E2TG 3/29/2021 - Music City Monday - Walking Wounded Mix (Better Now Remix)

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We are back after a much needed week off... 

A lot going on in the world, in our nation, and locally.  I think there are issues that are way too big for any person or administration or party to solve. I think there is a lot of evil in the world - evil in this case being defined as greed, selfishness, a lack of compassion, a lack of empathy.  I see it infecting and infesting many elements in our society and I think we can all fall victim to it from time to time, but I think it is especially insidious in certain situations. 

I also know that there are many kind, generous, compassionate and empathetic people in the world. I think ultimately, the solution has to come from those people coming together, putting aside petty differences and standing up for goodness.  

It will come when we embrace the things that unite us and try not to focus on the things that divide us. I have no idea how or if this is going to happen but I know that unless it does - the evil will continue to win. 

Please note, I use evil not in a religious or even supernatural sense - but rather as I defined it above. I also don't think anyone is all good or all evil - but I think the insidious nature of evil can be hard to resist. 

And, it cannot always been one side compromising and there will be points over which we cannot compromise - but if that is the case - let's move on to another point - while tabling the point where no agreement can be reached. I believe that while revolutionary change may be the most preferred and worth fighting for in some instances - incremental change is better than no change at all. 

Anyway, let's get on to the music for today... 

 

We pick up where we left off - a week ago Friday - a continue our recap of the Featured Friday Playlist with songs 12-17:

12. "El Camino" by Stephen Flatt

The album Cumberland Bones is due out April 16.  Today, we have the second single we have featured from Nashville singer-songwriter (and great nephew of Lester Flatt).  Really great tune. 

13. "Tumbling" by DL Rossi

Also due April 16 is Lonesome Kind by singer-songwriter DL Rossi. The album was recorded in Nashville where Rossi lived before returning to his native Michigan to help with an ailing family member.  

14. "Black Rose" by Shannon McNally; Buddy Miller

Next up, we have Shannon McNally and Buddy Miller doing a Waylon Jennings classic from McNally's forthcoming (May 28) album The Waylon Sessions. I feel like that last sentence says enough to highly recommend this listen. 

15. "America" by Sylvan Paul

Next up, we have the title track from the debut EP from NYC artist Sylvan Paul.  The song is unfortunately as timely as it was when it was written in 2018 - especially in the week of recent gun violence. 

16. "Crocodile" by Arrows to Fire

Next up, our second track to feature from this US/French collaboration (co-produced by Tim Palmer) and this is straight up one of the funnest songs we have featured in a while. 

17. "It's Ok Not to Be Ok" by The Rude Awakening

And we close with a timely message for these times from this UK synthpop act. Some cool music and good words to take us out of this segment of music.
 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 3/08/2021 - Music City Monday - Salvation Mix (Even the Radio Remix)

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 Rushing headlong into another week of music. The third episode of the new Ear to the Ground radio show will be on the air tomorrow morning at 6am and the the 44th show of my other radio show - Greetings from Nashville will be up Thursday at the same time. The latter show will be a special for Women's History Month and International Women's Day which is today. 

Meanwhile, below - we have our weekly Music City Monday Shuffle and we continue our recap of this week's Featured Friday Playlist - which you can stream below. (If you are on Spotify and so inclined - give us a "Follow"). 

We resume our recap of this week's Featured Friday Playlist with songs numbered 11-16:

11. "Mixed Signals" by Jack Silverman

Starting things off today is the first single from the forthcoming new album by East Nashville guitar guru Jack Silverman. I have been fortunate enough to see Silverman live a few times, and I can tell you even for a non-guitarist - he is impressive. I always love great instrumental music. 

12. "NO NAME" by Young Robot

I came across this Nashville band on Instagram, and I was curious. This is their latest single, and I was suitably impressed. Cool stuff. 

13. "Every Night I Burn Another Honky Tonk Down" by Dallas Moore

Next up, we have the lead single from The Rain - which is due out in April from this Outlaw singer-songwriter. It follows his 2019 release and was recorded during a time when he hoped to be playing over 300 shows for the tenth year in a row. This song is a celebration of live music which hits at a good time. 

14. "Pay Grade" by Carl Anderson

The last couple of songs we have featured from Charlottesville, VA native and East Nashville favorite Carl Anderson  have been covers. This is a track from"Taking Off & Landing - his new EP of original material. Great stuff. 

