By Lazlo
originally published: 11/11/2024
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 Weftin, Lupe Dragon, The Antoine Poncelet Band, Battleviews, Sean Kiely, The Break Plans, and Marco Sepe. Plus a look back at "Trump Card" by Joker's Republic and the new book "Sensation Blues" by Bennett Kelly.
Weftin - "State of the World". For a lot of us this week was gut punch, and we are worried about what the next four years will bring. Weftin are the first (I've heard at least) to encapsulate their feelings into song. This is not "shiny happy people holding hands", this is "I can't believe what we're witnessing is real". If you're looking for angry song to work through your feelings, highly recommend.
Lupe Dragon - "swaylinks". Released on World Mental Health Day last month, Lupe Dragon latest single "swaylinks", is a powerful, powerful song. It also may be Lupe's most personal song. At the end of the video for it it says, "it's taken me a long time to put into words how I've felt internally... hopefully this song makes you feel less alone". An important song at any time, but probably even more so after the election. Take care of yourself.
The Antoine Poncelet Band - "Live For The Night". The Antoine Poncelet Band's latest single, "Live For The Night", is best described by themselves when they called it, "A rock n' roll anthem for all creatures of the night". Hell yeah it is!
Battleviews - "Two Ghosts (First Singles)". Husband and wife duo Battleviews release, "Two Ghosts (First Singles)", are two Indie-Folk/Americana-Pop tunes, one upbeat and poppy, the other more laid back. Both are very enjoyable and have me eager to hear their second, third, fourth, etc., singles.
Sean Kiely - "Postcards of the Reckoning". Sean Kiely's press release describes his new album, "Postcards of the Reckoning", as, "comprised of eight quietly devastating songs for starting over." This album of indie-folk feels so personal. It is compelling and powerful.
The Break Plans - "Mistakes Are A Friend Of Mine". I don't listen to a lot of commercial radio stations, so I don't know if Adult Contemporary stations still exist like they did in the 90's. If they do, The Break Plans debut EP, "Mistakes Are A Friend Of Mine", should be all over it. They are masters at melodically catchy pop rock.
Marco Sepe - "King De Soleil". "King De Soleil", Marco Sepe's latest single, is a beautiful song. The story in the lyrics, told in Marco's falsetto, with just the right musical accompaniment, is just magic to my ears.
Not New, But Memorable Corner
Joker's Republic - "Trump Card". Joker's Republic put out their song "Trump Card" in 2019 on their "Falling Behind" album (2 years after an acoustic version appeared on a BlowUpRadio.com benefit compilation). Sadly, given the election this week, this pollical ska-punk song is as relevant as ever.
Special Book New & Notable
"Sensation Blues" by Bennett Kelly. I don't know if I've written about a book since I had to do book reports back in school. Don't get me wrong, I read books, though with limited time to do so it takes me a month or two to finish a book. And most of the books I read are non-fiction.
But when local music journalist Bennett Kelly sent me his debut novel, "Sensation Blues", I was intrigued.
Many first novels are based on one's life, but as Bennett is from New Jersey, and this book is set in the contemporary Mississippi Delta, I doubt it is directly autobiographical, though he does say, "I set out to write a blues novel to honor the blues and the mythological figures that excited me as a kid."
He does that quite well, via a coming of age story of a teenager whose older brother just left for college, leaving the younger teen trying to figure out who he is without his older brother around. His uncle starts teaching him blues guitar and about the blues, and he takes to it and becomes obsessed with it.
It took a dozen or so pages for me to get into this book (maybe because I don't red a lot of fiction), but once I did I found the characters and story engrossing. By the time it got to the end, I was thoroughly entertained, and wanted the story to continue. If that is not a ringing endorsement for checking this book out, then I don't know what you need.
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)
EVENT PREVIEWS
Essex County Summer Orchestra Players present "Made in America" on August 2nd
(LIVINGSTON, NJ) -- As local residents and friends stroll, bike or jog around the Livingston Oval on Tuesday evenings this July, musicians from several community orchestras are gathering in the township's high school band room to celebrate works "Made in America."
