E2TG 6/16/2020 - California Darkland Twilight Moon - Green Mix (Odyssey Remix)

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You know what I hope for from the next President. Sure, to begin to undo some of the damage that has been done and to move us back in the right direction, but more than all that, I want a President who won't be saying and doing stupid and dangerous things EVERY SINGLE DAY.  I want a President that at least pretends to speak to all Americans. A President who rebuilds our ties with our allies and not with corrupt dictatorships.  I want a steady hand.  I expect that there will be times I will not agree with the next President and will need to speak up, but I want to go back to a time when upheaval and turmoil were not daily reality.

I got to spend some time outdoorts hanging out with some good friends (at a distance), the first time I had just hung out like that in a good while. The weather was perfect and it was wonderful. I see that I need to start coming out of my comfort zone (safely).

I am still concerned about the return of live music as I knew it - when it will happen, how it will happen, and if I will feel safe enough to go.  It still seems surreal that so much was stripped away in such a short period of time.

BUT, COVID-19 is not over, we haven't beat it.  In some places, we are seeing a spike in cases, and in my observation many people are acting like it is over. Wear a mask, stay in when you can, avoid crowds.

We have four more songs to feature from this week's playlist!

Featured Friday Recap Part II (Songs 5-8)

5. "Our Future is California" by Cursive is Code

I am fortunate to get to feature a lot of music here on E2TG - and to get to hear music that I might not otherwise get to hear.  And every once in a while, I come across music that just connects to me in a way that it hard to explain and even harder to write about. I remember the first time I heard Grimm Generation.  It was music that sounded like what music I might make might sound like - if I made music.  I got to know Jason P. Krug through writing about that band. Then, when Grimm Generation imploded, Krug released an amazing solo album, and I knew I had to name him E2TG Artist of the Year. He was the one that inspired me to create Artist of the Year Nashville and Non-Nashville. Things have been quiet music-wise since that 2016 album The Zen of Losing, and that is why I am so excited that Krug has a new band - along with his significant other Julie Kay and some other Connecticut musicians - and some new music. We featured an earlier single a few weeks back. This latest single really connected with me, and it reminded of why I fell in love with Krug's music in the first place.  

6. "Darklands" by Tayls, Heaven Honey

Tayls has been on my radar for awhile, but I feel like I just recently really started to connect. They have been releasing some single collaborations with other Nashville bands, including this one with Heaven Honey. I didn't know much about that band before hearing this track, but I want to know more now. I am very excited about the variety of music being made in Nashville these days. While I am tempted to say that this doesn't sound like Nashville music, the fact is - more and more (at least in my orbit)- music that doesn't sound like Nashville is becoming the norm. Which is not to suggest that there is anything overly familiar about this music - on the contrary - I would say that it is the uniqueness of Tayls' music - and I'm guessing Heaven Honey as well - that makes it distinctively Nashville (circa 2020).

7. "Magic Moon" by Eric Bolander

The last few years have definitely marked a renaissance of sorts in Kentucky music. Sturgill lead things off for sure. The exciting thing is that in his wake has come a line of unique and talented musicians carving their own path. This is the brand new single from Eric Bolander from Lexington, Kentucky.  It is the first single from his forthcoming third album (due in August). I love this song, and I can't want to hear more from him, and I want to go back and check out his first two albums. 

8. "Perpetual Twilight" by Crooked Heart

We close today's recap with the title track from the new album by Grand Rapids, Michigan based post hardcore/alternative band Crooked Heart. This is a sprawling, noisy soundscape. A great addition to the playlist. 

(Tomorrow songs 9-11)

    Featured Friday Playlist

Tuesday Morning Shuffle:

"Temple of Desire" by Beauty in Chaos (feat. Rafe Pearlman) (from The Storm Before the Calm)

The most recent album from Beauty in Chaos - featuring Michael Ciravola - who played with Gene Loves Jezebel among others.  Here is joined by singer/composer Rafe Pearlman. 

"Great Beyond" by Tom Savage (from Great Beyond)

Tom Savage is a singer-songwriter from Canada who connected with us early this year after I wrote about Brock Zeman.  This is the title track from his 2019 release.

"Green" by Jelena Ciric (from Places (EP))

Going back to 2015 - Jelena Ciric is a Serbian/Canadian singer-songwriter who we met through Pat Power of Valued Customer. She is currently based in Iceland. I could not find this track on YouTube, so I substituted a newer song. 

"Odyssey" by Willie Dustice (from How 2 not be Consumed with Existential Dread Ever...)

You may know him as the Afrosapien, you may know him for his mad baking skills,  you may know him for his pointed political commentary, you may know him as Stephen from The Big Dumb, or you may know him as Willie Dustice - an alternative hip-hop artist. If you don't know him, well, it is your loss. Check out this album!

"Gods of the West" by American Scarecrows (from Yesteryear)

American Scarecrows was a band from Minneapolis and Yesteryear was their 2015 release.  The band went on hiatus in 2016.  Three of the members reunited late last year, and at least before the pandemic hit - they had some shows scheduled - including some dates with Soul Asylum. 

"Wireless Fidelity" by Smokey the Firebear (from BNGFKR)

Why not end with 3 minute or so of noise from Cade Williams' experimental project Smokey the Firebear. More recently, he is a member of Them Airs. This track is not on YouTube - so check out another track. 

VIDEO PLAYLIST

NEW AND RECENT RELEASES

This Week

6/17 - DIVES - "100 Times" (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 - Lady Couch - "Foolish and Blue" (single)

Last Week

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

6/10 - Mile Me Deaf - Ecco (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)

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

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

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

Next Week:

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

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

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

Upcoming:

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)

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

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)

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

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

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

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)

10/16 - 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)

5/30 - 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 - Ghost Town Remedy - "Therapy" (single)