E2TG 5/15/2020 - Featured Friday - In The Upside-Down - Roller Disco Lion Mix (Dangerous Remix)

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Hey, it is Friday, we have another all-new Featured Friday Playlist which you can stream below and follow on Spotify.  I have some words about this weeks list below.

In the show Stranger Things, there is the concept of the Upside Down. If you haven't seen the show (I highly recommend it), but basically think of the Upside Down as an alternate world where things are just wrong and off.  (If you've seen the show, sorry for the grossly inadequate explanation). Lately, I feel as if we are all living in some sort of "Upside Down". Obviously, we are facing unprecedented challenges as a world, and we have seen people rise to the occasion in many ways to help their fellow man.

However, as I see it, the darker side of all this is the continued politicalization of everything. I guess this should not surprise me at a time when eating fried chicken or ordering pizza has become a political statement. But, it does surprise me.  Here we have a virus that really doesn't care if you are a Democrat, Republican, Socialist, Libertarian, Communist, Whig, No Nothing, or an Anarchist. In a normal world, we would find a way to at least somewhat unite to face this threat, but here, again, my naivete is showing.

Here is my bottom line. I have friends who have lost parents and spouses to this virus. I have friends who right now have parents in the hospital. And, yes, I have a lot of friends who have been significantly impacted financially by the shutdown. I have been hesitant to say too much, because I am among the very lucky in that I have continued to work uninterrupted  (albeit from home since mid-March).  I want everyone to get back to work. I want to go see live music again and hang out with all my friends. But, I want to do so safely and responsibly so that people do not suffer and die needlessly. So, when I see people running around without masks and ignoring social distancing guidelines, I will say something. Not too "peer pressure" (although if that is what it takes I will do that), but because I know, these people are putting people at risk and they are putting the eventual recovery at risk. 

I think about the protesters - carrying assult-style weapons - who are terrorizing citizens and government leaders. I think about how these same people criticized football players for kneeling. I think about how these people do not protest when an unarmed black man is shot by the police or by so-called vigilantes. How these same people think government should tell a woman what she can or cannot do with her own body. How these same people, care little about the rights of the LGBTQ+ in the face of government sanctioned discrimination.

People in public without masks are extending this crisis and putting innocent people at risk. We have a huge hole in the soul of our government. I think about past leaders of both parties who would have and who are leading better than the current occupant of the White House. I think about the lack of compassion and concern which filters down from the highest levels of power to the dregs of our society. And, it saddens and worries me. But, I also think about the men and women who are ignoring and rejecting this soullessness to find creative ways to help others and each other.

I believe we will get out of the Upside Down world, but I also believe we will be changed by the experience, and I believe to a great extent it is up to us to decide how we are going to be changed.

    Featured Friday Playlist

Featured Friday Playlist

"In God We Trust.. All Others Pay Cash" by Ben de la Cour

So stoked to have some new music from Ben de la Cour (E2TG Artist of the Year)

"Roller Disco Lion Song" by Merrill Beach

Now, the main or one of the main solo projects of Hayden Nork. A recent single that was recently added to Spotify.

"New Memories (4202 Franklin)" by Andrew Leahey & the Homestead

Another new song by Nashville favorite Andrew Leahey and his band. 

"Blue Mountain Blues" by Kory Quinn

A newcomer to E2TG. Kory Quinn is a singer-songwriter from Houston Texas, and I dig his music. 

"Chicago Barn Dance" by Special Consensus

Chicago's Special Consensus celebrate 45 years with their new album and song which reference the WLS-AM Radio Show "National Barn Dance" which was an early rival of the Grand Ole Opry.  The band brings in some big name guests including former member Robbie Fulks. 

"Dangerous" by D.G. Adams

Vancouver singer-songwriter with timely song. 

"The Truth" by I LIKE TRAINS

A new single from the alternative band from their forthcoming new album.  Another timely song. 

"99 in October" by The Rad Trads

A cool new song and title track to a new EP from this NYC band who have toured with Lake Street Dive and Dr. Dog. 

"Held" by Scenius

Synth-pop/dark wave duo feature Steve Whitfield and Fabrice Nau. 

"The Chaser" by Secret Emchy Society

Lead by Cindy Emch - who is known as the First Lady of Queer Country. The band is based in San Francisco. Title track to new album.

"Written the the Clouds" by Scott Howard

A beautiful track from the new album by this singer-songwriter.

