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"Being afraid of living is just the same as dying." This line from Two Cow Garage seems like one of the most important for me to remember today. More about Two Cow Garage and last night's other great music is few...
First, the next 2015 E2TG "Earie" Award:
The premise: "Kids these days." I write those words, but how did I mean it? Was it said with exasperation, as it has been said for generations? Well, in this case, that is not how it was meant. We live in a time of incredible possibilities - really! Just thinking about music (keep in mind, I know next to nothing about the recording, mixing, mastering etc. process), the potential for DIY recording, distribution etc. seems pretty amazing. But of course, availability of technology is just a part of the equation. It is when and where ripe and fertile minds meet this "new" technology that things start to get exciting. The driving force for me when it comes to music is the constant search for something new. E2TG has always been (in part) a balancing act between incredible new music being made all over the globe and maintaining a health appreciation and passion for the music that made the new music possible. It's about connections. Right? Yes! Some "kids" these days are using the tools of the day to make some really cool music, and sometimes, this exciting new music is forged by an appreciation of music way older than those who are making it.
About three years ago???? I was introduced (by Papa Tune's - of course) to a young band of brothers from Connecticut called The Foresters. At the time, I think only one of the brother was a teenager - the rest were pre-teens. I made a joke that their average age was 10 3/4 but that their amps go up to eleven. (or something like that). The Foresters were a pop punk band - formed after the three brothers, named Nork, attended a Green Day concert and asked for a received instruments. The early music was really good power, pop punk. Over the past couple of years, The Foresters have released a couple of EPs, recorded with and as several different side projects. The influences have expanded and diversified and the music has gotten more complex and better. The band's latest album, Sun Songs, finds the band reaching a new plateau - while the possibilities remain endless. A couple of years ago, the band were given the Hope For the Furure award by the Couch by Counchwest Music Festival. Well, the future is now, and The Foresters appear poised to find out what happens next - which at this moment is a 2015 "Earie". Actually, special mention for this award needs to go out to all of the artists on the band's homegrown record label, Dord Music Group.
Congratulations to The Foresters - you are the 2015 "Kid These Days..." Award winners.
Last night was a quintessiential Nashville live music night - with some great shows going on in different venues. Me, I hung out at The Five Spot. Early, was a show featuring Fats Kaplin, Kristie Rose, Paul Burch, and more. Later, I was introduced to my new favorite band. They are called Red Collar from Durham, NC. They are a high energy, punk influenced band. Austin Lucas - who I saw for the third time this year was as amazing as ever, and Two Cow Garage who I saw for the second time this year (and who barely made it due to mechanical issues) blew me away as they did the first time I saw them.
Tonight, I'm excited to see Jon Latham opening up for the legendary Malcolm Holcombe at The Basement (not East).
Now, we have a Featured Friday shuffle to close out the post-holiday work week.
"Darling Valentine" by Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau
2015 "Earie" award winning, Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau are up first in the shuffle with the first of a pair of songs today from Tennessee (the album and the state).
"Sweeten the Deal" by The Deadline Shakes
Another listen to infectious Glasgow band, The Deadline Shakes and a song from their album, Zealots.
"L and N" by Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau
First of all, this title should have an ampersand rather than the word "and" but every time I use an ampersand I get really weird HTML formatting issues. If anyone knows a way around that, shoot me a message - I'd prefer to get the song name right... This is one of my favorite songs on the album Tennessee.
"Collateral Language" by Zaibatsu
A rocking instrumental - the last song on the album Zero from the Pregressive Rock band from Rome, Italy.
"Pinyin" by Batkhi Dahn
Batkhi Dahn is the brain child of Hayden Nork, the middle brother of the "Earie" Award winning The Foresters. Pinyin is the latest single from Batkhi Dahn - this is the a-side. There are some really awesome things happening here.
"This Broken Gall Bladder Wants to Kill Me" by Bashful Hips
This is the final song on Too Old for a Coming of Age Story - from experimental artist - Bashful Hips.
"Into Your Arms" by The Naddiks
This is our last track to post from the 21CB album. The Naddiks are from Canberra. They have a new single called "Stop Listen and Love" which delivers an important anti-bullying message. Look that up - we will get to that one soon.
"Used To" by Brian Keenan
Another listen to Fits and Starts the new album from Brooklyn singer-songwriter Brian Keenan. I like this song a bunch.
"One of These Days" by Jeremy Nash
Another from Get Away Driver - from Nashville (via New York) singer-songwriter Jeremy Nash.
"If We Don't Find Love Tonight" by Barney Goodall and The NightHawks
A first listen, and one I was very impressed with. From Liverpool, this is some pretty cool, music which brings to mind Nick Cave or Tom Waits. The video I found is of Barney Goodall doing a Wait's song which gives me one more chance to plug the Tom Waits tribute and benefit tomorrow night at The 5 Spot. I will be there late - after Drivin' 'n' Cryin'.
VIDEO PLAYLIST
Ear to the Ground - a big thanks from down-under for continuing to play independent music, just cause you want to!
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