E2TG 11/8/2021 - Music City Monday - Mona Lisa Mix (Chi Sei Remix)

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

Heading into a short week - with a couple days off work at the end following a weekend filled with music. 

Friday - I checked back in with Tim Carroll's Rock and Roll Happy Hour and caught part of the 8th Anniversary of the Strictly Eighties Dance Party.   Saturday night was the annual Last Waltz tribute show - one of those events where I knew more people on stage than off.  The songs are all classics and the musicians and singers were all incredible. It would have been hard for it to not be great, and it still exceeded expectations.   Sunday, I caught Slowforce (Megan Palmer and Bob Lewis) along with what was billed as a solo set by Stuffy Shmitt but which was actually Stuffy and Tom Mason doing a set of classic blues and folk songs.  A really fun way to wrap up the weekend.

Reminder - please check out the Featured Friday Playlist. 

And finally, today's Music City Monday Shuffle is after the jump. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 8/2/2021 - Music City Monday - Meaningless Words Mix (Salt Water Remix)

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

Diving into another week... 

Featured Friday Playlist recap (part 2) (songs 10-13):

10. "Choppy Waters" by Dust Monk

First up, we have the second single from this UK-based electronic music duo - whose sound on this track ventures into alternative rock territory in a cool way. 

11. "Get Arrested" by Criag Walker and The Cold

We recently featured the song "Auslander" by the Irish band Power of Dreams.  That band is built around the songwriter of Craig Walker. Here Walker teams up with Canadian producer - The Cold (aka Erik Alcock) and this is their debut single.

12. "Glorious" by The Kondoors

The Kondoors return to the E2TG playlist with their summery single. The Kondoors are Gavin Condor and Jessica Greenfield (Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds). 

13. "Suddenly" by Janet LaBelle

And, we close this section of music with title track from the 6th Release from NYC based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Janet LaBelle. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 6/1/2021 - Short Week, Same Stuff to Do - By Your Side Mix (Something Big Remix)

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

I love a three day weekend, but it is a fact that the four day work week that follows always requires the same amount of work as a five day work week... 

Also, your intrepid music blogger got to get on stage for the first time since the E2TG Residency in 2019 and this time in front of a bigger audience. It was at the benefit to help keep the Exit/In open and locally owned and operated which was held at East Park.  I was there representing WXNA, but on stage I was repping all of Nashville's independent radio stations.  

I absolutely love being on stage. One of my earliest memories (or at least I remember being told about it) was reciting the story of The Three Billy Goat's Gruff (from memory) in front of my pre-school class and parents. 

I have a lot of anxiety about a lot of things but for some reason - even Sunday knowing there was a huge crowd did not phase me at all. 

Anyway, lots to get to today. 

Featured Friday Playlist recap Part 2 (songs 14-21):

14. "Get Lost" by Ben Brown

From Sayonara Sorrow - the solo debut album of Austin based singer-songwriter songwriter Ben Brown. Although not as evident on this track - the concept of the album was to record thematically-connected songs too personal and intimate for a rock band setting and tie them together with the often grandiose saxophone stylings of Tim Cappello (best known for his appearance in The Lost Boys film). I really dig this song. 

15. "Wanted Man" by EB

The Parallel Sessions is the new EP from indie singer-songwriter EB (Elisa Bianchi) who was born in Como, Italy and is now based in London. 

16. "Gravity's String" by Graber Gryass

You may not think of Memphis and bluegrass in the same breath but the collective known as Graber Gryass may change that. This is a track from Spaceman's Wonderbox - their new album. 

17. "Dead End Lady" by Toler Gibson

Next, a track from The Days Before - the new album from the California duo of Kenneth Gibson and Gavin Toler. 

18. "Ballad of the Gobsmacked" by Three-Layer Cake

Some genre-exploding music from Mike Pride, Mike Watt, and Brandon Seabrook - from the new album Stove Top. 

19. "Big Worse" by Dude Safari

Next up, we have the third single (and our third to feature) from this Surrey based grunge power trio. I'm a fan. 

