By Lazlo
originally published: 06/01/2026
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 Songbird, Allison Strong, Hexagon Cat, Sleep Station, and Lily Vakili. Plus a look back at "Everything Explodes" by Joshua Van Ness.
Songbird - "Is It Love?". Songbird continues to put out pop singles that belong all over commercial pop stations. I have to assume the only reasons her songs are not is because commercial radio generally ignores independent artists. But with songs like her new single "Is It Love?", I don't think she'll be independent for long, unless it is by choice.
Allison Strong - "Weightless". Another artist who I would expect to hear on commercial radio is Allison Strong. I would say her voice is her strength, as it is amazing, but the lyrics of her new single, "Weightless", are equally... well, pardon the pun, but... strong.
Allison describes the song as being about, "breaking up with the part of myself that has been playing small and safe since I lost and regained the ability to walk. It’s about letting go, feeling lighter and dancing into a whole new era."
Hexagon Cat - "Red Hexagon". A hexagon is six sided.
A Hexagon Cat is I guess a six sided band.
How so, considering there looks to be only four members of the band?
Well their sound on their new album, "Red Hexagon", is, depending on the song, alternative, prog rock, indie rock, orchestral pop, psychedelic rock, Mellow Wave... at least six sides, maybe more, and they are all awesome. And like a cat they will do whatever they want musically, and I'm glad they do.
Sleep Station - "This Side of Heaven". As an atheist, I'm not sure where "This Side of Heaven" is, but if being there means getting to have Sleep Station's new album, then I want to be there. This is some transcendent mid-tempo alt-indie-folk-rock!
Lily Vakili - "Live Wire". There is nothing like capturing an electrifying live band. Lily Vakili knows this, and for her latest album, "Live Wire", her and her band recorded it live. The result is mesmerizing mix of blues, rock, jazz... almost a cinematic vibe running throughout.
Not New, But Memorable Corner
Joshua Van Ness - "Everything Explodes". It is 2008. I am lying on my bed, eyes closed, listening to Joshua Van Ness's DNA album for the first time.
Joshua is an amazing singer-songwriter who writes catchy, mid-tempo folk-rock-pop, that I absolutely love.
But then track 5 begins, and I check if I am still listening to the same album, because "Everything Explodes" kicks in when a thumping beat and a hard edged guitar riff. This is an industrial rock, dance club hybrid that 18 years later still blows my mind every time I hear it.
If this song doesn't grab your attention and get you up and moving... well I get to each their own, but this song is a three minute workout to me.
To my knowledge Joshua Van Ness has never recorded another song in this style, and only played this live a couple of times (the first of which may have been because I wouldn't stop asking him to).
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
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.
FEATURED EVENTS
