We reached the mid-point of the week. Last night, I made it out to Dee's for the latest edition of Darrin Bradbury's on-going songwriter's night - this week featured Alec Lang (who is pretty new to town and who I enjoyed), Angela Autumn (who was fantastic), and the always great Chelsea Lovitt. Plus Darrin and Irakli Gabriel who played a fun, loose set.
Then, I headed over to The 5 Spot to catch the latest Swill TV - Live show - featuring the 9th episode of the music video series. The live show featured performances by Caleb Hayden Christopher - a bartender at The 5 Spot making his stage debut at the venue - his songs were great and his stage presence was fantastic, Sophie and the Broken Things - who I caught one year ago on a livestream and who I have played on the radio. Sophie's band included the multi-talented Dave Coleman and drummer Lemmy Hayes (Buck 'N' Stuff), and long-time E2TG favorite Tom Schreck with rare appearance of his band Tom Schreck Escapes!
Tomorrow - catch the next edition of Greetings from Nashville - with a collection of songs that seem to fit the Halloween season.
Magnolia Roads presents Notes For Votes III virtual festival, teaming up with HeadCount, Virtual Festival and 19 artists who embody American Roots music to get out the vote Sunday Oct. 18th. Alice Wallace, Andrew Leahey, Andrew Sheppard, April and Monroe Grisman, Aram Danesh, Chad Elliott, Chip Greene, David Gans, David Newbould, Don Gallardo, Jason Daniels, Mike Younger, Monroe & April Grisman, Natchez Tracers duo, Pete Delaney, Rich Mahan, Sara Rodenburg, The Royal Hounds, The Truehearts, and Tommy Womack come together singing and strumming, jamming and rocking to inspire folks to vote.
Join and watch the free Magnolia Roads presents Notes For Votes III virtual festival live broadcast Sunday October 18th 4-7pm EST, 3-6pm CT, 2-5 MT, 1-4pm PST on:
Our recap of this week's Featured Friday Playlist concludes - with the final 4 songs... I always try to save some interesting and good music music for last...
21. "The Promise" by Howard Gladstone
Up first, we have the title track to the new album from Canadian contemperary/alternative folk artist Howard Gladstone. Gladstone assembled an ensemble of musicians from the worlds of folk, jazz, and world music to make this lovely album which is anchored by Gladstone's rich vocals. Coincidentally, the album includes a cover of Jon Brook's "There is Only Love" which showed up in our shuffle this week.
22. "Dreamworld" by Seagoth
Seagoth is the nom de plume of an 18 year old indie pop/bedroom pop singer-songwriter from the UK. This is her new single, and it is just lovely.
23. "Arcade" by Tomas Welding
Next up, we have the latest release from 22 year Tomas Welding from Iceland. The music here is alt pop, and I dig this song. Welding who suffers with Tourette Syndrome is a photographer, videographer, and graphic designer in addition to being a talented singer-songwriter.
24. "Barbie" by Kidranger
We close out this week's Playlist with a track from alternative trap artist Kidranger - who is based in Maine. He has been making beats and rapping for some time. I don't know much about him, but I dig what I have heard so far. A great way to end this week's playlist.
Tomorrow, we start all over with a brand new playlist!
I am not sure what to write in this space today except - if you are eligible, please register and vote in every election. Real change starts local and works its way up. There is information on-line about all the candidates and ballot initiatives. Do you were research before you vote and be informed.
The November elections will likely be the most important elections of my lifetime. I, personally, have a lot of anxiety, and I really want the vote to be massively conclusive in the right direction - I don't think my heart or mind or soul can take drama around the results. Talk to your friends about voting. Make a plan - look into absentee or mail-in voting in your area, if those are not possible where you are, look into early voting when crowds might be thinner. If none of that works, mask up and be safe, but don't not vote.
Our penultimate day to recap this week's playlist. By the way, thanks for everyone who has followed the E2TG Featured Friday Playlist and for all the positive feedback. This has been an experiment, and I am liking how the playlists have been coming together so far. Now, songs 23-28.
23. "Sunrise" by Eduardo
Next up, we have the recent single by the Peruvian-born singer-songwriter now based in the US. The single was released two years after the release of his previous EP Rusty Strings. He spent most of the last two years traveling the country and playing music.
24. "The Secret Forest Lament" by Kate MacLeod
Next up in the playlist, we have lovely song by a true folk artist with an impressive backgroup as a musician and a songwriter. MacLeod celebrating her 50th year playling violin in 2018. Truly happy to have her music in my playlist, and I hope to hear more and more soon.
