You know what I hope for from the next President. Sure, to begin to undo some of the damage that has been done and to move us back in the right direction, but more than all that, I want a President who won't be saying and doing stupid and dangerous things EVERY SINGLE DAY. I want a President that at least pretends to speak to all Americans. A President who rebuilds our ties with our allies and not with corrupt dictatorships. I want a steady hand. I expect that there will be times I will not agree with the next President and will need to speak up, but I want to go back to a time when upheaval and turmoil were not daily reality.
I got to spend some time outdoorts hanging out with some good friends (at a distance), the first time I had just hung out like that in a good while. The weather was perfect and it was wonderful. I see that I need to start coming out of my comfort zone (safely).
I am still concerned about the return of live music as I knew it - when it will happen, how it will happen, and if I will feel safe enough to go. It still seems surreal that so much was stripped away in such a short period of time.
BUT, COVID-19 is not over, we haven't beat it. In some places, we are seeing a spike in cases, and in my observation many people are acting like it is over. Wear a mask, stay in when you can, avoid crowds.
We have four more songs to feature from this week's playlist!
Featured Friday Recap Part II (Songs 5-8)
5. "Our Future is California" by Cursive is Code
I am fortunate to get to feature a lot of music here on E2TG - and to get to hear music that I might not otherwise get to hear. And every once in a while, I come across music that just connects to me in a way that it hard to explain and even harder to write about. I remember the first time I heard Grimm Generation. It was music that sounded like what music I might make might sound like - if I made music. I got to know Jason P. Krug through writing about that band. Then, when Grimm Generation imploded, Krug released an amazing solo album, and I knew I had to name him E2TG Artist of the Year. He was the one that inspired me to create Artist of the Year Nashville and Non-Nashville. Things have been quiet music-wise since that 2016 album The Zen of Losing, and that is why I am so excited that Krug has a new band - along with his significant other Julie Kay and some other Connecticut musicians - and some new music. We featured an earlier single a few weeks back. This latest single really connected with me, and it reminded of why I fell in love with Krug's music in the first place.
6. "Darklands" by Tayls, Heaven Honey
Tayls has been on my radar for awhile, but I feel like I just recently really started to connect. They have been releasing some single collaborations with other Nashville bands, including this one with Heaven Honey. I didn't know much about that band before hearing this track, but I want to know more now. I am very excited about the variety of music being made in Nashville these days. While I am tempted to say that this doesn't sound like Nashville music, the fact is - more and more (at least in my orbit)- music that doesn't sound like Nashville is becoming the norm. Which is not to suggest that there is anything overly familiar about this music - on the contrary - I would say that it is the uniqueness of Tayls' music - and I'm guessing Heaven Honey as well - that makes it distinctively Nashville (circa 2020).
7. "Magic Moon" by Eric Bolander
The last few years have definitely marked a renaissance of sorts in Kentucky music. Sturgill lead things off for sure. The exciting thing is that in his wake has come a line of unique and talented musicians carving their own path. This is the brand new single from Eric Bolander from Lexington, Kentucky. It is the first single from his forthcoming third album (due in August). I love this song, and I can't want to hear more from him, and I want to go back and check out his first two albums.
8. "Perpetual Twilight" by Crooked Heart
We close today's recap with the title track from the new album by Grand Rapids, Michigan based post hardcore/alternative band Crooked Heart. This is a sprawling, noisy soundscape. A great addition to the playlist.
The tornado that ripped through North and East Nashville and across Middle Tennessee in the early hours of Tuesday morning did considerable damage and left over 20 people dead across the state.
The East Nashville music community with which I have aligned myself (and been accepted into) over the last five or so years was hit hard. In addition to the well-publicized major damage at the Basement East (I am so thankful all of the employees made it through okay), musicians and members of the extended community suffered damage to their homes, cars, and places of employment - all of which puts their often perilous financial situations into more dire straights (I will accept responsibility for that "Sultans of Swing" earworm.)
