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BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 9/4/23


By Lazlo

originally published: 09/04/2023

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 releases by Fuey, Bruce Donnola, The Psychedelic Cowboy, Elephants In The Storm Drain, Messy Humans, and illuminihilation. Plus a look back at "Shut Up" by Six To Eight Mathematics.

Fuey - "Liberation Theology". Brett Fuentes started the band Fuey back in 2018, so to say I have been waiting for this debut album for years is no exaggeration. "Liberation Theology", is a great collection of jam-rock based songs, some having a singer-songwriter vibe, others a much more electrifying, almost psychedelic, rock vibe.

Bruce Donnola - "Mugshot Blues". I suspect a recent high profile mugshot being all over the news and social media was the impetus for Bruce Donnola's new single, "Mugshot Blues", but this song deserves more longevity that one news cycle, as it is a fine acoustic blues number.

The Psychedelic Cowboy - "Naked and Unplugged". "Naked and Unplugged" are 4 The Sensational Country Blues Wonders! songs re-recorded solo acoustic, by front man The Psychedelic Cowboy (aka Gary Van Miert). I think I may like these stripped down versions even more than the full band versions. Just guitar and vocal really allows the songs to be more laid back and introspective.

Elephants In The Storm Drain - "Part I". People say all the memorable original band names have been taken, but it is pretty safe to say that Elephants In The Storm Drain is a band name that you won't easily forget. And the three songs on their debut EP, "Part I" are pretty indelible heavy-alt-rock. I am looking forward to Part's 2 & 3 (or II & III), as this is just the first chapter in an ambitious concept album.




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Messy Humans - "Here's To Nothing". 6 songs in under 13 minutes, hell yeah Messy Humans' "Here's To Nothing" is punk rock!

illuminihilation - "Shattered Shields, Pt. 2". Among the tags on illuminihilation's "Shattered Shields, Pt. 2" album in Bandcamp are: 'alternative, metal, emo, folk, hardcore, indie rock, metalcore, & punk'. Confused? You won't be after you listen to this masterfully diverse album!

Also, if you go to illuminihilation's Bandcamp page (which I recommend you do), you can read the lyrics while you listen and really delve into them.

Not New, But Memorable Corner

Six To Eight Mathematics - "Shut Up". It is crazy to me to realize that Six To Eight Mathematics' "Shut Up" album came out 6 years ago this month. Plain and simple, this album rocks! Loud, fast, female punk rock and roll, with musical hooks that draw you in, and lyrical hooks that cut to the bone!

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 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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FEATURED EVENTS

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

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Yellow

Yellow Brick Joel

Saturday, April 04, 2026 @ 8:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 

Bernard

Bernard Purdie With The Keyes-Bergson Hooks Band

Saturday, April 04, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

Collective

Collective Soul

Tuesday, April 07, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

Tuesday

Tuesday Night Record Club - Tom Petty, Damn the Torpedoes

Tuesday, April 07, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Monmouth University - The Great Hall
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 

Coltrane

Coltrane 100: Both Directions at Once

Wednesday, April 08, 2026 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
category: music


 


 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Bassist

Bassist Martin Wind Adds Piano to His Gravity Trio for Area Performances

German-born bassist and composer Martin Wind has built an extensive résumé with more than 20 albums as a leader or co-leader and performance credits with legends such as clarinetist Buddy DeFranco, guitarist Pat Metheny, alto saxophonist Phil Woods, harmonicist Toots Thielemans, and many others. He has regularly performed at some of the top jazz venues in the world. Upcoming performances include release performances for his newest record September (2026, Laika Records) with his Gravity Trio and special guest Glenn Zaleski on piano -- April 9 at Smalls Jazz Club in New York; April 10 at the Puffin Cultural Forum in Teaneck, NJ; and at the Deer Head Inn in Delaware Water Gap, PA, April 11.



Monmouth

Monmouth County Park System presents 2026 Creative Arts Festival on May 9th

(LINCROFT, NJ) -- The Monmouth County Park System is hosting its annual Creative Arts Festival on Saturday, May 9, 2026 from 10:00am-4:00pm at Thompson Park. This celebration of the arts features more than 50 specially selected artists in a variety of mediums such as pottery, painting, jewelry, and more. This family-friendly festival also includes live music, engaging art demonstrations, and children’s art-based activities.



Boots

Boots in the Borough to Take Place April 18th

(WASHINGTON, NJ) -- With country music and line dancing kicking all day, it'll be a family friendly fun-filled day of dancing, dancing and more dancing when Washington (Warren County) hosts Boots in the Borough on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The free event, which will take place in Downtown Washington from 11:00am to 7:00pm, is the first of its kind in the region.



Five-time

Five-time GRAMMY Winner Angélique Kidjo Comes to McCarter Theatre Center on April 11th

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Five-time GRAMMY Award winner Angélique Kidjo comes to McCarter Theatre Center on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 7:30pm for an electrifying evening of music spanning her extraordinary career. The performance is part of a limited six-city U.S. tour before Kidjo continues to Europe for a series of international festival appearances.



Westminster

Westminster Conservatory Faculty Recital on April 10th to honor Galina Prilutskaya

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Friday, April 10, 2026 at 7:30pm, Westminster Conservatory of Rider University will present a faculty recital to honor the memory of Galina Prilutskaya, a long-time member of the Conservatory's piano faculty who died on October 11, 2025. The recital will take place in Hillman Performance Hall in the Marion Buckelew Cullen Music Center (101 Walnut Lane) in Princeton. The recital is open to the public free of charge.