E2TG 5/29/2020 - Featured Friday -

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There is so much I want to write at this moment. I am not sure where to begin. These are truly frightening times on many different levels. I was not in a good place yesterday even before American journalists were arrested on live television. Even before the President of the United States threatened violence against American Citizens.

I had to make my basically weekly trek out of my place to pick-up groceries. It seems like most people I saw are just going about their lives as if the pandemic was over. The thought that went through my head was in March and early April, it did basically feel like we were "all in this together", but that is no longer the case. Wearing masks has been politicized to the point that people wearing masks are being accosted by people not wearing masks. 

What is happening in Minneapolis has eclipsed all of the those concerns. It is a mess for sure, but it did not start with George Floyd, I hope this time will be a turning point for our country, but I don't know...   We are so fundamentally divided as a nation - we aren't just split in two, we are shattered in many different ways. Everything can potentially be political - from fried chicken and pizza to public figures and yes, masks. At this point, we can watch the same video clip or read the same quote and our perception of can be the opposite depending on our political leanings. 

So, here I sit at the end of another work week and work month. I will be working from home for at least another month. I am not sure when I will feel safe going out for more than the brief moments I have to venture out. With the way people are acting, it may be a while.

I continue to lean into music. I miss live music, but not enough to put myself or others in danger.

But, this is a music  blog, so let us get on with it!

Well, it is Friday and time for a new Featured Friday Playlist. As we did last week (and plan to do going forward), we will be highlighting all the songs/artists in this week's Playlist.  Beginning with songs one through six down below today.

You can listen to and follow the playlist on Spotify - now!

    Featured Friday Playlist

Featured Friday Playlist songs 1-6

It worked pretty well last week, so we will begin featuring a few songs today here in this space and resume next week focusing on about five or more until we have covered the whole playlist. I am rather pleased with this playlist...

1.  "Let Her Know" by Brett Ryan Stewart 

Brett Rran Stewart released this beautiful song for Mother's Day - a few weeks back, and while it is perfect for that holiday, it is really a wonderful song for any day. 

2. "Holy Crown" by Palm Ghosts

Nashville's resident new wave band is back with their latest single. Palm Ghosts features Joseph Lekkas and Benjamin Jason Douglas. They have a unique sound, and I think they keep getting better. 

3. "Whiskey for the Road" by Ryan Dishen

Most recently, I have seen Ryan Dishen playing with Slump Test and Dirt Reynolds - Slump Test being a connecting thread between the previous song in the Playlist and this one. However, I first know Ryan Dishen as a singer-songwriter. I was thrilled when I heard he would be releasing this new solo album, and it is out today. 

4. "It's All Right (If Everything is All Right)" by Ed Toft (aka Tipi Valley)

Tipi Valley was a "Featured Artist" back in June 2012.  We featured this solo project of Welsh musician Ed Toft many times over the years. Musically, Ed Toft is like a chameleon - changing sounds and styles to fit his project.  It is good to reconnect with him.  This is an older song that was recently completed. It is noisy and melodic at the same time.

5. "Hangin' in the Louvre" by The Plastic Pals

We first wrote about The Plastic Pals (from Sweden) in 2013, and I am thrilled to hear this great new single from them. 

6. "Slingshots" by Afton Wolfe

I first connected with Afton Wolfe through the Get Behind the Mule - the annual Tom Waits tribute and benefit a few years back. This is his brand new single - the full album is due July 7.  It featured Daniel Seymour on bass and it was mixed by Mark Robinson. 

NO VIDEO PLAYLIST TODAY (the music can be streamed on Spotify)

NEW AND RECENT RELEASES

This Week

5/25 - The Plastic Pals - "Hangin' in the Louvre" (single)

5/25 - Scarlet Drive - "Not My Problem" (single)

TODAY!

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)

5/29 - Ryan Dishen - Whiskey for the Road (LP)

5/29 - Idle Noise - "Ghosts" (single)

5/29 - Altar of Eris - Isolation (EP)

5/19 - Merv Pinny - "I" (single)

Last Week

5/18 - The Know - wearetheknow (EP)

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 - Beauty in Chaos - The Storm Before the Calm (LP)

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

5/22 - Nichole Wagner - Dance Songs for the Apocalypse (EP)

5/22 - Academy of Sun - Rose Devoid of Form (single)

5/22 - Blue Eyed Christ - World on Fire (LP)

5/22 - Electric High - "Waiting With a Gun" (single)

5/22 - FLEKS - "Mexican Standoff" (single)
5/22 - The Kondoors - "Good Times" (single)
5/22 - 2Square/ Mark Gardner - "Chained" (single)
5/22 - Adam "Ditch" Kurtz - Storms of Steel (LP)

Next Week:

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

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)

6/05 - KDF - "Innocence" (single)

6/05 - Lacey Williams - "Cut N' Curl" (single)

6/05 - Johnny Irion and Friends - "Inside the Endless OM" (single)

Upcoming:

6/11 - Luciano Illuminati - Terra Vision 2020 (LP)

6/05 - Skanger - "Condolences" (single)

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

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

6/12 - Teghan Devon - Little Lion (EP0

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

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

6/19 - The Microdance - Our Love Noire (LP)

6/19 - Lady Couch - "Foolish and Blue" (single)

6/20 - David Starling - "Cowards" (single)

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

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

6/26 - Serratone - "Groovy Lucy" (single)

6/26 - 8 Floors Up - "Roman Bones Make Good Glue" (single)

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)

7/03 - Matthew Frederick - "Laura Jones" (single)

7/07 - Afton Wolfe - Petronius' Last Meal (EP)

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)

7/24 - Even As We Speak - Adelphi (LP)
7/24 - The Wild Blue - Anonymous Future (EP)
7/31 - The Jason Daniels Band - Downloads from the Universe (LP)

8/07 - The Furious Seasons - La Fonda (LP)

8/07 - Jason Molina - Eight Gates (LP)

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

10/16 - Malin Pettersen - Wildhorse (LP)

Recent:

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)

4/17 - Follow the Lion - "H.O.P.E." (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)

5/01 - Lekan Tellal - "Emptiness" (single)

5/01 - Angela Easterling - "Hero" (single)

5/01 - Miss Rayon - "Small Life" (single)

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) 

5/06 - CLOUDNiNE - "I Know" (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)

5/08 - The Attic Movement - "Truth Be Told" (single)

5/08 - Secret Bad Boy - "It Was Always Too Late" (single)

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)

5/13 - Dru Flecha - "Cama" (single)

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)

5/15 - Wolfhounds - "Can't See the Light" (single)

5/15 - THË FŪÑŻØÑË® - "THË WËŁŁ (W/ MEKAGHOUL)" (single)

5/15 - BYSTS - "Runes" (single)

5/15 - Miss Rayon - "Regional Diction" (single)

5/15 - Party Nails - You Don't Have to Go Home But You Can't Stay Here (LP)

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