As we head into the final two months of this most interesting year, with so much uncertainty and so many unresolved problems...on a more personal note, I am - as I do every year about this time - evaluated the State of E2TG. Long-time readers know that I made some major changes to E2TG at the beginning of this year - changes I have fine-tuned throughout the year. I felt the changes were necessary. As a result of the changes I have been able to cover more music than ever before, however, the trade-off has been that some music does not get covered as extensively as it might have in the past.
So, the questions I have to ask myself every year are: What is it that I want E2TG to accomplish? Is E2TG accomplishing that? and How, I can I improve on what I am doing to better meet my goal?
I don't have the answers yet for 2020, but that is where my head will be...
For my readers, I have certain hopes - one is that you give at least a cursory listen to the music I present here. I can almost guarantee that you won't like it all or at least not like it all equally... but I think no matter where your musical tastes lie, you will find something you do like. If an artist or song really catches your attention- I would hope you would follow the artist on social media and follow them on your favorite streaming service. If you are able, buy a download or a physical copy of their music, when it is safe in your area and they come to town, go see them live.
Selfishly, if you do discover new music via E2TG, I would love it if you would tell me about it.
I do not make a dime from E2TG - that was a conscious decision I made a long time ago (although to be fair, I am not 100% certain I could make much money if I tried). I am also not a publicist or promoter for any artists- although I am grateful for my relationships with many fine publicists. E2TG is an unpaid, secondary job for me - and I am a one-man operation - so it is inevitable that I miss out on featuring some music and my timing may not be ideal. I do what I can.
I do believe that there is so much amazing music being produced and released these days, and there are many fine websites, blogs etc that cover some of the music. I have always tried to keep E2TG interesting (to me at least) by being a diverse and inclusive as possible. There is not style or genre of music that I won't consider for E2TG.
Anyway, this is Music City Monday and as a rare treat, we have 100% local music.
We pick back up on this week's Featured Friday recap - with songs 11-15 - the quality of these five songs just goes to show how deep this week's playlist truly is... oh and they are all based in Nashville...
11. "Surrender" by LORE
This is the debut single by the new Nashville band featured Laur Joamets and Laura Reed. Their album is due out next year and was produced by Dave Schools and Vance Powell and features Robbie Crowell and Nick Buda. A wonderful song.
12. "Mostly Ouroboros" by Andrew Adkins
Yet another track from the forthcoming The Echoist (November 13) by E2TG favorite Andrew Adkins. This one shows off his more rocking side.
13. "Perfect Job" by Kevin Burnstein
Kevin Burnstein moved to Nashville just head of the pandemic and found himself in a new city at an inopportune time. He made the most of the situation recording this politically charged album and releasing at a most opportune time.
14. "I Want Out" by Will Kimbrough
By contrast to Kevin Burstein, Will Kimbrough has been a Nashville resident over well over 30 years, but he, too, found himself in an unusual situation. Used to keeping up a busy schedule of touring, recording, and producing - Kimbrough found himself - like so many others - grounded. Spring Break is the result of that time, and it is a most wonderful result.
15. "Do You Realize" by Tayls
Taylor Cole - who leads Tayls - as been in Nashville longer than Burnstein but far less than Kimbrough - but he, too found his usual actives limited or eliminated by COVID-19. He took the time to record a collection of cover songs - often recording remotely with other Nashville bands and artists. We have covered several of the singles released but now the full Kwar in Teens: A Covers Collection is out. This is a cover of a Flaming Lips song.
It is Friday, and I am short on time so let's get right to it. Before we get to our brand new Featured Friday Playlist, we have a couple of new releases to mention. Both of these releases are out on Devil's Tower Records and available on the Devil's Tower Records Bandcamp page. Both are live recordings, recorded at the same show last Halloween. The Smoking Flowers host an annual Halloween show at The 5 Spot as a benefit. I have been to a few - including the show where these releases were recorded. Since, the show cannot go on this year, they decided to release these as a consolation. Check them out.
The first features the temporary band SHAMONES doing Michael Jackson covers in the style of The Ramones. The second features a set from The Smoking Flowers themselves doing some choice covers. I have listened and they are high quality recordings (as most of the "live from The 5 Spot" recordings are) - so please check them out!
This week's Featured Friday Playlist is jam-packed with great music. I think it is the same number of songs as last week but it clocks in at about fifteen more minutes of music. Our recap starts below the jump...
I am going to heed the lesson I was taught growing up... if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.
Except - Wear a Damn Mask!
