E2TG 9/21/2020 - Music City Monday - Cluck Old Hen Mix (All My Sins Remix)

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We roll into another week. We are in unbelievably difficult and strange times. Today, rather than vocalize my fears or hopes or shout into the void, I just want to offer the simple advice to seek out opportunities for kindness. It is easy to demonize people based solely upon what they post or which meme they share or which article on which they choose to comment.

Standing up for your beliefs is important, but I truly believe most people in the world are just trying to figure out how to get along from day to day. I may not agree with where they are in that journey or how they choose to express where they are in that journey. In fact, I may find it problematic, based upon flawed logic or incorrect facts... but, I do think I need to be careful not to assign the full weight of the problematic beliefs on one individual. 

I am not sure if I am making sense. Certainly, a large group of people supporting what I believe is evil and dangerous is a big problem. I guess it comes down to treating the large group one way and the individual members of that large group another. People are complex - so if I make generalized assumptions about the members of that large group, I may or may not be statistically accurate, but I do have to acknowledge that that assumption does not hold for 100% of the people in that group. It is possible to be a good person in many important ways and support something that I find to be bad. I may not be able to reconcile the two, but I do have to at least acknowledge that it is okay not to write off a friend or family member over a belief. 

Which is not to say that in the context of social media - it might be prudent to mute them or even "unfriend"  them for my own sanity. 

What was I saying, oh yeah, seek out opportunities to be kind... 

Today, we pick back up on our recap of this week's Featured Friday Playlist with songs 9-13:

9. "Theme from Black Planet" by Adam McIntyre; Dashill Smith

Atlanta based guitarist Adam McIntyre returned from a visit to Prince's famed Paisley Park studio inspired. The result took about six weeks and is called Black Planet. This is the instrumental theme song to the album that explores funk, rock, and glam-rock in an original way. A great addition to the playlist.  

10. "Them" by EG Vines

A powerful and timely new single from Nashville based singer-songwriter EG Vines who has been a Nashville resident since 2009. He spent 10 years working for a Fortune 500 company before quitting to pursue music full-time. He has been writing and releasing singles this year in preparation for a 2021 full-length album which will follow-up his 2019 album Family Business.

11. "Fine" by Bonnie Whitmore

Bonnie Whitmore is a powerhouse Texas singer-songwriter. A lot of my singer-songwriter friends are high on her, and I was fortunate enough to catch her Americana showcase a few years back which blew me away.  When I saw she had a new single from her forthcoming album Last Will and Testament, I had to add it to the playlist. "Fine" was co-written with (fairly) new Nashville resident Jaimee Harris. 

12. "Unkind Lover" by Darwin

Next up, we have the new single from Santa Rose based dark pop artist Darwin. The track features David J (Bauhaus, Love and Rockets) on harmonica. The track features production and other sounds via Julian Shah-Tayler (aka The Singularity) who we featured a few week's back.  

13. "The Light" by Chrisy Mc Cullagh

We close this segment of music with a track from the recently release album by Irish multi-instrumentalist Chrisy Mc Cullagh. It is from his third album called The Sun That Does Not Set. I am really digging the sound of this album, and I really enjoyed this song. 

Tomorrow - our recap continues with 14-18...

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 9/18/2020 - Featured Friday - Kids These Days Mix (Double L Remix)

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Another Friday means all-new Featured Friday Playlist.  Interesting selections this week - you can listen and follow the playlist from now until next Thursday - just before midnight. 

We will recap the song selections all week starting with the first eight songs below the jump. 

 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 9/17/2020 - Something, Something -Am I A Fool Mix (Good Company Remix)

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I have been thinking a lot about perception vs. reality lately. I thinking I am coming to some very interesting conclusions, but I am still struggling with some aspects. As soon as I get my thoughts organized enough, I will share that here. It kind of goes back to my post about cilantro the other day, but I have taken in a few steps further. I think it is clear that two people can experience the same thing (sight, sound, feeling, smell, taste) and their experience be totally different. But, then how do you define what the "true" experience really is? Any those the directions my mind is going... more to come. 

We've reached the end of another Featured Friday Playlist - as always we saved some great music to take us out.  Tomorrow, we will be back with a brand new Playlist - it is shaping up to be a big one - stay tuned.  Now, here are songs 22-27:

22. "Killing the Dead" by Brian Cullman

We start of this segment of music with a track from Winter Clothes, the new album, by veteran NY musician and Paris Review correspondent Brian Cullman. The album was a cooperative effort with the late Jimi Zhivago - a long-time friend and collaborator. Zhivago sadly passed away during production. It took Cullman a year to get back to completing the album. This is wonderful stuff. 

23. "Shade" by Atta Boy

Atta Boy are a Los Angeles based indie/Alt-Americana band that released their first album in 2012 on summer break from their first year of college. The members have continued making music on both coasts, and now they have come back together to released their second album - eight years later. 

