E2TG 1/18/2022 - Return - Big Dreams Mix (Godhead Remix)

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We are back after a few days off. 

First off - today's Ear to the Ground radio show is up on the archive at wxnafm.org (LINK)

 

6:00am Sonny Boy by Owsley on Owsley (Giant)

6:01am Godhead by Gyasi on Godhead – Single (Alive Naturalsound)

6:05am Lavender by The Minks on Lavender – Single (The Minks)

6:10am Play That Rock ‘n’ Roll by The Semi-Supervillains on Play That Rock ‘n’ Roll – Single (Longhi Music)

6:15am Marriage by The Dangerous Method on Marriage (Eudaimonia Records)

6:18am Jungle Spice (feat. Cody Brooks, Bee Taylor, Rachel Stewart & Jason Threm) by Zeb Swerske on Jungle Spice (feat. Cody Brooks, Bee Taylor, Rachel Stewart & Jason Threm) – Single (3603544 Records DK)

6:22am Driving Your Car by The Chaw on Driving Your Car – Single (747252 Records DK)

6:28am Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World Is Today) [feat. Ed Kowalczyk] by Strange Majik on Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World Is Today) [feat. Ed Kowalczyk] – Single (Oro Music)

6:32am Your in the Show by The Electric Grandmother on Your in the Show – Single (The Electric Grandmother)

6:34am Dance Inn by Morgan Bosman on Dance Inn – Single (Morgan Bosman)

6:38am Orphan Child by Jeremy Ivey on Invisible Pictures (Anti- Records)

6:44am Everything Will Be by Eric Brace & Last Train Home on Everything Will Be (Red Beet Records)

6:48am Child of Mine by Michaela Anne on Child of Mine – Single (Yep Roc)

6:52am Lullaby by Georg Nielsen on Lullaby – Single (Georg Nielsen)

6:55am Falun Gong Dancer by Telefís & Jah Wobble on Falun Gong Dancer – Single (Dimple Discs)

 

I have now updated the Featured Friday Playlist - you can check it out below.  Today, I did a random shuffle of that playlist and you can find that below the jump...

 

 

   Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 6/7/2021 - Music City Monday - Shallow Graves Mix (Hard Times Fell Remix)

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Back to it after a very nice weekend. 

Featured Friday recap Part 2 (Songs 12-18):

12. "My Father Took Me Everywhere" by Chris Connelly & Monica Queen

First up, we have the first single from the ambitious and inspired new album from Chris Connelly (who has worked with Ministry, Revolting Cocks and more). The album - called My Birthday Poems is due out on June 15 and is a fictionalized account of the relationship between Scottish poet George Mackay Brown and his muse Stella Cartwright.

13. "Don't Look Down" by Doug Kistner

Next, we have a solo single from keyboardist Doug Kistner - known for his work with 

Trans-Siberian Orchestra, John Waite, and more. 

14. "Third Street" by Annie Keating

Brooklyn based singer-songwriter Annie Keating just released her new album Bristol County Tides on June 4. This is the lead track from the album. Great stuff. 

15. "Working Man's Dread" by The Contraptionists

Next up, we have the title track from the new album from L.A. based The Contraptionists, who bill themselves as a two-man, one-man band.

16. "Delicate Strong" by Scott Standley

Next up, we have a track from the debut solo album Victoria from this Austin native. The album combines Texas indie with neo-soul. The influences both traditional and modern come from an authentic place, and that shines through on this album. 

17. "Gone" by Desai (feat. Claire Donzelli)

Next up, we have a new single from this sixteen year old singer-songwriter and producer who is based in Washington D.C. Here he teams with fellow indie singer-songwriter Claire Donzelli who a native of Palo Alto, California. The song was written two years ago.

18. "Bewildered" by Ender Bender

And we close with a new single from Rome based, former L.A. resident 

Eddie Olguin who records as Ender Bender.  A great way to take us out of this segment of the playlist. 

         

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 2/8/2021 - Music City Monday - The Ghost Mix (Uncanny Moon Remix)

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Major announcement time!  Ear to the Ground Radio is coming to WXNA in Nashville on February 23!  That's right - after nearly 10 years - E2TG is officially going on the air!  Look for the same eclectic mix of genres and geography as you find in this space every single day!  Every Tuesday at 6am (Central Time) starting February 23.  The shows will be available on the archive.  It will be hosted by the inimitable DJubilee who will also continue to host Greetings from Nashville every Thursday at 6am.

Featured Friday Playlist - Songs 11-17

11. "One Job Lost" by Oli-J; Jon Worthy (single - 2021)

E2TG Favorite Jon Worth collaborating with songwriter/producer Oli-J.

12. "Keep That Promise" by Jason Ringenberg (single - 2021)

Single from the forthcoming new album Rhinestoned by the legendary Jason!

