Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!
So, this line from a Tommy Womack song seems to replay in mind almost constantly. We're in uncharted waters, this much is true... this song was written and recorded before 2020 so it is even more true today - and I try to hold on to the hope of that song which is called "We'll Get Through This, Too.".
So this next paragraph is going to get a little political and is purely my opinion:
I have been thinking about how the COVID-19 pandemic has turned into a political - right vs. left issue. The easy answer is that we live in such a polarized time that everything is potentially political - from sports, to friend chicken, to coffee... but I think there is a deeper answer.
In the early days of the pandemic - I mean Trump was being Trump and there is a lot to unpack about the abysmal failure of the U.S. response. But, there was at least on some level a sense of unity. Shutdowns happened - people were sharing their quarantine stories and "we're all in this together" was a common theme. While the response time and language varied, the shutdowns happened in Red states and Blue states and Purple states.
Then, time wore on and things seemed to be getting better - a little. And that, to me anyway, is when all hell broke loose. No doubt, the shutdown had a massive impact on the economies - federal, state, local, personal. So, the push to reopen came and it seems like mostly Republican governors pushed for quick reopening of the economy - even when numbers did not support it.
This, to me, is Republicans being Republicans. Making decisions for the benefit of short-term financial reasons without concern for the long-term implications. We have seen this for years on environmental issues, budget issues, etc. Regulations to protect the environment may negatively impact short-term profits and so they must go - even if the eventual costs of the destruction of the environment is massive. Cut taxes on the wealthy without decreasing spending and the wealthy spend and invest more and the stock market rises until the government faces massive deficits and then the economy crashes... and typically, the Democrats come to the rescue until the cycle repeats.
So, here we are with the unprecedented challenge of COVID-19 and the push to reopen. When the folly of this push became clear that is when the conspiracy theories and denial and minimization really took off. Anything to avoid another shutdown. Now - this is not taking into account that many people just seemed to decide that the pandemic was over and that they could return to life as normal. But, it comes from the same place. Short-term comfort and pleasure at the expense of the disease continuing to ravage the country for longer...
I don't know, man, I can't stop thinking about this stuff. I just want to visit my Mom and see live music and hang with my friends at a bar, but I don't know when any of that will happen and then I see people doing whatever the hell they want consequences be damned, and it pisses me off.
Our recap of this week's Featured Friday Playlist rolls on. Today, we bring you songs 16-22...
16. "From the Ashes" by Pozzi
First out of the gate today, we have the brand new single from L.A. singer songwriter Pozzi. We featured his earlier single a few weeks back. I am really digging his sound. His debut full-length album is due in August - called Tyrant.17. "Let Go" by Other Child
Next up, we have a recent single from this 5-piece indie pop band from Dublin. Just a funky, feel good kind of song. I dig.18. "Roll the Dice" by Abby Reign
Next up, we have some country-flavored pop with some attitude. Abby Reign is a native of Nebraska who now lives in Nashville. This is her latest single.19. "There is Always a Light" by Civic Green
Next up, we have the new single from this four-piece rock band from South Yorkshire, UK. I like this song a whole bunch.20. "Anonymous Future" by The Wild Blue
Post-punk quartet, The Wild Blue - from NYC are up next with the title track of their new EP. I hear a variety of sounds that come together to form something unique. Good stuff.21. "Too Long" by Certain Animals
The Dutch trio - Certain Animals are up next with their latest single. Their music boasts some definite 70s influences, but with a firm grasp on modern indie music. I want to hear more from them.22. "Better" by Kyle Maher
We close out this segment of the playlist with the latest single from Australian singer-songwriter Kyle Maher. The song was produced by German producers OUHBOY. The song was inspired by lessons learned during a tumultuous two years - that included a taste of success, heartbreak, and major eye surgery. His first single appeared in the Netflix series Terrace House: Tokyo.