Already, the resilience and spirit of community have been heartening (but not unexpected). If I could only say one thing about this community, it would be about how they come together in times of loss and through difficult times. I trust that we all will come through this stronger than ever with a heightened sense of community.
All that, however, is not meant to minimize the difficult days, weeks, and months ahead. I encourage anyone reading this who has been affected in any way, to reach out for help. In situations like this, people can be affected in many different ways and it can affect all parts of the community - perhaps none more than our most vulnerable citizens. We (which I use in the community sense) are fortunate enough to have some great community partners who do great work every day, and who have already stepped up.
To anyone who feels called to help out, seek out legitimate organizations to support. I have compiled a brief list of ways to help. The list is growing constantly, but I hope this provides a good place to start.
E2TG has always and still believes in the healing power of music. So, we will proceed with our regularly scheduled programming.
Sorry this list isn't more diverse... (just kidding)... enjoy, I sure did.
"Black Flag Blues" by Adam Carroll (from Live at Flipnotics)
One of my favorite Adam Carroll songs - ask Scott Nolan about the Pecan Logs from Stuckey's.
"Empty Your Head" by Smokey the Firebear (Teshio Democracy EP)
Before he was in Them Airs - Cade Williams put out experimental music under the moniker Smokey the Firebear. This is from one of his many releases no longer on-line. The Video Playlist has a different track substituted.
"Glass Window View" by Triggers and Slips (from The Stranger)
Looking forward to seeing Triggers and Slips in April at the Magnolia Roads American Roots Hoedown V (Just announced: the show will now be a benefit for Tornado relief - details to come). The Stranger was among my favorite albums of 2019.
"Raglan Road" by Ricko Donovan (from Full On)
On-time Nashville resident - who I met on our shared birthday four years ago. He is singer-songwriter and hammer dulcimer player.
"I-i Thina Lapha Esishupekayo" by George Sibanda (from Guitar Music of Africa/Recordings 1950-1955)
Some seminal 1950s African guitar music. Sibanda was from Rhodesia - which is now called Zimbabwe.
"Weekend Brawl" by Jerry Castle (from Not So Soft Landing...)
Nashville based singer-songwriter with a track from his 2016 album.
"Walking Shoes" by Duke Dickson (from Gonna Make it Alone)
"Miss Globule" by Pas Musique (from The Phoenix)
"Pulling Me Down" by Brandi and the Alexanders (from How Do You Like It?)
"I Can See For Years" by Good Field (from Surface Tension)
"Dusk" by Moonshine Booze (from Desert Road)
VIDEO PLAYLIST
Recent and Upcoming Releases:
Recent: 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)
1/17 - Simen Lyngroth - "Morning Light" (single)
1/17 - 100 Mile House - "Worth the Wait" (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)
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 - 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)
2/07 - Jon Magnusson - Always a Rebel (Live in Studio Silverräven) (single)
2/07 - Thomas Passon - "Über" (single)
2/07 - BisonBison - "Hover" (single)
2/07 - BisonBison - Hover (LP)
2/13 - Little Triggers - "Bang" (single)
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)
2/14 - Harry Stafford - "She Just Blew Me Away" (single)
2/14 - Kid Be Kid - "Blood" (single)
2/14 - Chris Maxwell - New Store No. 2 (LP)
2/18 - David J - "I Only Hear Silence Now" (single)
2/19 - Paisley Fields - "Ride Me Cowboy" (single)
2/19 - Tom Cridland - "The Laws of Success" (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)
2/21 - Easy - "Crystal Waves" (single)
2/21 - Blue Lucas - "Train Station" (single)
2/21 - Stumbleine - "Supermodels" (single)
2/21 - Jesse Blake Rundle - "The Death of a Soldier" (single) 2/21 - Whitney Shay - Stand Up! (LP)
2/21 - 100 Mile House - "Test the Timber" (single)
