New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

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


By Lazlo

originally published: 06/24/2024

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 Alibi, Szwei & Marat, Somebody Club, Mixolydian Dreamer, KLOUTMISFIT, The Mediocre Friends, and Tide Bends. Plus a look back at "In My Yard" by Mr. Reality.

Alibi - "Pretty To Think So". Alibi's Bandcamp page bio says, "music for the spring of the summer of love", but to these ears their new album, "Pretty To Think So" sounds like a Fall album, or maybe early Spring album. That is not a knock on the album, I enjoyed it immensely, but people should go in expecting a mellow acoustic album with a maudlin vibe, not a fun, poppy summer album.

Szwei & Marat - "Moonlighting". Carol Szwei and Nick Maratta are Szwei & Marat, and their debut single, "Moonlighting", is an exquisite piece of chamber-pop. Looking forward to hearing more form them.

Somebody Club - "The Epilogue of Unmade Plans". Somebody Club's latest release, "The Epilogue of Unmade Plans", is a lush electroacoustic folk rock album.

Mixolydian Dreamer - "mending!". Self described as, "Artsy prog rock", Mixolydian Dreamer only leaves out in their bio description that their music is absolutely beautiful and that "artsy" does not mean inaccessible to those with more pop sensibilities.




New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info



KLOUTMISFIT - "2". "2" is a nice slowcore, alt-pop album from KLOUTMISFIT. Check it out.

The Mediocre Friends - "So, this is it?". Four musicians from the scene, who are also friends, join together to put out a 4 song EP of excellent power-pop rock songs. Each member (Bill Cederroth, Chris Dickscheid, Mike Eckhart, Gay Elvis) wrote one song, but the EP is cohesive, possibly because they play the same instruments through, and Gay Elvis sings lead on all of them. Highly recommended.

Tide Bends - "Say Yeah". The Tide Bends' bio refers to their sound as a blend of "Brit rock, alternative, and shoegaze influences". I could not have put it better myself. Their new EP, "Say Yeah", is magnificent!

Not New, But Memorable Corner

Mr. Reality - "In My Yard". The year was 1992 when Mr. Reality released their self-titled debut (and only) album, on SBK Records. Their blend of harmonies with acoustic pop, brings as much joy to me today as it did 32 years ago when it came out. "In My Yard" is a classic, nostalgic summer song to me.

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




New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info



 

FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Clint

Clint Holmes: “Let’s Go! Up on the Roof”

Friday, October 24, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Concert Hall at Drew University
36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940
category: music


 

An

An Intimate Evening with Priscilla Presley

Friday, October 24, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ 07008
category: music


 

Aaron

Aaron Lewis And The Stateliners

Friday, October 24, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

Il

Il Divo By Candlelight

Friday, October 24, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

Ivy

Ivy Queen - Hija del Caribe Tour

Friday, October 24, 2025 @ 8:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

NJ

NJ Jazz Society Scholarship Winners to Perform with Jazz Professionals in Madison

(MADISON, NJ) -- All six New Jersey Jazz Society 2025 Scholarship Winners will perform live on Sunday, November 2, 2025 in a Jersey Jazz LIVE! concert at the Madison Community Arts Center. They will be joined by five veteran jazz professionals: tenor saxophonist/flutist Don Braden, trombonist Mariel Bildsten, drummer Alvester Garnett, pianist Caili O'Doherty, and bassist Mary Ann McSweeney. Braden and Bildsten are NJJS Advisors and judges in the scholarship competition.



Kean

Kean Stage presents "The Soul of Burt Bacharach"

(HILLSIDE, NJ) -- Kean Stage will present two performances of The Soul of Burt Bacharach on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 2:00pm & 7:30pm at Enlow Recital Hall. Acclaimed bassist and festival producer Mike Griot introduces a special presentation of the work of one of the most iconic composers in music history: the legendary Burt Bacharach!



HACPAC

HACPAC hosts Swinging with THE RAT PACK!

(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- On October 26, 2025 at 3:00pm, step back into the golden age of Las Vegas with Swinging with THE RAT PACK! at Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HACPAC). Relive the magic, charm, and chemistry of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr., brought to life by a phenomenal cast of performers who truly capture the essence of these iconic entertainers!



The

The Dryden Ensemble presents "Daydreams (and Dictators)"

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Dryden Ensemble returns with its artistic director, Daniel Swenberg, in a program entitled "Daydreams (and Dictators)" on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Princeton. Admission is free, though donations will be gratefully accepted. Showtime is 4:00pm.



Jersey

Jersey City Theater Center to Open 20th Anniversary Season with Brent Birckhead Jazz at White Eagle Hall

(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Jersey City Theater Center (JCTC) proudly opens its 20th Anniversary Season with an unforgettable evening of music featuring Brent Birckhead Jazz on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at White Eagle Hall. The performance will be followed by a free reception celebrating two decades of artistic excellence, cultural exchange, and community engagement. Showtime is 7:30pm.