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.
The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny and the music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Blues For Greeny - The Music of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Dude Cervantes & The Panchos will open the night. Doors are at 7:00pm, music starts at 7:30pm.
Shinedown to Play Shows in Newark and Philly in July
(NEWARK, NJ) -- One of the biggest bands in the world, Shinedown, will be releasing their brand new studio album EI8HT on May 29, 2026 (via Atlantic Records) and released the new song "Outlaw." In addition, they announced their massive Dance Kid Dance Act II World Tour, taking the band to 11 countries across 54 dates, including local stops at Prudential Center in Newark on Tuesday, July 21st and Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Thursday, July 23rd.
Middletown Arts Center presents Reina Williams + The Remedy
(MIDDLETOWN, NJ) -- The Middletown Arts Center presents a concert featuring Reina Williams + The Remedy on Thursday, July 23, 2026. Special guest performers Renee Maskin and Patrick Bamburak will open the show. Enjoy an evening of original music spanning reggae, hip-hop, soul, folk, Americana, and indie rock from some of New Jersey's most talented musicians. Showtime is 7:00pm.
Harmonium Choral Society presents "I Dreamed Last Night" on July 23rd
(MADISON, NJ) -- On Thursday, July 23, 2026, Harmonium Choral Society presents I Dreamed Last Night. Directed by Lennie Watts with music direction by John Fischer, I Dreamed Last Night is a one woman show with Gloria Bangiola. There are songs and stories about dreams, hopes, wishes, ambitions, fantasies, nightmares, impossibilities and that big ol' American one we are all still working to make real. Showtime is 7:00pm.
HOT 97's Summer Jam 2026 to Take Place July 24th at Prudential Center
(NEWARK, NJ) -- HOT 97, New York's #1 station for Hip Hop, is once again bringing the culture's biggest night back to the tri-state area with Summer Jam 2026, on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark. Produced by The Black Promoters Collective, Summer Jam continues its legacy as the most iconic Hip Hop concert in the world.
Summer Jazz: Drummer Joe Farnsworth and Special Guests at William Paterson
For more than three decades, Joe Farnsworth has been one of the most admired drummers in modern jazz, revered for his superb technique, driving swing, and unwavering commitment to the jazz tradition. A Massachusetts native mentored by legendary drummers Alan Dawson, Arthur Taylor, and Jimmy Lovelace, Farnsworth has appeared on nearly 400 recordings and performed with an astonishing array of jazz masters, including McCoy Tyner, Benny Golson, Pharoah Sanders, Cedar Walton, Harold Mabern, and Wynton Marsalis. He is also a founding member of the acclaimed hard bop collective, One for All, alongside longtime musical associates tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, trombonist Steve Davis, the late trumpeter Jim Rotondi, and pianist David Hazeltine.
Grammy-Winning Superstars Erica Campbell and Jonathan McReynolds to Headline 2026 Gospel Music Festival
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Middlesex County, as part of its FolkLIVE free community event series, will host its third annual Gospel Music Festival in New Brunswick (2 Livingston Ave) on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 3:30pm to 7:30pm. This year's star-studded lineup features multi-Grammy-winning performer Erica Campbell—known both for her solo work and as part of the dynamic "Mary Mary" duo—and Billboard chart-topper Jonathan McReynolds as the headliners.
Mahwah Museum Hosts "Unlock the Fretboard" Guitar Workshop with Mark Sganga on July 25th
(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Guitar players of all levels are invited to "Unlock the Fretboard," a hands-on guitar workshop taking place on Saturday, July 25, from 11:00am to 2:00pm, with a short break included, at The Mahwah Museum. The workshop will be taught by Mark Sganga, an International Fingerstyle Guitar Champion, bringing expert instruction and high-level musicianship to this special event. Designed to help players better understand the fretboard through a system of caged chords and scales, the workshop offers practical strategies that participants can apply immediately in their playing.
FEATURED EVENTS
