E2TG 5/27/2020 - All Change is Bad - Goldmine Mix (Red Bank Remix)

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Well, we are almost through another week and another month in the new reality. I feel so much uncertainty and anxiety.  It does feel easier for me to stay in and limit social interactions, but I do miss people. I have very little confidence that things are not going to get worse. I no longer expect a return to "normal" anytime soon, but I also see people who are trying to force that return and it frightens me. 

I am dismayed again at where we are as a nation when it comes to a lot of things. I try to identify and recognize privilege, but I suspect I don't always do well at this. I struggle with knowing when and how to speak up while acknowledging that that struggle is a function of my privilege.

Someone how, I still believe that most people are basically good, but I also believe that it takes more than being good to counteract the people who are bad.

I recognize that critical thinking is a sadly lacking skill, and that emotional intelligence is also sadly lacking in many people. I fully support freedom of thought and freedom of expression, but I recognize with that freedom come responsibility, and that many want the freedom without the responsibility.

I think the real danger lies with the apathetic and not the zealots. 

And now, as we prepare for a brand new Featured Friday Playlist coming tomorrow, we conclude our review of this week's list with songs 18-22:

18. "Forget Me Nots" by Town Meeting

Town Meeting is a folk rock band from Ayer, Massachusetts. They are a fast rising band who have opened for Bob Dylan, Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson and more. Digging the sound of this band's evocative and rich sound.  

19. "Cama" by Dru Flecha

Dru Flecha is from Caracas, Venezuela by way of Paris, France. A rich combination of sounds combined with a killer hook and a smoldering passion. 

20. "Regional Diction" by Miss Rayon

Miss Rayon is from Portland, Oregon and they have been releasing a song every week during the pandemic. Really digging this track which reminds me of a modern take on new wave music. 

21. "Emptiness" by Lékan Tella

Lékan Tella is a New York based singer-songwriter with a funky R&B, soul vibe. A great addition to this week's Playlist.

22. "I Know" by CLOUDNINE

Last, but not least, we have a track from CLOUDNINE who is a singer-songwriter based in France. A really cool song to close out this week's list.  

See you tomorrow with a brand new Playlist!

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 2019 Recap - Part 13 - Kidney Stone Mix (Supermarket Remix)

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Well, we have reached he final post for 2019!  And Part 13 of our 2019 Recap.  Still more recaps to come. Stay tuned.

Happy New Year!

Trending Tuesday Morning Morning Shuffle - Shit Gone Wrong Mix

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  *Note: The video playlist at the bottom of the post attempts to closely approximate the shuffle I listened to on my way to work this morning. When a video for a song was not available, I substituted another song by the same artist. When I could not find any videos by an artist, I included a related video or did not include a video for that track. This blog may reference unreleased tracks, however, no unreleased music is ever included.

Still counting down to the E2TG Residency

September 25 - Week 1: Ben Arthur + Conrad y Skordalia

October 2 - Week 2: Ryan Sobb + Don Gallardo

October 9 - Week 3: The Truehearts + Jason Erie

October 16 - Week 4:  Josh Gray  + Meghan Hayes

October 23 - Week 5: Microwave Mountain + The Big Dumb


Well Americana Week in Nashville if officially underway. After recording a future episode of Double Shot - I stopped off at Dee's. When I walked in there was a guy on stage playing a sitar. He eventually played a cover of Nirvana's "Heart-Shaped Box" It was cool.  Got to hang with cool folks, caught a set from Darrin Bradbury and a full-band set by Ryan Sobb (a preview of what to expect on October 2) and Darrin joined in as they did Darrin's song "Myrtle Beach".  A weird, wild, fun start to a week of cool music and cool friends.

Let's shuffle!

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - No Tell Motel Mix

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  *Note: The video playlist at the bottom of the post attempts to closely approximate the shuffle I listened to on my way to work this morning. When a video for a song was not available, I substituted another song by the same artist. When I could not find any videos by an artist, I included a related video or did not include a video for that track. This blog may reference unreleased tracks, however, no unreleased music is ever included.


Hard to believe but the E2TG 8th Anniversary Residency is just over a month away!  We have some cool stuff lined up - here is some details!

Long-time E2TG favorite Ben Arthur will be in town from New York. I am not sure if this will be his first performance in Nashville, but it is a rare treat.  Ben is the creator of a new podcast called Songwriter which airs as part of Acoustic Cafe. The show matches a prose writer with a songwriter. Ben will be playing songs from his forthcoming album Perspective which we have been previewing here at E2TG.  Joining Ben will be favorites Conrad y Skordalia.  Since relocating from New York to Nashville David Conrad and Rebecca Weiner Tompkins have stayed busy both playing their own music and backing some of Nashville's finest.  This night should be an especially literary-flavored show.


