E2TG 1/6/2021 - SNOMG - Go to Hell Mix (Last Call Remix)

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Today's Greetings from Nashville is up on the WXNA Archives.  HERE

 

6:00am Greetings from Nashville by Jason and The Scorchers on Still Standing (EMI/EMI Records (USA))

6:01am In the Great Gettin’ up Mornin’ by The Fisk Jubilee Singers on The Great Camp Meeting (Peak Recordings)

6:04am A New Day Is Gonna Dawn (Acoustic) by Flying Buffaloes on A New Day Is Gonna Dawn (Acoustic) – Single (Flying Buffaloes)

6:07am Sunrise (I’m Gold) by Jeff Thorneycroft on Sunrise (I’m Gold) – Single (Jeff Thorneythroft)

6:13am Here and Now by Donna Frost on The Quarantine Sessions Vol. 2 (Donna Frost)

6:16am Leave You Later by Griffin Winton on Leave You Later – Single (Griffin Winton)

6:20am Past Blue Ribbons by Evan P Donohue on Page of Wands (Best Records)

6:25am Tickle the Scar (feat. Kid Brother) by Jon Worthy on I’m a Lunatic Baby – EP (Jon Worthy)

6:31am Talk About Love by Pat Gallagher on Songs from Coolsville (Sleazy Weasel Records)

6:34am I Kissed a Girl by Jill Sobule on Jill Sobule (Lava)

6:37am Mandola Rag by The Gypsy Hombres on NOUVEAU (TziganeSouth)

6:39am King Size Bed by Los Colognes on Working Together (Los Colognes)

6:47am This December by Ghost Town Remedy on This December – Single (Never Nude Records)

6:51am Yeti Vs. Poseidon by Fable Cry on Fable Cry (Scampy Records)

6:56am Watchman Tell Us of the Night (Instrumental) [feat. The Blue Buccaneers] by Tom Mason on Salmagundi (Gas Station Music)

Today, we wrap up our look back at 2021.  Ended up with just over two hours of songs I identified as favorites that I wasn't able to feature either here or on the radio as part of the year end wrap up.  Tomorrow, the first new Featured Friday Playlist of 2022. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 4/23/2021 - Featured Friday - Last Call Mix (Dirty Girl Remix)

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Time for another Featured Friday Playlist. This one is considerably shorter than last week's list, but it is crammed full of great new and recent music from old friends and new discoveries. As usual, the music crosses genre and geographic lines at will.  Please check it out. If so inclined, follow the playlist on Spotify. If you find music you like, support the artist(s)  by spending as you are able on music, merch, etc.  Spotify can be a great resource for sharing and discovering music but they do not sufficiently compensate artists for their work. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 11/11/2020 - Mid-Week Holiday - Drug Store Wine Mix (Everything Remix)

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Today is Veteran's Day - a time to pause and remember those who served our nation in the military. 

I have the day off work. In the past, I have taken a day off from blogging when I am off work, but I am choosing today to press on. 

Our Featured Friday Playlist recap rolls on with songs 22-26:

22. "Medicine" by The Sea at Midnight

Starting things off we have LA based postpunk band The Sea at Midnight with a track from the  debut self-titled album. Really great stuff that reminds of a lot of great bands I love. 

23. "Dosed" by Arran Sym

Coincidentally, we follow up a song called "Medicine" with a song called "Dosed".  This is a track from the another debut - this time the EP 1000 Micrograms of Love via Scottish producer and artist Arran Sym.  Really digging this. 

24. "Illinois by Numbers" by Moral Mazes

Next up, we have a great new track from Moral Mazes - which features members of Jawbox, The Bomb, Airstream Futures,  and more.  This is from a recently released 7".

25. "White and Black Angels" by Monsieur Minimal

This is our third time (unless I lost count) featuring Greek artist Monsieur Minimal - we had previously featured the track Easteria - which is the title track from his new album.  

