By Lighty
originally published: 04/13/2026
I’m one of those guys who hates it when people say that rock and roll is dead... I disagree when people say that there's no good new music being released today. I actually think there may be more good music now than ever, but it can be harder to find due to corporate radio stations and online algorithms. Since we get a ton of new music sent to us at New Jersey Stage each week, I decided to try something new - a recorded DJ hosted radio show and a column spotlighting new works. The plan is to have a new one every two weeks.
The debut episode contains tracks by 17 (mostly indie) artists from around the world. It’s got songs by artists from America (New Jersey, Colorado, California, Texas, Philadelphia, and New York City) plus songs from England, Canada, Ireland, and Norway. Most of these tracks were received in the last two weeks. Rather than posting each track individually, I'm hoping people listen to the show. Warning: some artist names may be mispronounced. I apologize in advance!
In addition to the radio program, each column will highlight a few other tracks from around the web. These are either songs I don’t have a physical copy of, albums of note, or songs with videos that I think deserve the spotlight as well. Or it might mean we just received too much good music for one radio show!
The artists in this episode include: Silver Heir, Frenchy and the Punk, U2, SonofDov, The Dambuilders, Mike Daly’s Lost N’ Found with the Ray Nissen Orchestra, Remington Super 60, June Rest, Rolling Blackout, Orbis Max, Bricklin II, Sam Tunkel, Blindness Light, Faith Eliza, Cowboy Diplomacy, The Willful Deaf, Fake You, and Bruce Tunkel.
If you are an artist interested in being considered for the radio program or column, send some info about yourself and a link to your latest song or album to [email protected] - If you want to send over a track or a download link, I prefer Wav files but mp3s will work, too.
I’m just getting back into recording shows with the goal of hopefully getting a little better each time. I’m working on a new show each week - “Lighty’s Corner” featuring new music; “Classic Jersey” featuring artists from New Jersey; “Bring Me The Head of Max Headroom” featuring tracks from the MTV era; and “The Penguin Rocks” featuring of my favorite songs from an online radio station of mine that ran for over a decade.
Most of these tracks were received in the last two weeks, but the songs may have been released much earlier. Sometimes artists decide to push works from years ago and sometimes they hire a promotion team to help. These tracks and videos were sent to us from artists, record labels, and radio promotion companies. A special shoutout to some of the companies we used for the show: Haulix, Shameless Promotion PR, ALLCAPS PR, Obsidian PR and Media, Mixtape Media, This Could Be Your Music Label, and The Syndicate.
And if you are into new music, Lazlo of blowupradio.com takes a look at new releases by New Jersey artists every two weeks in his column, and we have several new music DJ run shows as well: Altrok (run by Sean Carolan), Deuce Radio Show, and From the Basement (run by Mike Marrone).
Here are some recent songs that caught my attention from around the web.
April 13th Show Tracklist
theme song (Tenacious D - Rock Is Dead)
Silver Heir - Footmans Tale
Frenchy and the Punk - War on War
U2 - Scars
SonofDov - Skin and Bones
The Dambuilders - Shrine
Mike Daly's Lost N' Found with the Ray Nissen Orchestra - Wishing Hoping Wanting
Remington Super 60 - Time to Breathe
June Rest - Overrated
Rolling Blackout - Fools Gold
Orbis Max - By Degrees
Bricklin II - Lift
Sam Tunkel - Do You? Will You?
Blindness Light - Just a few milligrams
Faith Eliza - Monsters
Cowboy Diplomacy - Looney Bin
The Willful Deaf - Spirit of Youth
Fake You - Spitshine
Bruce Tunkel - World Blues #10
EVENT PREVIEWS
Telegraph Quartet to Perform on the Morris Museum's Back Deck to Kick Off Its Celebrated Summer Outdoor Concerts Series
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- On Thursday, June 11, 2026, the Telegraph Quartet will return to perform for the Morris Museum's seventh annual Back Deck season. This outdoor concert series began during the pandemic, and The New York Times describes it as "Live Music Splendor in a Parking Lot." Showtime is 7:30pm.
Carteret PAC presents Jo Dee Messina
(CARTERET, NJ) -- Chart-topping country music icon Jo Dee Messina will perform at The URSB Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center on Friday, June 12, 2026. Messina is known for her powerful vocals and extensive catalog including nine number-one hits, 16 Top 40 songs, and awards and nominations from the ACM, CMA, AMA, Billboard, and the Grammys. Showtime is 8:000pm.
SOPAC to Celebrate 20th Anniversary with Gala 20: Featuring Max Weinberg's Jukebox
(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) will celebrate its 20th Anniversary on Friday, June 12, 2026 with Gala 20: Featuring Max Weinberg's Jukebox — a venue-wide celebration from 5:00pm–11:00pm.
Trenton City Museum presents Art & Song: A Musical Gallery on June 12th
(TRENTON, NJ) -- Trenton City Museum presents the concert Art & Song: A Musical Gallery on Friday, June 12, 2026 at 6:30pm. Versatile vocalists Tom Chiola and Pam Jorgensen, accompanied by the George Sinkler Trio, will delight audience members with selections from Broadway, Blues, Jazz, and more. Transformed into a stylish jazz café, the museum will also provide delicious food and beverages amid the art of the just-opened Ellarslie Open 43 exhibition. Doors will open at 6:00pm.
French Montana to Headline Grand Opening of Dream Live Performing Arts Center
(EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ) -- American Dream will celebrate the region's opening World Cup match between Brazil and Morocco with the debut of its newest venue, the Dream Live Performing Arts Center, with a postgame concert by French Montana on June 13, 2026 at 9:00pm.
Sergio Mendes' Wife, Gracinha Leporace, Brings His 'Best Band Ever' to New Jersey
Sixty years ago, Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 (A&M Records) emerged as both a masterful artistic statement and a major commercial breakthrough album. The record helped introduce the sophisticated rhythms and cool elegance of Brazilian bossa nova and samba to a truly global audience, blending Brazilian musical traditions with American pop, jazz, and contemporary studio production and repertoire.
Marc Ribler & Friends to perform Paul McCartney birthday tribute "When I'm 84" at Axelrod PAC
(DEAL, NJ) -- As a tribute to Sir Paul McCartney's upcoming 84th birthday in June, Jersey Shore musician Marc Ribler has put together an all-star lineup to perform "When I'm 84" at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14, 2026.
Levoy Theatre presents Paul Thorn on June 18th
(MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents Paul Thorn on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. When it comes to songwriting, less is more, and simplicity is strength. Just ask Paul Thorn, who’s spent three decades turning soulful grooves and small syllables into songs that pack a big wallop.
Erin Harpe & Countryman Jim Bring Award-Nominated Country Blues to Lizzie Rose Music Room on June 18th
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Award-nominated country blues duo Erin Harpe & Countryman Jim will bring their captivating blend of traditional country blues, folk, and Americana to the Lizzie Rose Music Room on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 7:30pm.
The Black Crowes and Whiskey Myers to Perform at Prudential Center
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Genre-defying rock legends The Black Crowes bring their massive co-headlining Southern Hospitality Tour with modern rock's boundary-pushing powerhouse Whiskey Myers to Prudential Center in Newark on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 8:00pm.
MORE EVENTS
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