"We're the Martians, now" by The Room in the Wood

"Fill Dirt Wanted" by Zach Aaron

"Darling" by Aimee Steven

"Leah" by Filthy Tricks

"Happy on TV" by Anna Claire Loftis

"In My Side" by Vision Video

"Ghost" by KOLA; Sukesha Ray

"B.D.E.N.D. (Be the End)" by Minor

"Golden Eye" by Wicked Messenger

"There's Nothing In It" by Lazerine

"Stir Crazy" by Klashing Black



No Video Playlist

NEW AND RECENT RELEASES

Today and Tomorrow

5/15 - Special Consensus - Chicago Barn Dance (LP)

5/15 - Zach Aaron - Fill Dirt Wanted (LP)

5/15 - Secret Emchy Society - The Chaser (LP)
5/15  The Room in the Wood - We're the Martians, Now (LP) 
5/15 - Wicked Messenger - "Golden Eyes" (single)
5/15 - Lazerine - "There's Nothing in It" (single)
5/15 - Klashing Black - Thoughts on the Matter (EP)

5/15 - Aimee Steven - "Darling" (single)

5/16 - The Electric Grandmother - Relaunch (LP)

This Week

5/10 - Brett Ryan Stewart - "Let Her Know" (single)

5/11 - Sofia Talvik - "Broken (Steel Guitars in Heaven)" (single)

5/11 - Jonny Polonsky - "Sign in the Window" (single)

5/11 - Scott Howard - The Language of Clouds (LP)

5/12 - Kory Quinn & Co. - The Blueroom (LP)

Last Week
5/04 - Black Needle Noise with - "Seed of Evil" (single)
5/04 - Killing Kuddles - "Too Cool" (single)
5/06 - I Like Trains - "The Truth" (single) 
5/07 - Julius and Julia - "Why We Are Here?" (single)
5/08 - Brian Wright and the Sneak-Ups - Lapse of Luxury

5/08 - Watch Clark - Backscatter Effect (EP)
5/08 - Scenius - "Held" (single)
5/08 - Filthy Tricks - "Leah" (single)

5/08 - Vision Video - In My Side (single)

Next Week:

5/20 - Town Meeting - Make Things Better (LP)

5/22 - Victor Wainwright and the Train - Memphis Loud (LP)

5/22 - Lazaris Pit - Conifers (LP) 

5/22 - Beauty in Chaos (feat. Steven Seibold) - "Almost Pure" (single)

5/22 - Ethan Gold - "Not Me. Us" (single)

5/22 - Adam "Ditch" Kurtz - Storms of Steel (LP)

Upcoming:

5/29 - Mick Hayes - My Claim to FAME (LP)
5/29 - G.F. Patrick - One Town Over (LP)

5/29 - Jack Stafford - "Background Worry" (single)

5/31 - Debra Power - That's How I Roll (LP)
6/01 - Bessie Smith - Get in Union (LP) (from the Alan Lomax Archives)

6/05 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "None of Your Business" (single)

6/05 - People Without Shows and Inkswell - Plasma Platter (LP)

6/05 - Short Haired Domestic - "A Song in Latin... A Song in Hindi..." (single)
6/05 - Turkeyfoot - Promise of Tomorrow (LP)

6/05 - Delta Maid - Katie (LP)6/11 - Luciano Illuminati - Terra Vision 2020 (LP)

6/12 - Sammy Brue - Crash Test Kid (LP)

6/12 - Andrea & Mud - Bad News Darlin' (LP)

6/19 - Darlin' Brando - Also Too... (LP)

6/19 - Dolour - The Royal We (LP)

6/26 - The Special Pillow - World's Finest (EP)

6/26 - Dedicated Men of Zion - Can't Turn Me Around (LP)

6/?? - Mighty Brother - The Rabbit. The Owl (Double LP)

7/03 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - None of Your Business (EP)

7/03 - Paul Nelson - Birmingham Woman (LP)

7/10 - Hurricane Ruth - Good Life (LP)

7/10 - Fintan McKahey - "Platinum" (single)7/10 - Nocona - Los Dos (LP)

7/17 - The Bobby Lees - new album (LP)

7/24 - Tawny Ellis - Love Life (LP)
7/24 - Lee Gallagher - L.A. Yesterday (LP)

8/28 - The Northern Belle - We Wither, We Bloom (LP)

10/16 - Malin Pettersen - Wildhorse (LP)

Recent:

4/01 - HMS Morris - "Poetry" (single)

4/02 - I Am A Rocketship - "My Nature" (single)

4/02 - Steve Forbert - "Rand" (Pandemic song) (single)

