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BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 10/28/24

by Lazlo
10/28/2024

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 Kevin Liebkemann, Fear of Falling, The Mighty Alrighty, Tim and Brian, and Meteor Police. Plus a look back at "Song For A Musician" by Happy Joe.

Kevin Liebkemann - "About Time". "Kevin Liebkemann's debut album features ten original songs touching on the concept of time", says his Bandcamp page, which explains why the title is "About Time". His acoustic folk/Americana stylings are very laidback and relaxing. He's a storyteller, and one, in my opinion, worth listening to.

Fear of Falling - "King Of America". "From The White House To The Crack House", says Fear of Falling's latest single, "King Of America". By their own admission, this song, "pulls no punches", and is a "critique of power, corruption, and the twisted delusions of authority". It does so, almost deceptively, under a catchy middle of the road rock tune.



 





 

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The Mighty Alrighty - "Enough Is Enough (Single Mix) (feat. Tyler Insley)". With "Enough Is Enough", The Mighty Alrighty can no longer be called, "apartment rock", as they did when the project started back in 2018. This is a full on rock song, and a politically charged one at that. "Enough is enough, It's time for action..." VOTE!

(speaking of voting, early voting is open and I urge you to vote blue! More voter info: https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/vote.shtml)

Tim and Brian - "Mmm Hmm". It has been 13 years since the last release from Tim and Brian (Tim Egan and Brian Ferrel). Most of us thought we'd never hear anything new from. Surprise! The "folktronic-rock duo" are back... with 1 new song, "Mmm Hmm", and it is a great tune!

I look forward to their next single, should we all be lucky enough to still be here, in 2037.

Meteor Police - "Hallowtide Hymns E.P.". Just in time for Halloween Meteor Police release, "Hallowtide Hymns E.P."  Four post-hardcore/post-punk Halloween/Horror themed songs, including a cover of Siouxsie and the Banshees' "Halloween", should get you all set for the holiday this week.

Not New, But Memorable Corner

Happy Joe - "Song For A Musician". Happy Joe (aka Joe Canzano) is a talented singer-songwriter who generally writes fun, catchy tunes like "Smashed Up Cadillac" and "I Quit"... earworms that are also amusing. Both of those songs appear on his most recent album... which was released in January of 2010 (I'm told a new album is finally coming soon). Also on the album, is one of Joe's most heartfelt songs, "Song For A Musician", which he wrote as a tribute to Jack Stock, a musician who used to play at any and every open mic night.




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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 at https://gardenstate.social/@BlowUpRadio (and bridged on BlueSky at https://bsky.app/profile/BlowUpRadio.gardenstate.social.ap.brid.gy)


 



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Floyd

Floyd Pink - Celebrating The Music of Pink Floyd

Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ

FLOYD PINK is a Pink Floyd tribute band from the New York metro area, celebrating the music of Pink Floyd.  

 

Geoff

Geoff Tate’s Operation: Mindcrime

Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center
Morristown, NJ

Multi-platinum selling, Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Geoff Tate is best known for his 30-plus years as the creative and driving force behind the progressive metal band Queensryche. Since its inception with Geoff at the helm, Queensryche has sold over 20 million albums worldwide and has performed in upwards of fifty countries. Geoff is regarded as one of the most skilled vocalists in the genre with hundreds of modern, popular artists citing him and his former band as a major influence. Combining social consciousness and expertly crafted lyrics with high-energy, melodically complex music, Queensryche with Geoff Tate at the forefront became internationally recognized as the thinking man’s rock band. The band’s first three albums — their self-titled EP (1983), The Warning (1984) and Rage for Order (1986) — all hit gold status selling over 500,000 units each.

 

Jesse

Jesse Cook

Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 8:00pm
NJPAC - Victoria Theater
Newark, NJ

A global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music’s power to connect people across cultures and continents. The Paris-born, Toronto-raised master of the Spanish guitar weaves together flamenco, samba, jazz and world folk traditions into something spellbinding and uniquely his own. On stage, Cook radiates infectious energy — collaborating with his band to craft immersive experiences celebrated for their warmth, precision and emotional depth. With over a billion streams and views across platforms, his sound remains as relevant as it is revered.

 

Don

Don McLean & Lee Greenwood

Sunday, November 15, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center
Morristown, NJ

Two iconic singers perform their hits and celebrate America’s 250 birthday! Singer/songwriter Don McLean is best known for the classic hit “American Pie,” as well as “Vincent” and “Castles in the Air.” Country superstar Lee Greenwood has seven top charting singles, including “I.O.U,” “It Turns Me Inside Out,” and the patriotic favorite, “God Bless the U.S.A.”

 

Song

Song of the Meadowlark

Sunday, November 15, 2026 @ 2:30pm
Highland Design Farm
Hopewell, NJ

A meditative rock odyssey weaving reimagined contemporary songs, stream-of-consciousness poetry and live painting.

 

ADVANCED EVENTS

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EVENT PREVIEWS

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Jesse Cook on Saturday, November 14, 2026 in the Victoria Theater at 8:00pm. A global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music's power to connect people across cultures and continents.