20. "Roll That Cotton" by The Kingspond Shantymen

Take A Turn Around The Capstan is the new album from this UK who sing shanties and drinking songs and the like. Really cool stuff. 

21. "Oh Yeah" by Jordana Talsky

And, we close out this segment of music with the new single from this singer-songwriter who uses vocal looping effects in her live performances. A great way to close out this interesting segment of music. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 3/05/2021 - Featured Friday - For My Health Mix (Better Way Remix)

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

ICYMI - Earlier today, we premiered and featured the new video and single from Dolour.  You can chek it out, HERE. 

It is time for a new Featured Friday Playlist (which you can stream and "Follow" below and we begin our week-long recap with the first ten songs down below the jump. 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 8/27/2020 - Blah Blah Blah - City Hippie Mix (Lower Remix)

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

It sure seems like every single day there is something going on in our country that needs to be discussed. I never intended E2TG to be a current events or political blog - I have felt compelled to write about certain things from time to time, but I don't want you to take my silence here for approval or acceptance of the unacceptable. I vacillate between hopeful and hopelessness, and I ponder the path forward with so many people seemingly having dropped even the pretense of common human decency. 

But, it is too easy to let writing about these things overwhelm the blog, and I do not want to do that.  For me, E2TG (and more generally music) has been a refuge from the troubles of the world. Although, I have always loved topical and message songs, even in those cases, the melodies and the instruments, and the beats and all  - are a shelter from the storms of life. 

I have been thinking about my tendency to be a bit of a contrarian but I sometimes wonder if it is intentional or just a part of my DNA or if it matters. Just an example... I have been a fan of roots music of some kind almost as long as I have been interested in music - but I have also had a pretty wide-open attitude toward music.  Especially, over the last five or six years, a lot of "Americana" music has come my way, and many of my favorite artists and bands fall somewhere along the spectrum of sounds that fall under that wide umbrella, however, at the same time I have actively took steps to keep from being pigeon-holded as an Americana music blog. Now, there is this voice that says, maybe if you focused on just Americana you would have a bigger base of readership.  Maybe, I don't know. But, somehow, I think if I had put such limitations on my self, I would have tired of this thing and quit blogging a long time ago.  

The fact is - although I love a good folk song and a great folk song can move me to tears, I need my punk, post-punk darkwave, electronica, hip-hop, rock, hard rock etc. music to s sustain me.  Think of it as a balanced diet.  

Onward!

Today, we wrap out of recap of this week's Feat. Friday Playlist! Tune in tomorrow for a brand new list... a bunch of new music is on the way... (Songs 30-37 today)

30. "Drunk" by Parker Lee

In typical fashion, we save some cool music to round out our weekly playlist. This segment of music begins with the lead off single ahead of the Scrundle EP due out on September 4 by this indie band from New Yorkshire. I really dig the sound of this track. 

31. "Fire in the Rain" by The Hengles

From the UK, we cross the channel and head to Amsterdam for the new single from The Hengles. The band's members have been active in music since the 80s and 90s. They came together as The Hengles in 2015. "Fire in the Rain" was supposed to be released as the band's eighth single in June, however, with the lockdown, they took the opportunity to strip the song down and basically reinvent the song. For anyone who ever wondered how to set a fire in the rain... 

32. "Moonlight" by Viewfinders

Next up, we have a track from this Denver, Colorado based indie rock band. This was a direct artist submission that caught my attention and my ear. Cool stuff.  

33. "Niin kuin se ennen oli" by Bad Sauna

Bad Sauna are a relatively new rock band from Finland - recently signed to the All That Plazz label. I really like this song a lot. Substantive music that rocks sufficiently. 

34. "Evolution" by Julian Shah-Tayler

Aka The Singularity, Julian Shah-Tayler is based in L.A. by way of Leeds. The music has a fascinating electro rock/new wave sound. The Singularity has had a great deal of success with film and television placements. If you note a touch of Bowie or Depeche Mode or The Cure - it might be becauser Shah-Tayler is part of successful tribute bands to all three artists. He has worked with some huge names as well as co-founding the Art Angeles charity which teaches music to underprivileged kids in Watts. 

