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BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 2/12/24


By Lazlo

originally published: 02/12/2024

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 Ali Zanders, RGD, and Sally Draper. Plus a look back at "Poet Of The Great Plains" by Christian Beach.

Ali Zanders - "i wish i was younger". Among the tags on Ali Zanders' EP, "i wish i was younger", are "bedroom-pop" and "nostalgia". Both are true, but "nostalgia" really speaks to the beauty of this collection of songs. The songs (consisting of just piano/keyboard and vocal) have sound like the innocence of childhood, with lyrics looking back on being younger, but with the reality that comes from being older. The result is something special.

RGD - "Survive". The latest single from RGD, "Survive", is a tasty treat of alt-garage-pop.

Sally Draper - "American Dream". It has been awhile since we last heard new music from Sally Draper. Their last album was in 2018. But they have returned with a magnum opus of an album, "American Dream". Introspective lyrics combine with punk rock, giving us a brilliant album.

Not New, But Memorable CornerChristian Beach - "Poet Of The Great Plains". In 2008 Christian Beach's self-titled solo debut album. Sure Christian had been around the local music scene in a myriad of bands, including Slave of Id, Artists That Kill, and Ton of Bricks, but this was a more introspective singer-songwriter project. "Poet Of The Great Plains", which opens the second half of the album, is an upbeat jangly tune, with lyrics that tell a story. Here we are nearly 16 years later, and this song still brings a smile to my face.




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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




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Love

Love Song Karaoke Night

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Hamilton Stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC)
360 Hamilton Avenue, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: music


 

The

The Temptations and The Four Tops

Thursday, February 12, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

Candlelight

Candlelight Concerts - Valentine’s Day Special

Friday, February 13, 2026 @ 6:00pm
Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 

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Friday, February 13, 2026 @ 8:30pm
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400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 

The

The Growing Stage presents "Cinderella: A Salsa Fairy Tale"

Saturday, February 14, 2026 @ 4:00pm
The Historic Palace Theatre
7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong, NJ 07857
category: music


 



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EVENT PREVIEWS

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bergenPAC presents The Jacksons on February 21st

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Makin Waves with Alex Dawson: Helluva Hoedown

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Learn about Miles Davis and the Birth of Cool Jazz at the Brick Branch of the Ocean County Library

(BRICK, NJ) -- Jazz musician Miles Davis is remembered as an iconic figure, as complex as he is influential. Learn about his life and career during "Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool," a program honoring Black History Month, at the Brick Branch of the Ocean County Library on Saturday, February 28, 2026. The event begins at 2:30pm.



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The Newton Theatre presents Lotus Land - American RUSH Tribute

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