Forte Piano Music Company presents Exquisite Contrasts: Haydn & Schubert Piano Trios

Forte Piano Music Company presents Exquisite Contrasts: Haydn & Schubert Piano Trios

(PARAMUS, NJ) -- The Forte Piano Music Company presents a Piano Trio Concert - "Exquisite Contrasts" - Haydn & Schubert on Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 2:30pm. This program brings together two landmarks of the piano trio repertoire, revealing the evolution of the genre from the Classical era to early Romanticism.



Mahwah Museum Hosts "Les Paul from Start to Finish" with Jim Wysocki

Mahwah Museum Hosts "Les Paul from Start to Finish" with Jim Wysocki

(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Come to the Mahwah Museum on Sunday, November 15, 2026 for a discussion of a 29-year friendship, rare memorabilia, and the story behind Les Paul's home with Mahwah Mayor Jim Wysocki from his nearly three-decade friendship with legendary musician and inventor Les Paul. The event begins at 2:00pm.



Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition to take place on Sunday

Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition to take place on Sunday

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- You can get your holiday shopping done on Sunday, November 15, 2026 when Anchor Rock Club hosts the Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition.  The event runs from noon to 6:00pm.



Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell

Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell

(HOPEWELL, NJ) -- Song of the Meadowlark takes place Sunday, November 15, 2026 at Highland Design Farm. This is a meditative rock odyssey weaving reimagined contemporary songs, stream-of-consciousness poetry, and live painting. Doors are at 2:00pm, showtime is 2:30pm.



Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Chris Smither

Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Chris Smither

(AVENEL, NJ) -- Chris Smither will perform at the Avenel Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. Born in Miami, during World War II, Chris Smither grew up in New Orleans where he first started playing music as a child. The son of a Tulane University professor, he was taught the rudiments of instrumentation by his uncle on his mother's ukulele.



Rufus Wainwright to Perform with Princeton "Super-Orchestra" at McCarter Theatre

Rufus Wainwright to Perform with Princeton "Super-Orchestra" at McCarter Theatre

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Thursday, November 19, 2026 at 7:30pm, GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright takes the McCarter stage for one night only with the Princeton Playhouse Sinfonia, a dynamic new collaborative ensemble created specifically for this concert.



Princeton Folk Music Society presents Kate Taylor

Princeton Folk Music Society presents Kate Taylor

(PRINCETON, NJ) — The Princeton Folk Music Society presents Kate Taylor on Friday, November 20, 2026 in an evening of upbeat and bubbling song filled with enthusiasm and love. The concert takes place at Christ Congregation Church in Princeton. Showtime is 8:00pm. A livestream option is available as well.



Private Eyes Brings the Greatest Hits of Hall & Oates to the Strand Center for the Arts

Private Eyes Brings the Greatest Hits of Hall & Oates to the Strand Center for the Arts

(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- Few musical acts defined the sound of the late 1970s and 1980s quite like Daryl Hall and John Oates. On Friday, November 20, 2026, the Strand Center for the Arts will celebrate their extraordinary catalog when Private Eyes – The Premier Tribute To Daryl Hall & John Oates takes the stage for an evening of classic pop, rock, and blue-eyed soul. Showtime is 8:00pm.



NJPAC to Celebrate Ben Vereen

NJPAC to Celebrate Ben Vereen's 80th Birthday with All-Star Concert on November 21st

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Ben Vereen's 80th Birthday Concert on Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 8:00pm. This special one-night only celebration is part of NJPAC’s 2026 TD James Moody Jazz Festival (November 6-22). Several of today's leading Broadway stars and vocalists unite for a spectacular birthday bash performance toasting the legendary actor/dancer/singer Ben Vereen who turns 80 on October 10, 2026.


 

 


 

COLUMNS


Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Gates" by The Carousers

More than 70 acts have banded together to support the Eden Autism school in Princeton. Carousers vocalist-guitarist Joey Affatato organized and curated "Play for Purpose, Vol. 2," a music compilation to give back to the organization that holds a very special place in his heart. His brother, Alex, attends the Adult Services Day Program. 




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 11/13/2026




This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from November 10-16, 2026




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Josephine" by Emily Grove






 

MORE NEWS

When the late Paul O'Neill first conceived the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in the 1990s, his goal was as straightforward as it was incredibly ambitious. The whole idea was to create a progressive rock band that would push the boundaries of holiday music further than any group before.


Stangl Stage presents John Gorka




Phoebe Bridgers Announces 2027 Dates For "The Lost Tour"




Independent Producer and Writer Karen Morris Announces "The Swingin' Angle" Project




Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell






 

UPCOMING SHOWS


NJPAC presents Jesse Cook on Saturday

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Jesse Cook on Saturday, November 14, 2026 in the Victoria Theater at 8:00pm. A global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music's power to connect people across cultures and continents.


Mahwah Museum Hosts "Les Paul from Start to Finish" with Jim Wysocki




Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition to take place on Sunday




Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell






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