2/22 - Charlotte Eagle Sings - Embracing the Old Ways (LP)
2/24 - Jon Magnusson - "Set Me on Fire (Live Silverraven Sessions) (single)
2/28 - Kristen Englenz - Ingenue (LP) 2/28 - Brett Ryan Stewart - "All or None" (single)2/28 - Close Lobsters - Post Neo Anti... (LP) 2/28 - The Heliocentrics - Infinity of Now (LP)
2/28 - Scenius - "Glass Rain" (single)
2/28 - Jeffrey James - East London (EP)
2/28 - Charmless i - "Long Time Coming" (single)
2/28 - Gallary 47 - "I Wish I Was" (single)
2/28 - Xirita - "Don't Go" (single)
2/28 - Son of David - "Carry On" (single)
2/28 - Harry Stafford - "Painted Ocean" (single) 2/28 - Strange Majik - "World On Fire" (single)
2/28 - MUUK - Balbuceo (LP)
2/29 - Jimmy Who and the Night Creatures - Tinker's Blues (EP)
This Week
3/04 - Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion - Chameleon (LP)
3/04 - Iron Mike Norton - "Help Me Make It Through the Night" (single) 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)
3/06 - The Mystery Plan - Ballad of JC Quinn (LP)
3/06 - Brian Wright and the Sneakups - "Patrick's Crossing" (single)
3/06 - Jonny Polonsky - Kingdom of Sleep (LP)
3/06 - Tiny Fighter - "Perfect Game" (single)
3/06 - African Head Charge - Drumming is a Language (LP)
3/06 - African Head Charge - Songs of Praise - reissue (LP)
3/06 - African Head Charge - Churchical Chant Of The Iyabinghi (LP)
Upcoming
3/09 - Marco Bonvicini - "Colors" (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)
3/13 - Sha Davis - Songs I Wrote When You Left (EP)
3/13 - The Losing Touch - "Through the Night" (single)
3/13 - Gerry Gareau - Feet Off The Brakes (EP)
3/13 - Ayla Brook and the Sound Men - Desolation Sounds (LP)
3/13 - The Academy of Sun - "The Parts That Need Replacing" (single)
3/18 - Marco Bonvicini - Colors (EP) 3/20 - Matt Wilson and His Orchestra - When I Was a Writer (LP) 3/20 - Chris Moyse - Bitter Ballads and Cynical Prayers (LP)
3/20 - Samuel Boller - Kingdom of the Sun (LP) 3/20 - The Blam Blams - "Isabella" (single) 3/20 - Jon Hassell - Vernal Equinox (reissue) (LP)
3/27 - Mayflower Madame - "Swallow" (single) 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)
3/27 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "Money" (single)
3/27 - Ben Reel - The Nashville Calling (LP)
3/27 - 100 Mile House - Love and Leave You (LP)4/03 - Surrija - Surrija (LP) 3/27 - Watermelon Slim - Traveling Man (Double Live LP)
3/27 - Lilly Hiatt - Walking Proof (LP)
3/?? - Harry Stafford - Gothic Urban Blues (LP) 4/01? - Ten Penny Gypsy - Fugitive Heart (LP)
4/03 - Chip and the Charge Ups - Lightning in Our Veins (LP)
4/03 - Stumbleine - Sink Into the Ether (LP)
4/09 - Ellison - "Sing" (single)
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)
4/10 - The Dream Syndicate - The Universal Inside (LP)
4/13 - Pilotcan - No More Shan Goodbye (LP) 4/17 - Paul Burch and WPA Ballclub - Light Sensitive (LP)
4/16 - Destijl - Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (LP)
4/17 - Aimee Stevens - "Hell is a Teenaged Girl" (single)
4/24 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "I'm Gonna Break Your Heart" (single) 4/24 - Ben Bostick - Among the Faceless Crowd (LP)
4/24 - Kyle Lalone - Somewhere In Between (EP)
5/08 - Brian Wright and the Sneak-Ups - Lapse of Luxury
5/31 - Debra Power - That's How I Roll (LP)
6/05 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "None of Your Business" (single)
6/12 - Sammy Brue - Crash Test Kid (LP)
7/03 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - None of Your Business (EP)
I had the chance to catch Martin Scorsese's new film Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story last night at the Belcourt - Nashville being one of 10 or 11 cities hosting this one-night only big screen showing. The film debuts on Netflix today. I highly recommend it even if you are casual Bob Dylan fan. It is a remarkable bit of film making and some magical moments captured from the Rolling Thunder Revue tour. I won't say any more, and I recommend against reading too much about the film before you see it.
