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BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 6/10/24

by Lazlo
06/10/2024

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 The Hard Maybes, Regency Club, Anthony Krizan, Skull Motion, Tri-State, Pat Veil, and Ferocious Designs. Plus a look back at "Razor Dog" by Ya-Ne-Zniyoo.

The Hard Maybes - "Thank You, I Think?". The Hard Maybes debut EP, "Thank You, I Think?" is a perfect collection of catchy pop-rock tunes!

Regency Club - "Moth Music". The masters of Jersey Shore Pop Rock, Regency Club, delivers their first full length album, "Moth Music". With upbeat power-pop songs, chill retro-pop songs, and everything in between, this album has come out just in time to become a regular part of your summer playlist.

Anthony Krizan - "Cool Shade of Blue". If you were hearing Anthony Krizan for the first time, you could be forgiven for thinking he is from the south (in fact, he is based out of Central NJ). "Cool Shade of Blue" is some barn-burning southern-fried blues & soul rock!

Skull Motion - "Demos!". On "Demos!", Skull Motion seamlessly fuses Punk Rock with Americana, into a rollicking & rocking good time.





 

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Tri-State - "Depth Hoar". On the Bandcamp page for Tri-State's new single (their first in 3 years), "Depth Hoar", they explain:

"Depth Hoar is a layer of snow that rests below the surface. It is weak and susceptible to movement; when it shifts, everything above it changes. It's a metaphor - things are changing, and thank god. you figure it out."

This gem of an indie-power-pop song is well worth taking the time to figure out.

Pat Veil - "Blacklight". Black light can show you things you might rather not see (as Dwight Shrute said on The Office in response to a question of the stains the black light is showing, that it could be, "Blood, urine, or semen"), or a black light illuminating things can create visual illusions.

On Pat Veil's new album, "Blacklight", the auditory illusion is the power hard rock hooks, but if you pay attention to the lyrics the stains of the dark underbelly of life is stil there, which kind of makes this album perfect!

Ferocious Designs - "Open Your Eyes". Ferocious Designs' latest EP, "Open Your Eyes", is sort of a compilation of recently recorded tunes. One song was written for the Fedivision Song Contest (where it placed 11th out of 72 entries), another for WXPN's Song Challenge. A third song was a practice run for the song challenge, and a fourth appeared earlier this year on a BlowUpRadio.com benefit compilation. All five songs are great pop-prog-synth-rock.

 




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Not New, But Memorable Corner

Ya-Ne-Zniyoo - "Razor Dog". Way back in 2003 Hoboken based Ya-Ne-Zniyoo released their only album, "All Is Not Lost",  which was a fascinating blend of folk rock and psychidelic rock. The fan favorite from the album was the lead off track, "Razor Dog". The album was recently put on Bandcamp so we can all enjoy it anew.

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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Floyd

Floyd Pink - Celebrating The Music of Pink Floyd

Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ

FLOYD PINK is a Pink Floyd tribute band from the New York metro area, celebrating the music of Pink Floyd.  

 

Geoff

Geoff Tate’s Operation: Mindcrime

Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center
Morristown, NJ

Multi-platinum selling, Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Geoff Tate is best known for his 30-plus years as the creative and driving force behind the progressive metal band Queensryche. Since its inception with Geoff at the helm, Queensryche has sold over 20 million albums worldwide and has performed in upwards of fifty countries. Geoff is regarded as one of the most skilled vocalists in the genre with hundreds of modern, popular artists citing him and his former band as a major influence. Combining social consciousness and expertly crafted lyrics with high-energy, melodically complex music, Queensryche with Geoff Tate at the forefront became internationally recognized as the thinking man’s rock band. The band’s first three albums — their self-titled EP (1983), The Warning (1984) and Rage for Order (1986) — all hit gold status selling over 500,000 units each.

 

Jesse

Jesse Cook

Saturday, November 14, 2026 @ 8:00pm
NJPAC - Victoria Theater
Newark, NJ

A global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music’s power to connect people across cultures and continents. The Paris-born, Toronto-raised master of the Spanish guitar weaves together flamenco, samba, jazz and world folk traditions into something spellbinding and uniquely his own. On stage, Cook radiates infectious energy — collaborating with his band to craft immersive experiences celebrated for their warmth, precision and emotional depth. With over a billion streams and views across platforms, his sound remains as relevant as it is revered.

 

Don

Don McLean & Lee Greenwood

Sunday, November 15, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center
Morristown, NJ

Two iconic singers perform their hits and celebrate America’s 250 birthday! Singer/songwriter Don McLean is best known for the classic hit “American Pie,” as well as “Vincent” and “Castles in the Air.” Country superstar Lee Greenwood has seven top charting singles, including “I.O.U,” “It Turns Me Inside Out,” and the patriotic favorite, “God Bless the U.S.A.”

 

Song

Song of the Meadowlark

Sunday, November 15, 2026 @ 2:30pm
Highland Design Farm
Hopewell, NJ

A meditative rock odyssey weaving reimagined contemporary songs, stream-of-consciousness poetry and live painting.