Featured Friday Playlist
Tuesday Morning Shuffle
"South of I-10" by Sonny Landreth (from South of I-10)
The title track from Landreth's classic album of south Louisiana music."Softly and Tenderly" by Sally Jaye, India Ramey, Anna Joy Harris (from She Gave Me a Rainbow)
A gorgeous rendition of a gospel standard - a few years ago, a group of Nashville's finest musicians recorded this magical album in a 200 year old church in North Carolina. Check out the album HERE"Either Or" by Ali Dineen (from Co-Mission: An Artist Relief Compilation, Vol. 1)
Artists have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic - with their challenging existence made even more challenging. Folkadelphia - an organization based in Philadelphia dedicated to folk music - put together this compilation to raise funds and get it into the hands of in-need musicians. Volume 2 is out now. Check out the Folkadelphia bandcamp page here for more information."Shadow on the Wall" by Ruby Amanfu (from Cover Stories)
From a song-by-song cover of Brandi Carlile's classic album The Story, a gorgeous song by the one and only Ruby Amanfu."Better Not Wake the Baby" by The Decemberists (from What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World)
And, we close this shuffle with a track from the 2015 seventh album by Portland, Oregon band.
VIDEO PLAYLIST
NEW AND RECENT RELEASES
This Week
7/28 - Caterpillar - "Tangents" (single)
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)
7/31 - Adrift - "Our Moment" (single)
7/31 - Max Helgemo - "Uncovered" (single)
7/31 - Sunny Gable - Little Things (EP)
7/31 - The Kondoors - "Mr. Rain" (single)
Last Week
7/20 - Provision - Hearts Turn Dark (LP)
7/22 - The City Gates - "Siegfried 1969" (single)
7/23 - Other Child - Good Boy Charlie (EP)
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)
7/24 - A Shoreline Dream - "Seek to Hide" (single)
7/24 - Rev. J. Mikhael Smith and the Brimstone Miracle - Dogwood Winter (EP)
7/24 - Seela - Cool (LP)
7/24 - Nick Faber- The Lost Highway Tapes (LP)
7/24 - Vexillary - SurViolence (EP)
7/24 - Certain Animals - "Too Long" (single)
7/24 - The Asteroid No.4 - "Swiss Mountain Myth" (single)
7/24 - Breichiau Hir - "Preseb O Ias" (single)
7/24 - rOZZ - Yess Sire! (LP)
7/24 - Kyle Maher - "Better" (single)
7/24 - Pozzi - "From the Ashes" (single)
Next Week:
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)
8/07 - Vincent Cross - The Life & Times of James ‘The Rooster’ Corcoran (LP)
Upcoming:
8/14 - Michael McArthur - How to Fall in Love (EP)
8/14 - Sylvie Simmons - Blue on Blue (LP)
8/14 - Mark W. Georgsson - Comes a Time (EP)
8/14 - Skylar Gregg - Roses (LP)
8/21 - Eric Bolander - "Window" (single)
8/21 - A Shoreline Dream - The Melting (LP)
8/21 - Liar,Flower - Geiger Counter (LP)
8/21 - Xanthe Alexis - The Offering (LP)
8/21 - Reardon Love - "Locked in the Panopticon" (single)
8/21 - Ghostwood Development Project - "Almost Human" (single)
8/21 - The Sea At Midnight - "We Share the Same Stars" (single)
8/21 - Buckle Bunny - "Lizard Brain" (single)
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)
8/28 - Molly Tuttle - ...but I'd rather be with you (LP)
8/28 - Caterpillar - Where Shadows Go to Speak (LP)
8/28 - The Agency - "Defender" (single)
8/31 - Andre Salvador & the Von Kings - Last Night From Glasgow (LP)
9/04 - India Ramey - Shallow Graves (LP)
9/04 - The Star Prairie Project - "Frantic Mind" (single)
9/04 - Jabbawoki - Something's Cookin' (EP)
9/11 - Mike Barnett - +1 (LP)
9/11 - Atta Boy - Big Heart Manners (LP)
9/18 - The Pull of Autumn - Small Colors (LP)
9/25 - Buildings and Food - Up Down Strange Charm (LP)
9/25 - Music Maker Relief Foundation - Hanging Tree Guitars (LP)
10/02 - Buckle Bunny - Pet Speak (LP)
10/02 - The Jensen Sisters - Yellow Frames (LP)
10/09 - Year of October - Wastelands (LP)
