EE2TG 9/14/2021 - Back on Track - Freak of Nature Mix (Can't Hide Remix)

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Featured Friday Playlist recap (part 2 - again) (songs 16-21):

16. "West Reservoir" by Alice Hubble

First up today, we have the lead track from Hexentanzplatz by UK synth pop artist Alice Hubble. 

17. "Treasures" by Astral Brain

Next up, we have the second single from the forthcoming The Bewildered Mind album by this Swedish dreampop duo. 

18. "Words to Live By, Suits to Die In" by Queen's Pleasure

Next, we have the title track from the debut album by this garage rock band from Amsterdam. 

19. "Open Chest" by Sitrekin

Next, we have a new single from Danish - Kirstine Stubbe Teglbjærg - whose song on the Twilight Saga soundtrack hit 100 million streams. This is a wonderful song with diverse influences. 

20. "Half In, Half Out" by The Kundalini Genie

Next up, we have the title track from the forthcoming fifth album by this Scottish psychedelic rock band. 

21. "Family Tables" by IVORY BLUE

And, we close his section of the playlist with the latest single from this singer-songwriter from  Kansas City, Missouri.  A great way to take us out for the day. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 10/27/2020 - Vote Angry - End of the World Mix (Rainy Day Remix)

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I, like a lot of people I know, are feeling a variety of emotions today about the appointment of an unqualified judge to a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court mere days before the election.  

My words today are a reminder to vote, if you haven't. In Tennessee, we have until October 29 to early vote - take advantage of that opportunity.  If you don't early vote, election day is one week from today - make a plan and vote. 

If you are angry - vote angry.  Just vote.  You may be demoralized or depressed or scared - all valid emotions but vote anyway - vote your conscience and vote from a place of hope and love - even as you are feeling contradictory emotions. 

Don't let anything stop you from voting. If you, like me, are in a "Red State" which seems likely to vote for certain people - still vote. I believe as young people become part of the voting population and as demographics change - the state will change - be an inspiration to those future voters - do teach them that voting doesn't matter.

Since I brought up "Red States" and "Blue States", I need to say, I do not want to ever hear another U.S. President use those terms. In my opinion those terms should be reserved for the maps on television on election night. Using them as absolutes, just further pushes the American people apart. Every state is populated by people who hold a variety of positions on a variety of issues. Not to mention that demographics across a state can vary.  It is hard to think about at a time when our divisions seem so stark and so wide, but we have to envision a path where we go back to finding common ground and negotiating our difference to find a common solution. 

Onward - 

Our recap of this Week's Featured Friday Playlist continues with songs 16-20

16. "More Than an Icon" by The Plastic Pals

Our favorite Swedish twin guitar psychedelic garage paisley powerpop band back with a new single. We have been following this band for a while, and they are awesome. 

17. "Ooh Child" by A.J. Croce

Nashville's A.J. Croce just released this song ahead of his covers album By Request - due out next February. This is a cover of a 1970 song by Chicago soul group The Five Stairsteps. Croce is the son of the legendary Jim Croce.

18. "Precipice Forgiveness (Flow is On)" by Raveis Kole

Next up, we have a really incredible sonic experience courtesy of the bicoastal duo Raveis Kole.  Their new release is called 3D Immersive which as the title suggests promises intense and immersive auditory experience. This opening track begins with Middle Eastern sounds and goes on the encapsulate the duo's diverse range of influences. I highly recommend checking this out.

19. "Blindfold" by Cellarscape

Our friend Paul Terry who is known for his innovative film music work as well as his band Cellarscape who we have featured previously via his album Exo Echo - is back with a new single. Great to hear some new music from an old favorite. 

20. "Lookout Mountain" by Andrew Weiss and Friends

And we close out this segment of music with the title track from the new EP by Long Island native Andrew Weiss and his friends. Solid songwriting and a great sound. A nice place to leave off our recap until tomorrow. 

Tomorrow - we will pick up with songs 21-25 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 6-23-2020 - Be Afraid, but Do Not Fear - Happy Enough Mix (Joe! Remix)

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Okay,I have been thinking again - I know, I know - this is dangerous territory... but anyway, I feel like I am as fired up as anyone for real and substantive change. I also know that removing Trump and flipping the Senate are vital to making the change I want to see happen.

Now, I have friends and family who are strewn across the political spectrum - I think not as a line but as a plane. Far right, far left, moderate AND right leaning on economic policies but left leaning on social policies (now I realize for some this is an oxymoron but bear with me). I also know people who are basically apolitical but who react against extremism on either side. I know limousine liberals and poor, white "conservatives" who worry about their guns and "the gays'.