Before we get to the Featured Friday Playlist - we have one currently non-Spotify release to mention. My Politic - the Nashville based duo of Kaston Guffey and Nick Pankey have released a new EP that lives up to the name of their project - Short-Sighted People In Power: A Home Recording - is out now on bandcamp and will be on Spotify at the end of the month (and will be in our Feature Friday Playlist at that time). In the meantime, you know the drill - check out and buy the music if you dig it.
I realized that I failed to include the Tornado Relief Resources in my blog post on Friday. This is an on-going need that likely will not be going away anytime soon. The need is far-reaching across the city and across the state. Communities, businesses, people are affected.
There have been and are going to be numerous benefits shows going on in the days and weeks to come. I wish I had the ability to link to everyone. For now, I will stick to the "Check Your Local Listings"
Some general things:
Double check before you donate. Unfortunately, there are scammers out there.
If you choose to volunteer, I recommend going through a organized effort - like Hands on Nashville. If you drive to one of the affected areas - be mindful of where you park - do not block roads - even if there appear closed at the time of your arrival.
If your home is damaged, don't make hasty decisions about seeing - again, there are vultures waiting to take advantage of the situation.
Give what you can, do what you can do, and don't feel guilty about what you can't do.
It does seem like the last 3 months or so have been filled with loss and difficulties. It does have an impact that can be or seem to be cumulative. A small difficulty can feel like it will do you in (following on the heels of bigger losses). So, again, a reminder to talk to someone - get help if you need it, and for goodness sake be good to yourself and to each other.
Tonight, is the celebration of life for David Olney. One of those losses, many of us have experienced. It is a "Celebration", and I intend to celebrate his life and his art - which moved me so much. But, it will likely also be another reminder of what we have all lost.
Now on to the Music City Monday Shuffle!
Featured Friday Playlist
Music City Monday Shuffle:
A nice fun list for a Monday morning - overcast and warm...
"Dream Dreamer" by Aaron Lee Tasjan (from Karma for Cheap)
First of two tracks from ALT.
"Teenager's Lament" by Loudon Wainwright III (from Years in the Making)
Man, Wainwright captures teen angst pretty well.
"Devil's Hand" by Jonell Mosser and John Hall (from Little Black Dress)
From the same album that played on Greetings from Nashville. Again, ask Sue to tell you a Jonell Mosser and John Hall story if you find yourself beside her at a bar.
"Stay Calm, Get Low" by Becky Warren (from War Surplus)
"The Killing Floor - Live" by Walk the West (from Return to Elliston Square Live at Exit/In 2008)
Untitled by Justin and the Cosmics (from Hangin' Out in My Body)
The untitled final track from the classic album that gave Justin Collins his social media handle.
"Whatever Keep You Love Around" by The Singing Butcher (from The Butcher Papers)
Our last track to feature from The Butcher Papers, but we have some new music from Timothy George.
"Flat Out Gone" by The Bluefields (from Pure)
From the debut album... new music is on the way, and some can be heard on the band's website.
"The Rest is Yet to Come" by Aaron Lee Tasjan (from Karma for Cheap)
"Our Lady of the Well" by Mary Bragg (from Our Lady of the Well - single)
Single from last year by the singer-songwirter.
"Cowboy Jack Clement's Waltz" by Todd Snider (from Cash Cabin Session, Vol. 3)
Recent release from Todd Snider - recorded by the famous Cash Cabin.