10/09 - Great Peacock - Forever Worse Better (LP)
10/16 - Malin Pettersen - Wildhorse (LP)
10/23 - The Agency - In the Haunted Woods (LP)
Recent:
6/16 - Carlos Severe Marcelin - Impressionist (LP)
6/17 - DIVES - "100 Times" (single)
6/18 - Monsieur Minimal - "Release Me (Easteria Remix)" (single)
6/19 - Stykfaktor - "Distance" (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 - Highway Women - "Shake the Dust" (single)
6/19 - Pozzi - "Tyrant" (single)
6/19 - Lady Couch - "Foolish and Blue" (single)
6/20 - Alpha Pegasi - "Summertime (Doin' Time)" (single)
6/20 - David Starling - "Cowards" (single)
6/22 - Remington Super 60 - "Still Near" (single)
6/24 - I Like Trains - "Dig In" (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)
6/26 - Indie Dog - "Moving On" (single)
6/26 - Laura Cortese & The Dance Cards - "Typhoon" (single)
6/26 - Molly Tuttle - "Fake Empire" (National cover) (single)
6/26 - Holy Knives - "Always Gone" (Jamie Hince Remix) (single)
6/26 - Geoff Gibbons - "Keep on Driving" (single)
6/26 - No Party for Cao Dong - "Same Old, Same Old" (single)
6/26 - John Kelly - In Between (LP)
6/26 - Herb Barclay Project- "Gusta" (single)
6/27 - Joseph C. Krause - Iztac (EP)
6/29 - Sofia Talvik - Paws of a Bear - Unplugged (LP)
7/01 - Pussycat Doghouse - Bananas (LP)
7/01 - Monsieur Minimal - "Easteria" single
7/01 - Shatterglass - Sick (EP)
7/01 - Red's Blues - Broke Down in the Fast Lane (LP)
7/02 - Telepathic Teddy Bear - "Turning Back the Pages (single)
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)
7/03 - Petter Carlsen - "Contradictions" (single)
7/03 - Divine Horsemen - "Mystery Writers" (single)
7/03 - Mayflower Madame - "Sacred Core" (single)
7/03 - Andrew Adkins - One Evening In Brooklyn: Live! (EP)
7/03 - Angela Easterling - "Home" (single)
7/03 - Felixity - Love Sick Remixed (LP)
7/03 - Eduardo - "Sunrise" (single)
7/03 - SB SurfsUp - "My Lil Chick on the West Coast" (single)
7/04 - Jackson Capps - "Yesterday's Makeup" (single)
7/04 - gLife - Master of Flow (EP)
7/04- Learn to Fly - "Cherished Ruins" (single)
7/07 - Afton Wolfe - Petronius' Last Meal (EP)
7/07 - Abigail Fierce - "Girl in the Mirror (single)
7/08 - Short-Haired Domestic - "A Song in Latin..." (single)
7/08 - Lobelia - Positive Songs Project - Phase 2 (EP)
7/09 - Black Needle Noise - "She Talks to Angels" (single)
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)
7/10 - Ten Penny Gypsy - Fugitive Heart (LP)
7/10 - Andy Baker - North Country Sky (LP)
7/10 - Static X - Project Regeneration Vol. 1 (LP)
7/10 - Black Paisley - "Need Some Soul" (single)
7/10 - Raz & Alfa - "Secrets & Lies" (single)
7/10 - The Spiritual Leaders - Underwater with You (EP)
7/10 - Jah Cure - "Rock the Boat" (single)
7/10 - NineteenHateHate - "TopBoy" (single)
7/10 - Blaktrix - "€5 Euro Shades" (single)
7/11 -Rev. J. Mikhael Smith and the Brimstone Miracle - "10:18" (single)
7/11 - Civic Green - "There is Always a Light" (single)
7/13 - Ekat Bork - "Driving My Mustang" (single)
7/14 - Anita Romana - "All Tomorrows" (single)
7/17 - The Bobby Lees - Skin Suit (LP)
7/17 - Soft Set - "Never Die" (single)
7/17 - Michot's Melody Makers - Cosmic Cajuns from Saturn (LP)
7/17 - Laura Cortese & The Dance Cards - Bitter Better (LP)
7/17 - Graham Bramblett - The Great Inbetween (LP)
7/17 - ElJay - Champion (EP)
7/17 - Sienne - "Side by Side" (single)
7/17 - elkyn - beech (EP)
7/17 - The Allergies - Say the Word (LP)
7/17 - LadyCouch - "Heartache" (single)
7/17 - KEYS - "This Side of Luv" (single)
7/17 - Bearcraft - "Outside in the Morning Snow" (single)
7/17 - Abby Reign - "Roll the Dice" (single)
7/17 - David Ramirez - "My Love if Like a Hurricane" (LP)
7/17 - ASM - "Return of the Sabretooth" (single)
7/17 - The Jensen Sisters - "Beat of a Bad Habit" (single)
7/18 - Union Kain - Black Dawn (EP)
No comments:
Post a Comment