Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Had to Start Somewhere Mix

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A cold commute this morning. It think it was around ten degrees with windchill below zero. Music did it's best to keep me warm.  Yesterday, I took advantage of my time off and added over 100 songs to my phone including a bunch of new music.  The New Music playlist is up to about 450 songs now.

But, today is Wednesday, and on Wednesday - we get "wild" by shuffling up all the songs in my phone memory and seeing what comes up.  Here is what came up today:

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Lovin' Me Again Mix

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Blargh... nothing like a nasty stomach bug to put the kibosh in plans... I'm feeling better... just a little queasy sometimes.. but I will push on and no details will be offered.

Jumping into the new week just some random tidbits... I am going to be getting a new phone soon and will eventually be moving all the songs to it and recreating playlists. Fortunately, the old phone is still functional, so I can continue to use it during the transition. Also, I am plotting a vacation, and I am hoping to post some missives from the road. More to come...

It is Monday in Music City (and other places)... here are some tunes with a Nashville connection...

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Wild One Mix

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I have been so inspired of late, watching friends having their dreams come true in so many ways....  The Americana Music Association announced their final group of artists for next months festival, and I was so happy to see some good friends on the list (many of them making their debuts as official showcase artists). Several people who may have read about on E2TG are on the list including the most recent two Artist of the Year!

Seeing the Foresters and others from the Dord Music Group - absolutely killing it at Athens PopFest and getting an amazing opportunity to play alongside their heroes from the Elephant 6 collective.

See friends releasing new albums and getting the opportunities to play "big" shows...

It moves me to do more with the opportunities I have been given.

Hey ho! Let's go! Tuesday - what's "trending" at E2TG?  Find out!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Heads Explode Mix

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Don't Forget! #E2TG 5th Anniversary Extravaganza May 18 at The 5 Spot in East Nashville!


Writing and posting late today. I've been at a work conference all day, and then stopped by Charlie Bob's to see Jon Byrd and eat some $.50 tacos and drink some $2 Little Harpeth.

Tomorrow could be iffy, as I am back at the conference all day, but I will post if I can.

Let's jump into the Trending Tuesday Shuffle - because Patrick Kinsley is filling in for Derek Hoke tonight at $2 Tuesdays, and he and A Fistful of Dollars are playing a set.  If you can't make it out tonight, you can and should come out and see them on May 18 when they are playing the E2TG 5 Year Anniversary Extravaganza (hey I'm getting good at these subtle self-promotion deals).

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - April Fools Mix

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ICYMI:  Read my latest manifesto here.

It's April 1 - no joke.  Today, D. Boon would have been 58 years old.  Hard to believe he had been gone for over 30 years.  The music he made in his too short life was very important to me.



We have some Featured Friday music to kick off the fourth month of 2016

Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle - Sharpest Marble Mix

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First off - ICYMI because I posted so late yesterday.  Here is the link to yesterday's shuffle and "Earie" Awards...

Today's "Earie" Award category is either called, "The Hall of Fame Part II" Award or the "E2TG Survivor Series" Award or something.  Over the 4 1/2 year history of E2TG, I have been fortunate to get to know and write about a ton of really awesome and talented artists.  As most people reading this know, making music and trying to be heard in 2015 is a challenging proposition. It is easy to get burned out or for more lucrative opportunities to take precedence.  This award is meant to recognize long time favorites of this blog who are still out there doing their thing and making vital and interesting music.

1.  Killing Kuddles - from Atlanta - Elwood "Killing" Kuddles first caught my attention a few years ago with his blending of punk and folk or folk and punk - which I hereby dub.. "Polk" (because "Funk" means something else).  In 2015, Kuddles released the Sinking Ship EP which pushed his signature sound forward.  I love his slightly twisted humor and the way his music makes me happy.  Very happily, I made a Black Friday purchase that included a Killing Kuddles t-shirt, stickers, patches, and buttons. 

