And, just like that it is time for another Featured Friday Playlist. This is a short but sweet one. So, please check it out and follow if you are so inclinded.
It seems like to a good time to post my regular disclaimer.
I like the Playlist feature of Spotify, and I like having access to so much great music - as I have downsized in my life things like that are handy.
But, and it's a big but, Spotify is abysmal when it comes to fairly compensating artists. So, yes, please check out the Playlist, AND if you hear an artist/album/song you like - go purchase it or go support the artist in some other way - buy, merch, contribute to a fundraiser for an album, see a show (and tip).
Just when I think things cannot possibly get any worse, the "President" (I use quotes because I feel the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue has lost the moral authority to lead this nation) opens his mouth again. A few observations about yesterday's press conference/national embarrassment, the sitting US President used stronger words to denounce the press than he did to denounce fascists, racists, and white supremacists. He placed that same group of hatemongers on the same level as those who actively (and, yes, sometimes violently) oppose them. He did not name the victim of the fascists/racists/white supremacists but he could take the time to plug his business interest in Charlottesville.
At this point, it seems safe to say that those who still support this man will not be swayed from that support by anything. Yesterday, was metaphorically speaking - shooting someone on 5th Avenue - and while I hope he did lose some votes, it is clear that there are many who still support him.
Also, while I applaud the Republicans on the right who have denounced the President, that applaud is muted until I see action to backup that denouncement.
It seems pretty clear to me that we have a fascist executive branch that is working towards totalitarianism.
I will repeat that - yes I hold primarily leftist views - but I do respect the opinions of those on the right. I believe this nation is best when all sides work together. But when it comes to the people who want to wipe out whole groups of people and who use the symbols of hate and genocide proudly, there is not room for compromise and there are only two sides and there is not moral ambiguity as to which side is evil.
I cannot wait for the day when I do not have to write about things like this in this forum, but that day is not today.
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We have reached mid-week and Wednesday is when we let things get "Wild" at E2TG. I shuffle up all the songs currently on my phone and see what happens. I think the term"wild" fits today's shuffle pretty well.....
If you've been reading Ear to the Ground for any length of time and ever wondered about the subtitles for each shuffle (like Passion Fruit and Holy Bread Mix* today), I thought I would provide a little historical context.
When I started writing Ear to the Ground (May 2011), there was a local blog that posted a news round up post almost every day, and each one was titles something like News Roundup (probably not that but you get the idea) - something edition. I thought it would be cool as a homage to that site** to add subtitles to my daily shuffle. I actually used the word "edition" before I changed it to the more music oriented "mix".
These often obscure or even meaningless subtitles are derived from a variety of sources: Current Events, events from my life, overheard phrases, and sometimes they even have something to do with the music contained in that days shuffle.
* As I wrote this, I realized the unintentional humor of Holy Bread Mix (which I suppose could be used in a Holy Bread Machine.
** Homage is just a fancy way of saying blatant ripoff, right?
Anyway, I have had fun this week using part of lyrics of some of the more well known songs in each day's shuffle as the source of the subtitle.
Anyway, no extra charge for all that useful information. Let's shuffle....
Have you downloaded our awesome Compilation yet? Well, why not?
Several bands we've featured on Ear to the Ground have projects worth mentioning:
Those Mockingbirds have a new single that dropped today. Go get it!
The Jinxes have a Kickstarter project to raise funds for a new professionally recorded EP. Can't wait to hear the awesome Migration in it's fully realized form.
Gabriel (Redding) also has a Kickstarter Project to raise funds for a brand new music video.
Finally (for now), if you are in New York City on Saturday the 28th of April, head down to RIFF NYC to see the Bowery Bangs (featuring tons of great musician including David of The Dead Exs and Gerry of Lost Romance) recreating the Rolling Stone's classic album, Some Girls.
If I missed anything (which I know I did) drop me a line.
To the list:
First up, we have a cool song from a recent discovery - Tipi Valley - a British singer/songwriter. It's called Looking forward to the light from The Sweet Life EP.
Next up, is a classic track from alt-country/Paisley Underground band, The Long Ryders, who may reform for some dates this summer??? It's I Want You Bad from the 1987 album, Two Fisted Tales.
Next is a brief bit of sonic loveliness from ELIKA's new album Always The Light. It's called, Never Touch the Sky
And finally, we have a live version of Doolittle era Pixies' song, Monkey Gone to Heaven. This version was recorded live at Coachella in 2004. You can get an EP of 4 Coachella 2004 Pixies performances here.
