saturday, July 5, 2025. The event begins at 2:00pm.



Count

Count Basie Center for the Arts presents Graham Nash

(RED BANK, NJ) -- Graham Nash, two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and founding member of both the Hollies and Crosby, Stills & Nash, will perform at Count Basie Center for the Arts on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Nash will be joined on stage by Todd Caldwell (keyboards and vocals), Adam Minkoff (bass, drums, guitars and vocals) and Zach Djanikian (guitars, mandolin, drums and vocals), performing favorites from across his sixty-year career. Showtime is 7:30pm.



Rick

Rick Springfield, John Waite, Wang Chung, and Paul Young to bring the "I Want My 80s Tour" to NJPAC

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Get ready to revive the spirit of the 1980s! Iconic rock star and eternal heartthrob Rick Springfield, a true emblem of the '80s music scene, is set to take the stage on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). Showtime is 7:00pm.



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Tuesday

Tuesday Night Record Club - Crowded House

Tuesday, July 01, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Monmouth University - The Great Hall
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 

Curtis

Curtis Salgado

Wednesday, July 02, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

John

John Lee & Friends

Thursday, July 03, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Morris Museum Back Deck
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

Blues

Blues People with Special Guest: Jeff Levine

Saturday, July 05, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

Straight

Straight No Chaser - Summer: The 90’s Part 2

Tuesday, July 08, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music