VIDEO PLAYLIST
Recent and Upcoming Releases:
Recent: 1/16 - Margo Price - Stone Me (single) 1/17 - Mark Hummel - Wayback Machine (LP) 1/17 - Jonny Polonsky - "The Weeping Souls" (single) 1/17 - Them Airs - Union Suit XL (LP)(E2TG First Impression) 1/17 - Innocence Mission - See You Tomorrow (LP) 1/17 - David Dondero - The Filter Bubble Blues (LP) 1/17 - MONO INC. - "Warriors" (single) 1/17 - Damen - "Americana" (single) 1/17 - The Singing Butcher - "Circus Girl" (single)
1/17 - Simen Lyngroth - "Morning Light" (single)
1/17 - 100 Mile House - "Worth the Wait" (single) 1/19 - Merrill Beach - "Geen"/"Marimba" (single)(E2TG First Impression) 1/21 - Broads and Milly Hirst - "Happisburgh" (single) 1/22 - Davis Raines - Turquoise and Silver (LP) (E2TG First Impression) 1/24 - Kailey Nicole - Kailey Nicole (LP) 1/24 - Mrs. Henry - Live at the Casbah (LP) 1/24 - Aeronautical Pioneer - "Hop High" (single) 1/24 - Three Rivers Project - Confluence (LP) 1/24 - MONO INC. - The Book of Fire (LP) 1/24 - Dispel - Lore (LP) 1/24 - The New Nostalgia - "Nothing is New" (single) 1/24 - The Heliocentrics - "Burning Wooden Ship" (single) 1/24 - Electric High - "Harder to Justify" (single) 1/24 - J. Luke Cloutier - Drown (LP) 1/26 - Nik West - "Tears" (single) 1/28 - Motihari Brigade - Power from Below (LP) 1/29 - Remington Super 60 - NEW EP (EP) 1/31 - Eric Brace and Last Train Home - Daytime Highs and Overnight Lows (LP) 1/31 - Nick Pagliari - Midway (LP) 1/31 - Black Paisley - "Dreams" (single) 1/31 - Jolie Holland - Esconidida (Vinyl Reissue) (LP) 1/31 - John Dennis - Mortal Flames (LP) (E2TG First Impression) 1/31 - Emma Hill - How Could I Have Been So Wrong (EP) 1/31 - Ryan Sobb and the Dead Mall - Concrete Feelings (LP) (E2TG First Impression) 1/31 - Alexander Hacke (Einsturzende Neubauten) + Danielle de Picciotto (Crime and The City Solution) - The Current (LP) 1/31 - Drive-By Truckers - The Unraveling (LP) 1/31 - Kristen Englenz - "Rebound" (single) 1/31 - Damen - "Disco" (single) 1/31 - Tinsley Ellis - Ice Cream in Hell (LP) 1/31 - The Singing Butcher - "Coming Home" (single) 2/01 - Glenn Jones - Ready for the Good Times (LP)
2/02 - Karabas Barabas - Degenerate National Anthem (LP) 2/04 - Mayflower Madame - "Vultures" (single) 2/05 - Joseph Mooradian - "We all Work Too Much"/"Dash My Dreams" (single)
2/07 - Palm Ghosts - Wide Awake and Waiting (EP) 2/07 - Emily Zuzik - "Trouble" (single) 2/07 - Chicago Farmer - Flyover Country (LP) 2/07 - Surrija - "Barcelona" (single) 2/07 - The Flyin' A's - No Holds Barred (LP) 2/07 - Christopher Paul Stelling - Best of Luck (LP) 2/07 - HMS Morris - "Babanod" (single) 2/07 - Tiny Fighter- "Strangest Thing" (single) 2/07 - Wynnm - "Fire on the Moon" (single) 2/07 - The Golden Cage Society - Mira (Mini EP) 2/07 - Alienbaby Collective - "Degenerate Moon" (single) 2/07 - Eric and the Anti-Vaxxers - Timeshare Girlfriend (EP) 2/07 - Sammy Brue - "Teenage Mayhem" and "Crash Test Kid" (singles) 2/07 - Lucille - "Kerikeri" (single)
2/07 - Jon Magnusson - Always a Rebel (Live in Studio Silverräven) (single)
2/07 - Thomas Passon - "Über" (single)
2/07 - BisonBison - "Hover" (single)
2/07 - BisonBison - Hover (LP)
2/13 - Little Triggers - "Bang" (single)
2/14 - Grant Peeples - Bad Wife (LP) 2/14 - The Heliocentrics - Infinity of Now (LP) 2/14 - Johanna Kuvaja - "Back for Good" (single) 2/14 - Sarah Reynolds - "I Need Love" (single) 2/14 - Afterimage - "Six Seconds" (single) 2/14 - Kalee Smyth - "Bring Our Love Down" (single)
2/14 - Harry Stafford - "She Just Blew Me Away" (single)
2/14 - Kid Be Kid - "Blood" (single)
2/14 - Chris Maxwell - New Store No. 2 (LP)
2/18 - David J - "I Only Hear Silence Now" (single)
2/19 - Paisley Fields - "Ride Me Cowboy" (single)
2/19 - Tom Cridland - "The Laws of Success" (single)
2/21 - Sarah Morris - All Mine (LP) 2/21 - Kindergarten - Iphigenia (Reissue) (LP) 2/21 - Hot Club of L.A.- Cinema Swing (LP) 2/21 - MUUK - Balbuceo (LP) 2/21 - Aaron Beckum - Songs from a Triangle Room (EP) 2/21 - Every 13 Days - Étant Donnés (Reissue) (LP) 2/21 - Seablight - High-Rise Mannequins (EP) 2/21 - Various Artists -Typical Girls Vol. 5 (LP) 2/21 - 12xPretty - 12xPretty (LP) 2/21 - Arkane Skye - "Don't Ask Me Out" (single)
2/21 - Easy - "Crystal Waves" (single)
2/21 - Blue Lucas - "Train Station" (single)
2/21 - Stumbleine - "Supermodels" (single)