Preview of the other shows coming soon....

Please note a change in the previously announced line-up.  Don Gallardo will be joining The Truehearts for Week 3 on October 9 and Josh Gray will now be with Meghan Hayes for Week 4 on October 16.  We still can't tell you the second act joining The Big Dumb for our finale on October 23, but it is going to be good!   Make your plans now to attend all five weeks! 


Last night was a fun night at The 5 Spot - with Slump Test - a punk band featuring Ryan Dishen, Ben Douglas, and Isaac Anthony.  Really dug their sound.  After that was the comedy stylings of Shakes Hostettler, followed by Big Evil (the band we have been featuring of late - with Ben de la Cour, Chris Watts, Joe Lekkas, and Pete Pulkrabek.   Closing the night My Politic - which features Jen Starsinic (who we played on this week's Music City Monday shuffle) on violin.

Tonight, I am heading to The Basement to see Sad Baxter and Summer Cannibals (a band from Portland, Oregon that features a cousin of mind who I don't know).

Next week, I am taking time off work.  I will be heading to Muddy Roots next weekend, and I am sure I will have plenty to say about that. 

Now, on with the shuffle!

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Life Without Parole Mix

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  *Note: The video playlist at the bottom of the post attempts to closely approximate the shuffle I listened to on my way to work this morning. When a video for a song was not available, I substituted another song by the same artist. When I could not find any videos by an artist, I included a related video or did not include a video for that track. This blog may reference unreleased tracks, however, no unreleased music is ever included.



People often make comments about me going out to hear music all the time, and I usually reply that I don't go out as often as you think I do, but this week is definitely an exception. 

Last night, I spent my evening at The 5 Spot.  First for The Flying Buffaloes CD Release show. Kyshona Armstrong opened the show with a powerhouse performance. I have been familiar with her for some time, I saw her once at The Basement East and she performed at a WXNA Event, but I was working the event and missed her set.  Backed by a killer band - including two amazing backup singers, Kyshona torn the roof off the joint!  Ross Livermore performed next. His was another name that was familiar to me, and I think maybe I had seen him solo before, but it was wonderful in a full band setting.  He even did a song called "Reggie" which happens to be my Dad's name. 

You may recall The Flying Buffaloes when we premiered their song "Hey ;) is for Horses"back in 2017. They have a new album, and they celebrated in style with a high energy set - playing their new album.  Amazingly, this was my first time seeing them live, and I was blown away!   It was fun to watch how well they work as a unit - trading instruments and lead vocals.

After that, I stuck around.  My friend Crystal has been hyping the band Wayne Graham for a while now, and they were playing the late set.  Wayne Graham is the band name, and before you ask, no one in the band has that name. They just got back from a European tour.  Nashville band East Kin opened. Another band whose name I knew, but who I had not seen before. I really enjoyed their loose style of kind of jam band rock. 

Wayne Graham (who are from Kentucky)  lived up to Crystal's recommendations. A really great set of music.  They have an easy, casual style - backed by great songs and some amazing playing.  I am hooked.

On to the shuffle! 

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - 21st Century Unfolding Mix

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Short on time... sorry - here are the basic facts and a video playlist that closely approximates the shuffle today (substituting for songs not available currently on YouTube)

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Serenity Mix

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Onward and upward, we are long on music but short on time!  Let's go!  Today's shuffle definitely lives up to my stated goal of featuring the most diverse list of music as I possible can.

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Reckless and Helpless Mix

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A bit rushed today... let's get right to the Trending Thursday Shuffle!  Enjoy!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Magnolia Flash Mix

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We are back.  I was a little under the weather yesterday, so no Music City Monday shuffle...

Today, we dig back into the Trending/New Music playlist. 

It's a good one, so let's dig right in...

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Slo Motion Meaning Mix

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Got to catch Ryan Sobb last night opening for Becca Neighbor (who was fantastic).  Sobb playing with his power trio with Preston Cochran (bass) and Chase Ballenger (drums) sound better every time I see them.  I am so excited to have them be a part of the E2TG 8th Anniversary Residency on October 2 at The 5 Spot. Jason Erie and his band will also be on the bill that night making it a night you will not want to miss.

Now, it's time to jump back into our "Trending/New Music playlist"  I loaded up with more new music last night. I broke my own rule and left the list at slightly more than 500 songs, but I will have it down to 500 by the end of the weekend.

Let's just jump to it!