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The fight to address systemic racism in our society and the issues of police brutality that disproportionately affect members of the African American community continues and will continue for some time. This is a problem that has festered for much, much too long, and one week of protests and direct action will not change it overnight. I will keep speaking up on these issues and continue the push to remove our disaster of a president from office.
But, I need to step back just for a few minutes to talk about the state of E2TG and myself personally. This week has been difficult for me, but at the same time I feel tremendous guilt saying that. By all practicable accounts, I have been extremely fortunate in that the COVID-19 shut downs have not impacted me financially. And, I live a life of privilege in our society. So, on days when isolation gets to me, and I miss hanging out with my friends and seeing live music; my mind tells me it is trivial compared to what others face. But, telling myself that does not really help me. So, I will say to you (and to myself), it is okay to feel what you feel about these times. It is okay to acknowledge sadness and loneliness.
As for E2TG, I think maybe some people think that because E2TG has continued for over nine years, that maybe I never thought about hanging it up or that I don't ever question what it is I do. Neither of those are true. I am human and sometimes, I question if what I do means anything or if many people care. Page views, social media likes and shares are wonderful and affirming, but if I ever choose to use those exclusively as justification for continuing E2TG, I would have quit a long time ago.
I know there are people who enjoy what I do, and I also know that there is a lot of information and posts and live streams etc. out there. I know that there are people whose work I adore and support that I don't have time to view every day. I also know that there are websites that hold more cache that E2TG and that rightly get more attention from artists that a mention on E2TG. Does it bother me - again, I am human so yes - but I do understand it.
There are days when pageviews dip down low, and yes, I do wonder on those days, if it is worth it to continue. But, then I am encouraged because someone tells me how much E2TG means to them. So, I got back to this - if E2TG is fun (and it is), I will continue until I hear an outcry for me to stop. When it becomes a burden, I will reexamine, reconfigure, and if necessary take a hiatus.
Meanwhile, I am proud of what I do and thrilled about the variety of music that I have the chance to feature here.
And, now, we have our penultimate recap of this week's Featured Friday Playlist (Songs #17-21). Tomorrow, we wrap up the recap just in time for Friday's brand new recap.
17. "Be Thou By My Side" by Holy Hive
First up today, we have a cover of a rather obscure 1972 song by Honeybus - a UK band that existed from 1967-1973. Holy Hive is a trio featuring Homer Steinweiss (The Dap Kings) and Paul Spring along with Joseph "Tone" Harrison. This is a lovely song.18. "White Knuckle Ride" by Delta Maid
Delta Maid is a singer-songwriter from Liverpool who returns after a nine year hiatus. This short but moving opening track his from her new album Katie.19. "Cut 'n' Curl" by Lacey Williams
Next up, we have the brand new singer from Utah native Lacey Williams. Williams spent several years in Nashville before returning to her home state. This catchy song is about the center for gossip in many small towns, the local beauty salon.20. "The Wanderer and the Outcast" by Sea of Fog
Next, we have a really beautiful song from a band founded by singer-songwriter Thomas Bowers. They are based in the south. This is from their new album Michael Collins Observes the First Moonwalk from the Columbia Module.21. "Innocence" by KissDoomFate
KissDoomFate (or KDF) is a duo from Angers, France. The music here is really interesting to me. Frentic percussion, at once seductive and powerful vocals. It is disarming and unique music. A very cool addition to this week's playlist. I dig it.
Featured Friday Playlist
Wednesday Morning Shuffle
"Rock This Little Boat" by Maynard and the Musties (from Cheap Cigar)
We start off with a track from a 2012 album by our old friends Maynard and the Musties. E2TG learned about the band via Couch by Couchwest - a couple of years before Joe Maynard moved to Nashville, and I got to meet him. The video is a live performance of a few songs from around the time this album came out."Astral Plane Blues" by Lee Gallagher (from L.A. Yesterday)
Next up, we have a first listen to the forthcoming album from Cosmic California artist Lee Gallagher. The album was recorded in Los Angeles. This is a wonderful song and a wonderful sound. Since, this isn't out, we don't a video for this, but we substituted and older song by Gallagher."A/B Switch, EQ not IQ, Pistols/Rappers." by Ugggy (from The H(ear)T Beet Tape.)
Next up, we have one of those monthly releases that our friend Ugggy put out a couple of years ago. This is a beat tape. The video is a fairly recent Ugggy performance for a Toronto series."Charlie's Lips" by The Molochs (from America's Velvet Glory)
2017. This came to my via a friend's annual mix CDs. The Molochs are a California band. I really dig this song, and I want to dig deeper into their music."'Minute' Waltz" by Victor Borge (from Caught in the Act)
Victor Borge was a Danish comedian, conductor, and musician. He mixed music and comedy to great effect beginning in the 1940s. He continued performing - playing 60 dates the year he turned 90. He died at age 91 in the year 2000. His timing was impeccable.
VIDEO PLAYLIST
NEW AND RECENT RELEASES
This Week
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)
Last Week
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)
6/01 - Darwin - "Dance Alone" (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 - 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 - Ghost Town Remedy - "Therapy" (single)
Next Week:
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 - Lady Couch - "Foolish and Blue" (single)
6/?? - Learn to Fly - "Broken Nation" (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)
6/26 - The Speed of Sound - "Glide on By" (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)
7/10 - Easy Love - Wander Feeler (LP)
7/?? - Learn to Fly - "Cherished Ruins" (single)
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 - 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 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)
8/21 - Eric Bolander - "Window" (single)
8/28 - The Northern Belle - We Wither, We Bloom (LP)
8/28 - Special Moves - Little Help (LP)
9/25 - Buildings and Food - Up Down Strange Charm (LP)
10/16 - Malin Pettersen - Wildhorse (LP)
Recent:
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 - 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)
5/04 - 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 - 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 - 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)
5/11 - Julia Anrather - "Run to You" (single)
5/12 - Kory Quinn & Co. - The Blueroom (LP)
5/13 - Dru Flecha - "Cama" (single)
5/14 - Anti-Corn League - Love it or Leave it (LP)
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 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)
5/22 - 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 - 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)
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