E2TG 4/26/2022 - Somedays, Anydays, No Days - Silent Talk Mix (Palm Tree Remix)

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Magnolia Roads Presents American Roots Hoedown VII is just three days away.  The event kicks off Friday April 29 at Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge.  The event kicks off at 4pm and the music starts at 5.  $10 cover 21+

Our highlighted artist from Friday night is Matt Mann & The Shine Runners who are set to take the stage at 10:20pm.

Matt Mann and The Shine Runners are an American rock band residing in Nashville, TN.  Formed in Los Angeles in November 2011 by singer/songwriter and Oklahoma native, Matt Mann, the band made the move to Music City in 2018.  With influences ranging from the Rolling Stones, Skynryd, ZZ Top, Willie Nelson and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Matt Mann and The Shine Runners deliver their brand of raucous and memorable blues-rock music to enthusiastic crowds.  Their bluesy, boozy, two guitar rock sounds transports listeners back into the early seventies, making their music timeless.  Matt’s unique style of singing gives the band an authentic sound and sets them apart from other mainstream rock ‘n’ roll bands.

Here are the Facebook events for all three nights of the Hoedown:

Night 1: https://www.facebook.com/events/1939400169576291

Night 2: https://www.facebook.com/events/1419133068518217

Night 3: https://www.facebook.com/events/4797318793728832

Today's Ear to the Ground radio show is up on the archive at wxnafm.org.   HERE is the link to the archive.  Below is the playlist for today:

6:02am Sonny Boy by Owsley on Owsley (Giant)

6:02am Drunkard’s Dream II by EG Vines on Drunkard’s Dream II – Single (Birdtooth Records)

6:07am Chicago by Adrian + Meredith on ROAM (Deluxe) (Vertigo Productions)

6:12am The Other Side by Will Kimbrough on The Other Side – Single (Daphne Records/Soundly Music)

6:16am Tape by Evan Barber on Until the Thunder (Commit Records)

6:20am River of Marigolds by Jon Chi on River of Marigolds (Jon Chi)

6:24am Hot House by Andrew Leahey & The Homestead on Hot House – Single (Mule Kick Records)

6:30am Hidin’ Out by Peter Case on HWY 62 Expanded Edition (Bandaloop Records)

6:34am Strange Love by Richard Gjems on The Youtube Sessions 2020/21 (Apollon Records)

6:36am The Girls of LA by Weimar on The Girls of LA – Single (German Shepherd Records)

6:39am Bright Black by London Plane on Bright Black (Declared Goods)

6:45am Sweet Boy by SONS on Sweet Boy ([PIAS])

6:48am Picadors (Voiced by Auntie Joan) by Telefís on Archbishop Beardmouth at the ChemOlympics EP (Dimple Discs)

6:53am Just About Time by Georg Nielsen & Enzo Orefice on Just About Time – Single (Self Released)

6:58am Opus Three by Rodney Cromwell on Opus Three Remixes – EP (Happy Robots Records)

 

Today's shuffle is below. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 5/12/2021 - Mid-Week Misery or is that Missouri? - Big River Mix (Winter of the Summer Remix)

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Diving back into live music tonight and tomorrow... social awkwardness combined with COVID-era awkwardness will abound, but I will have fun, too. 

Tonight: Mark Robinson early at Dee's and Brian Wright with Falcon Ranchero late at Dee's

Tomorrow: a private house show for the long-awaited release show for This Frontier Needs Heroes with some cool guests.  Bring it on!

Featured Friday Playlist recap Part 4 (Songs 36-45):

36. "Kickback (U and I)" by Rallo Green

First up, we have the new single from this singer, songwriter, producer, and musician from Hopkinsville, Kentucky. A fun summery song to start us off today.

37. "Black Hole Sun" by Leftover Salmon

Next up, a cover of the Soundgarden song from the jam band that formed in Boulder Colorado in 1989. It is from their new album Brand New Good Old Days 

38. "Saving Aimee" by Harri Larkin

Next up, UK pop funk trio Harri Larkin returns to the playlist with their new single. 

