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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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EVENT PREVIEWS

(HILLSIDE, NJ) -- Kean Stage is thrilled to announce that Joshua Henry, three-time Tony nominee and star of Lincoln Center Theater's Ragtime, will open their 2026-2027 season with two performances of his show Get Up, Stand Up! on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm at Enlow Recital Hall (215 North Avenue) in Hillside.

Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center presents Country Icon Trace Adkins in September

(CARTERET, NJ) -- Multi-PLATINUM entertainer Trace Adkins will bring his 30th Anniversary Tour to the URSB Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center on Friday, September 18, 2026, for one night only. The show is part of Adkins' nationwide headline tour celebrating 30 years of chart-topping hits and powerhouse live performances. Showtime is 8:00pm.

The Levoy Theatre presents Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on September 22nd

(MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on Wednesday, September 22, 2026 at 7:00pm. This year marked 33 years since the band arrived on the music scene.
NJPAC presents Salsa icon Tito Nieves on September 26th

NJPAC presents Salsa icon Tito Nieves on September 26th

(NEWARK, NJ) -- The internationally celebrated Salsa icon, Tito Nieves - affectionately known as "El Pavarotti de la Salsa" - is set to electrify the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 8:00pm with his tour, "50 Años La Historia... Continúa." The performance will take place at NJPAC's prestigious Prudential Hall, Betty Wold Johnson Stage.
New Jersey Film Festival Fall 2026 Includes a Concert Featuring Two Bands of Rutgers Students

New Jersey Film Festival Fall 2026 Includes a Concert Featuring Two Bands of Rutgers Students

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Hanging Coats and Lawns, part of New Brunswick's basement music scene, take the stage for an audio-visual performance on October 2 , 2026 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. A Rutgers student is injecting some sonic youth from the New Brunswick music scene into this year's New Jersey Fall Film Festival.
CarteretPAC presents W.A.S.P. with "1984 to Headless" Tour

CarteretPAC presents W.A.S.P. with "1984 to Headless" Tour

(CARTERET, NJ) -- W.A.S.P. brings its "1984 To Headless" Fall North American Tour to the Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 8:00pm. The band will pay tribute to their 1st Four Albums... Live! The lineup includes Special Guest KK's Priest.
Outpost in the Burbs presents James Maddock on October 11th

Outpost in the Burbs presents James Maddock on October 11th

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents James Maddock on Sunday, October 11, 2026 at the First Congregational Church in Montclair. Maddock's status as a fixture on the Folk and Americana scene is confirmed with every listen of any song in his prodigious catalog. Showtime is 7:30pm.
Five For Fighting String Quartet Tour to Play Shows in NY/NJ/PA

Five For Fighting String Quartet Tour to Play Shows in NY/NJ/PA

(NEWTON, NJ) -- Grammy® nominated, platinum-selling artist, Five For Fighting (aka John Ondrasik) will bring his ever popular Five For Fighting String Quartet Tour back out on the road this September and October. There are several shows coming to the local area including two in New Jersey: Sunday, September 20 at The Newton Theatre and Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at The Vogel in Red Bank.
Outpost in the Burbs presents Suzanne Vega - Flying with Angels on October 30th

Outpost in the Burbs presents Suzanne Vega - Flying with Angels on October 30th

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents Suzanne Vega - Flying with Angels on October 30, 2026 at 8:00pm (doors at 7:00pm). The concert will take place at the First Congregational Church (40 South Fullerton Avenue) in Montclair.

 

FEATURED EVENTS



The Australian Pink Floyd Show

Saturday, September 12, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Morristown, NJ


The Nighthawks

Saturday, September 12, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone

Sunday, September 13, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Morristown, NJ


Will Hoge

Thursday, September 17, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ


The Rascals 60th Anniversary Tour

Thursday, September 17, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Morristown, NJ


 

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