 

ADVANCED EVENTS

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EVENT PREVIEWS

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Jesse Cook on Saturday, November 14, 2026 in the Victoria Theater at 8:00pm. A global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music's power to connect people across cultures and continents.



Forte Piano Music Company presents Exquisite Contrasts: Haydn & Schubert Piano Trios

Forte Piano Music Company presents Exquisite Contrasts: Haydn & Schubert Piano Trios

(PARAMUS, NJ) -- The Forte Piano Music Company presents a Piano Trio Concert - "Exquisite Contrasts" - Haydn & Schubert on Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 2:30pm. This program brings together two landmarks of the piano trio repertoire, revealing the evolution of the genre from the Classical era to early Romanticism.



Mahwah Museum Hosts "Les Paul from Start to Finish" with Jim Wysocki

Mahwah Museum Hosts "Les Paul from Start to Finish" with Jim Wysocki

(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Come to the Mahwah Museum on Sunday, November 15, 2026 for a discussion of a 29-year friendship, rare memorabilia, and the story behind Les Paul's home with Mahwah Mayor Jim Wysocki from his nearly three-decade friendship with legendary musician and inventor Les Paul. The event begins at 2:00pm.



Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition to take place on Sunday

Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition to take place on Sunday

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- You can get your holiday shopping done on Sunday, November 15, 2026 when Anchor Rock Club hosts the Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition.  The event runs from noon to 6:00pm.



Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell

Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell

(HOPEWELL, NJ) -- Song of the Meadowlark takes place Sunday, November 15, 2026 at Highland Design Farm. This is a meditative rock odyssey weaving reimagined contemporary songs, stream-of-consciousness poetry, and live painting. Doors are at 2:00pm, showtime is 2:30pm.



Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Chris Smither

Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Chris Smither

(AVENEL, NJ) -- Chris Smither will perform at the Avenel Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. Born in Miami, during World War II, Chris Smither grew up in New Orleans where he first started playing music as a child. The son of a Tulane University professor, he was taught the rudiments of instrumentation by his uncle on his mother's ukulele.



Rufus Wainwright to Perform with Princeton "Super-Orchestra" at McCarter Theatre

Rufus Wainwright to Perform with Princeton "Super-Orchestra" at McCarter Theatre

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Thursday, November 19, 2026 at 7:30pm, GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright takes the McCarter stage for one night only with the Princeton Playhouse Sinfonia, a dynamic new collaborative ensemble created specifically for this concert.



Princeton Folk Music Society presents Kate Taylor

Princeton Folk Music Society presents Kate Taylor

(PRINCETON, NJ) — The Princeton Folk Music Society presents Kate Taylor on Friday, November 20, 2026 in an evening of upbeat and bubbling song filled with enthusiasm and love. The concert takes place at Christ Congregation Church in Princeton. Showtime is 8:00pm. A livestream option is available as well.



Private Eyes Brings the Greatest Hits of Hall & Oates to the Strand Center for the Arts

Private Eyes Brings the Greatest Hits of Hall & Oates to the Strand Center for the Arts

(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- Few musical acts defined the sound of the late 1970s and 1980s quite like Daryl Hall and John Oates. On Friday, November 20, 2026, the Strand Center for the Arts will celebrate their extraordinary catalog when Private Eyes – The Premier Tribute To Daryl Hall & John Oates takes the stage for an evening of classic pop, rock, and blue-eyed soul. Showtime is 8:00pm.



NJPAC to Celebrate Ben Vereen

NJPAC to Celebrate Ben Vereen's 80th Birthday with All-Star Concert on November 21st

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Ben Vereen's 80th Birthday Concert on Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 8:00pm. This special one-night only celebration is part of NJPAC’s 2026 TD James Moody Jazz Festival (November 6-22). Several of today's leading Broadway stars and vocalists unite for a spectacular birthday bash performance toasting the legendary actor/dancer/singer Ben Vereen who turns 80 on October 10, 2026.


 

 


 

COLUMNS


Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Gates" by The Carousers

More than 70 acts have banded together to support the Eden Autism school in Princeton. Carousers vocalist-guitarist Joey Affatato organized and curated "Play for Purpose, Vol. 2," a music compilation to give back to the organization that holds a very special place in his heart. His brother, Alex, attends the Adult Services Day Program. 




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 11/13/2026




This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from November 10-16, 2026




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Josephine" by Emily Grove






 

MORE NEWS

When the late Paul O'Neill first conceived the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in the 1990s, his goal was as straightforward as it was incredibly ambitious. The whole idea was to create a progressive rock band that would push the boundaries of holiday music further than any group before.


Stangl Stage presents John Gorka




Phoebe Bridgers Announces 2027 Dates For "The Lost Tour"




Independent Producer and Writer Karen Morris Announces "The Swingin' Angle" Project




Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell






 

UPCOMING SHOWS


NJPAC presents Jesse Cook on Saturday

(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Jesse Cook on Saturday, November 14, 2026 in the Victoria Theater at 8:00pm. A global artist in every sense of the term, Jesse Cook redefines music's power to connect people across cultures and continents.


Mahwah Museum Hosts "Les Paul from Start to Finish" with Jim Wysocki




Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition to take place on Sunday




Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell






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