35. "Quimeras" by La Cigarra 

Via the Columbian label Discos Infante, we have this relatively new project from the mind of producer Mateo Esquivel.  I know very little about this band/project - translated the information was imaginative and beautiful, and I absolutely love the music. 

36. "Trials - Origin Mix" by Dissonance

Following an only slightly intentional pattern, we close out this week's playlist with some heavier sounds - first we have a track from the Dallas, Texas based darkwave band Dissonance. Dissonance featuring vocalist Cat Hall began in the early 90s and revived in 2015. This is the second of three maxi singles being released by the band this summer. 

37. "Slaves to the System" by The Veer Union; Defending Cain
 

We close with some socially conscious hard rock from The Veer Union based in Vancouver, B.C. - this is the first single ahead of a quarantine themed EP set for release early next year. Here they team with Defending Cain - a hard rock band from West Virginia. Interesting that we close with darkwave from Dallas and hard rock from West Virginia a good reminder to let go of geographical stereotypes when it comes to music. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 6/10/2020 - State of Things - Astral Plane Mix (Charlie's Lips Remix)

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


The fight to address systemic racism in our society and the issues of police brutality that disproportionately affect members of the African American community continues and will continue for some time. This is a problem that has festered for much, much too long, and one week of protests and direct action will not change it overnight. I will keep speaking up on these issues and continue the push to remove our disaster of a president from office.

But, I need to step back just for a few minutes to talk about the state of E2TG and myself personally.  This week has been difficult for me, but at the same time I feel tremendous guilt saying that. By all practicable accounts, I have been extremely fortunate in that the COVID-19 shut downs have not impacted me financially. And, I live a life of privilege in our society. So, on days when isolation gets to me, and I miss hanging out with my friends and seeing live music; my mind tells me it is trivial compared to what others face. But, telling myself that does not really help me. So, I will say to you (and to myself), it is okay to feel what you feel about these times. It is okay to acknowledge sadness and loneliness.

As for E2TG, I think maybe some people think that because E2TG has continued for over nine years, that maybe I never thought about hanging it up or that I don't ever question what it is I do. Neither of those are true. I am human and sometimes, I question if what I do means anything or if many people care. Page views, social media likes and shares are wonderful and affirming, but if I ever choose to use those exclusively as justification for continuing E2TG, I would have quit a long time ago.

I know there are people who enjoy what I do, and I also know that there is a lot of information and posts and live streams etc. out there. I know that there are people whose work I adore and support that I don't have time to view every day. I also know that there are websites that hold more cache that E2TG and that rightly get more attention from artists that a mention on E2TG. Does it bother me - again, I am human so yes - but I do understand it.

There are days when pageviews dip down low, and yes, I do wonder on those days, if it is worth it to continue. But, then I am encouraged because someone tells me how much E2TG means to them. So, I got back to this - if E2TG is fun (and it is), I will continue until I hear an outcry for me to stop. When it becomes a burden, I will reexamine, reconfigure, and if necessary take a hiatus.

Meanwhile, I am proud of what I do and thrilled about the variety of music that I have the chance to feature here.

And, now, we have our penultimate recap of this week's Featured Friday Playlist (Songs #17-21). Tomorrow, we wrap up the recap just in time for Friday's brand new recap.

17. "Be Thou By My Side" by Holy Hive

First up today, we have a cover of a rather obscure 1972 song by Honeybus - a UK band that existed from 1967-1973. Holy Hive is a trio featuring Homer Steinweiss (The Dap Kings) and Paul Spring along with Joseph "Tone" Harrison. This is a lovely song. 

18. "White Knuckle Ride" by Delta Maid

Delta Maid is a singer-songwriter from Liverpool who returns after a nine year hiatus. This short but moving opening track his from her new album Katie.

19. "Cut 'n' Curl" by Lacey Williams

Next up, we have the brand new singer from Utah native Lacey Williams.  Williams spent several years in Nashville before returning to her home state. This catchy song is about the center for gossip in many small towns, the local beauty salon. 

20. "The Wanderer and the Outcast" by Sea of Fog

Next, we have a really beautiful song from a band founded by singer-songwriter Thomas Bowers.  They are based in the south. This is from their new album Michael Collins Observes the First Moonwalk from the Columbia Module. 

