By Lazlo
originally published: 10/31/2022
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 Commons 2, Pat Veil, Who On Earth, aesha, Hodera, and Suit of Lights.
Commons 2 - "Drop Dead from the Respite". Commons 2 have come a long way in a little over 2 years. Their new EP starts off with a harmony drenched rocker, "In The Water" that may make the Beach Boys envious. It is followed by another upbeat indie rocker in "Something Else", and a chill mid-tempo indie tune called "Until". Closing out the EP is an indie rocker, "Sparkle", that evoked in me remembrances of some of my favorite 90's modern rockers.
In short, "Drop Dead from the Respite" is superb!
Pat Veil - "No Longer Human. If you've seen Pat Veil perform live you may question if he ever was human.
I kid... mostly...
"No Longer Human" has some very catchy, musically fun songs, but if you are one who pays close attention to the lyrics you'll hear that the peppy songs mask some darker lyrics. It is actually kind of what I love about this album. I've listened to it both as a fun rock album, and as a deeper poetic piece and it really works well both ways.
Who On Earth - "Blame". "We are a band that is determined to be the answer to the question "Who on earth will bring back hard rock music with hooks, groove, melody, and meaning?"" - Who On Earth
I don't know if "hard rock music with hooks, groove, melody, and meaning" ever went away, though it may not be as popular as it once was. My hope is bands like Who On Earth can be among the pantheon of bands to usher in a new popularity of hard rock.
Or to put it more simply, Who On Earth rock!
aesha - "BLIND WIND / THE EVERGREEN TREE" [singles]. The artist formerly know as Beige Monk, currently know as aesha, releases 2 new songs, that are both wonderful acoustic indie experimental pop! "Blind Wind" clocks in at 12 minutes and 11 seconds, but doesn't feel like a long song. Quite a feat!
Hodera - "Waiting" [single]. Dear Hodera, it is nice to have you back with "Waiting", the first single from your forthcoming album, "Dear Friend". The song feels fresh and new, and yet like an old friend.
Unfortunately, we will have to wait until 2023 for the full album to be released.
Suit of Lights - "The Empty Vault". Joe Darone's Suit of Lights has always been a fascinating indie rock project that has layers if orchestral sounds. Their 2 latest songs, released under the title of the A side, "The Empty Vault", continue to showcase their skill in crafting memorable orchestral rock.
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
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.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Heather Maloney & Hayley Reardon on Sunday
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Heather Maloney & Hayley Reardon on Sunday, July 19, 2026. Doors are at 7:00pm, showtime is 7:30pm.
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.
The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny and the music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny - The Music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Dude Cervantes & The Panchos will open the night. Doors are at 7:00pm, music starts at 7:30pm.
Shinedown to Play Shows in Newark and Philly in July
(NEWARK, NJ) -- One of the biggest bands in the world, Shinedown, will be releasing their brand new studio album EI8HT on May 29, 2026 (via Atlantic Records) and released the new song "Outlaw." In addition, they announced their massive Dance Kid Dance Act II World Tour, taking the band to 11 countries across 54 dates, including local stops at Prudential Center in Newark on Tuesday, July 21st and Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Thursday, July 23rd.
Middletown Arts Center presents Reina Williams + The Remedy
(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The Middletown Arts Center presents a concert featuring Reina Williams + The Remedy on Thursday, July 23, 2026. Special guest performers Renee Maskin and Patrick Bamburak will open the show. Enjoy an evening of original music spanning reggae, hip-hop, soul, folk, Americana, and indie rock from some of New Jersey's most talented musicians. Showtime is 7:00pm.
Harmonium Choral Society presents "I Dreamed Last Night" on July 23rd
(MADISON, NJ) -- On Thursday, July 23, 2026, Harmonium Choral Society presents I Dreamed Last Night. Directed by Lennie Watts with music direction by John Fischer, I Dreamed Last Night is a one woman show with Gloria Bangiola. There are songs and stories about dreams, hopes, wishes, ambitions, fantasies, nightmares, impossibilities and that big ol' American one we are all still working to make real. Showtime is 7:00pm.
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