2/21 - Jesse Blake Rundle - "The Death of a Soldier" (single) 2/21 - Whitney Shay - Stand Up! (LP)
2/21 - 100 Mile House - "Test the Timber" (single)
2/22 - Charlotte Eagle Sings - Embracing the Old Ways (LP)
2/24 - Jon Magnusson - "Set Me on Fire (Live Silverraven Sessions) (single)
2/28 - Kristen Englenz - Ingenue (LP) 2/28 - Brett Ryan Stewart - "All or None" (single)2/28 - Close Lobsters - Post Neo Anti... (LP) 2/28 - The Heliocentrics - Infinity of Now (LP)
2/28 - Scenius - "Glass Rain" (single)
2/28 - Jeffrey James - East London (EP)
2/28 - Charmless i - "Long Time Coming" (single)
2/28 - Gallary 47 - "I Wish I Was" (single)
2/28 - Xirita - "Don't Go" (single)
2/28 - Son of David - "Carry On" (single)
2/28 - Harry Stafford - "Painted Ocean" (single) 2/28 - Strange Majik - "World On Fire" (single)
2/28 - MUUK - Balbuceo (LP)
2/29 - Jimmy Who and the Night Creatures - Tinker's Blues (EP)
3/04 - Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion - Chameleon (LP)
3/04 - Iron Mike Norton - "Help Me Make It Through the Night" (single)
3/06 - Surrija - "Sylvette" (single)
3/06 - Dean Fields - While the Baby Was Sleeping (LP) 3/06 - Broads and Milly Hirst - Ollust (LP) 3/06 - The Mastersons - No Time for Love Songs (LP) 3/06 - Ghostwood Development Project (Feat. Kool Keith) - "Gulley" (single)
3/06 - The Mystery Plan - Ballad of JC Quinn (LP)
3/06 - Brian Wright and the Sneakups - "Patrick's Crossing" (single)
3/06 - Jonny Polonsky - Kingdom of Sleep (LP)
3/06 - Tiny Fighter - "Perfect Game" (single)
3/06 - African Head Charge - Drumming is a Language (LP)
3/06 - African Head Charge - Songs of Praise - reissue (LP)
3/06 - African Head Charge - Churchical Chant Of The Iyabinghi (LP)
This Week:
3/09 - Marco Bonvicini - "Colors" (single)
3/13 - The Flatmates - The Flatmates (LP) 3/13 - Kleenex Girl Wonder - Ponyoak (20th Anniversary Edition) + BLP (demos and out-takes) (LP) 3/13 - Sandwick - Reconstruct (LP) 3/13 - Foley and the Fire - "Springsteen on the Radio" (single) 3/13 - Kalee Smyth - The Ceiling (EP)
3/13 - Sha Davis - Songs I Wrote When You Left (EP)
3/13 - The Losing Touch - "Through the Night" (single)
3/13 - Gerry Gareau - Feet Off The Brakes (EP)
3/13 - Ayla Brook and the Sound Men - Desolation Sounds (LP)
3/13 - The Academy of Sun - "The Parts That Need Replacing" (single)
Upcoming:
3/18 - Marco Bonvicini - Colors (EP) 3/20 - Matt Wilson and His Orchestra - When I Was a Writer (LP) 3/20 - Chris Moyse - Bitter Ballads and Cynical Prayers (LP)
3/20 - Samuel Boller - Kingdom of the Sun (LP) 3/20 - The Blam Blams - "Isabella" (single) 3/20 - Jon Hassell - Vernal Equinox (reissue) (LP)
3/27 - Mayflower Madame - "Swallow" (single) 3/27 - Alienbaby Collective - F I S H B O W L / T E R R E S T R I A L (Double EP) 3/27 - Mairena - "Weird All the Time" (single) 3/27 - Lucille - Come on,Fly (LP)
3/27 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "Money" (single)
3/27 - Ben Reel - The Nashville Calling (LP)
3/27 - 100 Mile House - Love and Leave You (LP)4/03 - Surrija - Surrija (LP) 3/27 - Watermelon Slim - Traveling Man (Double Live LP)
3/27 - Lilly Hiatt - Walking Proof (LP)
3/?? - Harry Stafford - Gothic Urban Blues (LP) 4/01? - Ten Penny Gypsy - Fugitive Heart (LP)
4/03 - Chip and the Charge Ups - Lightning in Our Veins (LP)
4/03 - Stumbleine - Sink Into the Ether (LP)
4/09 - Ellison - "Sing" (single)
4/10 - Eliza Gilkyson - 2020 (LP) 4/10 - Dan Montgomery - Smoke and Mirrors (a phonographic memory) (LP) 4/10 - Pokey LaFarge - Rock Bottom Rhapsody (LP)
4/10 - The Dream Syndicate - The Universal Inside (LP)
4/13 - Pilotcan - No More Shan Goodbye (LP) 4/17 - Paul Burch and WPA Ballclub - Light Sensitive (LP)
4/16 - Destijl - Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (LP)
4/17 - Aimee Stevens - "Hell is a Teenaged Girl" (single)
4/24 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "I'm Gonna Break Your Heart" (single) 4/24 - Ben Bostick - Among the Faceless Crowd (LP)
4/24 - Kyle Lalone - Somewhere In Between (EP)
5/08 - Brian Wright and the Sneak-Ups - Lapse of Luxury
5/31 - Debra Power - That's How I Roll (LP)
6/05 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "None of Your Business" (single)
6/12 - Sammy Brue - Crash Test Kid (LP)
7/03 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - None of Your Business (EP)
*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.
