New EP from Roy Orbitron

Artwork by Tommaso Eppesteingher

8 Million to One

It's been a minute since we've heard from Bordentown's Roy Orbitron. In 2016, Conor Meara-led project released the excellent Girls' Boyfriends. Meara surprise released that album in the middle of a lazy Sunday afternoon; and, true to form, today -- without much run-up or fanfare -- we get the release of the three-song 8 Million to One.

SRG Studios' Sean Glonek recorded, mixed, and mastered the EP; and, in addition to Meara (guitar, bass, vocals), this Roy Orbitron line-up features Noah Baum on violin, Patrick Meyer on drums, and Ruby The Hatchet's Sean Hur on Farfisa / synth.

The opener and title track features Roy Orbitron's familiar blend of Americana and rock with touches of Springsteen (with its references to "New York girls" and "learning your facts"). The synth gives the track bit of spaciness and lends a totally new dimension to "Shit-taker" and "Wet Panther (for Jessi Zazu)." The latter is an ultimately raucous tribute to the late co-founder of Nashville's Those Darlins. "I'll root for my heroes / And I'll be singing their songs at the top of my lungs."

Roy Orbitron explore some new sounds on 8 Million to One while retaining those elements -- unconventional song structures, Meara's lyrical style -- that make them unique among New Jersey bands. It all works, and it's good to hear from Roy Orbitron again.

8 Million to One is available now at Roy Orbitron's Bandcamp page and RoyOrbitron.org. It should be showing up soon on streaming services. You can pre-order physical copies via Bandcamp or GoFundMe. Anything pledged above the $20 / record price will go to support City of Angels NJ.

Third Annual SIMGE 24-Hour Songwriting Challenge Starts Saturday, October 1st, at Midnight

ThreePeat

Our good friends over at Speak Into My Good Eye have run their 24-hour songwriting challenge for the last two years. It's been a wonderful showcase of talent from the NJ / NY / PA area, and the event has raised money for some very worthwhile charities. The site is kicking off its third installment of the challenge at the stroke of midnight, just as the calendar flips to October 1st.

Just like prior years, participants have 24 hours to write and record an original song to be featured in the Speak Into My Good Eye 24-hour Songwriting Challenge Compilation. So far this year, over 50 artists have stepped up to contribute something; and there's still time for anyone to get involved. Just shoot a message over to speakimge@gmail.com and let them know that you'll be turning something in by the deadline, which is midnight on October 2nd.

This year's charity is City of Angels NJ, an organization that offers help and resources to those affected by the addiction epidemic that has been ravaging our communities.

So, if you're a musician or just someone with a song in your heart and a smartphone, get in touch with the good folks over at SIMGE and show us all what you've got.

YJY Are Auctioning Off a Clear Vinyl Version of Couch Surfin' USA and Playing the Carousel

Starting Monday, you can bid on the last copy of Couch Surfin' USA on clear vinyl and help City of Angels NJ.

Proceeds to Benefit City of Angels

About six weeks ago, Hightstown fuzz pop quartet, YJY, released their debut EP, Couch Surfin' USA. If you'd like to get a hard copy of the set, you can head over to the Sniffling Indie Kids label store to pick up the EP on CD or cassette. You've also got an interesting opportunity to obtain Couch Surfin' USA on vinyl.

YJY guitarist Ricky Lorenzo surprised everyone by going out and having an EXTREMELY limited run of Couch Surfin' USA pressed to clear vinyl. The band have decided to put the final available copy up for auction on Monday, August 24th. The auction will run on eBay for 10 days, and 100% of the proceeds will go to support the non-profit City of Angels NJ.

City of Angels NJ seeks to guide people suffering from addiction into treatment. They also aid individuals and their families in the long road to recovery regardless of insurance status or treatment history. They never charge anything for their services. City of Angels NJ provides a valuable service at a time when addiction is ravaging several New Jersey communities, and they can use all the help they can get.

Right in the middle of the bidding for the record, YJY come back to Asbury Park where they'll join Brooklyn's BOYTOY and the lords of denim, Asbury Park's favorite sons, The Battery Electric, for a FREE barn burner of a final summer show inside the Asbury Park carousel building on Friday, August 28th, at 7pm.

Go connect with YJY on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram for regular updates on the auction. Then come and see them with BOYTOY and The Battery Electric next Friday. You can also stay tuned to CoolDad Music, and I'll update you with the link as soon as the auction goes live.