I will say that members of the theater audience applauded several times following live performances and also laughed out loud on more than one occasion.
Today, I have an opportunity to cover a show at City Winery and to write a review. It has been a minute since I have done a formal live review - so look for that soon.
On to another "Wild Wednesday" shuffle. I think this one lives up to the name...
A fun night at The 5 Spot for the opening night of Brian Wright and Friends April Residency. A killer band, great songs, and guest Shannon McNally.
Plus, I stuck around for most of $2 Tuesday with great hangs and more great music.
I'm dragging a bit today!
#E2TG Favorite among Favorites Darrin Bradbury just released a new single - his first release since signing to ANTI- Records. It's for his song, "Newark" which is one of my favorite of his newest batch of songs.
Now, it's time for our regularly schedule "Wild Wednesday" shuffle. I love Wednesdays because it is a bit like digging through old boxes - you never know what you will find.
The truth about writing a daily blog for six plus years is that you have to do it sometimes when you just don't feel like it. I have only had one significant time of not posting regularly during the entire six years of the existence of E2TG, and that was due to some significant life circumstances which forced me to take a break - and even then I tried to make some periodic posts to keep things going. The internet is littered with blogs of all kinds that just stopped at some point. No final post - just stopped. Chances are the blogger thought they would post again soon and it just never happened. I get it. I had a blog before E2TG (not a music blog - actually I'm not sure what it was) I wrote in it periodically and then at some point, I just stopped and after a time I realized it was dead.
I don't know why I am writing all this except that the past couple of weeks have been pretty stressful on several different fronts and levels, and I haven't always felt like blogging, but I have kept on. I figure, I force myself to get up and go to work, I listen to music (pretty much a given) so why not write about it. Also, I know if I give into the temporary apathy or whatever you want to call it, then I will likely start making that a habit and then one day, I will realize that E2TG is dead.
I assume that at some point I will stop writing E2TG, but I hope when I do that it is intentional and that I will go out in a blaze of glory. Anyway, that day is not today.
Meanwhile don't even get me started on the latest from the Twit in Chief.
It is Wednesday. A day when we open up the barn doors and let all our horses run free... or to put it another way, we shuffle up the entire Song list in my phone and see what happens. We call it Wild Wednesday - because things sometimes get wild and because it is like a "wild card" - it may be anything.
Here we go... I'm gonna let my Topical Thursday Shuffle do the talking for me today.
Last night, I made it out to The Basement for an early show featuring three incredible songwriters. Jeremy Ivey opened the night. Although I had seen him before (at a couple of different shows at Dee's - I think. On the prior occasions, I had not been able to really concentrate on his songs. Last night was more of a "listening room" environment, and I have to say, I was blown away. Really strong songs that were moving - at times gently humorous. Count me as a new fan.
Up next was David Dondero. NPR called him one of our greatest living songwriters, and it was easy to see why. I was introduced to his music a couple of years ago by Darrin Bradbury - who considers Dondero one of his biggest influences. It was clear that his songs were next level good. Again there was humor. To me it was like really good poetry accompanied by a guitar.
The aforementioned Darrin Bradbury closed this early show. As long time readers may recall, there was a time a couple of years ago when I was seeing Darrin play at least two or three times every week. Of late, Darrin has been killing it on road - with some high profile opening gigs for Ray Wylie Hubbard, Elizabeth Cook, Wanda Jackson, and Drivin' N' Cryin' to name a few. So, it had been a while since I have had the chance to see Darrin play. He took advantage of this intimate setting to try out some new and newish songs - along with favorites like Elmwood Park and Myrtle Beach. The new songs sounded great, and I was reminded again why I consider Darrin Bradbury one of the best pure songwriters working today.