2.  The Danbury Lie - originating from Connecticut, I think he's kind of a citizen of the world now.  The Danbury Lie holds the distinction of being the third most tagged band in E2TG history.  Like so many Connecticut artists, he is extremely prolific.  In 2015 alone, he released Scattered Moments of Connection, Choose Your Delusion, Shallow Cuts (kind of a Greatest Hits collection), and the DVD (with accompanying soundtrack) called Whispers to Oblivion.  And he is already at work on a new project schedule for early next year.  His music is unique and amazing. It is an interesting mix of experimental metal, out there folk, and something harder to define.  Whispers to Oblivion is a chronicle of his cross-country drive over the summer.  It is an amazing video which manages to give the viewer insight into The Danbury Lie's world.  I would recommend it even if I didn't make a voice-only cameo appearance.

3. Pony Boy - When I first came into contact with the music of Marchelle Bradanini - aka Pony Boy - she was in Los Angeles, and I was very impressed by both her songs and her incredible voice. Since then, she has partially relocated to East Nashville (she lives 1/2 time here and in L.A.), and she has begun to received some well deserved attention. Pony Boy released Blue Gold this year, and I have seen it mentioned on some best of lists already.  And now, she has an "Earie".

Our last featured Friday shuffle of 2015 is on deck....

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - White Light Had It Mix

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Exciting day yesterday as the #E2TG Facebook Page barreled over 400 Likes on our way to 500!  Welcome all the new "likers".  To get in on the party, click the clink above and give us a "Like".

Let's get  to today's shuffle....

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - Like Monkeys Do Mix

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Well, back to reality and back to our daily shuffle.  More recaps of AMA 2015 will be forthcoming. 

Suffice it to say, I had the time of my life - hearing tons of great music, seeing and meeting people, and sharing some once in a lifetime moments.

It is Monday and that means, I am back to work and we have a nifty shuffle to kick off the post-AMA hangover week...

Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle - The Whole Thing in the Middle Mix

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14 Years... I have read some really powerful things today about THAT day. What I remember is some sense of unity... if nothing else, for a moment or moments, many of us were united... if in nothing else, then in fear and confusion and uncertainty. In degrees and over time, that unity has mostly dissipated... into conspiracy theories and feelings about the events that followed about the need for security vs. the importance of freedom. I was at work, and getting my news in fits and starts on a slow internet connection and the radio. 

What I remember... I was taking part in an drama workshop put on by the Parks Department.  Of the course of the workshop, we learned acting techniques, but our main goal was to create an original production which would then perform.  If I recall correctly, the second class was on September 11, 2001. The class was held as scheduled, though I remember thinking it might be cancelled, and we spent much of that class talking about what had happened. It was a pretty diverse group of people and there were a variety of different feelings being expressed, and of course, the day ended up greatly shaping the production we created.  Our production included adaptions of Brecht's The Good Person of Szechwan and Beckett's Waiting for Godot - as well as some other elements - all subtly adapted to speak to the events of 9/11/2001.

I don't know what THE lesson of that day is supposed to be... maybe it's still too soon, or maybe there is not one lesson.  For me, today at least, I am going to try to remember how fragile life can be and make the most of every moment and treat people with as much kindness as I can.  I will probably fall short of that... I probably already have... but I am going to keep trying. 

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - Stain on my Notebook Mix

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It seems like the week has just begun, and yet here we are at mid-week.  Went out to The Bluebird Café last night for a great songwriters round. In an audience filled with people from Australia, Scotland, England, Poland, and other places, I got to see some of my favorite East Nashville songwriters perform some of their wonderful songs. Tim Easton hosted the night which featured Amy Speace, Darrin Bradbury, and Megan Palmer.

We have kind of short but sweet shuffle today... let's get to it.

A Very Ear to the Ground Christmas

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To tell the truth for a variety of reasons, my Holiday spirit has been lacking this year, but nothing gets me pumped up for the Yule Season more than hearing some brand new Christmas songs from some of my favorite artists.

Now, these songs may still come up in a Shuffle soon, but with the number of posts before Christmas dwindling fast, I thought I would dedicate a special post...  so jump past the break and listen to Christmas Ear to the Ground style.