21. "Innocence" by KissDoomFate

KissDoomFate (or KDF) is a duo from Angers, France. The music here is really interesting to me. Frentic percussion, at once seductive and powerful vocals. It is disarming and unique music. A very cool addition to this week's playlist. I dig it.

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 3/24/2020 - Keeping On - Paranoid Mix (Lonely Nights Remix)

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

We venture forth into this brave new world... separated by distance and physical isolation, but trying to keep it together and stay connected by all of the technology that we both despise and rely upon...

I'll be honest, I am feeling disconnected and unfocused and fearful and lonely and confused and uncertain and unmotivated... but I am keeping on with E2TG as best as I can. I am behind on adding songs and updating the new release schedule. I am still working regular hours - just from home, but time is not the problem. Maybe it never was...

Anyway, thanks for sticking with me. One day, this time of quarantine and self-isolation and safer-at-home will pass. And while it still uncertain when that will be or what the next, next will look like, I will be here doing what I can.

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 2/07/2020 - Featured Friday - Live Show Alert - Unfortunately Mix (Rambling Remix)

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


Show alert!  Two time E2TG Artist of the Year Darrin Bradbury will be at 3rd and Lindsley Sunday Night for a show hosted by a radio station that is not the one I am associated with... Excited every time I get to see Darrin perform live...

It is Friday, and time for another edition of the Featured Friday Playlist on Spotify.  See below.  17 songs in the playlist this week.  This week's playlist includes new and recent music  by Nashville artists Evan P. Donohue (a founding member of Diarrhea Planet), The Singing Butcher, Party of Shine, Kyshona Armstrong, Irene Kelley,  and Victoria Woodworth,  Plus music from E2TG favorites Joe Goodkin, DateMonthYear, Sammy Brue, Tiny Fighter, and Christopher Paul Stelling.  Plus, some newer "discoveries" like Kat Hamilton, Emily Zuzik, Chicago Farmer, Surrija, Wynnm, and HMS Morris.  Check it out and give the playlist a follow on Spotify.

    Featured Friday Playlist
Brand New List Today!

Friday Shuffle:

Time to close out the week.  It was a snowy morning commute. As usual, a delightfully eclectic mix of music. 

"One Wish" by Habit of Mine (from Habit of Mind)

A first listen to this Los Angeles based alternative rock band. This came to us via a direct inquiry last month.  Great sounding tune. 

"Peggy Gordon" by Ricko Donovan (from Full On)

One-time Nashville resident, hammer dulcimer player, songwriter, and birthday brother Ricko Donovan is up next. Hope he makes it back to Nashville soon. 

"Unfortunately" by Warming (from Warming)

"Horizon part.2" by Lions'Den (from Songbird)

"Sunken Aspects" by Claudio Conti (from Garnet Dusk)

"Rambling" by Moonshine Booze (from Desert Road)

"Trouble and Time" by Chris Carroll (from Trouble and Time)

I think there are over 5,000 songs saved in my phone memory, and a random shuffle brought up two songs this week from this 2014 album by the Texas singer-songwriter.  We have been featuring her latest album Good Farmer (a collaboration with her husband Adam) recently. 

"Remember the Love" by Heather Powell (from A Haze of Grays and Blues)

Speaking of defying the odds.  Apparently, this song was save to my phone twice and came up on two consecutive days.  The album was released in 2015, and yes, this track features Kevin Jenkins (for some reason he was credited on the track that came up yesterday but not on the track that came up today - I am sure they are the same track).

"Miles of Broadway" by Maynard and the Musties (from Cheap Cigar)

Nashville by way of Brooklyn band - with a track from an album released while they were living in New York. 

"Salvation Jane" by INXS (The Best of INXS)

"Let the Four Winds Blow" by Warren Storm (from Taking the World, By Storm)

A cover of a 1961 Dave Bartholomew and Fats Domino by legendary swamp pop pioneers Warren storm - on a album produced by Yvette Landry.  