26. "The Distances" by Cosmopolis

There has definitely been a mood and feel to this segment of music, and this new single from global band Cosmopolis is a great way to close it out. The band's members are from UK, Belgium, and Australia.  

Tomorrow - we wrap up this week's playlist - with songs 27-31...
 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 8/07/2020 - Featured Friday -

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 By way of a Featured Friday Bonus Track, we have the previously unreleased solo demo of the title track to East Nashville poet-laureate (I believe it is an unofficial title, but damn well should be official) Kevin Gordon's landmark Down to the Well album. The album version of this track features the one and only Lucinda Williams.  Here is the song, stripped down to his majesty.  The whole album is available exclusively on Bandcamp - which makes it a good time to remind you that Bandcamp is waiving revenue sharing today, so that all purchases benefit the artists.  You can access the Bandcamp page for the album via the embedded player below. 

 

Another Friday, means a brand new Featured Friday Playlist.  This week's list is most excellent, and it about the same length as last week. Recap the first 8 songs below. 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 6/17/2020 - Parenthetical - Chrome Mix (Bullethead Remix)

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A gentle reminder that "Outrage fatigue" is real and is actually a tool of fascists like Trump.  Keep fighting but give your self permission to step back and relax and rest before picking up the fight again.  I was thinking about this today, and in my head, my initial counter-thought was that it was my white privilege to think I could take a break (and that is a question worth considering), but I say this for everyone in the fight.

 The other thing is recognizing what is productive. I absolutely hate comment sections - it brings out the shittiest side of everyone. But, (if you critically evaluate the role of trolls in such forums) it can be a way to understand the "other side". If a person making comments is being genuine and honest, even if you think they are misguided or wrong, the words they use and the arguments they make can help to shed light on what we are up against.

That being said, I can waste time and energy getting worked up over posts in the comment section of articles, tweets, or Facebook posts. It can (and does) put me into a mental tailspin and contributes to my exhaustion and burnout.  Like all of life, balance is important. This fight is essential and critical and vital, but it is not everything. Quite moments, laughs with friends, music, art, nature are all important, too.

Continuing our Featured Friday Playlist recap with songs 9-12.  We will cover songs 13-15 tomorrow to wrap up this week's list.

9. "I Love You (Don't Laugh)" by Andre Salvador and the Von Kings

Andre Salvador and the Von Kings is the moniker of indie pop singer-songwriter Tim Cheplick who is based in Brooklyn.  This is the debut single from the forthcoming self-titled album.  The album was recorded in Nashville and produced by Robin Eaton. Proving that coincidences reign supreme here at E2TG, Robin Eaton has worked with numerous artists and friends including Tommy Womack, Tim Easton, and Swan Dive to name a few. Most famously (I guess), he has worked alongside Jill Sobule on several albums.

10. "Hold On (Italians in the Night)" by Beth McKee

Friend of E2TG Beth Mckee is back with a new single that captures the feelings this time in which are are living. The song was co-written at the beginning of the pandemic with fellow Orlando singer-songwriter Terri Binion. McKee's drummer husband plays on the album. And she once again works with producer John Pfiffner who produced her Dreamwood Acres album - which was our introduction to her music. 

11. "Your Parents (Dancing with the Stars)" by Benedict Sinister

Next up, a rather interesting track from electro-pop artist Benedict Sinister which is a pointed and clever take on meeting the significant other's parents - told with a distinctively New York bent. The song is packed full of references - pop culture, politics and more. The cleverness never overwhelms the joy of the track. 

12. "Barcelona (Memoryy Remix)" by Kevin Herig

A remix of a recent single by indie-pop singer-songwriter Kevin Herig by electro-pop artist Memoryy.  I dig it. A cool addition to this week's playlist.  

