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BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 6/2/25


By Lazlo

originally published: 06/02/2025

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 new releases by Val Emmich, Johnny Zarfati, and Prop House. Plus a look back at "We Can See America From Here" by The Campfire Flies.

Happy Pride Month! This Friday, June 6th, Rock Against Hate Volumes 7 & 8 come out. Each compilation features over 20 previously unreleased songs, benefiting two of many organizations working to help the LGBTQ+ community get through these trying times.

Rock Against Hate Volume 7 features previously unreleased songs from Ali Zanders, Blasfemme, Blisstique, Bruce Tunkel, Chitinous Mandible, Ferocious Designs, Frank Patrouch, Greg McGarvey, Jason Didner, Jill Sobule, Jon Caspi, Ken Kusama. Mark Owen Nutto & The Unemployed Teachers, Mark Parker, Michael Aquino (feat. Declan Remus and Christian Davis), Orbis Max, Teen Idle, The Mighty Alrighty, The Winter Sounds, Tommy Strazza, and Wally Chris Hoffner and the Noontime Nappers. The album benefits Trevor Project.

Rock Against Hate Volume 8 features previously unreleased songs from Anthony Walker, Bern Strong, Blasfemme, Bruce Donnola, Catherine Wacha, Ciara Zwicker, erase:rewind, Ferocious Designs, Happy Joe, Hit Like A Girl, Jason Didner, Jon Caspi & Pete Jager, Kookie, Mark Owen Nutto & The Unemployed Teachers, Mick Chorba, Sad About Girls, Sam Tunkel, The Delphobics, The Mighty Alrighty, The Winter Sounds, Wally Chris Hoffner and the Noontime Nappers, and Worm's Eye View / Maravines. The album benefits No More Dysphoria.

More information at https://rockagainsthate.org and tune in all weekend to BlowUpRadio.com for a Rock Against Hate Radio Special.




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Val Emmich - "Here Comes The Dark". Val Emmich's latest release, "Here Comes The Dark", is something special. I've been a fan of Val's music since even before I started BlowUpRadio.com nearly 25 years ago, and two of the things I always appreciate about his albums are heartfelt, relatable lyrics (sometimes I wish I couldn't relate to the lyrics as much, as they are not always something you want to relate to), and that he's always trying to incorporate different sounds into his music (check out "Done With The Dishes" for example), while still sounding like him.

Johnny Zarfati - "Ceasefire". "Ceasefire" is the beautiful debut single from Johnny Zarfati. A really relaxing, laid back folk tune that I have been playing on repeat for days.

Prop House - "Vector". Prop House is kind of a local music supergroup. Members of Yawn Mower, the Vansaders, The Mischeif Kids, and several other local bands comprise the band on their new EP, "Vector". If you're familiar with these acts then you know you're going to get some infectious post-punk rock. If you aren't, then you should check out all of the groups mentioned in this.

Not New, But Memorable Corner

The Campfire Flies - "We Can See America From Here". On January 20th, 2017 the first Rock Against Hate compilation was released, benefiting Planned Parenthood & Trevor Project. It lead off with The Campfire Flies' song, "We Can See America From Here". The Campfire Flies is something of a local supergroup featuring members of The Cucumbers, Speed the Plough, and The Thousand Pities. The combining of these musical superpowers created a rousing, upbeat anthem.

The compilation is still available at https://rockagainsthate.org

That's all for this week.




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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 be part of BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable, please send downloads or contact Lazlo at Lazlo-at-BlowUpRadio-dot-com. We're also on Mastodon (and bridged on BlueSky)

EVENT PREVIEWS

NJPAC

NJPAC presents Latin Star Natalia Lafourcade

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents the world-renowned singer, songwriter, and music producer Natalia Lafourcade on Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 8:00pm. She is one of this century's most influential voices in Latin popular culture.



HOT

HOT 97's Summer Jam 2025 to Take Place at Prudential Center

(NEWARK, NJ) -- HOT 97, New York's #1 station for Hip Hop, is again turning up the heat with Summer Jam 2025, the ultimate one-night-only celebration of the culture. Produced by The Black Promoters Collective and part of the Prudential North to Shore Festival, the biggest names in Hip Hop will take the stage on Friday, June 20, 2025 at the Prudential Center.



North

North to Shore Festival presents Third Eye Blind and Stars at NJPAC

(NEWARK, NJ) -- The Prudential North to Shore Festival is set to present an incredible night of alternative rock featuring Third Eye Blind at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Friday, June 20, 2025 at 8:00pm. Canadian indie rock band Stars will open the night.



Baroque

Baroque Music and Violin Recital with a Touch of Bluegrass Coming to the Princeton Festival

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Violinist Tessa Lark, The Sebastians, and violin/cello duo Daniel Rowland and Maja Bogdanović, in performance with the Princeton Symphony Orchestra, offer refreshing renditions of works showcasing the violin and music of the Baroque era at 2025 Princeton Festival mid-June concerts.



311

311 to Perform in Atlantic City

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- 311 is bringing the energy back to the road with the return of their Unity Tour in 2025. In support of their latest full-length album, Full Bloom, the tour kicks off in Atlantic City at Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Resort on Friday, June 20, 2025, and will span coast to coast, bringing 311's signature fusion of rock, reggae, and funk to fans nationwide. Joining them on this epic run will be direct support from Badflower, with Sitting on Saturn opening the show as the first of three acts.



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Special

Special Event: Juneteenth Arts Celebration Kickoff Concert

Wednesday, June 18, 2025 @ 6:00pm
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Early Elton Trio

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Soul Project Nola

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Jazz

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis

Thursday, June 19, 2025 @ 7:30pm
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100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music