By Lazlo
originally published: 10/10/2022
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 Banding Together 2022 Compilation, Jason Didner, All Systems Go, Hello Whirled, Connor Bracken and the Mother Leeds Band, and Cyborg Amok.
Various Artists - Banding Together 2022 Compilation. This year marks the 15th year we have done a benefit for the Spondylitis Association of America. Spondylitis is a genetic rheumatoid arthritic condition that causes inflammation and fusion in the vertebrae of the spine, and sadly, my wife suffers from this debilitating disease.
Every year we do a webathon, this year's taking place this weekend on BlowUpRadio.com with over 30 artists performing live on air.
During the webathon, everyone who donated $10 or more to the Spondylitis Association of America wil get a download of a compilation featuring 35 previously unreleased songs from: Amanda Rose Riley, Bruce Tunkel, Catherine Wacha, Cyborg Amok, Dansped & The Carpool To Oblivion, Deena, Diego Allessandro, erase:rewind, Ferocious Designs, Frank Patrouch, Greg McGarvey, Happy Joe Canzano, Jason Didner, Jason Michael, Josh Bicknell, jpeck, Katye Kellye & The Interruption, Laree Cisco, LEAVETAKING, Little Dipper, Mark Parker, Pat Veil, Pearl Manhattan, RP, Shariese Katrell with Diego Allessandro, Shotgun Bill with the Tango Kid, Smallpox, The Fisherman & The Sea, The Maravines, The Mighty Alrighty, The Random Hubiak, Them Hounds, Tim and Brian, Tony Tedesco & Sean David Cuningham, and Yupanki
Jason Didner - "Molasses Blues" [single]. Jason Didner's wife, Amy, wrote the lyrics to this blues song about what it feels like to have too much sugar while suffering from Type 1 diabetes. It manages that difficult feat of being a funny song about a serious topic.
All Systems Go - "Non-Fiction". All Systems Go solidify themselves as masters of anthemic pop-punk with their new album "Non-Fiction"!
Hello Whirled - "An Asshole With A Drum Machine And A Guitar". I have watched, or rather listened to, solo artist Hello Whirled go from very lo-fi bedroom recordings, to much more detailed (but still to the best of my knowledge bedroom) recordings, to more recently playing out live. His latest album is a live recording of him performing with a classical guitar and a DrumKid drum machine. Despite the title, there is no asshole here, just a great live performer.
Connor Bracken and the Mother Leeds Band - "Shine As One". "Shine As One" is an upbeat, arena rock anthem!
Cyborg Amok - "Etiam". Cyborg Amok refers to their new album "Etiam" as, "a stark reminder that there are shadows surrounding us, blatantly hiding in the darkness."
That sounds so much more bleak than this album is. Don't get me wrong, it is not a catchy pop album, but it is an excellent alt-goth-rock, with maybe a little bit of prog-rock thrown in... it is not easy to describe their sound. You should check it out for yourself.
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
WBJB's Songwriters on the Beach series presents Nicole Atkins on August 27th
(BRADLEY BEACH, NJ) -- WBJB's Songwriters on the Beach presents Nicole Atkins on Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 7:00pm. Cory Blair will open the night. The free outdoor concert takes place at the Newark Avenue Beach in Bradley Beach. ** The show was rescheduled from July 16th due to the Air Quality Alert issued across New Jersey.
51st Annual New Jersey Folk Festival to Take Place August 29th
(SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Folk Festival (NJFF) is back for the 51st year on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Davidson's Mill Pond Park in South Brunswick. The event is free and open to the public. It runs from 11:00am to 5:00pm.
The Strand presents Matt Stone as Elvis on August 29th
(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- Most 22-year-olds are chasing the next trend, scrolling through TikTok, and binging Love Island. Matt Stone has spent the last decade looking in the opposite direction.
McCarter Theatre Center presents Mei Semones on September 4th
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre Center presents Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Mei Semones in the Berlind Theatre on Friday, September 4, 2026 at 7:30pm. Drawing on her background in jazz guitar and her Japanese heritage, she blends inventive harmonies, intricate rhythms, and bilingual lyricism into a sound that is both intimate and exploratory.
51st NJ Clearwater Festival to Take Place Labor Day Weekend in Asbury Park
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Friends of Clearwater invites everyone to start their Labor Day Weekend at its free 51st Annual Clearwater Festival Saturday September 5, 2026, a late summer, family-friendly celebration of great live music, Mother Earth and more in Sunset Park near the ocean in Asbury Park.
The Machine performs Pink Floyd at The Newton Theatre on September 5th
(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Machine Performs Pink Floyd on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at the Newton Theatre. The band has forged a nearly 40 year reputation of extending the musical legacy of Pink Floyd. Showtime is 8:00pm.
MPAC presents Melissa Etheridge: Rise Tour on September 9th
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) presents Melissa Etheridge: Rise Tour on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 7:30pm. Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Etheridge has remained one of America's favorite female singers for more than two decades.
Prudential Center presents Ella Langley on September 10th
(NEWARK, NJ) -- It's been a landmark year for Ella Langley. Fresh off a sweep at the ACM Awards where she won all seven awards she was nominated for, two recent American Music Award wins, and being the soundtrack of the summer for a trio of German fans on Twitter traveling through America during the World Cup. Ella continues one of the most dominant runs in music. She brings The Dandelion Tour to the Prudential Center in Newark on September 10, 2026 at 7:00pm. Special guests ERNEST and Gabriella Rose will open the night.
The Soundtrack of Resilience: Explore Music's Role in Post-9/11 America at the Lacey Library
(FORKED RIVER, NJ) -- In honor of Patriot Day, the Lacey Branch of the Ocean County Library will host "The Soundtrack of Resilience: Music and 9/11" on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The event begins at 2:00pm.
Tony Award Nominee Joshua Henry to open Kean Stage's 2026-2027 season
(HILLSIDE, NJ) -- Kean Stage is thrilled to announce that Joshua Henry, three-time Tony nominee and star of Lincoln Center Theater's Ragtime, will open their 2026-2027 season with two performances of his show Get Up, Stand Up! on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm at Enlow Recital Hall (215 North Avenue) in Hillside.
FEATURED EVENTS