39. "Vain Shadows" by Clipe Circle

The latest single from this Scottish rock/metal band. They are expected to release their debut EP later this year. 

40. "Afterglow Dub" by The Nextmen

London based The Nextmen reunite with Eva Lazarus for their new single. Great stuff. 

41. "Shamans" by Tesla Shamans

Next up, we have the debut single from the forthcoming debut album (Electric Storm is due out May 17) by this hard rock band from Italy. 

42. "GAME" by Gears

Next up, more hard hitting rock music this time from this band from Miami that was founded in 2014.

43. "Talking Heads" by Benjamin Jayne

Next up, we have the lead track from the 2nd album by this trans-oceanic brother-sister duo. This new album features elements of rock, folk/singer-songwriter with some electronic elements. Sister Amanda is based in Barcelona while brother Benjamin is based in southern Vermont. 

44. "Fall Apart" by Robert Maniac

Next up, we have the debut single from this singer-songwriter based in London. An impressive debut. 

45. "Lost & Found" by Manolo Redondo

And we close this segment with the title track from the new EP  by this Paris-based singers-songwriter originally from the French Alps which was inspired by a trip to Mexico and the Mojave Desert. A great way to close out this segment of music. 

         

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 2/11/2021 - Figuring it All Out - True True Love Mix (Bing Bang Boom Remix)

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 Life is overwhelming - maybe it always is... and yes, sometimes you need planning and coordination, but for people like me it is a fine line between planning and coordination and obsessing and worrying. Sometimes, you just have to make it up as you go along and trust in something - God, the cosmos, fate? that things will all come together and even if they don't come together - you will still have a chance to figure it all out. 

Featured Friday Playlist (songs 32-38)

32. "Saw Daddy" by Common Sage

First up today, we have a wonderful track from Might As Well Eat The Chicken, We Won't Be Here In The Morning - the brand new EP from New York band Common Sage. The album comes out a period of transition for the band which preceded and coincided with the pandemic. 

33. "Girls Just Want to Dance" by Modesty Blaise

Next up, we have the lead single from the forthcoming new album from this UK Avant-pop band. Really great stuff. 

34. "Talk to Me" by Emperor Penguin; Orbis Max

This new release - Corporation Pop! - contains all three of the band's earlier EPs plus four new tracks. It serves as a great introduction to this London based band. They have a wonderful sound - check it out.

35. "Kill" by All Hallowed

Next up, we have the stunning debut single from this Dayton, Ohio based band. It is described as dance punk - and that comes through in the grooves and the power of the relatively short track. 

36. "Screaming Into Oblivion" by Sharone

Next up, we have the latest from Denver based dark rock artist Sharone.  Cool tune. 

37. "Sunshine" by Jacob the Horse

Next, we have the first single in four years by the band that formed in L.A. and which features all east coast natives. Really cool pop punk sound. 

38. "Judgement" by Genus Ordinis Dei 

As always, I save one of our more interesting tracks to close out the Playlist for the week. This is - I believe - our second time featuring this symphonic death metal band from Italy. The album Glare of Deliverance was released in December, and is a concept album of a sort - each song stands alone and the band is releasing videos for each songs as "episodes". This is Episode six.  Check out the band to see the videos. 
 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 9/29/2020 - Muddling Through - Isle of Hope Mix (Life is a Movie Remix)

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Muddling through... Interesting phrase... basically to do a somewhat decent job either with little effort or with little planning or without the proper tools. To me these are different concepts. Maybe I expend a great effort, but I don't plan and I don't have the tools I need. Or maybe, I plan but then don't extend the effort.  Or I plan and extend effort but don't have the proper tools... I muddle through and what needs to get done gets done - maybe in a half-assed kind of way. 

I don't think I like the expression, to be honest, especially in the context of 2020. To me it is too judgmental (or maybe that is just what I am reading into it). I think many of us are doing amazing work just staying somewhat sane and not completely falling apart. By pre-COVID standards - maybe we aren't excelling, but I am here to say, that's okay. 

So, I am getting through... but I am not going to say I am muddling through.  Onward!

