E2TG 12/15/2021 - Days Like These - Nine Miles Mix (Slight Beams Remix)

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As I alluded to yesterday, this is a tricky time of year.  Dealing with the anniversary of losses amidst times of celebration and joy and navigating the fine line between staying busy and allowing oneself time to feel the normal feelings of sadness and grief.  Even without trying, it is a busy time of year - at least until it isn't. That, to me, is the trap of the holidays.  The sadness and grief are real and present but sometimes lost amidst the bustle of activity.  And maybe one really wants time alone to recover and rest from the busyness. And then, inevitably, things start to slow down and suddenly those feelings begin to be felt, and one finds themselves along without plans. 

I am grateful for friends - and for not being alone except by choice. 

Tomorrow morning, I will be on the radio for the Seasons Greetings from Nashville Holiday Spectacular. Tune in!  101.5FM in Nashville or wxnafm.org anywhere 

Today's shuffle follows the jump... 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 6/1/2021 - Short Week, Same Stuff to Do - By Your Side Mix (Something Big Remix)

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I love a three day weekend, but it is a fact that the four day work week that follows always requires the same amount of work as a five day work week... 

Also, your intrepid music blogger got to get on stage for the first time since the E2TG Residency in 2019 and this time in front of a bigger audience. It was at the benefit to help keep the Exit/In open and locally owned and operated which was held at East Park.  I was there representing WXNA, but on stage I was repping all of Nashville's independent radio stations.  

I absolutely love being on stage. One of my earliest memories (or at least I remember being told about it) was reciting the story of The Three Billy Goat's Gruff (from memory) in front of my pre-school class and parents. 

I have a lot of anxiety about a lot of things but for some reason - even Sunday knowing there was a huge crowd did not phase me at all. 

Anyway, lots to get to today. 

Featured Friday Playlist recap Part 2 (songs 14-21):

14. "Get Lost" by Ben Brown

From Sayonara Sorrow - the solo debut album of Austin based singer-songwriter songwriter Ben Brown. Although not as evident on this track - the concept of the album was to record thematically-connected songs too personal and intimate for a rock band setting and tie them together with the often grandiose saxophone stylings of Tim Cappello (best known for his appearance in The Lost Boys film). I really dig this song. 

15. "Wanted Man" by EB

The Parallel Sessions is the new EP from indie singer-songwriter EB (Elisa Bianchi) who was born in Como, Italy and is now based in London. 

16. "Gravity's String" by Graber Gryass

You may not think of Memphis and bluegrass in the same breath but the collective known as Graber Gryass may change that. This is a track from Spaceman's Wonderbox - their new album. 

17. "Dead End Lady" by Toler Gibson

Next, a track from The Days Before - the new album from the California duo of Kenneth Gibson and Gavin Toler. 

18. "Ballad of the Gobsmacked" by Three-Layer Cake

Some genre-exploding music from Mike Pride, Mike Watt, and Brandon Seabrook - from the new album Stove Top. 

19. "Big Worse" by Dude Safari

Next up, we have the third single (and our third to feature) from this Surrey based grunge power trio. I'm a fan. 

20. "Roll That Cotton" by The Kingspond Shantymen

Take A Turn Around The Capstan is the new album from this UK who sing shanties and drinking songs and the like. Really cool stuff. 

21. "Oh Yeah" by Jordana Talsky

And, we close out this segment of music with the new single from this singer-songwriter who uses vocal looping effects in her live performances. A great way to close out this interesting segment of music. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 10/22/2020 - I Don't Already Know - Full Blown Freak Out Mix (Too Strange Remix)

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On my mind... for the most part, I tend to just ignore the parts of youth culture that I don't understand (and as I grow older, my definition of "youth culture" expands).. I mean, I don't try to understand how and why a video of someone opening a box can get millions of views or how people can get famous on Tik Tok or Snapchat or whatever.. 

But, recently, I was thinking about the phrase - "you already know".  First disclaimer: for all I know this expression is already passé... but whenever I hear it, I think - "No, I don't already know" or "If I already know then why are you telling me again?"  But - even in this confusion, I will just write it off as my being old and in the way and move on...

But, it did make me think... how often do we assume someone already knows something...  I mean as a writer it is often a fine line between overexplaining the obvious vs. making a reference and assuming everyone reading gets the context. I guess it comes down to knowing and reading your audience. I know when I did Double Shot with Sue - she would call me out sometimes for saying - "as you know" when it was something I know but which everyone listening may not know. 

I mean, I should be able to make a David Bowie reference without adding a full biography of Bowie, but if I am a less famous musician or a lesser known fact about Bowie - I might need to add some context. 