So, here is where I am left confused.  And, I guess this question is for the most left-leaning of my readers. It seems to me (or I perceive) that when the world starts tilting left - and more and more of the apolitical and centrists on either side start to move in a direction that I find hopeful, there are some from the far left - who start pushing a far-left agenda that serves to alienate these potential allies.

Now, I know all about and to a great extent share the concerns about the neocons. As a relatively young person, finding my political footing and forming my opinions, I was disillusioned by then President Clinton signing the Defense of Marriage Act - to name just one example. And, yes, I wish the Democrats of that day would have fought harder for LGBT+ rights, and I also recognize the political reality of the time. Winning the majority of Americans to support LGBT+ rights - which is a fight still on-going took time (is taking time).  Supporting "Civil Unions" while tacitly opposing gay marriage was on the one hand weak and cowardly, but it was a popular position. And, we lived to fight another day and now marriage is legal. We have fights that continue and some we thought we won that we are fighting again.

My larger point - at this moment in history - where conversations are finally happening, where momentum is turning, where people are listening and speaking up who have thus far, turned a deaf ear and remained silent. There seems to be a few ways to proceed. We can take some small victories, build partnerships and support, defeat Trump, flip the Senate and then start the long fight for some of our bigger goals.  Or, we can push for all the most radical changes - many of which I support - but in doing so, alienate and then criticize our new potential allies and drive them back to the right - lose the elections and see even more progress be wiped away. 

Are there other possibilities? Of course... and I open to those who disagree or who have a different view of things than the one I presented, but that is where my concern lies today.


Now for Part 4 of our Featured Friday Recap (Songs 20-25).  We will conclude our recap tomorrow night:

20. "Lovesick Kisses" by The Microdance

A track from the latest album, Our Love Noire, by the London based alt-rockers, The Microdance. The album was tracked in LA and may be the bands most varied album to date. 

21. "Mareena Roots" by The Bustermoon

Next up, we have the title track from the recent album by this folk n' roll band from Genoa, Italy.  I really like the sound of this band.

22. "One Heart (Cognificent)" by Carlos Severe Marcelin, Alicia Jo Rabins, The Poseurs

Next, we have the first of two pandemic related songs. This one is a collaboration on many different levels. It is the brainchild of Portland, Oregon based artist Carlos Severe Marcelin.  The track features a spoken-word piece by Alicia Jo Rabins, a verse by Portland band The Poseurs, and a chorus recorded by friends, family, fans, and musicians from around the country recorded on their phones and submitted. It is a remarkably complex and fascinating recording.

23. "Help One Another (We All Can)" by  Raveis Kole

Next, we have another song written and recorded under quarantine - also from the Pacific Northwest - this time Washington state. Ravies Kole is a songwriting duo made up of Laurie Raveis and Dennis Kole. A lovely and uplifting song in the 70s pop tradition.

24. "Sasha Goes Too Far/ It Could Be The Nights" by The Mendoza Line

Not precisely a new release but rather a new reissue (a 20th Anniversary reissue at that) from The Mendoza Line who formed in Athens, Georgia in the 1990s before moving to Brooklyn. Peter Hoffman and Timothy Bracy were the principal songwriters in the band.  The reissue features three newly released recordings from the era. The original recording of one of the new tracks was recently discovered by producer and musician David Barbe. 

25. "Mythomania" by Deleo

And closing out this portion of our recap, we have a interesting track from French alt-rockers Deleo.  The song has a dirge-pop feel.  A nice was to end this segment of music. 

    Featured Friday Playlist

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - In the Cold Cold Ground Mix

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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)

Hey! Someone encouraged me to create an E2TG Playlist on Spotify.  I was going to do one for the first six months of 2018 but that was going to be too long a playlist - so I created one for artists/albums featured in January 2018.  These are not all January releases  (some were released earlier and some later) but all were featured on E2TG during that month. I am planning to create playlists for every month - once I catch up, I will create the playlist right after a month ends.

Anyway, if this is something you'd like to check-out, you can do it HERE. I may just expand this playlist or eventually, I may have a current E2TG playlist and periodically update it. We'll see. Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, it's time to jump back into the "New Music" playlist on my phone - and today's "Trending Tuesday" shuffle.

Let's go!

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Wide-Eyed Fishing Mix

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In case you missed the last two posts, E2TG will be celebrating our first 7 years with a Residency every Thursday in June at The 5 Spot.  These EARLY shows kick off at 6:00pm, and we have stacked line-ups every week, so you will want to get there early.