4/03 - Chip and the Charge Ups - Lightning in Our Veins (LP)

4/03 - Surrija - Surrija (LP)

4/03 - Stumbleine - Sink Into the Ether (LP)

4/03 - Neutrals - Rent Your House (EP)

4/03 - Clwb Fuzz - "No Heaven" (single)

4/03 - Weeks Island - Droste (EP)  

4/03 - The Mystery Plan - Zsa Zsa (LP)

4/03 - Tiny Fighter - Going Home (LP)

4/03 - Hallows - Subtle (EP)

4/03 - Ferdous - "Counting Stars" (single)

4/03 - Stick Crickets - "Eternal Suck" (single)

4/03 - Borrowed Chords - "Let Me Go" (single)

4/08 - Zilverbacks - The Dark Horse; At A Time When Time Was Irrelevant (LP)

4/06 - Sean Alan - "The Day That Brought the Whole World to Its Knees (single)

4/08 - ex-mothers - arrhythmia (EP)

4/09 - Ellison - "Sing" (single)

4/10 - Eliza Gilkyson - 2020 (LP)
4/10 - Dan Montgomery - Smoke and Mirrors (a phonographic memory) (LP)
4/10 - Pokey LaFarge - Rock Bottom Rhapsody (LP)

4/10 - The Dream Syndicate - The Universal Inside (LP)

4/10 - Nikavo - "Yummy Miami" (single)

4/10 - Soul Creole - "Trois Rangs" (single and dub mix)

4/10 - Lady Moon & the Eclipse - "Relationship" (single)

4/10 - Jovi Skyler - Jovi Skyler (EP) and "Gia" (single)

4/13 - Pilotcan - No More Shan Goodbye (LP)

4/15 - Je'Melody - Jaded (EP)

4/15 -Lobelia Lawson - Positive Song Project (EP)

4/16 - Destijl - Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (LP)

4/17 - Paul Burch and WPA Ballclub - Light Sensitive (LP)

4/17 - Le String Noise - Live Album (title ???) (LP)

4/17 - Aimee Steven - "Hell is a Teenaged Girl" (single)

4/17 - Monks Road Social - Humanism (LP)

4/17 - The Academy of the Sun - "The Parts That Need Replacing" (single)

4/19 - Ugggy - "Bicycle Day" (single)
4/20 - Tate and Silas- Rock and Roll (LP)

4/20 - Dopeknife - Breakbeats n' Vandalism (EP)
4/22 - Marco Bonvicini - "Where the Streets Have No Name" (single)

4/23 - The Kecks - "Modern Girls" (single)

4/23 - The Microdance - "Lovesick Kisses" (single)
4/23 - D.G. Adams - "Dangerous" (single)

4/24 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "I'm Gonna Break Your Heart" (single)

4/24 - Ben Bostick - Among the Faceless Crowd (LP)

4/24 - Kyle Lalone - Somewhere In Between (EP)

4/24 - Lazaris Pit - "You Don't Tag Me in Memes Anymore" (single)

4/24 - Goldman Thibodeaux and the Lawtell Playboys - title unknown (LP)

4/24 - Petter Carlsen - "Dogs" (single) 

4/24 - Chris Milam - Meanwhile (LP)

4/24 - Felixity - "Twisted Love" (single)

4/24 - The Kings Pond Shantymen - Hold Your Course (LP)

4/24 - 6TH CROWD - "You're Not An Island" (single)

4/24 - Sean Dampte - "Loose Guard" (single)

4/24 - The Northern Belle - "Gemini" (single)

4/24 - Anna Claire Loftis - Happy on TV (EP)

4/28 - Savannah Pope - "He Sees Me" (single)

4/?? - I Am A Rocketship - Ghost Stories (LP)

4/01? - Ten Penny Gypsy - Fugitive Heart (LP)

5/01 - BOAT - Tread Lightly (LP)

5/01 - Laura Cortese and the Dance Card - Bitter Better (LP)

5/01 - Cut Beetlez vs Nice Guys - CBNG (LP)

5/01 - Grenon - "Imaginary Friends" (single)

5/01 - Paul Nelson - "Dying to Forget" (single)

5/01 - Felixity - Love Sick (LP)

5/01 - Easy - Radical Innocence (LP)

5/01 - Griffin Winton - "Think of Me" (single)

5/01 - Ender Bender - EQ

5/01 - The Rad Trads - 99 in October (EP)
5/01 - J.R. Wyatt - "I'm Still Here" (LP)