24. "Every Day Is A Black Day From Today - Radio Edit" by Blink

This is the first release of "new" material from the vaults of the Irish band Blink. This song was recorded during sessions for the band's 1998 album The End is High and was meant to be included on the soundtrack to the film The Butcher Boy. The song didn't make either the album or the film, but it is out now, and it seems perfect for 2020. Look for a full album of archived material in the winter.

25. "For the Wretched of the Earth" by Once Upon a Flatline

Theatrical, post-hardcore - New York band Once Upon a Flatline are up next with a powerful new single. It is always good to have some really hard stuff to spice up the Playlist - when it is also fun - it is a bonus.

26. "Lost" by SLD

In the penultimate position of this week's Playlist - we have some nifty power pop music from the Brooklyn band SLD (Sounds Like Digging).  The band builds their songs as a response to songs by some of their favorite artists - the result is original music that feels familiar on an emotional level. Great stuff. 

27. "Hate Speech" by HMO 

We close things out this week with some heavy-hitting hip-hop music from the South Coast of New South Wales.  HMO is an MC, musician, and producer - whose music is inspired by funk, soul, reggae, and blues music.  A great ending to a great week of music. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 9/15/2020 - Mid-Week Mayhem - Dash My Dreams Mix (Shine and Shine On Remix)

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This week has been going fast or slow or something, I don't know. I'm kind of disjointed and feel like the ground is a bit shaky.  This is another reminder that we are in highly unusual times filled with a lot of uncertainty and upheaval and change. It is okay to feel shaky and unsure and disjointed and confused. It is not okay to give up.  Step back, unplug from wherever you are plugged-in, pamper yourself, get rest or stay up all-night, get busy, be productive, be lazy. 

Whatever you need to do - but do it safely. Be kind to others. .Register to vote. Then make a plan on how you are going to vote. Mail, early voting - however you can do it. 

Don't take anything for granted but don't spend too much time worrying about things that haven't happened. 

All of the above is meant for me, and whoever else needs to hear it... on we go!

I miscalculated, I have been featuring four songs a day this week, but I should have been featuring five - so we will feature six songs today and tomorrow - to wrap up this week's playlist.  Today songs 16-21

16. "Good News" by Petter Carlsen

Petter Carlsen hails from the far northern part of Norway - above the Arctic circle.  This is the fourth single from his forthcoming new album The Sum of Every Shade.  I believe we have featured at least two of the previous three singles - I tried to go back and look, but anyway...  I have really been enjoying his music, and I look forward to the album release. 

17. "I Saw a U.F.O." by Victims of The New Math

Next up, we have a track from the Phoenix, Arizona based Victims of New Math which is a recording project of Thomas Young. The music is influenced by Guided by Voices and Big Star and the song was inspired by an episode of the new Unsolved Mysteries. I dig this a lot. 

18. "The Weeping Souls - Alain Johannes Remix" by Jonny Polonsky

Jonny Polonsky returns to the playlist with this remix from Alain Johannes who has collaborated with Chris Cornell, PJ Harvey, and more. Polonsky has a rich history which includes some incredible collaborations of his own. 

19. "Downstairs Sunday" by A Shoreline Dream

A Shoreline Dream (from Barnum, Colorado) return to E2TG with their latest single taken from their recently released Warming album.  They are becoming regulars here on E2TG - and their fantastic sounding shoegaze/post-punk sound is a big reason why. 

20. "Endicott" by Leron Thomas

There is a lot to unpack in this incredible new release. Leron Thomas was a major contributor to Iggy Pop's Free album from last year. He is a trumpeter, composer, and vocalist. This song was inspired by the Kid Creole and the Coconut's song of the same name.  It is absolutely wonderful, and I am really glad I got clued into this release. 

21. "Record Collector" by Brophy's Law

Brophy's Law are based in Copenhagen but the band hails from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Denmark.  Here - this lead single from their forthcoming True Stories album is about a young man in a cult record shop. A truly great way to close out this segment of music. 

Tomorrow -we finish up our recap with the last six songs on the playlist.  As usual, we saved some good ones for last. 
 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 9/15/2020 - In Other News - Desperate Mix (Downpour Remix)

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Fun Fact: I write the Featured Friday recaps the night before and at that time, I usually add the post subtitle (i.e. "In Other News"). Sometimes I know what it means - sometimes it just pops into my head and I either write about it, ignore it, or change it in the morning. 

I guess I was thinking about the big things dominating the news cycles - elections, pandemic, wildfires... and I was thinking about on the news when the anchor says in other news... I don't watch television news so I don't know if they still say that or if they do - what other news they are covering. Besides pop culture and celebrity gossip... local stories... is there anything going on that isn't partially connected to the election or the pandemic or the wildfires - and even those have overlap. 

Question: Is good news an oxymoron?  I remember the feel good stories at the end of news broadcasts... in the midst of tragedy and violence and suffering, those stories made you feel good, but where they "news" in the strictest sense of the word.  I mean, I guess a war ending or a pandemic being stopped would be good news- but those are really just conclusions to bad news. I'm not being negative or pessimistic, but I legitimately wonder if there is anything such thing as "good news".  Probably so, and I probably am being negative and pessimistic.  