Okay - this makes me think about something else in a similar vein.  If someone posts a quote or makes a reference I don't get, I may google it for context or I may just ignore it.  But, there seem to be some people who feel the need to comment on things like this - often missing the point being made. I think it is an annoying habit but is it or is that how some people learn... I guess in general - there are some people who seem to feel the need to comment on every social media post even if they don't really have anything to add.  For example, if someone posts "RIP *some name*". I can give a sad emoji reaction and move on - unless I have something to say about the person, but some people will comment "I'm not really familiar with them but... blah, blah, blah" I just don't understand that tendency or even people who will make a post about someone who recently died and basically say, I wasn't a fan but this is sad...  again, I just don't understand that. 

Today, we wrap up this week's Featured Friday Playlist and prepare the way for a brand new playlist debuting at midnight or tomorrow morning if I fall asleep like last week... 

26. "Girlfriend" by The Silverbeets

The Silverbeets may be the first band from Tasmania that we have covered - or not - anyway, this is the latest single ahead of their forthcoming album Halcyon Days album (Due Nov. 13).  I dig this band a lot. They craft a nifty psych/pop sound that really connects with me. 

27. "Heart Light" by Jenee Halstead

Up next, we have the latest single from Boston-based singer-songwriter Jenee Halstead. Boasting a diverse musical background, I am struck by the original way she pulls her varied influences together and crafts them into a truly unique sound. 

28. "Damage Control" by Isabelle Stillman

Next up, we have a track from the latest album by  singer-songwriter Isabelle Stillman who recently relocated from Denver to Los Angeles. This is her second album and was recorded in part in isolation during the pandemic. A really catchy sound and a great voice. I dig it. 

29. "Hot Today" by Taiwan MC

As usual, I am closing the Playlist with a couple of songs that add some variety to the mix. I believe this is the second track we have covered by this French artist on Chinese Man Records. From the new album Special Request, out now. 

30. "Not Sorry" by Hell Boulevard

And, we close out this week's Playlist with the title track from the new album by Swiss goth rockers Hell Boulevard. It is their third album, and a great way to bring this week's playlist to an end. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 7/16/2020 - In the Time of COVID - Say What! Mix (yue Remix)

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Crazy week - here, I am very short on time today, so I will be quick. I was thinking last night about mental health and COVID-19. First of all, I think mental health issues affect many people and are not talked about enough.  There are a variety of mental health issues that affect a sizable portion of the population.  Fortunately, in many cases, these issues are mild, and the people experiencing them are fully functional. However mild, though, the effects are real, and I believe what we have collectively experienced in 2020 has brought this to light for a lot of people. In some ways, when the shutdowns and stay at home orders hit, we were collectively forced to slow down and many of us lost one or more of our distractions.

For me, here is one example of how mental health issues can manifest.  Let's say, I have a period of free time. I am off work, I can't go out to live music, can't visit friends or family... so my mind begins assembling a list of things I need to and want to do. Then, my brain gets overwhelmed and I partially shutdown.  I may sleep a lot or I may binge watch Netflix shows or whatever, and I tell myself I deserve a break.  Then what happens is the slow period ends. I have to back to work or I have something else to occupy my time. And my brain recovers, and starts thinking about those things that I want and need to do. And, I begin to silently berate myself for my lack of productivity during my downtime. Which further damages my mental health.

It is a cycle. And, I must find a way of out the cycle while being gentle and patient with myself, but it is not easy and I may need help -which means I have to fight off the stigma for asking for help with mental health issues.

Keep in mind, my issues are mild (I think), and for some people they can be debilitating.  So, we all need to be gentle with each other and with ourselves. We are going fine, and even if we are not, we can and will do better with help, and there is nothing wrong with asking for help.


Our recap of this week's Featured Friday Playlist concludes with songs 21-24. We end on an extremely diverse and pretty awesome note.  Please be sure to check out this week's entire list while there is time and give the list a follow on Spotify.  A new list will be live sometime around midnight.

21. "Platinum" by Fintan McKahey

Fintan McKahey is a bedroom pop singer-songwriter/producer from West Cork, Ireland.  He is from a family of musicians - his father was the drummer for the 80s band Stump and his uncle was the singer of the band CousteauX. The new single is filled with magical references, and I love it. 

22. "Yesterday's Makeup" by Jackson Capps

Up next, we return back to Nashville with a new single from country singer and songwriter Jackson Capps. It is a song about the destructive patterns in relationships. It was recorded live in the studio. 

23. "Lazy Boi - Black Star Liner Remix" by Felixity

Felixity is a pop/neo-soul singer-songwriter from London.  This is the title track from the remixed version of her debut album. She enlisted several top producers on this remix album.  For this track, we worked with the Leeds band Black Star Liner. Cool stuff.

24. "Sick" by Shatterglass

And, we close out this week's playlist with some straight-ahead hard rock from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This is the title track from the band's brand new EP. 

    Featured Friday Playlist