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
MPAC presents Darren Criss on July 9th
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe winner Darren Criss returns to Mayo Performing Arts Center for an all-new solo show on Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 8:00pm. Since bursting onto the pop-culture landscape over a decade ago in Fox's hit TV show Glee, Darren Criss has embodied the kind of kaleidoscopic artistry that's entirely uninhibited by form or genre.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Bell Bottom Blues on July 10th
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Bell Bottom Blues returns to the Lizzie Rose Music Room on Friday, July 10, 2026. The band was formed in 2007 with the vision of providing an audience with a true Eric Clapton Experience. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Basie Center to Honor Kate Pierson and Fred Schneider of The B-52s, Dramarama on Walk of Fame
(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Count Basie Center for the Arts will honor Kate Pierson and Fred Schneider of The B-52s and Dramarama by welcoming them onto its Walk of Fame. Pierson and Schneider will be inducted during a special ceremony on Friday, July 10, 2026 at 12:00pm, outside the historic theater in Red Bank, ahead of The B-52s’ concert at ParkStage in Freehold on Saturday, July 11. Dramarama, also performing at that concert, will be presented with a commemorative plaque at the show.
Asbury Lanes presents There, There (A Tribute to Radiohead) on July 11th
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- There, There (A Tribute to Radiohead) will perform at Asbury Lanes on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Doors open at 7:00pm, showtime is 8:00pm.
Newton Theatre presents Dio Rules: Tribute to Rainbow, Black Sabbath & Dio on July 11th
(NEWTON, NJ) -- One voice. Three legendary bands. One unforgettable decade of rock. DIO RULES is a powerful live concert experience celebrating the music and legacy of Ronnie James Dio, one of the most influential voices in the history of hard rock and heavy metal. See for yourself when the band comes to The Newton Theatre on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 8:00pm.
2026 Maplewoodstock Music + Art Festival to Take Place July 11-12
(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- Going on 20+ years, the annual, free, two-day Maplewoodstock Music + Art Festival will take place the weekend of July 11-12, 2026, in Memorial Park in Maplewood. The festival features performances by Anders Osborne, Lettuce, Slap Dragon, and Megan Jean's Secret Family. It kicks off with music at noon and ends around 9:30pm each night. As always, it is free and welcomes the entire community.
bergenPAC presents Warrant on July 12th
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Warrant on Sunday, July 12, 2026 at 7:00pm. The California band first hit it big in 1989 with their album Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich.
Benson Boone to Perform at Prudential Center on July 13th
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Benson Boone brings his 2026 U.S. Wanted Man Tour to the Prudential Center in Newark on Monday, July 13, 2026 at 8:00pm. Last year, Boone received his first GRAMMY® nomination for Best New Artist at the 67th Annual GRAMMY® Awards, where Boone delivered a show-stopping performance of his breakthrough smash "Beautiful Things."
Good Damage to perform at House of Independents on July 15th
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- New Jersey alt rock/pop-punk band Good Damage will return to the House of Independents on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 supporting American Vanity and Faded 2 Gray. This will be the band's third time playing the venue. Doors are at 7:00pm, music starts at 8:00pm.
Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul to Headline Concert at ParkStage on July 17th
(FREEHOLD, NJ) -- Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul will headline a concert at ParkStage on Friday, July 17, 2026 that fans of Jersey music will love. The lineup includes Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, Jake Clemons Band, Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers with Gary U.S. Bonds, and The Weeklings. Showtime is 4:00pm.
FEATURED EVENTS
