E2TG 6-23-2020 - Be Afraid, but Do Not Fear - Happy Enough Mix (Joe! Remix)

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Okay,I have been thinking again - I know, I know - this is dangerous territory... but anyway, I feel like I am as fired up as anyone for real and substantive change. I also know that removing Trump and flipping the Senate are vital to making the change I want to see happen.

Now, I have friends and family who are strewn across the political spectrum - I think not as a line but as a plane. Far right, far left, moderate AND right leaning on economic policies but left leaning on social policies (now I realize for some this is an oxymoron but bear with me). I also know people who are basically apolitical but who react against extremism on either side. I know limousine liberals and poor, white "conservatives" who worry about their guns and "the gays'.

So, here is where I am left confused.  And, I guess this question is for the most left-leaning of my readers. It seems to me (or I perceive) that when the world starts tilting left - and more and more of the apolitical and centrists on either side start to move in a direction that I find hopeful, there are some from the far left - who start pushing a far-left agenda that serves to alienate these potential allies.

Now, I know all about and to a great extent share the concerns about the neocons. As a relatively young person, finding my political footing and forming my opinions, I was disillusioned by then President Clinton signing the Defense of Marriage Act - to name just one example. And, yes, I wish the Democrats of that day would have fought harder for LGBT+ rights, and I also recognize the political reality of the time. Winning the majority of Americans to support LGBT+ rights - which is a fight still on-going took time (is taking time).  Supporting "Civil Unions" while tacitly opposing gay marriage was on the one hand weak and cowardly, but it was a popular position. And, we lived to fight another day and now marriage is legal. We have fights that continue and some we thought we won that we are fighting again.

My larger point - at this moment in history - where conversations are finally happening, where momentum is turning, where people are listening and speaking up who have thus far, turned a deaf ear and remained silent. There seems to be a few ways to proceed. We can take some small victories, build partnerships and support, defeat Trump, flip the Senate and then start the long fight for some of our bigger goals.  Or, we can push for all the most radical changes - many of which I support - but in doing so, alienate and then criticize our new potential allies and drive them back to the right - lose the elections and see even more progress be wiped away. 

Are there other possibilities? Of course... and I open to those who disagree or who have a different view of things than the one I presented, but that is where my concern lies today.


Now for Part 4 of our Featured Friday Recap (Songs 20-25).  We will conclude our recap tomorrow night:

20. "Lovesick Kisses" by The Microdance

A track from the latest album, Our Love Noire, by the London based alt-rockers, The Microdance. The album was tracked in LA and may be the bands most varied album to date. 

21. "Mareena Roots" by The Bustermoon

Next up, we have the title track from the recent album by this folk n' roll band from Genoa, Italy.  I really like the sound of this band.

22. "One Heart (Cognificent)" by Carlos Severe Marcelin, Alicia Jo Rabins, The Poseurs

Next, we have the first of two pandemic related songs. This one is a collaboration on many different levels. It is the brainchild of Portland, Oregon based artist Carlos Severe Marcelin.  The track features a spoken-word piece by Alicia Jo Rabins, a verse by Portland band The Poseurs, and a chorus recorded by friends, family, fans, and musicians from around the country recorded on their phones and submitted. It is a remarkably complex and fascinating recording.

23. "Help One Another (We All Can)" by  Raveis Kole

Next, we have another song written and recorded under quarantine - also from the Pacific Northwest - this time Washington state. Ravies Kole is a songwriting duo made up of Laurie Raveis and Dennis Kole. A lovely and uplifting song in the 70s pop tradition.

24. "Sasha Goes Too Far/ It Could Be The Nights" by The Mendoza Line

Not precisely a new release but rather a new reissue (a 20th Anniversary reissue at that) from The Mendoza Line who formed in Athens, Georgia in the 1990s before moving to Brooklyn. Peter Hoffman and Timothy Bracy were the principal songwriters in the band.  The reissue features three newly released recordings from the era. The original recording of one of the new tracks was recently discovered by producer and musician David Barbe. 

25. "Mythomania" by Deleo

And closing out this portion of our recap, we have a interesting track from French alt-rockers Deleo.  The song has a dirge-pop feel.  A nice was to end this segment of music. 

    Featured Friday Playlist

Wednesday Morning Shuffle

A somewhat unintentionally short shuffle today... 

"Happy Enough" by Life in a Blender (from Happy Enough)

Long-running Brooklyn band - that has featured my Nashville friend Rebecca Weiner Tompkins - with the title track from their 2017 album.  Several E2TG connections with this band. 

"Clown Song" by Insane Jane (from A Green Little Pill)

A favorite band from the early 90s - Atlanta alt-rock band fronted by dynamic singer Yellow. 

"I'm Just Like You" by The British IBM (from Psychopaths Dream in Black and White)

A track from an album we featured heavily back in 2015. Great pop sensibilities here.

"Joe!" by Phoebe Nir (from Side Hustle)

Next, we have a singer-songwriter, playwright who we were introduced to through True Groove Records out of New York. Dig this song and not just because of the name. 