Week 1:  Rayvon Pettis, The Big Dumb, and Clark Paterson
Week 2: The End Men, Ted Drozdowski's Psychedelic Circus, plus a special guest opener TBA

Onto Week 3!  I am stoked to get the opportunity to present two of my favorite bands and one of my favorite songwriters in one incredible night.  I am especially excited to be able to showcase the diversity of talent making music in this city.

Microwave Mountain: With raucous energy and rocking good vibes, Microwave Mountain are red hot right now.  On the heels of the 4/20 - release show for Sick Licks, Jamie Timm and company will be playing a pretty rare early show. You will not want to miss this.

The Coal Men:  Led by guitarist, songwriter, producer extraordinaire Dave Coleman, The Coal Men have been making music together since 1999.  Their latest album is called Pushed to the Side. They are definitely one of my favorite local bands - great songs and a great sound. Editors note: The Poster above erroneously lists "The Coal Men" has "The Coalmen" - I apologize for the error and will be fixing the graphic as soon as I am able.

Brian Milligram:  Opening the night will be one of my favorite songwriters here in town, and one that many of you may be seeing for the first time. Be sure to get their early - Milligram brings a punk spirit to his songs.  His sometimes caustic nature belies a tenderness that comes through his lyrics.


Tomorrow, we will reveal our guests for the 4th and final week.  Stay tuned!


On to our shuffle for this Thursday!

I'm not sure if I have ever been as excited about the line-up of artists in my "New Music" playlist as I am right now. So much new music from new artists and veteran performers - covering just about every genre and style of music imaginable.  Today's shuffle is a good cross-section of that diversity!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - What Becomes Mix

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It's been a rough week!  I need some music. It's Wednesday, so let's get "wild" with our shuffle!

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Mother Earth Mix

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I feel like the week is just starting and now it is over. :-)

I still have a ton of submissions to dig through, but I already have a large "New Music Playlist". So, let's knock some songs off that list.

Just some housecleaning/reminders:  Most days, the shuffle comes from MP3s of songs I have saved on my phone. It's what I listen to on my way to work.  (Monday - I used a special Music City-centric Spotify playlist.

Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday are dedicated to featuring songs from my "New Music" playlist. These are almost always music that was sent to me through various channels (directly from artists, through publicists, etc).

I do not often do album reviews (I would love to, but time ends up being an issue).  By featuring music like I do through shuffles - it gives me a chance to write about albums in-depth over time. It's kind of my thing.

I do, on occasion, do video and song premiers - when opportunities and time allows.

I'm not super picky about submission methods. I accept CDs and/or downloadable links/files. MP3 (320) would be my preference for electronic submissions.  The problem I have with WAVs is that either have to convert them to MP3 or I don't have complete meta data, and I end up with files I can't identify.

I am located in Nashville, Tennessee - and in recent years, there is a definite Nashville leaning but I welcome submissions from anywhere, and I try to be as diverse as possible - so I have no limits on genres or styles. Over the years, I have covered about every genre I know of and a few I didn't even know about. And I love hearing new things.

Here you will find a fair amount of "Americanaish" music - roots-influenced, blues, folk, country. But, you will also hear punk, metal, experimental, hip-hop, shoegaze, shitgaze, power pop, rock (of various flavors), electronic music, instrumental music (of various flavors), and more.

I believe in connections - both obvious and obscure.  I tend to focus on more under-the-radar type artists. Lately, I have had the good fortune to get some new music from higher-profile artists (at least in my limited realm).

Oh, and I create a YouTube playlist to match each day's shuffle.  The purpose is not specifically to showcase music videos, but it provides a simple for readers to stream the music they are reading about.  I used to be able to embed the Video Playlist directly into my post, but You Tube "improved" that feature away, so now I provide a link.

When I cannot find a video for the specific song featured, I try to substitute a relevant video by the same artist.  When possible, if a video for the song is not found, but I can find a link to stream the song being featured, I will include that in my post (like I did today) 

That's enough... let's shuffle!

Rare Saturday Shuffle - Heart of a Saturday Afternoon Mix

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Well, it's been a little while. Thanks for bearing with me during my brief time away. I will be back to regular posting on Thursday, but I thought I would take a few minutes on this Saturday to listen to some songs from my "New Music Playlist".  I shuffled up the playlist while I did some errands, and I ended up with 17 tracks. I will be rather brief, but if you hear or read about something you like - be sure to dig deeper and shoot me a line if you have any questions.

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Ignite Albania Mix

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Okay... so I had a long commute to a training class, and I am pressed for time... so I am going to have to be very brief with my descriptions (especially on artist I've written about before and recently).  It will be the same tomorrow....


Here goes...  Sorry to be so brief... more on all of these artist/albums later.