By Lazlo
originally published: 01/16/2023
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 releases by rory alene, Meadow Wood Lane, woodthrush, Graduation Speech, Loose Panic, Michael Brett, and The Rubber Thongs.
rory alene - "Quiet, So Far" - "Quiet, So Far" is magnificient in capturing raw feeling and emotion in 9 folk songs. With just acoustic guitar and rory alene's vocals, the personal lyrics can be heard loud and clear, but each song also contains a melody that helps to make the lyrics shine.
The liner notes point out that the album was recorded on an iphone, which just goes to show that you can make a brilliant album cheaply, without losing quality. In fact, I suspect if this album had been recorded professionally in a studio that it would not have the intimacy that it does.
Meadow Wood Lane - "Since The Rain" - James R. Blass describes his band Meadow Wood Lane's album "Since The Rain", as meant to be his goodbye after "years out of the game (local music). Ultimately making this album got him back into the game and ready to make future albums. I am thrilled to hear this, as this is my first known exposure to his music, and his roots-rock/singer-songwriter sound is engaging an entertaining.
woodthrush - "3 short songs in which i filter my feelings about being back at home via jon bois quotables" - The title pretty much says it all on woodthrush's new EP. It is 3 songs, that are short (the longest is a hair over 3 minutes), and there is a lot of feelings, and not happy ones, poured into these incredible songs.
Graduation Speech - "Burn Eternal" [single] - Graduation Speech is the solo project Aspiga's Kevin Day. Kevin says of his latest single, "Burn Eternal", "The entire song was written and recorded in a matter of hours. It feels a little more personal for me as well, because I recorded the track myself on my phone."
This is the second example in this week's New & Notable where the ability to record on one's phone and get a quality recording allowed this intimate song to be written and recorded quickly without loosing any of the emotion of the moment.
Loose Panic - "In Hindsight" - Loose Panic is Jarret Crawford's band, and he describes his music as, "indie rock, shoegaze vibes, with a bit of Americana and roots rock thrown in there."
I am glad he had that description for me, because I heard so many different things going on in the 5 songs on "In Hindsight" that I was hard pressed to categorize the music, except to say that it is amazing! Each song has an energy, emotion, melody... Stop reading and just go listen to the EP!
Michael Brett - "This Is How You Get A Broken Heart" [single] - It has been 5 years since Michael Brett's last recording, but his return single, "This Is How You Get A Broken Heart" was well worth the wait. It is his most personal song, partly inspired by his sister’s diagnosis of, and ultimate passing from, ALS, a powerful song that is is a sad lament lyrically, and a jangly rock tune musically. This may well be Michael Brett's best song to date!
The Rubber Thongs - "Ex-Junkie w/ Money" - Who loves jangly, power-pop with lovely harmonies? Me!
If you do too, then you must check out The Rubber Thongs single, "Ex-Junkie w/ Money".
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 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://mstdn.social/@BlowUpRadio
EVENT PREVIEWS
Sinatra Celebration Concert To Swing in Ocean Grove This June
(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Sinatra Celebration Concert, a theatrical special event to honor the legendary career of musical icon Frank Sinatra, is being presented by producer Karen Morris of Sand Castle Communications and The Rat Pack Music Alliance.
Broadcast Legend Sid Mark to be Remembered at Ocean Grove Event on June 7th
(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Sid Mark, the popular and iconic radio host, sadly passed away four years ago, on April 18th, 2022. Sid’s son Brian Mark, Executive Producer of Orange Productions' nationally syndicated radio program The Sounds of Sinatra with Sid Mark, will be a very special host/guest speaker, at a musical event which will highlight the legacy of his father and celebrate the 70th Anniversary of The Sounds of Sinatra broadcast program.
Prudential Center presents Mexican superstar Carín León on June 7th
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Mexican superstar Carín León entered a bold new chapter of his acclaimed career with the release of Muda - his new studio album and one of the most eclectic of his catalog. See for yourself when he performs at the Prudential Center on Sunday, June 7, 2026. Showtime is 8:00pm.
Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra presents "Music in Bloom" on June 7th
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra (GPYO) will present its Spring Concert, Music in Bloom, on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at Richardson Auditorium on the Princeton University campus. The performance will feature GPYO's top ensembles in a dynamic program of orchestral works by Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and John Philip Sousa. Showtime is 3:00pm.
The Vogel presents Jeffrey Gaines & Josh Joplin on June 7th
(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Vogel presents Jeffrey Gaines & Josh Joplin on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 7:00pm. NOTE: This show was originally scheduled for May 14. All tickets will be honored on the new date.
Orion Weiss Returns to South Jersey on June 7th
(SEWELL, NJ) -- Music at Bunker Hill welcomes pianist Orion Weiss in his third appearance on their series on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 3:00pm. Weiss is a "brilliant pianist" (The New York Times) with "powerful technique and exceptional insight" (The Washington Post).
Mahwah Museum to host Les Paul 111th Birthday Celebration: "The Les Paul & Mary Ford Tribute Show with Tom & Sandy Doyle" on June 7th
(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Raise a toast to a legend. Celebrate Les Paul's 111th birthday with an unforgettable Les Paul & Mary Ford Tribute at The Mahwah Museum performed by Tom & Sandy Doyle on Saturday, June 7, 2026 at 2:00pm. Cake will be served as they toast the birthday.
Anderson Brothers to Play 'Best of Berlin' at June Jersey Jazz LIVE! Concert in Madison
(MADISON, NJ) -- In March 2025, multireedists (and twin brothers) Will and Peter Anderson released an album on the Arbors Records label entitled The Best of Berlin, performing 13 tunes composed by Irving Berlin.
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.
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