In other news, the details of the last two weeks of the E2TG Residency are coming together nicely, and I plan to finalize those announcements over the long holiday weekend (I am off work tomorrow).
Okay, as I mentioned, it is Topical Thursday. As I say every week, the songs (more or less) fit my undisclosed "topic" but their connection to the topic is mainly all in my head. Any viewpoint you may infer from this list is mine alone and may not reflect the viewpoint of the artists or their respective songs.
A really long song and a kind of long song mean we only have six songs in today's shuffle.
Been very busy this week on several different fronts, and as I was feeling a little bit stressed out yesterday, it was good reminder to reflect on gratitude.
Found out yesterday that NO ICE, and The Regrets - who are both associated with the Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen collective out of New York - are playing here in Nashville tonight - at Betty's Grill in West Nashville. Looks to be a pretty rocking show. As always there is a ton of live music going on in Nashville, but NO ICE's membership included Sam Braverman of Logan X - who I have been writing about for nearly 4 years, so I feel I must take advantage of this opportunity to meet him and hear this music in person. This will be the second Mama Coco's related band for me to see live in Nashville. I saw Toot Suite a while back at The East Room.
It's Thursday again, and we return to our Topical Thursday shuffle. The songs (or at least the titles or possible interpretations of the titles) fit a predetermined, vaguely defined, and unrevealed topic. As always, do not infer and I am not implying that the writers and performers below - have any association, affiliation, or that they support any particular viewpoint. The shuffle is about me making a statement - as vague and murky as that may be. Let's go!
Today on my mind is balance. It's something I very strongly believe in, and something I am shitty at practicing. Work/play, political engagement/creating and cultivating beauty, pride/shame, spending/saving... I tend to live in extremes, and based upon my observations, I do not think I am necessarily unique in that regard. To those on the front line of the resistance, my wish and hope for you is to find balance. To those consumed with fear and vitriol, my wish for you is to experience the beauty and wonder that is around us and to find love and compassion within that wonder and beauty. To myself, my wish is to figure all of this out - even if it is just for a moment.
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Whenever I allow myself to think about these things, I wonder if my diverse taste in music is off-putting to some people. I know, in the end, it really doesn't matter, but I do think about it. Fact is, as much as I love certain styles/genres of music, the thought of limiting myself to a single style/genre is wholly unimaginable.
Wild Wednesday shuffles often showcase the diversity of my musical interests, and today is actually a pretty decent example of that. The good thing about this format is that it is relatively easy to move past what doesn't interest you. My challenge, though, is to step outside of your comfort zone - even if just for a second and give something radically different a try. This is something I have been trying to do myself - because in spite of my diverse taste in music, I am aware that I have blind spots and long-held biases around certain artists and genres. But, if I give something a legitimate shot - at worst the nature of my bias will be confirmed, and at best, I may expand my tastes into a whole new arena.
Today what is on my mind is intellectual curiosity. I have heard this term used quite a bit recently, and often in the context of the current President lacking this quality. So, I wondered what does this mean...
"The intellectually curious person has a deep and persistent desire to know. She asks and seeks answers to the “why” questions. And she doesn’t stop asking at a surface level, but instead asks probing questions in order to peel back layers of explanation to get at the foundational ideas concerning a particular issue." from Psychology Today April 2014
So, I think this means (in simplistic terms): I observe something or get some information, and I first ask is this information/observation true. And if it turns out to be true or accurate, then I begin asking "why"and I keep asking "why" until I get to the core issue/ truth.
So, how does this relate to our current administration. "Immigrants and refugees commit a disproportionate number of crimes" - maybe this was said by someone or maybe I noticed when I read a news article about a crime - it often seems like the perpetrator is a non-citizen. Okay - what next. An intellectually curious person would first try to get data and facts to support this statement or observation and then (IF) proven would begin asking "Why" questions and continue until reaching a core issue that can be addressed in a meaningful way.