VIDEO PLAYLIST

Recent and Upcoming Releases:

Recent:
11/20   Brock Zeman - Hey Tom (a collection of Tom House Songs) (LP) (E2TG First Impression)
12/2 -  Terry Klein - Live at KOOP (LP)
12/29 - Them Jones - "The Woman is a Poor Child" (single)
12/31 - Blackfoot Gypsies - Live at The Basement (LP)
1/06 -   Francesco Mariano - "Room 107" (single)
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 - Surrija - "Nothing Love" (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)

Out Today!:
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)

Upcoming:
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)
2/16 - Kas Havoc - "Light'em Up" (single)
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)
2/28 - Kristen Englenz - Ingenue (LP)
2/28 - Close Lobsters - Post Neo Anti... (LP)
2/28 - The Heliocentrics - Infinity of Now (LP)
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)
3/13 - 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)
3/20 - Matt Wilson and His Orchestra - When I Was a Writer (LP)
3/20 - Chris Moyse - Bitter Ballads and Cynical Prayers (LP)
3/27 - Lilly Hiatt - Walking Proof (LP)
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)
4/03 - Surrija - Surrija (LP)
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)
4/17 - Paul Burch and WPA Ballclub - Light Sensitive (LP)
6/12 - Sammy Brue - Crash Test Kid (LP)

E2TG 1/10/2020 - Band of the Year - Featured Friday - Mr. Pepper Mix (Happy Remix)

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


WELCOME TO E2TG V3.0

I guess call this the soft launch - trial run - pilot program for E2TG v3.0.  Today, we are introducing two new features.  First is the Featured Friday Playlist from Spotify.  It is a playlist of recent and current music that has our attention. The list will "refresh" every Friday (give or take), so place Follow the playlist or check in here. The embed will be posted every day in case you miss it.

Next, we have our listing of Recent, Current and Upcoming Releases (singles, EPs, and LPs).  This will be our primary means of spotlighting new releases. Expect some commentary to be added periodically.  Please note: this is a work-in-progress.  I went through e-mail submissions to compile this list then added some others that I learned about from other sources.  This listing will be posted daily and updated regularly.  So, if you don't see your release listed, please let me know and I will add. it.

The Shuffle has always and will always be a centerpiece of the E2TG experience. I am no longer using it has the primary means of featuring new releases. Tuesday-Friday will be akin to the old "Wild Wednesday" shuffle. New music received will be added to my phone and I will shuffle from all of the saved music.  Monday will continue to be shuffled from the Music City Monday Spotify Playlist. 

Whew!  Don't try to remember. Just enjoy.


INTRODUCING THE 2019 E2TG BAND OF THE YEAR!

As we prepare to rush headlong into the new frontier of 2020 and E2TG V3.0, we have one last piece of unfinished business from 2019.  Yesterday, we name Darrin Bradbury as our Artist of the Year. For a time, I had someone else in mind for that award, however, fortunately, that individual gave his band a name, and so made them eligible (according to my non-existent rules) for the Band of the Year honors. It is appropriate.

From the first time, I saw Ryan Sobb, I was blown away by his songwriting.  Smart, funny, deep, and unlike anything I had heard.  Eventually, he started playing with a band and putting some amazing songs into a high energy, power popish package. Over the course of 2019, the band has gotten better and better.  They are a tight unit, but still manage to feel slightly out of control and loose (in the best way possible).  They are a true power trio in the long and storied history of that combination.  Chase Ballenger and Preston Cochran make a wonderful rhythm section that give further grounding to Sobb's songs that didn't seem to need grounding.

When singer-songwriters form a band, sometimes, the intimacy of the songs can get lost, but that never seems to happen with this band. Credit goes to Ryan Sobb whose delivery keeps the song at the forefront, and to Ballenger and Cochran who find their groove within the context of the song.

Ryan Sobb released a single, and a split "live" album with one-time E2TG Artist of the Year Rayvon Pettis.  Word is that he has an EP coming in 2020.

And so, it is with great pleasure and high hopes, that I officially name, Ryan Sobb and The Dead Mall as E2TG's 2019 Band of the Year!

    Featured Friday Playlist

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - On the Village Green Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


  *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.

