Featured Friday Playlist recap (part 2 - the story continues) (songs 14-19):
14. "The Ballad of The Peshwari Naan" by The Pocket Gods
First up, we have a release from UK cult indie band - which is their tribute to BBC DJ John Peel - who briefly championed the band before his untimely death. The prolific band has released 67 albums and over 40 singles and EPs since their inception.
15. "You Can't Save Everyone" by Owls & Aliens
Next up, we have the latest single from this 5 piece band from rural Oregon.
16. "Bend Your Strings" by Pablo Infernal
Next up, we have the latest single from this band that formed in Zurich, Switzerland made up of musicians from Albania, Brazil, and Italy.
17. "Wicked Woman" by Blacktop Mojo
Next up, we have the lead track from the self-titled 4th album by this five piece band from Texas.
18. "Burden" by Somber Distortion
Next up we have the debut single from this solo project of Joni Kyynäräinen from Finland.
19. "Home" by Iris Marlowe
And, we close this segment of music with the latest single from this country/folk singer-songwriter from Chicago.
"Our long national nightmare is over..." There is a huge sense of relief - with an acknowledgement that there is still much work to be done. President-Elect Biden's words of unity are welcome and necessary to begin the healing work ahead. However, with the current president's refusal to concede and the continued destructive rhetoric from his followers and enablers - I am reminded of the song by The Chicks...
That being said, I am most excited about the possibility of politics being something I "keep up with" but not obsess over. And, on that note, let's get to today's music...
But, first - we have some sad news to report- Bones Hillman - best known nationally as the bassist for Midnight Oil for many years - but known here in Nashville for his work with Tim Carroll, Anne McCue, and Julie Christensen's Stone Cupid - passed away over the weekend after a battle with cancer. Sending love to all who knew him and mostly to his family.
Today, we pick back up with our recap of this week's Featured Friday Playlist with songs 11-16:
11. "Until There's Nothing But Air" by Andrew Leahey & the Homestead
First up today, we have the new single from some E2TG and East Nashville favorites. Another great song from Andrew and the band.
12. "2020" by Son of Bazerk (ft. Michael "Kidd Funkadelic" Hampton)
From our old friends at True Groove record... a new single featuring the hip hop legends Son of Bazerk (Tony Allen aka Son of Bazerk) introduced Chuck D and Flava Flav to each other in the early 80s. For this timely new single, they are joined by Funkadelic guitarist Michael "Kidd Funkadelic" Hampton. A hard hitting song for hard hitting times.
13. "Tear It Down" by Amy Ray
Next, we have the brand new single from Amy Ray (1/2 of Indigo Girls). Ray has written a powerful, a soul-searching examination of the racism that reminds deeply rooted in our nation and in our society. It is the same kind of soul searching need by the nation and by many of us who grew up in the South (in particular).
14. "Late Bloom" by Graber Gryass
We have been talking about and featuring Memphis band bluegrass band Graber Gryass for some time - well, their album slipped by me last week - so this week we have the title track. Great stuff.
15. "Straight to Heaven" by F. Scott and the Nighthawks
Next up, we have a fantastic song - the title track from the new EP by Toronto based outlaw band - F. Scott and the Nighthawks. This was my introduction to the band, and I am already hooked. They have a second EP set for release in 2021 (date TBD).
16. "No Justification" by Loud Apartment
And we close out this segment of music with a track from the second album by this funk fusion band from NYC. The album was produced by the legendary Bill Laswell - who also plays on the album. This is an amazing album - definitely check it out.
Before we get to the Music City Monday shuffle, we need to let you know about songs 9-15 from this week's Featured Friday Playlist:
9. "Preseb o ias" by Breichiau Hir
Starting this segment of our playlist is a new single from the post-hardcore/punk band from Cardiff, Wales. They had been working on a new album since late 2019 and they wrapped up work in March - just before the lockdown. They didn't want to release that music until they could tour to support it, so they dug up an old song - recorded in 2018. The title translates to "Crib of Shivers". It is about squeezing everything out of love and life with so force that it destroys it and leaves you with a hollow shell. They call it their most uplifting song. I think I dig this band.
10. "Long Live Life!" by rOZZ
Next up, we have our first listen to the new album by the singer-songwriter, philosopher and would be astronomer from Belgium. We featured her music a couple of years ago, and it is great to catch up with her again. rOZZ (aka Julie) is the forum moderator at SETI@Home (SETI being Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence). A great song. This is from her new release Yess Sire!
11. "Drunk and Alone at Disney" by Dumpster
Dumpster is a three-piece Queer hard rock band based out of SUNY Purchase. We were turned on to them by some friends at SUNY. This is a great track from their new EP Fiasco.
12. "Rolling Out of Bed" by The Dream Tapes
I am just going to be perfectly honest and say I don't know how I was turned on to The Dream Tapes - an indie band from Ogden, Utah. I think maybe they followed me on Instagram. For some reason, I was thinking someone I know posted about them, but I can't find proof of that. Anyway, I am digging this music from their self-titled new album.
13. "Beat of a Bad Habit" by The Jensen Sisters
I do know how I found out about The Jensen Sisters - thanks to Sweetheart PR. The Jensen Sisters are a duo from Minnesota. This is our first taste of their forthcoming album Yellow Frames - due out in October. It is not the last we will hear from them. Great stuff.
14. "Swiss Mountain Myth" by The Asteroid No.4
Next up, we have the latest single from psyche rock legends - The Asteroid No.4. They are now based in San Francisco, but they formed in Philadelphia in the late 1990s. A great addition to the shuffle!
15. "Love Life" by Tawny Ellis
And, we close with the title track from the brand new album by L.A. singer-songwriter Tawny Ellis. Ted Russell Kamp (who can be heard earlier in this playlist) plays on this album - the two met at an Americana Fest in Nashville. A great way to close out this segment of the playlist.
More tomorrow! Check down below for the Music City Monday Shuffle!
*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!
Whew! That three day weekend went by way too fast... Deep into planning the month-long E2TG Anniversary Party in May (which will be here soon!), working on Double Shot with Joe and Sue, and getting prepared to self-publish my first novel, The Drift (Follow The Drift on Facebook!). I did manage to get out a couple of times over the weekend. Friday, I met some friends at Dee's in Madison and saw Daniel Lawrence Walker, Russell Thompson, and a bit of The Hummingbyrds. I was going to go to the Country to see Zach Parks, Zach Red, and Drew Kohl, but I made the mistake of stopping by my apartment and my busy week caught up with me.
Saturday night, I caught The Wooly Mamas and long time E2TG faves - Year of October for a smoldering early show at The 5 Spot. Then, I headed to The Country to catch Sean Quinn and the Tremblers, Josh Morris and The Green Field, and more. Regular reader Sue will be interested to know that Sean Quinn did a cover of the Santo and Johnny classic "Sleep Walk". This song has been a staple in Mark Robinson's set. While I cannot guarantee that he will play that on May 3 when he kicks of the E2TG Anniversary residency at The 5 Spot, you come see and find out for yourself.