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 2019 Recap - Part 8 - Butterfly Mix (Moonlighting Remix)

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Took on the last $2 Tuesday last night with E2TG fave Jason Erie, Rhyan Sinclair, host Derek Hoke, and Ward Hayden and the Outliers (whose Don't Judge a Book album we covered here this year).  In the late night hour, an uplifting full-band set from Jon Latham - featuring some Christmas tunes and special guests.  It was exactly the sort of night I needed.


Let us jump back into our recap of 2019.  Some cool music today.  Dig it!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Back on the Radio Mix (Troubles Troubles Remix)

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  *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.

ICYMI yesterday, we are in the midst of the Fall Pledge Drive for WXNA Nashville. I could go on and on as to WHY you should want to support WXNA (I just did on Facebook), but if you already know you want to make a donation, the HOW of it is really simple.  Visit wxnafm.org. The info you need is right on the homepage - including details of the various levels of giving and the related premiums being offered.  While at the website, you can livestream the station, check out the schedule and archives, and read more about the things that make WXNA a community resource.

Now, it is time for the Shuffle!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - The Far Side Mix (Mortal Flames Remix)

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  *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.


And we are back after an extra long weekend.  Time for a Trending Tuesday shuffle.

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Freaked Out Fly Mix

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  *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.

The E2TG 8th Anniversary is underway - Next Show October 2!

September 25 - Week 1: Ben Arthur + Conrad y Skordalia (SUCCESS!)

October 2 - Week 2: Ryan Sobb + Don Gallardo (Album Release Show)  
(SUCCESS!)

October 9 - Week 3: The Truehearts + Jason Erie (JUST 5 DAYS AWAY!)

October 16 - Week 4:  Josh Gray  + Meghan Hayes

October 23 - Week 5: Microwave Mountain + The Big Dumb

First of all a semi-major non-announcement:  I have been giving a lot of thought to a revamp of E2TG. The main reasons are to 1. Make the site better and 2. Shift around some things to hopefully free up some time.

I have some ideas, but nothing is set.  One thing I am interested in is looking into some collaborations of various kinds that make sense in a mission oriented kind of way (look at me using important sounding words!).  So, if you are reading this and have any interest in collaborating with E2TG - let me know.  The changes would likely begin with the new year - more or less. 

I am also considering finding a new virtual home for E2TG, so if you have suggestions on that front, let me know.

Anyway, in the meantime, we have classic E2TG work to be done. Let's get to the Friday Shuffle.  Once again, I worked late adding new songs to the playlist and none of those showed up in today's shuffle.  But, some really cool stuff did show up! Let's go!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Daylight Waves Mix

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  *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.


The E2TG 8th Anniversary is underway - Next Show October 2!

September 25 - Week 1: Ben Arthur + Conrad y Skordalia (SUCCESS!)

October 2 - Week 2: Ryan Sobb + Don Gallardo (Album Release Show)  
(TOMORROW NIGHT!!!!!!)

October 9 - Week 3: The Truehearts + Jason Erie

October 16 - Week 4:  Josh Gray  + Meghan Hayes

October 23 - Week 5: Microwave Mountain + The Big Dumb


Tomorrow night! I hope you will join us at The 5 Spot at 6pm for Week 2 of the E2TG Residency.  Sets from Ryan Sobb and his band and a special album release show from Don Gallardo and How Far West with special guest Lilly Winwood! 

In replacing my phone, I didn't lose any of the songs for my shuffle, but I did lose my "New Music/Features/Trending" playlist- so I had to try to recreate it. Don't quite done, but I think we have a pretty good list. Let's go!

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - El Caminos and Dirty Jokes Mix

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  *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.

The E2TG 8th Anniversary is underway - Next Show October 2!

September 25 - Week 1: Ben Arthur + Conrad y Skordalia (SUCCESS!)