Wild Wednesday is here!  On Monday, we feature Nashville music- past and present.  On Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, we feature new music - mostly music submitted to us for featuring.  Wednesday, all bets are off. These are just cool tunes and sounds that have somehow made there way onto my phone memory card.  There may be some new music, but there will also be... well, show not tell - let's shuffle!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - It Won't Bend On Its Own Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


Just a heads up, I will be taking a week off from regular E2TG posting next week. Be sure to follow our Facebook page (link above) as I may be posting some flashback shuffles from prior years, and keep you eyes out at the end of next week for a very special Video premiere.

Meanwhile, this week still has some life in it, and we might just have a song premiere later this week - so don't touch that dial.. or mouse...

It's Wednesday and you know what that means!  Time to get wild!  Let's shuffle!

2018 E2TG Earie Awards - # 1 - Recap January 2018

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

For your holiday shopping: The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)


I took an unexpected day off yesterday to fight off a winter cold - hopefully sucessfully... And busy end of week and weekend ahead.   

Guess what!  It is time for the 2018 Earie Awards.  Looking back, I believe this is year 4 of the semi-prestigious awards.  For those new to the E2TG fold, The Earies (tagline: The Earies: they sound kind of odd, but they really aren't) began as a way to recap the great music featured on E2TG over the last year. I don't do Top Ten (or more or less) lists. I'm not opposed to the concept, but I know I would obsess forever about what to include and what to leave off. So, I opted for giving out a bunch of awards.

The award names are arbitrary and sometimes silly, but the sentiment behind them is sincere.  E2TG could not exist without the amazing music that comes my way every day.  The music I feature ends up being a fraction of that submitted, and those that become "E2TG favorites" are a fragment of that fragment.

This year, I am trying something new- out of necessity. As I have been receiving and featuring more and more music, it became harder for me to keep up with it all. One way, I dealt with that in 2018 is to create Spotify Playlists for each month highlighting some of the music featured that month.  See the bottom of this post for links to the Spotify Playlists. 

To kick things off, today's special "Earier" shuffle comes from the January 2018 E2TG playlist. Enjoy!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Smart Ass Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

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)

If you have read The Drift, please consider writing a review on Amazon. If you haven't read it, you can get your own copy through Amazon or if you are in Nashville, you can get them from me.

I am continuing to work on my Spotify playlists for E2TG.  So far, I have completed seven - January - July2018.  These are meant to be a cross-section of music I featured during those months - not necessarily music released in those months.   If you are interested, you can check out the playlists (links below)  and follow my personal profile to find out when new playlists are created.

E2TG January 2018
E2TG February 2018
E2TG March 2018
E2TG April 2018 
E2TG May 2018
E2TG June 2018
E2TG July 2018
E2TG August 2018 (coming soon!)
E2TG September 2018  (coming soon!)

SAVE THE DATE!!!!!  Thursday, November 15, 2018 - We have a pretty cool event in the works.  More to come!


After a rather dreary week here in Nashville, the sun is actually shining today. So there's that.

There is a lot going on, and as usual, it is music that is pulling me through.  Today is Wednesday - so let's get "Wild"!  This is a shuffle from all the songs saved to my phone memory right now.

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - You Can Call Me Bob Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!



Counting down!  We are less than a month away from the first night of the E2TG 7th Anniversary Residency at The 5 Spot!  I am super-stoked to have Clark Paterson playing a full-band set to open the night.  Then, The Big Dumb and Rayvon Pettis are cooking up something special.  This will be a night you do not want to miss!   It's going to a jam-packed night of music so make plans to get there early so you don't miss a minute.  Doors should open sometime around 5:30-5:45pm and the music should get going around 6:15.

This amazing night is just night one of four - every Thursday in June.  Ted Drozdowski's Psychedelic Circus, The End Men, Brian Milligram, Microwave Mountain, The Coal Men, Eli Cook, Bee Taylor, Joanna Barbara and more are all on-tap for this residency.  I am hoping to have a few copies of my novel The Drift to sell. 