It is time for the WXNA Fall Pledge Drive! Please help support this independent, free-form, listener-supported, community radio station today. You can call (615) 933-9962 that's (615) 993-WXNA or you can visit wxnafm.org There are some fantastic "Thank You" gifts this time around, but more important, you will doing you part to getting great radio alive and well in Nashville.
Now, we are back in time for Music City Monday - exploring some of the music that makes Nashville Music City USA!
*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.
Week 4 of the E2TG Residency is happening Wednesday night October 16 - with Josh Gray and Meghan Hayes providing the musical entertainment. Gray and Hayes each released wonderful new albums in 2019. Josh Gray's Songs of the Highway covers his move to Nashville in the context of these complex times in which we live. Meghan Hayes' Seen Enough Leavers deals with heartbreak and loss in wonderfully artistic and healing way. They will both be backed by full bands with come hot local players. Don't miss it!
Now, it is time for another Music City Monday shuffle!
We are back and it is another Music City Monday - where we take a glance at some great Nashville-centered music from the past and the present. As usual, we have a good mixed bag of goodies. So, let's get right to it!
Well, the 2019 Edition of the Magnolia Roads American Roots Hoedown IV is in the books. Over two nights, 13 acts featuring at least 54 artists performed. There was also a silent auctions which raised money for the Ben Eyestone Fund of Music Health Alliance, a COMMUnity Canvas - collaborative painting, and just a ton of fun.
Thank you to Emily Hansen of Magnolia Roads for letting me be a part of this. I got to see old friends like The Truehearts, Chris Wilson, Don Gallardo, Mike Younger, Rich Mahan, and Lady Couch; people that I saw at previous Magnolia Roads events - like Jenny Lee West, Arkansas Dave, Bonnie Blue, and Jason Daniels; and some new folks like Bryan Haraway, FunkyJenn, and Jeff Mix.
Until next time!
Now, we jump right into another fantastic Music City Monday shuffle! Let's do it!
Hey, I've done the math, and I can get through the year recap and still do this week's and next week's Music City Monday shuffle. So, we will detour from the Earies - just a bit - but there may be some embedded Earies in this shuffle.... so you better read up...
Wow! It's December..... It's about time to dive into the 2018 Earie Awards! Is this the third annual Earier Awards? I think that's right - maybe fourth annual - who knows... As always, it will different than prior years and I'll be making it all up as I go along...
But first, we missed last Music City Monday - so let's do this. As always, this shuffle comes from my epic (and ever growing) Music City Monday Spotify Playlist - The playlist is new and classic albums and songs from artist and bands who have or have had some connection to Nashville. As you might imagine, it is a diverse combination of all kinds of music from musical friends, musical heroes, and the like.
All of this happened a long time ago when the world was a very different place. Of course, none of us knew that at the time. (From The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres) Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)
I am continuing to work on my Spotify playlists for E2TG. So far, I have completed three - January - March 2018. These are meant to be a cross-section of music I featured during those months - not necessarily music released in those months. If you are interested, you can check out the playlists (links below) and follow my personal profile to find out when new playlists are created.
Running late, but I love Music City Monday - so I didn't want to miss. It's funny how a random shuffle of the same mix of songs can yield a different mix of results. Today's shuffle is heavily weighted toward recent and fairly recent music. But, you can see for yourself...
I'm a bit short on time. Tonight is the CD Release Show for Julie Christensen and Stone Cupid's new album A Sad Clown. At the Basement. Renee Wahl is opening. Recommended.
It's Monday, so we fire up our Music City Monday playlist and shuffle it up. Here's what came up today.