Today, we featured the next four songs from this week's Playlist.  Songs 12-15:

12. "Feel That I'm Falling" by Tom Galloway

We start off today's recap with the latest single by Nashville-based songwriter Tom Galloway.  I really dig this song. Check it out. 

13. "Apple Tree" by Conrad Deadly

We cross the pond for the single from UK based singer-songwriter (and model) Conrad Deadly. He brings an interesting musical background with diverse influences to create something unique. 

14. "Before the World Broke" by Andrew Weiss and Friends

NYC based singer-songwriter Andrew Weiss and his friends have two new standalone singles out with an EP called Lookout Mountain due in October. A timely and really wonderful song. 

15. "Never Die!!!" by Salem Wolves

Massachusetts based psychotronic rock band Salem Wolves pull out three exclamation marks!!! on the title track from their new EP.  A great sound - I just "discovering" this band, but they have apparently been tearing up around New England for some time. A great way to close out this segment of music.

Tomorrow - we pick up with our recap with songs 16-19...
 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 9/14/2020 - Music City Monday and More - Today Mix (Circus Girl Remix)

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We pick up on our recap of this week's Featured Friday Playlist with songs number 8-11 (which somewhat falls outside of the normal scope of our Playlist- but that is the part of making the rules)...

8. "Letter to You" by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

We start this segment of music with a single from the forthcoming twentieth studio album by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.  The album was recorded live in the studio with no overdubs and features three tracks which were written prior to Springsteen's debut album Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. 

9. "Personality Crisis - Live Geneva" by Johnny Thunders 

In conjunction with a newly released "Resurrected" version of Thunders third and final solo album comes this live version of the album culled from three different live recordings. Nashville fun fact: "Personality Crisis" is one of the very few cover songs I have ever heard Tim Carroll perform. 

10. "Then Again" by Psychic Temple; The Dream Syndicate 

Psychic Temple mastermind, Chris Schlarb teamed up with the recently resurrected Los Angeles band led by Steve Wynn to record the album Houses of the Holy.   For reference - the previous four Psychic Temple albums were named I-IV.  Those who know will understand. 

11. "Bang Bang Boogie" by Bobby Royale 

Based in Stockholm, Sweden - Bobby Royale - return with a single that is dripping with New Orleans with some modern flow on top. A great way to close out this segment of music. 

Tomorrow - 4 more songs... 12-15
 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 9/11/2020 - 19 Years - Clarity Mix (Solitude Remix)

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Today is the 19th Anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. I think this event affected everyone, but definitely not equally.  In the subsequent years, I have met people who were very deeply, profoundly, and directly affected by the attacks. 

For me, I was at work - and I got a news alert by e-mail that a plane had collided with the World Trade Center. I may be wrong, but I think the first report I saw said it was a small plane (or may I that was just what I read into it - like why would a big jet be flying so low over the City... I turned on the radio and I think tried to pull up something on-line. What I do remember is hearing about the second plane and immediately knowing that this was not an accident. I wasn't able to watch tv until after work. I remember walking outside at lunch time and looking up and wondering if there would be more attacks.  And I remember what a beautiful day it was. 

What I remember in the days after was a sense of unity. Not just the country but allies all over the world. Of course this didn't last, and in some sense it was an illusion... but it seemed genuine and real (and in some ways it was). 

I had recently signed up for an acting workshop put on by the Parks department. I think we had maybe met once before 9/11.  The goal of the workshop was to create and put on a production - the attacks dominated the production we created. We used parts of several different works - The Good Person of Szechwan, Waiing for Godot, the poem, "The Creation" by James Weldon Johnson, as well as bits we wrote ourselves. The participants were a diverse group and it was an amazing experience to hear different perspectives about what was happening. I considered myself well read and aware, but I learned so much about how other people experience the world. 

Nineteen years... seems a long time ago and yet it seems like it just happened recently. 

Before we get into this week's Featured Friday Playlist, we have a couple of non-Spotify songs to feature.  The first is the lead single from the first Stuffy Shmitt album in eight years. Stuff Happens will be out December 4 (and look for a few more singles between now and then).  It is so great to hear new Stuffy Shmitt music, and he has worked with some of our favorite people on this album.  The song premiered last week - and you can check it out HERE.   

Meanwhile, a group of Nashville musicians who used to perform once a month on Sunday afternoons at Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge got together - virtually - during quarantine to record this gorgeous cover of the George Harrison song "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace)".  They named their new venture Sunday Someday - on the hope that we will all gather again on a Sunday... someday.  Below is a link to the song and the video. Sunday Someday features Annie McCue, Megan Palmer, Bob Lewis, Jason Quicksall, Jonathan Beam, and Erin Nelson. 

It is Friday and that does mean and whole new Featured Friday Playlist. As always, I am proud of this list, I invite you to listen and follow the Playlist and to support the artists you like. 

The first seven songs are listed below.  We will feature the rest of the Playlist in this space next week. 

    Featured Friday Playlist