October 2 - Week 2: Ryan Sobb + Don Gallardo 
October 9 - Week 3: The Truehearts + Jason Erie

October 16 - Week 4:  Josh Gray  + Meghan Hayes

October 23 - Week 5: Microwave Mountain + The Big Dumb

(Thanks Don Gallardo for the fabulous poster)

Thanks to everyone who came out last night, and thanks to Ben Arthur and Conrad y Skordalia for a great show!  If you missed it, you have four more chances to catch the E2TG Residency.  Next up:  Ryan Sobb (full band) and the Album Release Show for Don Gallardo and How Far West with special guest.   Don't miss this one!

Now, let's get on with the shuffle!  It's a good one!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Ipso Facto Motif Mix

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  *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.


The E2TG 8th Anniversary STARTS TONIGHT!

September 25 - Week 1: Ben Arthur + Conrad y Skordalia (TONIGHT)

October 2 - Week 2: Ryan Sobb + Don Gallardo

October 9 - Week 3: The Truehearts + Jason Erie

October 16 - Week 4:  Josh Gray  + Meghan Hayes

October 23 - Week 5: Microwave Mountain + The Big Dumb

Hope to see everyone tonight at The 5 Spot!

Since there was no shuffle yesterday, today's Wild Wednesday shuffle comes from the New Music playlist.  Let's get to it!

Mondo Monday Morning Shuffle - Leaned in Close Mix

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I guess this is what they call the home stretch.... As we head into the final week of the Earie Awards for 2017 (as well as the final week of shuffles for 2017), I find myself reflecting on the year that is winding down.  On many, many levels, it was a difficult year, but I remain bolstered by the incredibly wonderful people I have come to know and the incredible variety of amazing music that has come to my attention just because I started writing this blog.

The highs of this year were high and the lows were low, and I prepare to enter 2018 with much uncertainty as to what it will bring. I have been pondering some tweaks to E2TG for the coming year - something I have done periodically over the six and half years of this site. I'm not sure what those will be. Certainly there are things that don't work like they used to  (like my inability to embed my video playlists). I guess, I'll just say - stay tuned.

Let's jump right into the shuffle and the Earies for Monday December 18, 2017....

Mondo Monday Morning Shuffle - Pair of Dice Mix

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Once again, I find myself feeling overwhelmed by the world and "humankind's inhumanity to fellow humans"... and I am also overwhelmed by the divides we see - especially (as far as I can tell) in this country - between people. I see all sorts of layers and causes and symptoms of this problem, but for right now, I don't see any or much hope of a solution.

Does social media exacerbate the problem or merely amplify it?  Comment sections on any even vaguely political post are depressing as hell.  And, just about anything and everything is at least potentially political.  Food, sports, weather, fast food cups, innocuous holiday greetings... all political and by definition divisive in these times. And I want to blame it all on the OTHER side- I really do... but... THE OTHER SIDE is part of the problem.  Everything seems to viewed as a one or the other, all or nothing proposition.  Shop a particular store, well, you must be (fill in the blank).  Watch a particular sport... you get the idea. 

I don't feel like I know a whole lot about much of anything, but in my life, I have ascertained that almost everything is more complex than it seems to be... especially if people are involved. I guess it is a sort of human nature to put people or things into categories... good, evil, progressive, conservative, pro, anti... people rarely ever fit neatly into boxes we design - especially if there are only ever two choices. 

The point I am trying to make is that this either/or thinking tends to back people into a corner. It says you can't be this one thing without being all these other things which get conflated with that one thing. Faced with that, people dig in and end up feeling the need to support something that they might otherwise never support. 

I already said, I don't see a solution in sight - at least not an easy one. All I know to do is to watch and check myself when I find myself exhibiting this either/or mentality or projecting all sorts of things onto people because of one particular aspect of who they are. 

That and music (although that can and has been politicized)... for me music heals a part of me that is damaged and in pain.  For me it is certain songs, artists, styles of music.  For someone else, it may be something else (that I may not like or understand) and that is okay. If music (any music) does that for someone - then who the hell am I to criticize that?