15. "Sail on, My Friend" by Todd Snider

We could not let new Todd Snider music pass without mention. This first taste from his new album is a tribute to those he (and we) have lost. It is lovely and touching in a way that only Todd Snider can do. The first time, I met Todd Snider - he insisted that we had met before - and I didn't argue. Sue and I used his cover of "Enjoy Yourself" as our Outro song for four years on Double Shot. Honestly, without him (and folks like Mac Hill, Mike Grimes, and other pioneers) the East Nashville community that took me in during my darkest days would likely not have existed. 

16. "Melt Lock- Count- down" by Kettleflower

And we close  with the lead single from the new EP from Kettleflower - which a project that features long time E2TG favorite Patrick Rickelton (aka Prattle, On Rick). 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 3/01/2021 - Music City Monday and More - Signals Mix (Big Sleep Remix)

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Time marches on (pun intended and sorry about that).  It is March which means we are rapidly approaching the one year anniversary of the Nashville tornado and the lockdowns. All of that seems so long ago now - like a lifetime ago. I am happy to see Nashville's COVID statistics improving and the vaccine rollout starting to pick-up steam. There still seems to be a lot of confusion, inequities, and inconsistencies.. but at least progress is being made. I worry about subsequent spikes as precautions are laxed, but I hope that concern ends up being unfounded. 

There is still much division and uncertainty and strife in the world, but I feel more hopeful now. I also have to acknowledge that I am exhausted. But, I know the need to remain active and diligent continues. I also know that the fact that it is a choice for me is a function of privilege. 

All that is on my mind on a kind of dreary first day of March. 

Our Featured Friday Playlist Recap continues on with songs 11-16:

11. "Annie" by Becca Mancari

The first single from the forthcoming EP (Juniata - March 19) by this Nashville based singer-songwriter. 

12. "Sin City" by The Barefoot Movement

A nifty cover of the Gram Parsons/Chris Hillman song by the Nashville band that is quickly becoming an E2TG favorite.

13. "Anchor" by John Keathley

Next up, we have the fantastic new single from this Nashville based singer-songwriter. The track was produced by our old friend Josh Waters of the Rock and Roll Basement.  

14. "Witchpunkrockstar - Heavy Mental Mix" by My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult

Abruptly, up next we have a track from the newly released compilation of previously unreleased remixes from the gothic rock legends. The Chicago band began in 1987. These remixes are by band member Buzz McCoy. 

15. "Hold You Tonight" by Stephen Flatt

Next up, we have the lead single from the forthcoming (April 16) debut album (Cumberland Bones) from Nashville based singer-songwriter and great-nephew of Lester Flatt. A really wonderful song. 

16. "Numb" by NT 

And we close with the debut single from this Bay area artist with diverse influences and fresh vision of quality modern pop music.  A great way to close out this segment of music. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 12/10/2020 - It's Okay to Not Be Okay - It Just Happens Mix (White China Remix)

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UPDATE:  This is the post I had prepared last Thursday when I received the devastating news of the sudden loss of one of the members of my immediate family. Obviously, I never completed this post. Over the weekend, as we have been dealing with the loss and saying goodbye, I have thought about it, and I have decided to post this - as is it stands now.  I am going to take the rest of this week off - except I will be posting a new Featured Friday Playlist on Friday which will cover two weeks worth of new and recent music.  Next week - believe it or not - is Christmas week. So far - the new releases for Christmas week are pretty slim - so I have been working on a E2TG Christmas Playlist which I will be unveiling.  I am off the next two Thursdays and Fridays after this week, so I will have to see how posting goes for those days.  

In the meantime - enjoy the final part of our Featured Friday Playlist recap from last week and check out the Shuffle below for some random music from 2014-2020 without any explanations. The video playlist covers either the songs or at least the artists listed. 

I will be back. Thanks for your patience. 

Whew! We have made it to the end of this week's Featured Friday Playlist - at 55 songs and almost three and half hours this was our longest Playlist yet - coming on the heals of one of our shortest...  Today - we wrap up our recap with songs 46-55:

46. "Faceman" by Death of a Legend

First up, we have the debut single by a new rock band out of Milano, Italy - formed by members of that city's hardcore scene.  An impressive debut. 

47. "Reach out your hand - Radio Edit" by Gus Force

Next up, a new single from Sweden about the state of the world and how even though we have to be physically apart - we still need one another.

48. "In Tune" by Meilir

Next - we have the title track from the debut album by this experimental singer-songwriter from Wales. We have featured a lot of interesting music from Wales lately. 

49. "Enough Fears" by Scenius

Scenius returns to the Playlist - with the title track from their debut album. Scenius is the band featuring UK producer Steve Whitfield and French singer Fab Nau. Great stuff.  

