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So - in reference to my long pre-shuffle post yesterday, music is what sustains me when the world gets me down. Music has saved my life. Music is not just important to me, it is vital to my existence.
On top of all of the other worldly problems, I am troubled by the devaluing of music by our culture. Technological advancements which should be (and in many cases are) a boon to the goal of getting music out to the people - has - like many parts of society - fallen into the hands of a few "power" players - who exploit the true creators to line their own pocket.
The people I know who make music - mostly do so because they have to - not in absence of other skills but it is a drive. A model has to be developed that adequately rewards the creators. The so-called music business is a microcosm for the rest of society. The gap between the haves and the have-nots.
I do not have a solution, but I think there is one out there. The question is - what will motivate those who are benefiting from the current system?
So, for most of us - who love music- the call is to act on whatever scale we are able. Go to shows, buy merch, buy music in a physical format - even if you mostly listen to electronic formats, if there is a tip jar for the band - use it. Share music! Social media companies intentionally limit the reach of artists and others - to encourage "boosted" posts. It even happens to E2TG - once my Facebook page like count reached a certain level - fewer people saw my posts. I don't make a dime from E2TG, so it doesn't make sense for me to pay to boost my posts. The only way to combat this is from everyone to share posts. _ I don't just mean E2TG (although that would be nice), but also posts by your favorite bands.
It has been a rough week in many ways - my spirit is low and my temper has been short. I'm combating all that with music and creativity.
It is Wednesday, and that is the day, we do what I call the "Wild Wednesday" shuffle. A shuffle derived from all the songs saved to my phone. Let's see what happens!
"Occupy" by Rising Appalachia
We start things off with a live track from Rising Appalachia from their album Alive - which we featured a couple of years ago. Here in Tennessee, our legislature choose - rather than to hear what the Occupy protesters had to say - to pass new laws that made it impossible for the protests to continue. Nevertheless, it is as important as ever that we occupy every space possible whenever and where ever we can.
"Lake Louise" by Rebecca Loebe
Next up, we have a lovely song from Give Up Your Ghosts by Atlanta based singer-songwriter (and former The Voice contestant) Rebecca Loebe.
"Evil Lovin'" by James Scott Bullard
Our old friend James Scott Bullard returns to the shuffle with another track from his Full Tilt Boogie album which we featured last year. Some of that good old evil lovin'. The South Carolina singer-songwriter generally speaking pulls no punches.
"Zero Weather" by Mark Huff
Next up, we have Mark Huff going back to his 2010 Feels Like California album. Love this song.
"Trip" by Viva Death
The shuffle takes a harder edged turn with a track from Illuminate by L.A. rock band Viva Death - which came out in the latter part of 2018. It was the band's first album in eight years.
"Having Fun (Paresis lulz Remix)" by Flesh Eating Foundation
British cyberpunks Flesh Eating Foundation return to the shuffle with another track from their We Are Fucked album - which we featured heavily last year. This is a remix of a song called Having Fun. It is dark and heavy and wonderful. Flesh Eating Foundation includes John E. Smoke - who is deaf and blind.
"After the Storm" by Shovels and Rope
Our second South Carolina artist in the shuffle - next up, we have Shovels and Rope with a track from their 2014 album Swimmin' Time. "After the Storm" is a lovely and epic song.
"The Careful Ones" by Auld
We close with some gorgeous British indie pop from by London based Auld and their album Mainstream Music which was released back in March.
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