By Lazlo
originally published: 07/14/2025
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 Cinema Star, Andrew Valentino, Miss Ohio, Michael Brett, Johnny Zarfati, and Max Rauch. Plus a look back at "Silver Linings" by Fun While You Wait.
Cinema Star - "Runaway". Earworm of the Week! "Runaway", the new single from Cinema Star, is a catchy piece of alt-power-pop.
Andrew Valentino - "A Genuine Talking Dog". I cannot confirm if Andrew Valentino is "A Genuine Talking Dog", but Andrew Valentino's new album is a fun collection of power-pop and rock songs.
Miss Ohio - "Girls In Skirts". Miss Ohio returns with their first new recording in some time, and it is splendid. "Girls In Skirts" is a song that goes back over 20 years. As the band recalls, "On the original recording we sound tentative, aware that we had very little time and needed to get it right in a take or two."
This new recording sounds fully formed and aged like a fine wine.
Michael Brett - "The Outlaw Josie". I am so accustomed to seeing Michael Brett play solo acoustic, and have more acoustic based music over the years. For his new single, "The Outlaw Josie" he teamed up with local musicians Joshua Van Ness and Tommy Strazza, and the result is a rocking good time!
Johnny Zarfati - "Light You Shine In". If you want a slice of some southern Americana, you should definitely check out the new single from Johnny Zarfati, "Light You Shine In"
Max Rauch - "Deep Green". New music from Max Rauch is always a reason to get excited. His blend of grunge/power-pop/alt-rock always entertains me, and "Deep Green" is no different... but the lyrics to "Waste More Thyme" felt a little too much like my life some days, which is both disturbing and comforting.
Not New, But Memorable Corner
Fun While You Wait - "Silver Linings". Couldn't we all use some fun while we wait for the inevitable end of the world from what's going on in our country, and around the world? I kid... maybe...
Anyway...
Back in 2017 Fun While You Wait would release their last EP (lead singer Devon Alana would go on to form Fake Pockets, which is still active: https://fakepockets.bandcamp.com). The whole EP has incredible indie-uke-pop, but "Silver Linings" is the stand out track to me.
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 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
24 Hours of Music Jamboree Stretches from Jersey City to the Jersey Shore with a week's worth of live concerts
New Jersey's cultural corridors will come alive from July 12-19, 2026 as the 24 Hours of Music Jamboree – Horizontal Edition returns with a vibrant multi‑town celebration stretching from Jersey City to the Jersey Shore. The reimagined expanded format brings seven days of concerts, community gatherings, jazz showcases, jazz bashes and festival‑style programming designed to unite neighborhoods through music.
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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