Be sure to "Like"
Ear to the Ground on Facebook!
We have reached the mid-point of this work week. We are well into August. Here in Nashville, COVID-19 stats are improving, but for some reason this makes me anxious - because I fear that the increased precautions we have been in recent weeks (with some high-profile exceptions) will start slacking off and we will then see a resurgence, but I guess time will tell. For me, it seems like it will be status quo for some time.
There are things that excite and please me. There has been quite a bit new music released this year so far, and much of it is excellent. Just looking back at the year so far at E2TG is evidence of that, but even outside the scope of this blog - there is a lot to be excited about.
I also see many artists and venues being creative in dealing with the new reality, and I hope this continues. It will take thinking out side of the box to keep things going.
I am excited about the state of activism - especially among the young - my hope is that even in a deep red state like Tennessee, the next generation of voters can help turn the tide. I have seen some demographics that bare out this hope. I hope we call find a sustainable way to keep up the fight for justice and human rights for all people.
The November election fills me with equal parts hope and dread. I am not sure what I am going to do to survive election night...
Finally, before we turn back to the music, a word about Spotify. I join many in condemning the recent comments by the CEO of Spotify - his words were tone deaf and harmful. I have said this before, I held off a long-time before using Spotify extensively for this blog. I do think the platform is currently the best way to share music and a great way to discover music - if you know how - otherwise, you are just a tool of the machine. Nevertheless, the platforms business model does not support independent artists well at all.
I will once again say, if want to support musicians - you can like and follow and save etc on Spotify, but also buy physical copies and merch and tip at virtual or (when possible) at live shows. Help spread the word and encourage your fellow music lovers to support artists in a meaningful way.
Buy through Bandcamp on the first Friday of every month when the waive fees.
Time for today's recap of our weekly Featured Friday Playlist - today, we have a good one, songs 18-22:
18. "Adrenaline" by Above Snakes
Out of the gate, today, we have some hard hitting metal - a single ahead of the forthcoming debut EP by this Boston based band. I am not that familiar with all the genres listed in the e-mail, I got about this - the danger of having wide-open musical tastes I guess, but this sounds great and like I said, it hits hard.
19. "Mafitishei" by shishi
Here at E2TG, we cover all kinds of music from all over the world. Today, we have a fantastic track - our first listen to this surf/punk/whatever band from Lithuania. Seriously, I really love this track. It is the title track to their recent album.
20. "If I Were a Dinosaur" by Arlan Feiles
A shuffle with some New Orleans flavored piano. Feiles is based in New Jersey - by way of Miami and Los Angeles. This is a track from his recent album What Kind of World? I am very happy to have this song in our playlist.
21. "Do You Want to Buy a Guitar" by Bob Nanna
Bob Nanna (Braid, Hey Mercedes, The City on Film, Lifted Bells) with a track from his recently released Celebrations States album - his debut full-length under this new name. The album - all-acoustic - was recorded all on September 7, 2019 on what would have been his wedding anniversary. It is a highly personal album, and I highly recommend you give it I listen.
22. "Exploding Head" by R.E. Seraphin
We close out this segment of music with another debut under a new moniker. R.E. (Ray) Seraphin recently returned to his Bay Area hometown after having lived in Austin. He recruited some local musicians - included the bass player of Neutrals - who we have featured before. Seraphin was previously of the band Talkies. The music here has elements of paisley pop and post-punk, and it is truly a great sound. Check it out.
Tomorrow we wrap up our recap with songs 23-27...
Featured Friday Playlist
