By Lazlo
originally published: 01/30/2023
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 Alex Sieira, Old Friends, Today Is..., San Tropez, BYRH, Geb Zurburg, and Solid Bronze.
Alex Sieira - "Better Days" [single]. Alex Sieira describes his latest single, "Better Days", as "about always moving forward, and overcoming hardships. Change can be scary, but also a beautiful thing."
This song is a beautiful thing! It wrapped me up in the emotions, keeping me warm on a cold night.*
"Better Days" will be on Alex's forthcoming album, "Welcome Home", coming out this fall.
* - to be clear, that is a metaphorical warmth. Don't go out in the cold wearing nothing and listening to the song and expect to stay warm.
Old Friends - "Missing" [single]. Old Friends return with an alt-rock single to wake you up from these sleepy winter blues!
Pick up a tennis racket or hairbrush and rock out in front of your mirror. And don't forget to air drum!
Today Is... - "Tunes for Bears To Dance To (Demos)". The new EP by Today Is... are four demos, so the sound lacks that mastered full sound, but don't let that dissuade you from listening to four amazing pop-punk tunes that are so much fun that they almost hide the downer, self-loathing.
San Tropez - "Maybe Tomorrow". San Tropez has been around since at least 2018 when I first started playing their music on BlowUpRadio.com, so it surprised me to find that "Maybe Tomorrow" is their debut album, but indeed previous releases were singles and EPs. It is great to finally get a full 10 song album from this outstanding dream-pop with hooks and riffs like waves on the ocean... light enough to float on, but big enough to surf.
BYRH - "Bring Your Right Hand". BYRH (pronounced "brrr") has been an acronym for many things, including their new album title, "Bring Your Right Hand". I was going to try to come up with my own acronym for how awesome their album's blend of indie-pop with power-pop is, but clearly I am not as talented as they are (Bet You Rock Hard just doesn't quite fit, and Booyah! Yeah! Rock! Harmonious!, is even worse). So don't worry about the acronyms, just go check this album out!
Geb Zurburg - "Forty High Five". Geb Zurburg (who some may remember from the band Echofission), returns with his latest solo release, the three song EP, "Forty High Five". Geb's music has always been an eclectic combination of sounds. The songs are pop rock, and have amazing harmonies, but they are also experimental, jam, alt-rock. It is a sound that Geb has been honing for many years now, and continues to impress with every release.
Solid Bronze - "Mt. Fuji". I could go on and on about how much I love Solid Bronze's new album, "Mt. Fuji", but let me just be concise, this is some fine Funky Soul Jams!
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. We're also on Mastodon at https://mstdn.social/@BlowUpRadio
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