As for someone lacking intellectual curiosity... well, I think we can all see what would happen next...
Tonight - Brian Langlinais wraps up his month-long residency at The 5 Spot. It will be a party and believe me Cajun's know how to party. E2TG faves Adrian + Meredith open plus Fifth and Main (from Detroit) will perform followed by Langlinais and Earl 6. Not to mention a promise of Cajun food!
Let's jump right into the Wild Wednesday shuffle- true to its name - we cover a lot of musical ground today...
Had a fun night last night. Recorded Saturday's Double Shot show, made it to The Family Wash in time to catch most of Amelia White and Sergio Webb being awesome. Then headed to The 5 Spot for the first $2 Tuesday of the new year. Derek Hoke actually opened for a change and was accompanied by Paul Niehaus - wonderful. Adrian + Meredith always terrific. Vandoliers from Texas - really enjoyed, Erica Blinn - great set, and The Mulligan Brothers (Mobile, AL) closed things out in fne style. Great people and good times. One of my favorite hangs.
We have a Wild Wednesday shuffle which entails shuffling up every single song in my phone memory and seeing what comes up...
Look, there are a lot of music blogs and music sites. There is even another one called Ear to the Ground (but we don't talk about that around here). One thing I learned from all those business classes I look, is that you have to find your niche. Here at E2TG, the niche I have carved out is playing mixes of songs that no one else is or would play. Sometimes that means mixing up genres and styles and eras of music that generally do not get along to well. My philosophy is that music all springs from the same source and that it (and we) are all connected - however remotely.
To put it another way, here is a pretty wild ass mix of songs that you will not see in the post on any other site (guaranteed or your money back)...
Had a blast last night at The Family Wash for Cole Slivka's Short Sets. Tim McNary was awesome with Sean Quinn backing him. Really dug, Cole Slivka who had the ever talented Dave Coleman on guitar (bonus - news of a new album from The Coalmen), and Brooklyn band Leland Sundries did not disappoint.
It is just a fact that on any given night - pretty much every given night, there is a ton of great live music going on all over Nashville. It is a great problem to have, but it can be problematic. The Nashville Dilemma - I call it. For listeners/fans/supporters, it means making difficult decisions about which worthwhile/awesome shows to miss (both because a conflicting show or because sometimes you just need to stay in). For artists, it means that you are indirectly competing for an audience with your friends - even if you don't see music as a competition.
All that to say, there is a shit-ton of awesome music going on in Nashville tonight. Get out and see something! (by the way, shit-ton is a technical music-blogger term).
Speaking of a shit-ton... we have 12 (tracks) in the shuffle today (and I do not use the term song for good reason)... It is Wild Wednesday - let's get WILD!
And I am back... I think I caught a bit of summer cold that kind of knocked me out yesterday, but I am feeling mostly better today.
Let's see: Friday night, I took in another fun Tim Carroll Rock 'n' Roll Happy Hour at The 5 Spot.
Saturday: The day began with a live broadcast of Double Shot with Joe and Sue (and our topic was "Our Favorite Years" - namely 1968 for Sue and 1985 for Joe), then I headed to Two Old Hippies where I saw Adeem the Artist perform a really entertaining set of mostly original music (plus a nice mash-up of Margaritaville and Feliz Navidad. Later, I finally got to the brand new Radio Cafe which has not yet officially opened. The weather was hot Saturday but Mark Robinson and his band were even hotter. A really cool singer-songwriter named Greg Rich (who learned guitar from Mark Robinson back in Indiana) opened the night. As someone remarked, you could have put together a hell of a band just from the people in attendance. I ended my Saturday at an awesome after-NAMM party hosted by Richie Owens and his family.
This week is filled with "Nashville Dilemma" moments which makes this summer cold particularly annoying. Tonight at the Family Wash, it is Pint and Pie night and Short Sets with Tim McNary and Brooklyn band Leland Sundries on the bill.
