By Lazlo
originally published: 07/08/2024
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 Part-Time Custodian; Mellow Doubt; Loon Lord; Last Legs; Danello, The Sad Surfer & Possum In My Room; Mark Parker; and pheller . Plus a look back at "Brittle Boned" by Newfoundman.
Part-Time Custodian - "All Boxed In". "All Boxed In", the new single from Part-Time Custodian, is a beautiful song, with vivid lyrics (that evoke the same feeling in me as, "They paved paradise and put up a parking lot"), and music that builds.
Mellow Doubt - "Same Shade of Blue". A few weeks back I raved about the band Alibi in this very column. I have since found out that Alibi is a solo project from Conor Christopher, for his more raw, demo recordings. His band, Mellow Doubt, has recently put out an album, "Same Shade of Blue", which like Alibi's album is a lovely mellow acoustic album.
Loon Lord - "The Sun Tax". "The Sun Tax" is a pretty epic prog-folk-rock album by Loon Lord. What more do you need to know? Check it out.
Last Legs - "Difficult Songs". New Wave Americana... not a combination of music I would have thought of, but that is how Last Legs describes themselves, and it is apt. "Difficult Songs" is a wonderful debut EP from this band which features John Gleason and Colin Ryan from Roadside Graves. Fans of that band are likely to enjoy this too.
Danello, The Sad Surfer & Possum In My Room - "Split". Two amazing New Jersey artists, Danello, The Sad Surfer & Possum In My Room, team up to release this 7 song "Split". Three songs from each artist, as well as one song they collaborated on together. They each have their own style of indie-pop rock, but they are compatible and make for a great split album.
Mark Parker - "a little bit less". Mark Parker's latest EP, "a little bit less", is no less entertaining even while going mostly acoustic. Some of the four songs are less pop punk and more singer-songwriter, but that just makes happy that Mark is showing more layers of his song craftsmanship.
pheller - "The Chronicles of Hesh and the Staff of Melancholia: The Forbidden Flip". "The Chronicles of Hesh and the Staff of Melancholia: The Forbidden Flip", pheller's new six song EP, is an insanely catchy emo-pop-punk album, masking the deeper, less upbeat, poetic lyrics.
Not New, But Memorable Corner
Newfoundman - "Brittle Boned". Newfoundman was the moniker of New Brunswick musician Avery Elford. His indie-folk music was beautiful, and hypnotic. A prime example of this is his 2017 song, "Brittle Boned".
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
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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