25. "Outside in the Morning Snow" by Bearcraft
Another lovely song - and other that references the outdoors - but from a very different musical perspective. Bearcraft is based in Bristol, England. It is released ahead of a new album called Fabrefactions. Bearcraft is the project of musician and producer Dicky Moore. The album was written shortly after Moore was diagnosed with acute hearing loss.
26. "Dream" by Joseph Doran
Next up, we have a recent single by this singer-songwriter from North West London. Doran uses technology to recreate a full-band sound all on his own. Very nice.
27. "Siegfried 1969" by The City Gates
Next up, we have the latest single from Montreal based postpunk/shoegaze band The City Gates which is a collaboration with Francis Nothingwater (La Mechanique) and Alexander Donat (Vlimmer). Really like the sound of this song which is from the forthcoming collaboration album with the above named musicians.
28. " Black Dawn" by Union Kain
We close out this segment of the playlist with some hard rock/metal from South Florida. This is the title track from the new EP by the band. A great addition to the playlist.
I have a bad tendency to put things in a box - and consider it bad or good - when in reality things are almost always more nuanced and complicated.
Last night, I attended a book signing for John Partipilo's new book Rancho Beyondo - his second book. John is a true visionary artist and journalist (the two don't have to be mutually exclusive). John and the book's designer Beth Inglish talked a bit about John's artistry, and the point was made (and taken - by me at least) of the importance to staying true to your vision as an artist. We are all given many chances to compromise our vision. Advise from well-meaning friends and family, unappointed arbiters of societal norms and literary (or other conventions).
(I need to point out that I am expounding on the words that were spoken - offering my own thoughts - not implying that either John or Beth said these specific things - just that their comments led my mind down these paths). As an artist (of whatever medium) my job is not to help people remain comfortable. I think the Cesar Cruz quote: "Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable". John's photographs are not staged and although he does sometimes photograph musicians, he does not usually capture them on stage but rather in quiet moments.
So, the event last night was at a boutique hotel in East Nashville. This location was the inspiration for my first sentence. From the outside, I probably would consider this spot - fancy, expensive cocktails, pricey rooms (only eight total rooms) - to be part of the problem with all of the changes. But, it was a lovely event and the expensive cocktail I had was delightful. And the hotel seems really interesting (out of my price range but interesting). John Partipilo in discussing his book - which contains images of ordinary and extraordinary people and situations.
John said that he loves Nashville and reflected on his responsibility to report everything he sees. It struck me, because it is so easy to reflect on all the changes and just to see the negatives or just bemoan the losses. Through John's lens, it is possible to see the glorious shades of grey (literal and figurative) that as a whole create the Nashville of 2020.
The crowd that gathered included some heavy-hitters from all walks of Nashville life, and also some of the people who appeared in the book (in some case both in one person).
I kind of got side-tracked from my thoughts about art. The line between art and commerce are sometimes razor thin (or at least seem to be). I know, I see musicians struggling with making the art they want vs. trying to make some sort of viable living doing what they love and often what they are best suited to do. It is easy to sit on the outside and say, "always keep art pure, stick to your vision, don't compromise", but it isn't that simple and it is not fair to put that simplification on others. I do know, however, that the pure pursuit of art (or as pure as possible) is important and needed in the world. I guess I don't have an answer, but I am grateful for this book signing in a fancy, boutique hotel with delicious, expensive cocktails for triggering all of these thoughts in my head.
Featured Friday Playlist Final day to check out this week's list
Thursday Morning Shuffle:
A timely statement from Steve Earle, a few live cuts and more...
"City of Immigrants" by Steve Earle (with Forro in the Dark) (from Washington Square Seranade)
"All of us are immigrants"
"Oklahoma Blues (live)" by Watermelon Slim (from Traveling Man - Disc 2 - The Depot)
The inimitable Watermelon Slim with our first listen to his forthcoming double live album.
"The One" by Bridge 19 (from In the Afterglow)
"Hot Cha (live)" by They Might Be Giants (from Flood Live in Australia)
One of my favorite albums, Flood, turned 30 years old back in January. This is from a live performance of the album released for free by the band (I don't think it is still available).
"Don't Do It (live)" by Mrs. Henry (from Mrs. Henry Presents The Last Waltz)
Another track from that The Last Waltz tribute by L.A. band Mrs. Henry. We have some new, original music from them.