Fine, Fine Music (Cavalcade into Spring)

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Just a cavalcade of Fine, Fine music (some old and some new) - (heroes, friends, madmen, geniuses, and the like) - to herald the beginning of spring!

 

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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Convoy Mix

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 Here we go... it's Thursday and it's 10-4 (good buddy).


So, yeah... here's the shuffle:


SONG # 1: Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings   (Father John Misty cover) as performed by previous month Featured Artist PonyBoy.

SONG # 2: Hopeless Romantic is a song by the New Hampshire band Signalfire from their album Don't Trust This Storm which after a long delay was released in June of this year.  Signalfire is comprised of three brothers named Hansen and a cousin named Nelson.  Got it?

This is only video related to the band that I could find.

And finally Song #3: Amores Perros (Summer of Love) by one of our current month Featured Artists, Bad Cop. The song comes from the band's 2010 album Harvest the Beast.

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Featured Friday Music Shuffle - Triplight Mix

So and yeah... it is Friday!  That means, it is time for Featured Friday. Over the past three weeks, we've highlighted tracks from each of our 10 Featured Artists.  So, we reloaded our playlist with 1 track from each band and shuffled them up.

But, before we get to the shuffle - an update/revision- you can vote for Band of the Month now - HERE!  I had previously stated that the voting would end around midnight on the 31st. However, I am going to revise that until midnight on the 30th.  I may be out of pocket on the 31st, and I have to manually shut down the poll.

Here are the results so far with just under 1 week to go:

1.  Loners Society
2.  Rooftop Runnders -49
3. The Imperial Rooster -58
4. Cupla  -66
5. Cosmonauts -68
6. Pony Boy -70
7-10. SIRS, Traverse the Skies, The Holograms -73

It's really still anyone's contest to win.  Remember, you can vote more than once and  be sure to check out all of the Featured Artists (here).

Today we had a couple of longer songs, so just two made it into the shuffle:

Our friend, Galen Wade and his newish band, The Holograms from their Crowbar set are up with a track called Tumble Weed.



Next up, we have the L.A. band Pony Boy with their song Saints and Liars.

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 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' Greatest Hits is $3.99 over at Amazon.

VOTE NOW: BAND OF THE MONTH - AUGUST 2012

Go here to find out more about these great bands - then vote, vote, vote and spread the news!

Featured Friday Music Shuffle - Insider Parades

Blah... Morning Music shuffle is back after a brief interlude due to a bit of the mid-summer blahs. 

And, it's time for our Featured Friday edition - week 2 for August, as we delve into some music from our Featured Artists of the Month.  We have a plethora of great music, so let's get to it.

First up, we have a pleasant little serial killer? folksy-ballad from Loners Society. It's called Jersey Devil, and I'm digging the sound of this one.  Just give a listen, but if you are someone who needs a frame of reference, Blitzen Trapper is the band that first came to my mind when I heard this song.  But, whatever, it's a nifty song...  Jersey Devil is the b-side to the Pinstripes 7" which you can grab right here:

 

Here's the video of the A-side, "Pinstripes"

 

Next up, we shift gears and come up with a searing, soaring rock instrumental from the band, Traverse the Skies.  Grey Knight has a larger than life feel to it, and it made a great accompaniment to a cloudy walk up the hill.  

 
 I hope you are buckled in, because our wild ride takes up down to New Mexico, and a song by our new friends The Imperial Rooster - DWI Marijuana Blues.   Would it be totally inappropriate for me to say that this song could be dedicated to Randy Travis?  If it is inappropriate, remember, I said it, not the Roosters!  Anyway, the song is a rollicking, amped up foot-stomper of a song, and like everything I've heard from The Imperial Rooster, it's a helluva good time.  It's another fine track from their Decent People album.