It is Wild Wednesday - a virtual potpourri of musical selections....  Let's shuffle!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - You Could Really Get It On Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


The Magnolia Roads American Roots Hoedown III kicks off in two days. We have been helping to spread the word about this cool event because:

1.  It features some awesome musicians - several of whom have been featured on E2TG
2. It's being held in two of my favorite places to hang out.
3. They asked if we would.
4. That's the kind of blog we are.
(not necessarily in that order)

If you have missed or want to relive my preview posts - they can be found here:

Part 1  Part 2  Part 3

Meanwhile, it is Wednesday and that is the day things get "Wild" here at E2TG.  We call it "Wild Wednesday" because the shuffle on Wednesday comes from all the songs saved to my phones memory.

Let's go!

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Tougher than Tough Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


FRIDAY!  First off, I have some big news!  Last year, E2TG hosted a month-long residency at The 5 Spot in East Nashville to celebrate our sixth anniversary. Well, we are doing it again this year for seven!  Mark your calendars for Thursday evenings in JUNE!  If you attended any of last year's shows, you know you will not want to miss this!  Details are still being worked out, but we have some awesome music in store for you.

Stay tuned for more details.

Now, it is Friday and every Friday, we focus in on the music we are currently featuring on E2TG. (Okay to be honest, the playlist is the same for Trending Tuesday and Thursday and for Featured Friday, but humor me).  We have an incredibly wide selection of songs in that playlist (almost 500 tracks), and it is always interesting to see what comes up.

Let's shuffle!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - God Save the Drag Queen Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook! 


Well, it is January 9, and I am finally digging into some of the brand new music that has come my way.  This is the first Trending Tuesday Shuffle of the year.  This shuffle comes from my brand new "New Music" playlist. I've added well over 200 songs from recently received albums, and I added in some "holdovers" from my last New Music playlist.  This new playlist started the year at just over 400 songs.

For those new to E2TG, I want to explain.  The primary outlet of E2TG is the morning shuffle - which is exactly what it sounds like - if it sounds like this: every morning that I work, I hit the random shuffle (either on a specific playlist or on all the songs on my music player), and I write about the songs that come up.

I very, very rarely will do a full-album review, however, through the shuffle I usually cover most of the albums that I select to feature. Almost all of the music on my New Music playlist had either been submitted or at least recommended to me.

I hope that clears things up.  So... on this dreary, foggy, misty morning, I left my home and I hit shuffle on my brand new "New Music" playlist, and these are the songs/tracks that came up....

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Friends Everywhere Mix

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook! 


SAVE THE DATE:

January 14, 2018 8:00p.m.  The Country (soon to be called The Local) 110 28th Ave N
Nashville, Tennessee 37203  - It'll be my birthday, and we'll have a triple threat of talent with Conrad y Skordalia, Danny Henry, and Sean Quinn and the Tremblers.


Speaking of E2TG Presents shows... keeping a tradition alive since last year, I have a very special Earie award to the bands/artists who played my residency in May:  Mark Robinson Band, Kristen Englenz, Nick Nace, Darrin Bradbury, Matt Benjamin, Sean Quinn and the Tremblers, Sergio Webb, David Olney, Cafe Rooster Records (Sally Jaye, Jon Latham, Darrin Bradbury, Brian Wright and their special guest Rorey Carroll), FuzzQueen, and Amelia White. Also Earies to The 5 Spot for having me and for Eric for running the sound. And to everyone who came out to one or more of the shows.  The "E2TG Live" award goes to all you and anyone I left out.

Time to start making plans for May 2018... who would you like to see play the E2TG 7th Anniversary Residency?

Congratulations to Rayvon Pettis on the release of Dying Light and for an awesome CD release show. Rayvon backed by The Big Dumb were wonderful.  Rocky Bottom was great, and Darrin Bradbury - played a bunch of new songs that were top notch.

Tomorrow night is the 12th Annual Get Behind the Mule: Tom Waits tribute and benefit for Second Harvest Food Bank.   If you aren't there, head to The Country - early it's Kristen Englenz, Drew Kohl, and Cntry and late it's Zach Schmidt with Haley Thompson King.   If only I could be two places at once.

On to the shuffle: