By Lazlo
originally published: 06/26/2023
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 Hubbell Benson, BreakTime, Marc Ambrosia, The Vaughns, Andrew John, LIVIA and a look back at SSRi's "Go! Fight! Win!"
Hubbell Benson - "Gimme All You Got". Four months ago in this very column I was calling Hubbell Benson's single, "'Cept For Him", "quite the catchy earworm". Their new single, ""Gimme All You Got", is another earworm, this time with an upbeat funky soul rock vibe.
BreakTime - "Motor City Mama/Be Mine". Two new songs from BreakTime just in time for the summer."Motor City Mama" is a fun ditty with a 60's West Coast surf rock sound. "Be Mine" sounds like a lost Lennon/McCartney song from The Beatles early days.
Marc Ambrosia - "Gay and Proud". Marc Ambrosia has just released what is likely his most personal song, "Gay and Proud", which the press release says is, "a celebratory song for him officially coming out of the closet." It truly is a beautiful, uplifting song, with an anthemic chorus!
The Vaughns - "Gizzards". "Go on try to box me in but I’ve got the scissors", sings Anna Lies on the new The Vaughns single, "Gizzards". While that lyric is not about trying to box in the band's sound, it is fitting of a band whose music is all over the indie-rock spectrum.
Andrew John - "Songs from an English Garden". Just a couple of minutes into the opening "Overture" of Andrew John's new album, "Songs from an English Garden", I knew I was going to like this album. Even though an instrumental, the opening song showcases some lovely baroque rock music, which when complemented by Andrew John's vocals on later tracks, and some forays into psychedelic rock, makes for a beautiful & wonderful EP.
LIVIA - "Playground". "Playground" is another beautiful, melancholy, orchestral piano based indie song from LIVIA.
And now for a new section of our column...
Not New, But Memorable Corner
Spotlighting music that came out some time ago, but is well worth revisiting (or visiting for the first time for many of you)
SSRi - "Go! Fight! Win!" (2003). In the early 2000's SSRi was a band that did original power-pop and pop-punk songs. Their only release, "Go! Fight! Win!", came out 20 years ago, but is still a go to summer album that brings me joy. Look, I'm not going to say that all of their songs were deep and meaningful, that was not what this band was about. This band was about having fun.
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
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.
Scottish Rite Auditorium hosts An Evening with Patty Griffin & Kathleen Edwards
(COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- The Scottish Rite Auditorium hosts An Evening with Patty Griffin & Kathleen Edwards on Friday, July 17, 2026 at 8:00pm. The concert is presented by the Camden County Board of Commissioners.
LoMotion Live Presents America at 250: A Celebration in Song to Benefit Elks Army of Hope
(PARSIPPANY, NJ) -- LoMotion Live invites the community to an inspiring evening of music, storytelling, and patriotism with America at 250: A Celebration in Song, a special benefit cabaret on Friday, July 17, 2026 at the Parsippany Arts Center. Showtime is 7:30pm. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Elks Army of Hope, a charitable program dedicated to providing assistance to veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families during times of need.
The Menzingers to Celebrate Album Release at Stone Pony on Friday
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- The Stone Pony presents The Menzingers' Album Release Show on Friday, July 17, 2026. The band will be celebrating the release of "Everything I Ever Saw". At this point, the Philadelphia punk legends are an absolute institution.
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.
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