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Lighty's Corner: April 30, 2026

A DJ-run radio program/column spotlighting new rock music by mostly indie artists

By Lighty

originally published: 04/30/2026

The second episode of Lighty’s Corner is live! This is a bi-weekly recorded radio show presenting new rock music from around the globe. Each of the 15 new tracks played were received via email within the last two weeks - a practice I hope to continue each time.

This show has music by artists from America, Canada, England, Finland, and Germany.  There’s no theme to the show other than these are new tracks I think deserve to be heard.  Most of the artists are indie, but the show does have new tracks by Jesse Malin and Arkells.

The last two weeks brought me a lot of great songs by female artists and bands with a female lead singer. The list includes “Barely Breathin’” by Francesca Fuentes, an artist from West Long Branch, NJ; “Letter to Elon” by Mr. Dinkles - a band from the LA/Seattle area; “Clearly Cursed”, the title track of a new album by Pony; “Ghouls” by Troubles - one of two bands from Helsinki, Finland in the show; “Skin Remembers” by Brain Leak from Manchester, England; and the show closes with the New York based Lauren Minear and her song “Bruise”.

A shout out to some EPs and albums that deserve mention: I really love “Between Us” - the new album by Arkells, a band from Ontario, Canada. I got introduced to them many years ago thanks to the Iceberg station on Sirius radio that I’d listen to on my hour commute to work. “Clearly Cursed” by Pony is an outstanding new album as is “R.I.P.T.” by Mr. Dinkles, which comes out in June. “Nightmares and Broken Dreams” by Dharma Guns from Finland has a lot of excellent tracks. And “The Rest of Me” by Rich Lancia from New Jersey is a terrific EP. It reminds me a bit of the Mr. Reality/Highway 9 vibe of rock and roll with a little country blended in the mix.

Lighty’s Corner uses “Rock is Dead” by Tenacious D as its theme song. It’s a song that makes me laugh and points out exactly what I’m up against - showing that rock and roll music isn’t dead. Throughout my entire lifetime (and probably for those a generation ahead of me as well), I’ve heard that there isn’t any good music being produced anymore.  I not only disagree, I couldn’t disagree more.




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I grew up in the 1980s when only a handful of bands ever had the opportunity or finances to release an album.  That was back when getting a record deal meant everything in the world because it led to an actual recording.  Just think of all of the artists back then who never got the chance to record their music… I think most artists have at least one good (or even great) song in them.  What I’m trying to do with this show is find that song.

Thanks go out to the artists, record labels, and radio promoters who sent the tracks.  Some include This Could Be Your Music Label, Obsidian PR and Media, Earshot Media, Presshopper, take this to heart records, and Echo Myron. If you are an artist with new music, feel free to send me a WAV, MP3, or download link to [email protected] for consideration in a future show.

I’m trying to keep the show around one hour each time.  Here are a few tracks that just missed the cut that deserve a listen: “Feet Don't Fail Me Now” by The Velvet Room; “Wasted Time” by Mirror Glass; “Overflow feat. Astrology Girl” by Howells; “Hide Away” by Dead Reynolds; and “Nightmare Dreaming” by Thorne.

EPISODE 2: TRACKLIST

Rock is Dead -Tenacious D

Barely Breathin' - Francesca Fuentes

All Over Me - Brokof




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Riverside - PuZL

Hollywood Forever -Jesse Malin

Still I Carry On - Bluesnado

Letter to Elon - Mr. Dinkles

Imagine Barcelona - Arkells

Dreaming Screaming - Ryan Hamilton

Clearly Cursed - Pony

Keep Running - Slowdrive Avenue

So Long, C’Est La Vie - Rich Lancia

Shame - Dharma Guns




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Ghouls - Troubles

Sunset Strip - Kickstand Jenny

Skin Remembers - Brain Leak

Bruise (made of glass version) - Lauren Minear


EVENT PREVIEWS

(CARTERET, NJ) -- Multi-PLATINUM entertainer Trace Adkins will bring his 30th Anniversary Tour to the URSB Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center on Friday, September 18, 2026, for one night only. The show is part of Adkins' nationwide headline tour celebrating 30 years of chart-topping hits and powerhouse live performances. Showtime is 8:00pm.

The Levoy Theatre presents Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on September 22nd

(MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on Wednesday, September 22, 2026 at 7:00pm. This year marked 33 years since the band arrived on the music scene.
NJPAC presents Salsa icon Tito Nieves on September 26th

NJPAC presents Salsa icon Tito Nieves on September 26th

(NEWARK, NJ) -- The internationally celebrated Salsa icon, Tito Nieves - affectionately known as "El Pavarotti de la Salsa" - is set to electrify the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 8:00pm with his tour, "50 Años La Historia... Continúa." The performance will take place at NJPAC's prestigious Prudential Hall, Betty Wold Johnson Stage.
New Jersey Film Festival Fall 2026 Includes a Concert Featuring Two Bands of Rutgers Students

New Jersey Film Festival Fall 2026 Includes a Concert Featuring Two Bands of Rutgers Students

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Hanging Coats and Lawns, part of New Brunswick's basement music scene, take the stage for an audio-visual performance on October 2 , 2026 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. A Rutgers student is injecting some sonic youth from the New Brunswick music scene into this year's New Jersey Fall Film Festival.
CarteretPAC presents W.A.S.P. with "1984 to Headless" Tour

CarteretPAC presents W.A.S.P. with "1984 to Headless" Tour

(CARTERET, NJ) -- W.A.S.P. brings its "1984 To Headless" Fall North American Tour to the Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 8:00pm. The band will pay tribute to their 1st Four Albums... Live! The lineup includes Special Guest KK's Priest.
Outpost in the Burbs presents James Maddock on October 11th

Outpost in the Burbs presents James Maddock on October 11th

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents James Maddock on Sunday, October 11, 2026 at the First Congregational Church in Montclair. Maddock's status as a fixture on the Folk and Americana scene is confirmed with every listen of any song in his prodigious catalog. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Five For Fighting String Quartet Tour to Play Shows in NY/NJ/PA

Five For Fighting String Quartet Tour to Play Shows in NY/NJ/PA

(NEWTON, NJ) -- Grammy® nominated, platinum-selling artist, Five For Fighting (aka John Ondrasik) will bring his ever popular Five For Fighting String Quartet Tour back out on the road this September and October. There are several shows coming to the local area including two in New Jersey: Sunday, September 20 at The Newton Theatre and Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at The Vogel in Red Bank.
Outpost in the Burbs presents Suzanne Vega - Flying with Angels on October 30th

Outpost in the Burbs presents Suzanne Vega - Flying with Angels on October 30th

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents Suzanne Vega - Flying with Angels on October 30, 2026 at 8:00pm (doors at 7:00pm). The concert will take place at the First Congregational Church (40 South Fullerton Avenue) in Montclair.

CarteretPAC presents John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band

(CARTERET, NJ) -- The Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center presents John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm. The legendary Rhode Island multi-platinum rock band began their career in 1973 and achieved mainstream success in the 1980s with the "Eddie & The Cruisers – Motion Picture Soundtrack".
 

FEATURED EVENTS



Lou Antonucci - "You, Me, & Harry" Celebrating The Music of Harry Chapin​

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ


Will Hoge

Thursday, September 17, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ


The Rascals 60th Anniversary Tour

Thursday, September 17, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ


Trace Adkins

Friday, September 18, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ


Shoshana Bean

Friday, September 18, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