There are obviously many great music venues in Nashville, but consistently, my absolute favorite hang in The 5 Spot. Last night is a pretty good example of why I feel that way.
It was Week #4 of the June Don Gallardo residency at The 5 Spot. Jon Byrd played with his full band and it was amazing as expected. Don Gallardo brought his full-band and I swear he seems to get better every time I see him (degrees of awesome - I would say).
The late show at The 5 Spot kicked off with new Nashville resident Sammy Brue (if you have not heard his songs - do so right away), followed by Joshua Black Wilkins - consistently one of my favorite singer-songwriters, Ron Gallo (who I will come back to), and the last act I saw before exhaustion got the better of me, John and Rob from Deer Tick (and Diamond Rugs). A pretty extraordinary night.
So, I had not heard of Ron Gallo which is band and the bandleader. They are recent (I think) transplants from Philadelphia. I (along with the rest of crowd at The 5 Spot) was blown away. The band is a trio (amazing how many of my favorite bands throughout the years are trios). If you are among the people who think that Rock 'n' Roll is dead, I urge you to check out this band and have your faith restored. I do not count myself among that particular crowd, but the energetic, loud raucous performance sure did affirm my faith.
Quick note: There is a ton of things going on this weekend. I feel like if I begin to name some, I will leave out something unintentionally, however, there are a few things I want to highlight. Of course, Tim Carroll returns to his weekly home at the aforementioned 5 Spot for his Rock 'n' Roll Happy Hour, Charleyville is a non-profit agency that provides free or discounted music lessons, instruments etc. There is a three day benefit at the American Legion Post 82 in East Nashville that began last night and continues through Saturday. Details/Event Page HERE. Adeem the Artist is playing tomorrow afternoon at Two Old Hippies in the Gulch (right after Double Shot with Joe and Sue). A couple of years ago, I saw a singer-songwriter named Kyle Adem at a New Faces night at The Basement. I enjoyed his set. Adeem the Artist's lastest album is called Kyle Adem is Dead - which reflects the fact that sometimes there is much behind a change of name. I mentioned Daphne Willis at Nashville Pride. If you are making it out to the festival - make sure you check out her set and all of the great music. I previously mentioned Mark Robinson at the brand new Radio Cafe. And a ton more Saturday night. Get out and see some music.
For a lot of reasons, I do love the city that I have called home for the last quarter of a century. We have our problems to be sure - rapid growth without the appropriate infrastructure improvements for one and the schlock that passes for country music being churned out like fake margarine from glitzy offices on music row for another and disregarding the culture of the city in pursuit of supporting the "it" city status for yet another. But I digress...
I do love Nashville because in spite of all of that, there are people who care about music and art and words.
Last night, my evening began at a coffee shop on Fatherland Street in East Nashville called The Post East for the 85th edition of East Side Storytellin' - a series which matches a poet or prose writer with a songwriter. The poet last night was named Joshua Moore, and I absolutely loved his work and his delivery. Powerful words. Words have power. The songwriter was a guy that readers of E2TG should know. Jon Latham's profile is on the rise, and he demonstrated the reasons for that well in his short set of songs.
After that, I headed to The Basement East for a night of music with Jon Latham hot on my heels. In no time, he was doing a quick sound check - he backed up Voice alumnus Peyton Parker on her opening set of songs. A great opening for was would turn out to be an extraordinary night. Carl Anderson followed with (truly) witty stage banter and wonderful songs.
Next, Darrin Bradbury hit the stage backed by Tim Carroll on guitar, Cameron Carrus on bass, and Matty Alger on drums. What followed was nothing short of transcendent. There were people dancing! No... I mean really, there were people dancing at a Darrin Bradbury show! The band rocked - I mean really rocked. Darrin's (and Tim's) punk roots were in full view and they even did a cover of The Misfits' "Where Eagles Dare" at the end of Darrin's song, "Joey" which references the song. I have no idea how many times I have seen Darrin perform - in various combinations - but last night was one for the ages.