It's a misty, overcast raining Monday in Nashville.   And the world is a harsh and bitter place sometimes.  Here's some music that helped make it a little better this morning for me....

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - They're Giving Him Hell Mix

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Well, the heat wave has broken just slightly with some showers, storms, and clouds.

Meanwhile, another week has begun - the final full week in July. I know this is partially a sign of age, but really, where is the time going?

Oh well... whatever... never mind.   It's Monday and that means we have Music City Monday - featuring songs/albums/artists who have some kind of connection to Nashville, Tennessee.  To paraphrase Double Shot with Joe and Sue, it's Music City connected if I say it is... Onward...

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Have a Nice Flight Mix

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Much on my mind, as we muddle through this post-fact, post-truth, post-decorum, post-civility, post-shared humanity, post-(you-name-it) world. Look, corrupt politicians are  nothing new. But, it does seem like in the past, there was at least some effort to conceal that corruption and often when it was exposed, it had real consequences. Nowadays, it seems like corruption is worn like a badge of honor, and it is at best denied or at worst accepted.

Also thinking about social media and Facebook in particular.  People tend to use this platform in many different ways. I still contend that all technology is neutral, that is only through man's use of the technology that it becomes good or evil. That being said, I have friends who use Facebook solely to share political posts, those who use it (almost) exclusively to promote their music, those who post humorous posts, those who post pictures of children, grandchildren, or pets, etc.  I think all of those are fine. There is, though, one phenomenon that I just don't get....   There are some people who feel th need to chime in and comment on things that really don't have any thing to do with them. I'll give a hypothetical example:  A friend posts something on my wall that is basically on inside joke or a reference that makes sense to only a small group of people.  Some people will jump in and make irrelevant comments. Another example, a celebrity passes away, and people are posting remembrances of that person and what they and/or their work meant to them. There is always that person who feels the need to add either by comment or post, "Eh, I never was a fan" or "I don't know who that is but...."  I guess it's a pet peeve of mine, but if a post doesn't directly address you or you have nothing meaningful to add, then just let it go.

To be honest, the only time I have "un-friended" AND blocked someone was for this very thing.  They were a friend who I had not really interacted with at all for several years. Someone important to me made a heartfelt post about something and this person (who did not know the original poster at all) jumped in and made a totally insensitive comment basically discounting the original poster's experience. Since I was the only link between the original poster and the person making the comment, I felt responsible for their behavior and so I deleted them as a friend and blocked them.

There is something maybe important in all my ranting, but I'm not sure what it is... something about how divided we are as a nation and the amount of incivility that exists in that divide....

Well, it's Monday when we jump in with our Music City Monday shuffle - songs with some connection to Nashville, Tennessee....

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Pavement Confessions Mix

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I am back.  After a three day work-related trip, I am back and ready to officially close out the first half of 2017.  Since, I missed a couple of days and still have tons of music to present, I will probably continue spinning from the "New Music" Playlist into next week before reverting back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Time is short... let's shuffle!

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Old Friends Mix

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It seems like a good time to check-in... yep, it is June 5, 2017, and there are still white supremacists in positions of power in the White House.
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Had a good time celebrating the 1st Anniversary of WXNA yesterday.  As someone who come of age musically speaking with college radio (WRVU in particular), I have to say, WXNA has filled huge gap in the Nashville radio landscape. There is great original programming every single day, all day long, and I am so happy to be a part of it.

TONIGHT!  Yes, the Predator's are in the Stanley Cup Finals, and Nashville is abuzz.  Game 4 is tonight, but I am going to recommend you get yourself to The Basement East for the Jon Latham Benefit tonight.  Not only is it a great cause for a great guy, the music is going to be incredible. Jon's ace band will be the house band with an incredible lineup of guest singers.  You can check in on the game on your phone as you need to...

Okay, I was off last Monday, so this is our first Music City Monday in a couple of weeks... so let's do this thing!