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
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.
SOPAC to Celebrate 20th Anniversary with Gala 20: Featuring Max Weinberg's Jukebox
(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) will celebrate its 20th Anniversary on Friday, June 12, 2026 with Gala 20: Featuring Max Weinberg's Jukebox — a venue-wide celebration from 5:00pm–11:00pm.
Trenton City Museum presents Art & Song: A Musical Gallery on June 12th
(TRENTON, NJ) -- Trenton City Museum presents the concert Art & Song: A Musical Gallery on Friday, June 12, 2026 at 6:30pm. Versatile vocalists Tom Chiola and Pam Jorgensen, accompanied by the George Sinkler Trio, will delight audience members with selections from Broadway, Blues, Jazz, and more. Transformed into a stylish jazz café, the museum will also provide delicious food and beverages amid the art of the just-opened Ellarslie Open 43 exhibition. Doors will open at 6:00pm.
French Montana to Headline Grand Opening of Dream Live Performing Arts Center
(EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ) -- American Dream will celebrate the region's opening World Cup match between Brazil and Morocco with the debut of its newest venue, the Dream Live Performing Arts Center, with a postgame concert by French Montana on June 13, 2026 at 9:00pm.
Sergio Mendes' Wife, Gracinha Leporace, Brings His 'Best Band Ever' to New Jersey
Sixty years ago, Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 (A&M Records) emerged as both a masterful artistic statement and a major commercial breakthrough album. The record helped introduce the sophisticated rhythms and cool elegance of Brazilian bossa nova and samba to a truly global audience, blending Brazilian musical traditions with American pop, jazz, and contemporary studio production and repertoire.
Marc Ribler & Friends to perform Paul McCartney birthday tribute "When I'm 84" at Axelrod PAC
(DEAL, NJ) -- As a tribute to Sir Paul McCartney's upcoming 84th birthday in June, Jersey Shore musician Marc Ribler has put together an all-star lineup to perform "When I'm 84" at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14, 2026.
Levoy Theatre presents Paul Thorn on June 18th
(MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents Paul Thorn on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. When it comes to songwriting, less is more, and simplicity is strength. Just ask Paul Thorn, who’s spent three decades turning soulful grooves and small syllables into songs that pack a big wallop.
Erin Harpe & Countryman Jim Bring Award-Nominated Country Blues to Lizzie Rose Music Room on June 18th
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Award-nominated country blues duo Erin Harpe & Countryman Jim will bring their captivating blend of traditional country blues, folk, and Americana to the Lizzie Rose Music Room on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 7:30pm.
The Black Crowes and Whiskey Myers to Perform at Prudential Center
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Genre-defying rock legends The Black Crowes bring their massive co-headlining Southern Hospitality Tour with modern rock's boundary-pushing powerhouse Whiskey Myers to Prudential Center in Newark on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 8:00pm.
MORE EVENTS
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