So, I grew up entirely in Middle Tennessee - which is I guess the mid-south? It is not the deep south but it is the south. However, my hometown had a university which brought professors from all over and also some industry which brought managers and such from "up North". So, the kids I went to school with were a combination of people "from" my hometown and "from" other places. All that to say, I don't know if my upbringing was typical of anything...
I do know that as I got older, I started to question things I had previously believed. I applied critical thinking and experience (my experiences and those that other people shared with me), and I tested - on a subconscious level - where my believes made sense in the light of new evidence. Some held up - at least in some way, and others were rejected. And yes, maybe some were too difficult to give up even if the evidence did not support them. This has been my way. I don't know if the willingness/ability to do this was inherent in me or something I was taught... I do know my early education was probably atypical for a medium/small town in the mid-south. From kindergarten until fourth grade, I attended an elementary school that was part of the county system but also connected to the university. Looking back, it was a pretty progressive education.
A recurring theme in posts from friends who grew up in the south and who are now progressives is that ones background is not an excuse for racism or homophobia or bigotry of any kind. Bad beliefs can be cast aside in favor of better beliefs. So, holding onto to racists ideas is a choice. Racism is definitely not a genetic predisposition (I believe) and if it is a learned behavior - then it can be unlearned and we can be retrained.
All this came to my mind when the phrase "fair to middlin'" came to my mind and my wondered in my head - if this was an expression most people know - or if it is a regional colloquialism. In case, you don't know - if someone asks how are are doing - if you are just "okay" not good and not bad - you can say you are fair to middlin' - which basically carries the same meaning is "just okay".
Anyway, I guess this week, I am 'fair to middlin'...
Today, we featured songs 20-24 from this week's playlist:
20. "Our Summer" by Special Moves
We kick off this segment of music with a track from the new album by the Olympia, Washington based indiepop/DIY project of singer-songwriter Joshua Hoey. A great track to start of this segment of music.
21. "Desire is a Mess" by I LIKE TRAINS
We have been featuring the recent singles from this Leeds based band - their new album KOMPROMAT is out now, and it sounds fantastic. The band formed in 2004.
22. "Defender" by The Agency
Next up, we have a new track from the collective from Newcastle upon Tyne. They have been called an English Velvet Underground for the 21st Century.
23. "Fight the Flames" by Caterpillars
Next up, we have a track from the recently released third album by the Dallas, Texas based indie-rock band. I dig their sound.
24. "Truth" by Certain Animals
We close out this segment of music with the latest single from this Dutch band that mixes strong 60s and 70s influence with more modern influences like Tame Impala. A great way to close out this segment of music.
Tomorrow - we wrap up this week's Featured Friday Playlist - time is going way too fast.
Well, we are almost through another week and another month in the new reality. I feel so much uncertainty and anxiety. It does feel easier for me to stay in and limit social interactions, but I do miss people. I have very little confidence that things are not going to get worse. I no longer expect a return to "normal" anytime soon, but I also see people who are trying to force that return and it frightens me.
I am dismayed again at where we are as a nation when it comes to a lot of things. I try to identify and recognize privilege, but I suspect I don't always do well at this. I struggle with knowing when and how to speak up while acknowledging that that struggle is a function of my privilege.
Someone how, I still believe that most people are basically good, but I also believe that it takes more than being good to counteract the people who are bad.
I recognize that critical thinking is a sadly lacking skill, and that emotional intelligence is also sadly lacking in many people. I fully support freedom of thought and freedom of expression, but I recognize with that freedom come responsibility, and that many want the freedom without the responsibility.
I think the real danger lies with the apathetic and not the zealots.
And now, as we prepare for a brand new Featured Friday Playlist coming tomorrow, we conclude our review of this week's list with songs 18-22:
18. "Forget Me Nots" by Town Meeting
Town Meeting is a folk rock band from Ayer, Massachusetts. They are a fast rising band who have opened for Bob Dylan, Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson and more. Digging the sound of this band's evocative and rich sound.
19. "Cama" by Dru Flecha
Dru Flecha is from Caracas, Venezuela by way of Paris, France. A rich combination of sounds combined with a killer hook and a smoldering passion.
20. "Regional Diction" by Miss Rayon
Miss Rayon is from Portland, Oregon and they have been releasing a song every week during the pandemic. Really digging this track which reminds me of a modern take on new wave music.
21. "Emptiness" by Lékan Tella
Lékan Tella is a New York based singer-songwriter with a funky R&B, soul vibe. A great addition to this week's Playlist.
22. "I Know" by CLOUDNINE
Last, but not least, we have a track from CLOUDNINE who is a singer-songwriter based in France. A really cool song to close out this week's list.
So, since I realized that this week (tomorrow actually) marks the ninth anniversary of E2TG, I have been thinking quite a bit about the blog, how it started, how things have changed, where I am now, and where I see things going.
Without a doubt, E2TG has changed my life. So many important people in my life today are only there because I started writing E2TG in May 2011. Some of them may not even know that E2TG is the reason we know each other - but it is.
I have been getting some memories on Facebook and Instagram about my visit to the Cash Cabin on May 13, 2015. That would never have happened if it was not for E2TG. I likely would not be a DJ on WXNA if not for E2TG.
It all started because I had been making daily posts on Facebook with my morning shuffle - usually three or four songs that I listened to on my walk from the parking lot to my office. I had been doing that for at least a year, and I started adding some commentary. Someone, suggested a do something more than just social media posts and that something became E2TG. A big change was that I suddenly had a reason and motivation to start seeking out new music. At first, obviously, no one knew who I was and so no one was sending me music - that took time - so I went out and found bands that were following me on Twitter.
