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BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 5/4/26


By Lazlo

originally published: 05/04/2026

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 Teen Idle, Rich Lancia, Somebody Club, Suede Aces, and Exit Eleven. Plus a look back at "Songs for the Moon" by The Porchistas.

Before we get into the New & Notable...

*** TICKET GIVEAWAY ***

Win 2 tickets to see Jason Didner and the GSP's album release show for their new album, "Asbury Heart", at Porta (Asbury Park) on Friday, May 15th.

How to enter and all the rules at: https://jasondidner.com/bur






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Teen Idle - "A Heart So Tender". I have always enjoyed Teen Idle's music. I have listened as her songwriting and sound has developed over the years, and her latest, "A Heart So Tender", is such a perfect album that I only need one word to describe it, masterpiece!

Rich Lancia - "The Rest Of Me". Sometimes I've had a rough day and I'm looking for something comfortable to relax with and feel good. Rich Lancia's new EP, "The Rest Of Me", fits that bill. The six mid-tempo Americana/singer-songwriter/adult-contemporary songs on the EP are fresh, but also feel like an old friend. I should also note that James Maddock produced the EP and plays on it.

Somebody Club - "Blue Sun" & "Foolish Things". Somebody Club returns with not one, but two new EPs! I can only guess why the songs on "Blue Sun" & "Foolish Things" where split into two EPs vs one album... "Blue Sun" leans more acoustic piano based songs, while "Foolish Things" leans more electric guitar based songs... but both EPs are highly recommended for fans of alternative rock.

Suede Aces - "Suede Aces". Suede Aces bio describes them as, "Drawing from the classic power of Led Zeppelin and the vocal soul of Janis Joplin and Aretha Franklin the band crafts music that’s both timeless and forward-thinking." I don't think I could describe them any better myself. I definitely heard classic hard rock/blues in their songs, but it sounded less retro than many bands inspired by those classic sounds. Their self-titled debut album is quite the introduction.

Exit Eleven - "Fairweather Friends". Exit Eleven's "Fairweather Friends" is the Earworm of the week! This song is insanely catchy alternative-pop-rock. Don't be a fairweather friend, check out their single release show May 8th at Stone Pony.

Not New, But Memorable Corner

The Porchistas present Deivito - "Songs for the Moon". Deivito, New Jersey's master of Spanglish Sea Shanties was once a founding member of, the still active today band, The Porchistas. Back in 2007 they released the album "Songs for the Moon", recently re-released on Bandcamp. This collection is as fantastic today as it was 19 years ago.




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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

(AVENEL, NJ) -- Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Richard Barone & Glenn Mercer: Hazy Cosmic Jive on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 7:30pm. 
White Eagle Hall presents The Feelies 50th Anniversary Shows

White Eagle Hall presents The Feelies 50th Anniversary Shows

(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- White Eagle Hall presents The Feelies 50th Anniversary shows on May 22-23, 2026. The band will be performing The Good Earth and Crazy Rhythms albums.
Centenary Stage Company presents Double Vision: The Foreigner Experience on May 23rd

Centenary Stage Company presents Double Vision: The Foreigner Experience on May 23rd

(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company in partnership with the Hackettstown Rotary Club presents Double Vision: The Foreigner Experience on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 8:00pm. The performance will take place in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center with proceeds in part to benefit the many initiatives of the Hackettstown Rotary Club.
The Barrymore Film Center presents "A Heavenly Evening" featuring Gary Lucas and Feifei Yang

The Barrymore Film Center presents "A Heavenly Evening" featuring Gary Lucas and Feifei Yang

(FORT LEE, NJ) -- The Barrymore Film Center presents "A Heavenly Evening" featuring Gary Lucas and Feifei Yang in a double bill of Chinese music culture on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 7:00pm.
Centenary Stage presents Double Vision: The Foreigner Experience on May 23rd

Centenary Stage presents Double Vision: The Foreigner Experience on May 23rd

(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company in partnership with the Hackettstown Rotary Club presents Double Vision: The Foreigner Experience on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 8:00pm. The performance will take place in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center with proceeds in part to benefit the many initiatives of the Hackettstown Rotary Club.
Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Alexis P Suter on Saturday

Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Alexis P Suter on Saturday

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Alexis P Suter on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 7:30pm. Three-time Blues Music Award (BMA) nominee including the 'Koko Taylor' and Best Soul Blues Female Artist award categories, Alexis is an American blues, and soul blues singer-songwriter.
Starland Ballroom presents Sevendust on Saturday

Starland Ballroom presents Sevendust on Saturday

(SAYREVILLE, NJ) -- The Starland Ballroom presents Sevendust on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 7:00pm. The night also features performances by Snot and American Adrenalin.
United Children

United Children's Music Project presents World-Class Venezuelan Artists María Brea and Kristhyan Benítez on May 28th

(WEEHAWKEN, NJ) -- United Children's Music Project (UCMP) presents Venezuelan soprano María Brea and Latin Grammy–winning pianist Kristhyan Benítez in an unforgettable evening of Latin American artistry as part of its acclaimed Latin Night Thursdays concert series on Thursday, May 28, 2026 at UCMP (4710 Park Avenue) in Weehawken, NJ. Showtime is 7:30pm.
The Vogel presents BobFest on May 28th

The Vogel presents BobFest on May 28th

(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Vogel presents BobFest on Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 7:30pm. This is the music of Bob Dylan presented in the round Nashville style by John Cruz, Steve Delopoulos, Pat Guadagno, Renee Maskin, Rob Paparozzi, and Anne Hills.
Outpost in the Burbs presents Joan Osborne Sings the Songs of Bob Dylan

Outpost in the Burbs presents Joan Osborne Sings the Songs of Bob Dylan

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents Joan Osborne Sings the Songs of Bob Dylan on Friday, May 29, 2026 at the First Congregational Church of Montclair. Showtime is 8:00pm.

 

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