50. "Your Decision" by IN Peril

Next up, we have the second single by this hard rock band from Northampton. 

51. "Live As Myself" by Ludovico Technique

Next up, we have the latest single from New York based Industrial goth metal band Ludovico Technique. Great to have some industrial music in the playlist. 

52. "Alessa" by Rainfredrick, Monalisa Stephen

Next up, we have a new song from this rapper, singer/songwriter and entrepreneur who was born in Nigeria and who is currently based in Mexico.  This song features a Monalisa Stephen who is a singer based in Nigeria. This track is in Spanglish - a dialect that combines Spanish and English. 

53. "Flowers" by Dankrupt

Next up - an alternative Reggae song from this band - who I believe are based in Los Angeles. 

54. "Risk It All - Hillsdom Remix" by Belau

Next up, a brand new remix single from this Hungarian electronica band who have been featured on BBC and in Rolling Stone. 

55. "So Close" by Thrillsville 

We previously featured L.A. darkwave artist Thrillsville earlier this year with his pandemic inspired single "Lockdown". He is back with a new EP called Say Goodbye to the Light. A massive sound to close out this massive playlist.  

See you tomorrow with a brand new Playlist!

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 11/19/2020 - Crossing Lines - Club Hoppin' Mix (Fall With Me Remix)

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I think the thing about lines - thinking about lines in the sand or lines we say we will never cross or whatever is that once you cross that line - there are more lines and soon that original line is barely even discernable behind you and the importance of that line becomes lost.  

I have been thinking about this on several different levels, and there is something important I have to say about it.. but I think I will leave it at that for now.

Time to wrap up this week's Featured Friday Playlist recap and get ready for a new playlist hitting around midnight (or tomorrow morning if I fall asleep).  As always, I save some of the most interesting music of the week for this last segment (it's a trick to keep you all listening) Songs 26-29:

26. "Lord Won't Come" by Nero Kane 

We open up with segment with the lead single from the new album, Tales of Faith and Lunacy, by Italian dark psyche folk artist Nero Kane.  Cool stuff. 

27. "Brave the Storm" by Last Year's Man (feat. Anna Tivel)

Next up, we celebrate the release of the new album by Eugene, Oregon based singer-songwriter Last Year's Man (aka Tyler Fortier) by adding the title track to this week's Playlist. This track features the fabulous Ana Tivel. 

28. "Great Big White World" by Dead Girls Corp.

How about a Marilyn Manson cover? How about it?  Up next, we have the new single from L.A. based industrial band Dead Girls Corp - with their cover of this 1998 Manson song. A cool addition to this week's playlist. 

29. "Oxygen" by Pat Murry

We close out this week's playlist with the title track from the third album by Wisconsin-based hip-hop artist Pat Murry. This confessional track really resonated with me for reasons I can't fully explain. In event, I am glad to have this track round out this week's playlist. 

I hope I have fulfilled my mission to bring together as diverse and wonderful a playlist as I can - and to introduce you to some new music you might not otherwise hear.  As I mention, tomorrow, we will be back with a whole new list. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Crashing Down Mix

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Another week!  It's our first Music City Monday in a few weeks.

These are all music made by people with some connection to Nashville (live here now, lived here before) - the music itself may or may not have been made in Nashville.

Let's get right to it. 

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Nothing Wrong with Nashville Mix

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All of this happened a long time ago when the world was a very different place. Of course, none of us knew that at the time.
(From The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres) Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)

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

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


I appropriated a Todd Snider lyric for today's subtitle - even though I had a different Todd Snider song in the today's Music City Monday Shuffle.  Today's shuffle is a nice reminder of why Nashville is the best place to live for this music fan.   Time is short - so I'm going to get right to it!

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Tip of the Iceberg Mix

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All of this happened a long time ago when the world was a very different place. Of course, none of us knew that at the time.
(From The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres) Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)

I am continuing to work on my Spotify playlists for E2TG.  So far, I have completed three - January - May 2018.  These are meant to be a cross-section of music I featured during those months - not necessarily music released in those months.   If you are interested, you can check out the playlists (links below)  and follow my personal profile to find out when new playlists are created.

E2TG January 2018
E2TG February 2018
E2TG March 2018
E2TG April 2018 
E2TG May 2018 NEW


Time to dive headlong back into another work week... Although, I generally don't look forward to Mondays, I do look forward to Music City Monday here at E2TG when we features a shuffle from a playlist that covers a broad cross-section of the musical past and present of Nashville (as filtered through my sensibilities).

We have some cool stuff to feature today, so let's dive in....