 

 

Next up we have the hit single from The Danbury Lie's self-titled album, Morbid Becoming. Robert from The Danbury lie is a long-time friend of EttG favorite Don Ryan.  Musically speaking, that set my expectations pretty high, and I have to say The Danbury Lie live up to those expectations.  Morbid Becoming, as the title implies, has a bit of a dark, backwoodsy feel to it. In an inexplicable way, it also brings to my mind the old band, The Balancing Act. If you are not familiar with The Balance Act - google them.  The Danbury Lie are not exactly like The Balancing Act, but sonically, vocally... something reminds me of them, and that is definitely not a bad thing.  

And finally, we close today's Featured Friday shuffle with a song from Pony Boy. We presented Saints and Liars by Pony Boy before, but this gorgeous example of West Coast bluesy, Rock is worth hearing again.  

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TODAY (8/10/2012) ONLY - AMAZON has the 40th Anniversary Edition of L.A. Woman by The Doors for $2.99.

Did You Know? Featured Artists for August Edition Vol. 2

Did you know....


The Danbury Lie:
...had their song Morbid Becoming featured on the CTIndie Summer Mix Tape D60.

Pony Boy:
...is neither a pony or a boy. Nor, do they, do my knowledge have any official affiliation with C. Thomas Howell. They do make some really awesome music.

Rooftop Runners:
...are brothers Tobias and Benedikt MacIssac.  Benedikt is a choreographer and Tobias is a dancer. They are based in Berlin, but come from Canada, and are currently (or at least recently) playing some shows up there.

Sirs:
...is the name of another band that (due to extreme near negligence on my part) almost ended up a Featured Artist without my even having heard them.  Gratefully, I caught my error in time. The featured Sirs are from Chicago and are working on some new music.

And now, a video-treat!

...

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Go-Go Dancer Mix

First:  In case you missed it over the weekend, ETTG BOTM for May, South of Ramona, dropped a new EP called Step Inside yesterday. Read my review here. Hit it up the Band's Website for more information.  Please notice the kind words about yours truly.  Remember, a good review cannot be bought, but I never turn down free beer!

Also, yesterday we unveiled our Featured Artists for August.  Check them out here. At least two of the Featured Artists are dropping some new music today.  Check out new music from Pony Boy and from The Holograms.  This is purely a coincidence... or is it... yes, it is... maybe... probably...

Now to the shuffle:

First up we have legendary singer-songwriter, J.D. Souther with House of Pride from his 2008 release, If the World Was You. 

Here's Souther performing a different song in one of my favorite places - San Juan Capistrano.

Next up we have Don't Say from the eponymous album by the British Indie band of the same name.  It's Scars on 45.

 

Next we have One Way Train which the title track from to the 2011 EP by WPB, FL singer-songwriter Alex Bennett.

 

Alex covering Bill Withers' Ain't No Sunshine

  

Finally, we offer you, Seattle-based singer-songwriter, Damien Jurado from his most recent release Maraqopa which is out on the Secretly Canadian label. The song is Life Away from the Garden.

  

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Featured Artists for August

The Page is up now - please say hello your

 Featured Artist for August

 (Lots more to follow throughout the month.)

COSMONAUTS

CUPLA

THE DANBURY LIE

THE HOLOGRAMS

THE IMPERIAL ROOSTER

LONERS SOCIETY

PONY BOY

ROOFTOP RUNNERS

SIRS
TRAVERSE THE SKIES

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Triumphant Return Mix

And I'm back... did you miss me?  I managed to time travel in some posts while I was out, but now I am truly back with a brand new music shuffle as we count down to the end of July.

Remember, polls are open for our July Band of the Month.  Voting has been light, and so any of our eleven nominees could win this thing.  Remember the poll is located on the side bar to the left and you may have to scroll over - sorry about that.  Please vote!

Today, we spin out on some cool tracks from some cool artists...

First up, we have a relatively new song by New Jersey rockers, The Gaslight Anthem. "45" is out now.

 

The new album, Handwritten came out while I was away.

Next up, we have a track from the latest (self-titled) EP from Buffalo, New York born/Nashville-based singer-songwriter, Marc Scibilia.  The song is called Bright Day Coming. Check it out.

  

And finally, we have a track from Pony Boy. Saints and Liars is a cool track from this L.A. based band.

 

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