Today our recap takes us to songs 11-14.... I am loving this week's Playlist:

11. "Talk to Me" by John Lensing

First up today, we have a really cool track from this singer-songwriter currently based in Denver. His music has elements of alt-folk and bedroom pop. It is rich and lovely. I dig it. 

12. "68th in Orbit" by Mt. Doubt

Next up, we have a track from the brand new album, Doubtlands by this Edinburgh-based band. This is their third album - with the sound evolving to this album which makes a powerful statement of band arriving. 

13. "September" by Lydia Loveless; Laura Jane Grace

One that I'm playing just because I want to... we recently featured Lydia Loveless playing with our friend Benchmarks. Now, she has released Daughter - her new album, and it is amazing.  On this track, she is joined by Against Me!'s Laura Jane Grace.  The intersection of punk and roots music which has been happening in the Mid-West for many years, is one of the most exciting things happening in music. Bands and artists like Two Cow Garage, Austin Lucas, and Lydia Loveless have an authenticity in both worlds and are creating memorable and important music. 

14. "Dig Deep" by Magnolia Bayou

We close out this segment of music with a track from Strange Place - the new album by Southern Mississippi based rock band Magnolia Bayou.  They are heirs to the long tradition of great music emerging from the swamps and bayous of that part of the Deep South. 

Tomorrow - 15-18...
 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 9/9/2020 - Cilantro - These Rocks Mix (Tiny Spark Remix)

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So, I was thinking about being objective when it comes to music. It is not always impossible, but also, I do not think it is often preferable.  Here is what I mean. In my opinion music can be and should be a very personal thing. It is why I try not to criticize types of music that aren't my thing - except to say that I don't like it and perhaps to explain why. But, I try not to aim that criticism at people who do like that particular style of music - nor do I try to take on an air of superiority for what I like or don't like. I am, admittedly human (not always easy to admit), so I do fall short - so don't dig back and use my own words against me. 

I guess it comes down to personal taste and all the factors (nature vs. nuture) which influence what we like and what we don't like. Take cilantro, some people like it and some people hate it, and at least in some instances, there appears to be a genetic reason. I tend to think all matters of personal "taste" may be similarly derived. Maybe not all genetic, but perhaps other factors. 

There is a prevalent idea that the music we first heard at a particular age - like 14 or so - has a lasting impact on us. I know that music I that meant something to be at an early age, still holds an appeal to me even if my overall tastes may have changed. I cannot objectively explain why I like that music - maybe when others seem to hate it - I may even understand where the other people are coming from (and I may feel embarrassed about my affinity) - but that affinity is there (and for the record, there is  no reason for me to feel ashamed). 

So, I can't (nor do I want to) objectively analyze the songs that are foundational for me. I would rather described how they make me feel or what memories they evoke or where my head was when I first heard them. To me - that - and not some technical analysis on the weakness of the lyrics or the derivatve nature of the music - is what is important.  Yes, band B may have ripped off band A's sound - but the fact is, I heard band B when I was fourteen years old and not band A - and so I am linked to band B. I may grow to appreciated band A and maybe even acknowledge what band B did - but my link to band B remains intact. 

So, if I cut myself some slack for "ctinge-worthy" music from my youth that I still like, then I have to also cut other people slack for their tastes - even if I don't understand it. A song or a band may be linked into their subconscious. Then again, it maybe a case of cilantro.   

Today - we feature songs 19-22 from this week's Playlist:

19. "Everything is Alright" by Dirk Powell

First up today, we have a good one - the lead track from the new album, When I Wait For You" by producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and sideman Dirk Powell. The album features a stellar array of guests including Rhiannon Giddens, Sara and Sean Watkins, and more. Dirk Powell is based in Louisiana where he is involved in the Cajun and Creole music scenes. He owns his own studio on the banks of Bayou Teche. His earliest musical influences are from his native Kentucky, and he combines all of those influences with his original vision to make some compelling music. 

20. "By You Now" by Leila 

Next up, we have the new single from this Pennsylvania based singer-songwriter who blends soul, jazz, and indie pop into a wonderful sound. 