VIDEO PLAYLIST

NEW AND RECENT RELEASES

This Week

6/?? - Learn to Fly - "Broken Nation" (single)

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

6/22 - Highway Women - "Shake the Dust" (single)

6/22 - Remington Super 60 - "Still Near" (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)

6/26 - The Speed of Sound - "Glide on By" (single)

6/26 - Fellow Hollow - "Where can I buy fresh berries at night?" (single)

6/26 - Scenius - "Darkest Lines" (single)

6/26 - Melissa D. - Little Girl (EP)

6/26 -TJ George - Fragmented Soul Vol 2 (EP)

6/26 - Dead Method - "Babylon" (single)

6/29 - Sofia Talvik - Paws of a Bear - Unplugged (LP)

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

Last Week

6/15 - The Bustermoon - Mareena Roots (LP)

6/16 - Carlos Severe Marcelin - Impressionist (LP)

6/17 - DIVES - "100 Times" (single)

6/18 - Monsieur Minimal - "Release Me (Easteria Remix)" (single)

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

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

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

6/19 - Mendoza Line - We're All In This Alone (reissue) (LP)

6/19 - Jenny Reynolds - Any Kind of Angel (LP)

6/19 - DeLeo - Mythomania (EP)

6/19 - Buildings and Food - "Streetlights" (single)

6/19 - Maria Matiss - "More Than Heaven" (single)

6/19 - Leon Majcen - Back 'Til I'm Gone (LP)

6/19 - Raveis Kole - “Help One Another (We All Can)” (single)

6/19 - Kids Love Surf - "Oyo" (single)

6/19 - Sylvettte - "Kelpius" (single)

6/19 - Patrick Ames - "Reawakened" (single)

6/19 - The Asteroid No. 4 - "The After Glow" (single)

6/19 - The Academy of Sun - The Quiet Earth (LP)

6/19 - Brett Ryan Stewart - "It's Alright to Grow Old" (single)

6/19 - WeWantMore - "Heartbreak" (single)

6/19 - The Neville Staple Band - "Lockdown" (single)

6/19 - Michael McArthur - "Purple Rain" (single)

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

6/20 - Alpha Pegasi - "Summertime (Doin' Time)" (single)

Next Week:

7/03 - The Vignatis - Red, White & Blue - Gypsybilly Vol. 4 (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)

7/03 - Year of October - "Black Widow" (single)

7/03 - Michael McArthur - Oh, Sedona (EP)

Upcoming:

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)

7/10 - Easy Love - Wander Feeler (LP)

7/?? -  Learn to Fly - "Cherished Ruins" (single)

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

7/17 - Soft Set - "Never Die" (single)

7/17 - Michot's Melody Makers - Cosmic Cajuns from Saturn (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)

7/24 - The Danberrys - Shine (LP)

7/24 - Ted Russell Kamp - Down in the Den (LP)

7/31 - The Jason Daniels Band - Downloads from the Universe (LP)

7/31 - Shishi - Mafitishei (LP)

7/31 - Vee VV - "Ugly Freedom (Toka Remix)" (single)

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

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

8/07 - Steven Bruce - Same Time, Same Place, Same Station (LP)

8/14 - Michael McArthur - How to Fall in Love (EP)

8/21 - Eric Bolander - "Window" (single)

8/21 - Liar,Flower - Geiger Counter (LP)

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

8/28 - Special Moves - Little Help (LP)

8/28 - Debbie Lagrange - "La chanson des moustiques" (single)

8/31 - Andre Salvador & the Von Kings  - Last Night From Glasgow (LP)
9/04 - India Ramey - Shallow Graves (LP)

9/25 - Buildings and Food - Up Down Strange Charm (LP)

10/09 - Year of October - Wastelands (LP)

10/16 - Malin Pettersen - Wildhorse (LP)

Recent:

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)

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)

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

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

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)

5/29 - Merv Pinny - "I" (single)

5/29 - Skinshape (feat. Idid Aziz) - "Afande" (single)

5/30 - Sean Dampte - "Adura" (single)

5/31 - Debra Power - That's How I Roll (LP)

6/01 - Bessie Smith - Get in Union (LP) (from the Alan Lomax Archives)
6/01 - Darwin - "Dance Alone" (single)

6/04 - Benedict Sinister - "Your Parents (Dancing with the Stars)" (single)

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

6/05 - People Without Shoes 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 - KissDoomFate - "Innocence" (single)

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

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

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

6/05 - Good Foxy - "Dust" (single)

6/05 - Merv Pinny - "I Feel Like a Prisoner" (single)

6/05 - Carrus & Kurtz - The Genius of Carrus & Kurtz Vol 1-There are No Words (LP)

6/05 - Bands Against Brutality - Bands Against Brutality (LP)

6/05 - Various Artists - Mix for a Movement (LP)

6/05 - Eric Bolander - "Magic Moon" (single)

6/05 - Crooked Heart - Perpetual Twilight (LP)

6/05 - Steven Bruce - "Cryin' Eyes" (single)

6/05 - Ghost Town Remedy - "Therapy" (single)

6/09 - Kevin Herig - Barcelona (Memoryy Remix)

6/10 - Mile Me Deaf - Ecco (LP)

6/10 - The Vignatis - “Red, White & Blue” (single)

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

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

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

6/12 - Teghan Devon - Little Lion (EP)

6/12 - Culture Vultures - "Reflection (ft Hollie Singer & Dai Pump$)" (single)

6/12 - India Ramey - "King of Ashes" (single)

6/12 - Nate Lee - Wings of a Jetliner (LP)

6/12 - Eli Gauden - Call My Name (EP)

6/13 - Ja-Mali - "Codeine Veins" (single)