Pretty early on, I began thinking of any band or artist that I featured as part of the E2TG "family". Sometimes they didn't know they were part of this family and sometimes they might not have cared, but I did.
At that point in my life, I didn't go out to shows much and I was out of touch with a lot of local music, and then I made some friends from the New York and New Jersey area and suddenly a large percentage of the music I wrote about was from those two Northeastern States. It was kind of funny, but kind of cool - then came Connecticut. Of course eventually, I got in touch with Nashville's incredible community, but the Northeastern influence is still alive and well.
Honestly, I didn't have a master plan when I created E2TG, and I still tend to just go where the muse and the shuffle function take me. I always wish for more time and sometimes I really want to give more attention to an artist or album than I do, and sometimes, I miss opportunities. But, it is just what it is, and for every missed opportunity there have been so many blessings to come my way. I use the word blessing because that is what it feels like. I don't necessarily assign any specific theological meaning to the term nor I know what it all means.
About the E2TG avatar.
This was a drawing I did for a novel I was (and still am writing). I did a few drawings (I originally envisioned a multi-media book), but this one - it is supposed to be a self-portrait of a character named Kevin who is an artist - is the only one that stuck. At some point, I used this as my profile pic on-line and when I needed an image for E2TG I just grabbed this one because it was handy. So, yeah. I don't fancy myself any sort of visual artist, but I always kind of dug this drawling.
As for the future... it is unwritten. Now more than ever, there is a lot of uncertainty. I know some of the people I have grown to know and love are hurting financially and missing playing shows, and I and missing going to shows and seeing friends. So, I will just keep going until I stop. For today, I am not stopping.
Near as I can recall and tell, E2TG began on May 15, 2011. So, Friday will be the official ninth anniversary of this blog. I find it a little hard to believe in some ways, but in others it is hard for me to remember when E2TG wasn't a part of my life.
I have featured a lot of music here over the years, and I have been fortunate enough to meet a ton of awesome folks either directly or indirectly because of E2TG.
So, as we move into the tenth year of the blog, I think I want to focus on making what I do be better rather than focusing on what I don't do. I have had ideas for 2020 that for various reasons have not come to fruition. Some, I still hope will come when the time is right, some I have reexamined and am going a different direction.
I have a process down for sorting through the dozens of e-mail inquiries I receive every day. It is not perfect, but it is manageable for me. I generally do not reply to e-mails - unless a specific question is asked that seems like it needs an answer. I would prefer to answer all, but this was a decision based upon the time I have available.
I do hope you will check out the Upcoming and Recent Release list at the bottom of this e-mail. There is a ton of new music being released, and I can't always specifically highlight it all. I do get a lot of inquiries for album reviews and song and/or video premieres. I don't really do full album reviews, and while I have done a few song and video premieres, it is not something I do on a regular basis. I love to them, but again time is the enemy.
Anyway, on to the Wednesday shuffle.
Featured Friday Playlist
Wednesday Morning Shuffle:
"Criminal" by Ships Have Sailed (from Moodswings)
We start with a track from the 2015 release by the L.A. band who we featured about five years ago.
"Hell is a Teenage Girl" by Aimee Steven (from single)
Next up, a recent single and recent Featured Friday Playlist add - from this UK singer-songwriter. Dig this song.
"Smoke More Pot" by Ali Handal (from That's What She Said)
A 2017 release from the Texas based singer-songwriter who we first encountered a while back when she was singing with Raindoggs. Handal has become an E2TG favorite.
"Ludwig Meidner" by Mayflower Madame (from Prepared for a Nightmare)
Next up, we have another 2020 release, and I think we have had them in the Featured Friday playlist before. Mayflower Madame are from Norway. The released their debut in 2016, and I really dig their sound.
"Wings of Love (Alas Del Amor)" by Stuffy Shmitt (from Dog Steal the Moon)
We close with the lead off track from former MTV personality Stuffy Shmitt's 2002 album Dog Steal the Moon. A beautiful song from a beautiful person to close out the shuffle.
VIDEO PLAYLIST
Recent and Upcoming Releases:
This Week 5/10 - Brett Ryan Stewart - "Let Her Know" (single) 5/11 - Sofia Talvik - "Broken (Steel Guitars in Heaven)" (single)
5/11 - Jonny Polonsky - "Sign in the Window" (single)
5/12 - Kory Quinn & Co. - The Blueroom (LP)
5/11 - Scott Howard - The Language of Clouds (LP)
5/15 - Special Consensus - Chicago Barn Dance (LP)
5/15 - Zach Aaron - Fill Dirt Wanted (LP)
5/15 - Secret Emchy Society - The Chaser (LP) 5/15 The Room in the Wood - We're the Martians, Now (LP) 5/15 - Wicked Messenger - "Golden Eyes" (single) 5/15 - Lazerine - "There's Nothing in It" (single) 5/15 - Klashing Black - Thoughts on the Matter (EP)
5/15 - Aimee Steven - "Darling" (single)5/16 - The Electric Grandmother - Relaunch (LP)
Last Week 5/04 - Black Needle Noise with - "Seed of Evil" (single) 5/04 - Killing Kuddles - "Too Cool" (single) 5/06 - I Like Trains - "The Truth" (single) 5/07 - Julius and Julia - "Why We Are Here?" (single) 5/08 - Brian Wright and the Sneak-Ups - Lapse of Luxury