21. "You Are" by COY Swede; Matthew Titmouse

We switch things up, with our next track - the latest single from Stockholm based EDM producer, songwriter, and musician COY Swede (aka Thom Maximus) joined here by ocalist Matthew Titmouse. The song deals with loss. It is a great addition to the playlist. 

22. "Just Another Dance Song" by YEWO

This segment of music wraps up with a track from this eclectic band from Hungary.  I was sent three tracks - all very different, and I went with this dance/disco flavored song. It is a lot a fun, and I really dig the sound. I love getting new music from all over the world. 

Tomorrow - we wrap up this week's Playlist (yes - already!) 

         

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 7/22/2020 - Blah Day - Easy Payment Mix (Can't Have Both Remix)

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Sorry for the late post, but I am a little under the weather today...

Today - Songs 22-27 of the Featured Friday Playlist: I never know how these Playlists are going to play out each week or how the different segments will come together.  As I previously alluded to, the order of the songs is not exactly random, but is rather arbitrary at times. As I am quickly putting the list together just before midnight on Thursday night, I slide the songs around until - purposefully moving some songs higher or lower in the order for  vague reasons,  but also somewhat casually letting other songs move up or down as it goes. Yesterday's list ended on a electronic and somewhat heavy note, the heaviness carries over and we have some good electronic music of various kinds. But also some more roots oriented music. Let's go!

22. "Eigenlicht" by Kalmhain

We start things off with the full-length debut from this experimental black metal band from Antwerp, Belgium. Mixing black metal, shoegaze, and post-metal sounds to make something dark, heavy, intense, and awesome. 

23. "Distance" by Stykfaktor

Our second St. Louis band - and our second darkwave pandemic inspired song. The band has been around since 2001, and I dig this track. 

24. "Treat You Better" by Laura Cortese & the Dance

We previously featured the pre-album single "Typhoon" by this band from Boston.  Now, the album, Bitter Better is out, and we have another track to feature.  I am really digging this band these days. 

25. "Driving my Mustang" by Ekat Bork

Next we have a new single from Swiss-based and Russian born electronic/alternative singer-songwriter Ekat Bork.  The artist has an album in the can to be called Ekat. Looking forward to hearing more. 

26. "Rock the Boat" by Jah Cure

Always room in the  playlist for a sweet reggae tune from Kingston, Jamaica.  

27. "TopBoy" by NineteenHateHate

We started this segment with some experimental black metal, and we close things out with a Seattle artist who combines black metal and trap metal into a exciting blend. Ending another segment on a heavy note.

Tomorrow, we round out the the playlist - who knows where the music will take us. 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 7/01/2020 - New Month - Step by Step Mix (Pearl Necklace Remix)

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ICYMI - This morning, we premiered the new album from Cursive is Code - called The State Enforced Renaissance - you check it out HERE.

I have a short work week this week - off on Friday, but expect some E2TG posts anyway - and things have been exceedingly busy here. So, I am going to skip the preliminaries. It is a new month... let's go!

Today, we recap songs 16-20 of this week's Featured Friday Playlist - tomorrow, we wrap up the recap with songs 21-25.

16. "Broken Nation" by Learn to Fly

We start things off with what appears to be a new alternative rock band from South Carolina. I'm digging this.

17. "Shake the Dust" by Highway Women

Next up, we have an uplifting single from the Highway Women. It is a song about taking chances. The Highway Women features five singer-songwriters and is based in Nashville. 

18. "Darkest Lines" by Scenius

We have our second listen to UK band Scenius. Scenius features Steve Whitfileld who we first met as part of Klammer amd Fabrice Nau.  Really dig this electronic music. 

19. "Where can I buy fresh berries?" by Fellow Hollow

Fellow Hollow is an indie-folk/bedroom synth duo from Columbus, Ohio.  This is a wonderful song about dealing with loss in the modern world. 

20.  "Little Girl" by Melissa D.

And, we close with the title track of the new EP from Vermont singer-songwriter Melissa D. Lovely and uplifting music, and a great way to end this segment of the Playlist. 

    Featured Friday Playlist