"Shootin' For The Moon" by Sonny Landreth (from South of I-10)
"Showboat" by Josh Ritter (from Gathering)
VIDEO PLAYLIST
Recent and Upcoming Releases:
Recent: 1/07 - The Singing Butcher - "Top 40" (single) 1/08 - Luis Mojica- Shaman Food (LP) 1/10 - Palm Ghosts - "Wide Awake and Waiting" (single)(E2TG First Impression) 1/10 - Mary Bragg and Drivin' N Cryin' - "Don't Walk Away" (cover) (single) 1/10 - Them Airs - "Food Pyramid" (single) 1/10 - Lilly Hiatt - "Brightest Star" (single) 1/10 - Strange Majik - "Lo-Fi Hi" (single) (E2TG First Impression) 1/10 - Dean Fields - "Armadillo" (single) 1/10- Chicago Farmer - "All in One Place" (single) 1/10 - RB Morris - Going Back to the Sky (LP) 1/10 - Guided By Voices - "Volcano" (single) 1/10 - Sunshine Boys - "Infinity Girl" (single) 1/11 - Dolour (Shane Tutmarc) - "The Snake Eye" (single) 1/12 - Francesco Mariano - "Nine Lives" (single) 1/13 - Lauren Anderson - "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" (cover) (single) 1/14 - Drive-By Truckers - "Thoughts and Prayers" (single) 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) 1/19 - 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 - Harry Stafford - "She Just Blew Me Away" (single) 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)
2/14 - 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)
2/16 - Kas Havoc - "Light'em Up" (single)
2/18 - David J - "I Only Hear Silence Now" (single) 2/19 - Paisley Fields - "Ride Me Cowboy" (single)
Tomorrow:
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) Upcoming:
2/22 - Charlotte Eagle Sings - Embracing the Old Ways (LP)
2/28 - Kristen Englenz - Ingenue (LP) 2/28 - Close Lobsters - Post Neo Anti... (LP) 2/28 - The Heliocentrics - Infinity of Now (LP)
2/28 - Scenius - "Glass Rain" (single)
2/29 - Jimmy Who and the Night Creatures - Tinker's Blues (EP)
3/?? - Strange Majik - 20/20 (LP)
3/04 - Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion - Chameleon (LP) 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)
3/09 - 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)
3/18 - 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)3/27 - Lilly Hiatt - Walking Proof (LP)
3/20 - Jon Hassell - Vernal Equinox (reissue) (LP)
3/20 - Kid Be Kid - Lovely Genders (EP)3/27 - Mayflower Madame - Prepared for a Nightmare (LP) 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)4/03 - Surrija - Surrija (LP) 3/27 - Watermelon Slim - Traveling Man (Double Live LP)
4/03 - Chip and the Charge Ups - Lightning in Our Veins (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)
4/13 - Pilotcan - No More Shan Goodbye (LP)4/17 - Paul Burch and WPA Ballclub - Light Sensitive (LP)
4/24 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "I'm Gonna Break Your Heart" (single)
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)
For me, the thing about Lou Reed's music that is most significant is not that it made me fall in love with Lou Reed's music, it is that it opened up my mind to the possibilities of what music could be. It started this life-long quest for what is next and what else is there. Certainly, I did fall in love with Lou Reed's music both in and out of the Velvet Underground, but I didn't stay there. I don't know how many posts I say in the hours after the news of his death broke about Lou Reed being the doorkeeper or gatekeeper. It was also so gratifying to see a very diverse list of people who acknowledged the influence that Lou Reed had on their music.
See, I don't write Ear to the Ground to make money - I would have quit long ago if that were the case, and I don't write to make friends with so many cool artists - although that it is a pretty nifty side-effect. I write Ear to the Ground (and I keep writing on those days when I am not sure anyone is reading) because music moves me. Lou Reed's music moves me and the band who you've never heard about - there music moves me. And the music that is being made somewhere in the world that I haven't heard yet - that moves me. See, I'm passionate about music. I write Ear to the Ground because even if I stopped writing this blog, I would still be thinking about music and wondering what was next and what else was out there waiting for me to hear.
Good morning, I am back after a day off... my new earphones are still In-Transit, so today I presenting my mix of yesterday's drive home and today's drive in to work. Jump through to the marvelous musical mixture...
Busy day... Let's have some music! Pre-Shuffle: "Amelia, Have You Lost" by Game Theory (how many days in a row have we had a song by Game Theory in the daily mix?) "Friends in Bottles" by The Takers (Outlaw Country from Gainesville, Florida) "Love Letters" by Paper Route (Nashville Ambient Pop) "GOODBYE" by Valued Customer (the bookend to "WELCOME") "Metal and Glass Exact" by Game Theory (how many days in a row have we had multiple songs by Game Theory in the mix?) "Make You Think You Love Me" by Drive He Said (E2TG's first ever Band of the Week was Maxim Ludwig and the Sante Fe Seven. Drive He Said is Maxim's new band. This song is from their debut EP Multitudes which features a lot a cool guest stars included the always awesome Caitlin Rose. SHUFFLE NEXT - JUMPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
I don't know how, but somehow January has gotten away from us. Welcome to February. We have another jam-packed shuffle so - let's do it... after le jump
