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All of this happened a long time ago when the world was a very different place. Of course, none of us knew that at the time.
(From The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres) Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)
If you have read The Drift, please consider writing a review on Amazon. If you haven't read it, you can get your own copy through Amazon or if you are in Nashville, you can get them from me.
E2TG January 2018
E2TG February 2018
E2TG March 2018
E2TG April 2018
E2TG May 2018
E2TG June 2018
E2TG July 2018
E2TG August 2018 (coming soon!)
E2TG September 2018 (coming soon!)
SAVE THE DATE!!!!! Thursday, November 15, 2018 - We have a pretty cool event in the works. More to come! I can tell you this isn't really an E2TG event. It is connected to my novel, The Drift, and we have some super cool guests lined up. Announcement soon!
It is Tuesday. We are marching toward the end of the month and toward election day. I honestly go back and forth between hope and despair. Mostly, I have a great sadness for this divisiveness of these times. This an issue that has been brewing for years, but it has reached critical mass. I think the 24 hour news cycle and social media and extremism are all part and parcel of the problem, but ultimately it is the collective "US" that owns the majority of the responsibility. Collectively, we have the power to reject what is happening. It is us that fall for the Russian interference that share and post - unreliable "news" stories - that watch highly partisan "news" programs that merely provide confirmation for our beliefs. It is "US" that disapproves of Congress but keeps re-electing the most egregious members again and again.
The problem is that "We the People" have shirked our responsibilities. Voting rates have been shamefully low, we allow ourselves to be distracted from the things that matter by manufactured divisive "issues" created by special interests who pay off the politicians we keep re-electing. The problem isn't "conservatives or liberals" - there is room in this country for all sides of the political prism. We don't seek out common ground as a place to begin to hear and see one another. And neither do our elected officials.
I wish I had solutions and the power to carry out those solutions, but I don't. The fact is, though, no matter the outcome of the mid-term elections (and I know the outcome I want), the fundamental problems of our society will still exist. And until, we find a way to deal with those issues, our democracy will continue to be in danger. Practically, I think ending Citizen's United is the most important first step. Then, comprehensive campaign finance reform.
I wish our country had a history of more than two parties. I think the binary notion of beliefs is so limiting for us. Not every one who votes "Blue" or who votes "Red" believes all of the same things. Unfortunately, until changes are made, a third party candidate will only steal votes from the "side" that they most closely fit. A strong left-leaning third party will split the "blue" vote and a strong right-leaning third party will split the "red" vote. "Blue or Red" should not be the only choices but until something vital changes in our systems, that is the reality.
For the reasons I enumerated yesterday, I plan to vote straight blue. Not because I think the Democrats are perfect or that they 100% represent my values. For the alternative has become toxic. There was a time when I would have considered voting for a moderate right-leaning candidate if the left-leaning candidate was not favorable to me. But, not this time. Not even a slight hesitation.
Music though! We have a cool, diverse mix of songs to carry us through another day....
"Silent Water" by The Telescopes
First up, we have a track from the Stone Tape EP by long-running UK dream pop, space rock, noise band The Telescopes. The band formed way back in 1987. Led by Steven Lawrie The band has released nine or so albums over the 30 years of their existence. This is a song that was originally included on the band's first studio album - Taste - released in 1989.
"Baddest Blocks" by Klammer
You Have Been Processed is the latest album by this dark pop, post-punk band out of Leeds. I really dig their sound.
"Mixed Emotions" by Danny Sandock
It took way too long for us to dig into Danny Sandock's latest album, Throwin' Me for a Loop - which was released in June. But, I am so glad it has broken through and been coming up in our shuffle fairly regularly. This is a great rock and roll album by a troubadour who's life and muse have carried him all across the country.
"First Light" by Matt Tanner
Next up, we have our penultimate track to feature from the self-titled album by Matt Tanner which was recorded here in Nashville.
"Let's Go to the Beach" by Discount Ravioli
Discount Ravioli are back with another track from Baby Arm Sessions. Just three more tracks to go from this epic release. Related band Batkhi Dahn are releasing their long-awaited new album at the end of month. Honestly, I remember posting about this song in the past - and talking about how Connecticut actually has beaches.. There was a time when I thought I was deleting played songs from my phone memory but it turned out I wasn't.
"Jealousy" by Brandi and the Alexanders
New York City based soul, funk band - Brandi and the Alexanders play a gritty form of soulful and powerhouse rock and roll - led by Brandi Thompson - the band's latest album How Do You Like It? (Their first full-length album has been out a couple of weeks.
"The Sidepiece" by Polly Panic
Hard to believe that there was a time when I didn't think of a cello has a rock and roll instrument. Those times are past and any lingering doubts have been blown away by Losing Form - the forthcoming new album by Polly Panic. Polly Panic is based in Asheville. Jeanette Mackie is a member of the band Rasputina. Cello driven real rock music. Cool stuff.
"Why Oh Why" by Neville and Sugary Staple
And we close things out with some two-tone ska from the album Rude Rebels featuring Neville Staple of The Specials and Sugary Staple. A great tune to end this shuffle.
VIDEO PLAYLIST
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