Adrian + Meredith (who you may recall closed the E2TG Anniversary show) had the unenviable task of closing the show and following Darrin and his band, and they rose to the occasion with a rollicking fun set.
A truly awesome night of music in Music City (East Nashville to be more specific).
Now - it is Wednesday and we call it Wild Wednesday because we shuffle up a playlist that features songs from all of the other playlists plus a few that do not really fit the other playlists at all.
Feeling very grateful and filled up with life right now. The feeling probably won't last, but I'm digging it.
After work yesterday, I had the incredible opportunity to spend some time with Reckless Johnny Wales and get a early listen to his forthcoming album. First of all, the album is fantastic and I can't wait until the world gets to hear it. Second of all, Reckless Johnny is a larger than life figure and also a very wonderful man. He has some amazing stories and a very unique perspective on the "New Nashville". I even got to give him a copy of The Foresters' CD.
Next, I headed to a run-through in preparation for my very first music video appearance which is scheduled to be shot on Sunday. Details to come.
Next, I headed to The Family Wash to catch some of Bill Lloyd's CD Release show. I was able to catch the end of the acoustic set and the beginning of the electric set. It was as awesome as you would expect a Bill Lloyd show to be. He is a power pop songwriter of the highest caliber.
Whew! This weekend is the aforementioned video shoot, and Sue and I will have our 15 Minutes of Fame as we preview Double Shot with Joe and Sue at WXNA. That will air at 2pm Sunday but really stay dialed in to WXNA all weekend (starting at 10:15a.m. Saturday) and then forever after that!
It is Friday, and we play "featured" music on Friday. Enjoy!
Boom! This week just hit me like a ton of bricks... This will have to be kind of quick... Tonight at The 5 Spot - 6pm. RB Morris and his incredible band from East and Middle Tennessee, E2TG favorites Tim Lee 3, and Lowell Levinger (aka Banana) from The Youngbloods! Don't miss it!
Wild Wednesday are just a total free-for-all. A mix of old, new, Nashville-based, not Nashville-based, weird experiments, painfully mainstream, and other awesome musical treats... here is today's version...
Hey - welcome to Tuesday. E2TG turns 5 this month, and I am going to reflect on this milestone throughout the month.
Other than the incredible people I have met as a result of writing this blog, my next favorite thing has been all of the music from all over the world that has come to my ears. Music, I might otherwise never have had the opportunity to hear. Not only that, but I am fortunate enough to get to write about and try to help spread the news about this great music.
Let's jump right into the Trending Tuesday shuffle which contains some music that fits that last description.
I am getting really excited about the E2TG 5 Year Anniversary Party! I was looking at the line-up and thinking, man, I would go to this show even if I was not hosting it. The link below will take you to the Facebook event. Go ahead and make a commitment (or at least a 'Maybe') so that you can in the know about updates. Although I have no specific reason to believe that we are going to reach capacity, if you are concerned, I recommend you arrive early and catch the RB Morris residency show immediately before out big to-do. Hell, I recommend the RB Morris show even if you are not concerned about a capacity crowd. But, I certainly hope you stick around.
Mark your calendars for MAY 18, 2016 - The Ear to the Ground 5th Anniversary Extravaganza 5 Acts, 5 Spot, 5 $. Greetings from Nashville! As I reported yesterday, I was out of the city at work conference all day, but I did shuffle and listen to the Wild Wednesday Playlist on the way there and back - actually 32 songs total. No way did I have time for a 32 song post, so I am posting the first 10 songs of the shuffle (about the length of a normal shuffle).
I had a blast hanging out for a little while at The 5 Spot for $2 Tuesday with Patrick Kinsley filling in for Derek Hoke. And I got to see Patrick and his band a Fistful of Dollars perform. It was great to have my decision to invite them to play the 5th Anniversary show confirmed. You do not want to miss them!