13 "Plague Year Blues" by Sci-Fi Romance (from From the Plague Year - 2021)

Long-time E2TG favorite with a track from his plague year album. 

14. "New Day - Single Mix" by Webb Wilder (single - 2021)

Single from the Last of the Full-Grown Men. 

15. "Twenty Nothing - Single Mix" by False Heads (single - 2021)

Single mix of a track from It's All There But You're Dreaming by the fast-rising UK band we first featured several years back. 

16. "Diamonds" by The Burnt Pines (from The Burnt Pines - 2021)

Located in Boston, Massachusetts and Lisbon, Portugal - this Trans-Atlantic folk-pop band recently released the self-titled debut, and this is the lead track. 

17. "Rebel Girl" by Mike Watt; The Black Gang (single - 2021)

Recorded for the Kill Rock Stars 30th Anniversary - Mike Watt and The Black Gang take on the Bikini Kill's "Rebel Girl"  - We are seventeen songs deep into this week's playlist - stay tuned for what comes next. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 11/2/2020 - Music City Monday and More - Normal Mix (Tasty Remix)

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Well, it is November. Tomorrow is election day 2020.  If you didn't early vote, please be sure to vote tomorrow. Here in Nashville some important points - unlike early voting - on Election Day you have to vote at your assigned polling place. Contact the Davidson County election commission or check their website to confirm that location. Make a plan. If possible ask a friend to go with you - better yet go as a group. Bring and wear you mask and bring a valid photo ID. You do not need the card issued by the election commission. If you happen to be in line when the polls close - stay in line. 

I know I am not alone in feeling especially anxious about this election. I am still mapping out my plan for election night and what may be a long several days. Take care of yourself. Pace yourself. Don't feel guilty about checking out for a while to listen to music or watch movies etc. as a distraction. No matter the outcome of the elections, it is important for people who care about other people to stick together. There is a long road ahead and it is dark, uncertain, and likely treacherous. But, it is passable and we will get through somehow. 

In meantime, I offer up some mostly Music City music for your Election Eve enjoyment. 

We pick up where we left off on Friday, with songs 10-14:

10. "The Mystery Of" by mssv

We start off this segment of music with the lead track from the album Main Steam Stop Valve with this band featuring Mike Baggetta, Stephen Hodges, and Mike Watt. This relatively new band formed in 2019 and were supposed to play Big Ears this Spring.  Great stuff. 

11. "Closer Now" by Carl Anderson

Next up, a new single from our old friend Carl Anderson.  Always great to hear new music from Carl, and this is a wonderful song. 

12. "John Carpenter" by Palm Ghosts

Nashville's Palm Ghosts are back with a new single - this one pays tribute to a film director who was a major part of my youth and young adult years. 

13. "Til It's Over" by Morgan Bosman

Next, the latest from Nashville's Morgan Bosman - another collaboration with our old friend Hayden Coleman. 

14. "Ashes" by Will Payne Harrison

And this segment closes out with another track from Will Payne Harrison off of his The Stratford Sessions EP. 

Tomorrow - we pick up with song #15 - the depth of this playlist is amazing. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 8/10/2020 - Music City Monday - Here 4 U Now Mix (Oh My My Remix)

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Something that has come up recently on my mind and in the things I have been reading (In ways I don't understand and certainly can't explain, I believe that when ideas or artists or whatever keep showing up in my mind and in my life, then I should stop and listen and see what I need to hear):

With the recent news, that the current administration may want to put an end to Social Security and/or Medicare, it occurred to me that this MIGHT be the catalyst for some supports of  the current administration to finally reconsider that support. (I know, I may be optimistic - but hear me out). If this should come about, I was thinking about the instinct to shame those people for taking too long or for not making the decision for a less selfish reason, and how maybe, we need to fight against that instinct and instead support them in what must be a difficult decision and admission.  Anyway, this was my incomplete and unexplored thought. 

Then, today, I read an article where the author tried to get to an understanding of the "anti-maskers", and their reasons for their position were all the ones you have heard and would expect - a combination of conspiracy theories, anti-science bias, misguided ideas of personal freedom etc.  But, one part of the article was a caution to pro-maskers not to shame the anti-maskers and how that is an ineffective tool in trying to sway someone's opinion.  

What is funny, is my gut reaction to this advise is to think about the aggressive anti-maskers who spit on people who are wearing masks or who behave boorishly to merchants or others or who like to use the phrase, "F**k your feelings". And, I felt a guttural instinct to reject this advise and continue to remind these people how their actions are harming others. 

Then, it occurred to me that the advise given in the article is probably sound, and not only that is very similar to my own thoughts on a different issue. 

So, I don't have an answer, but I do need to stop and check out my gut-level reactions. It is not easy... if someone fails to show a modicum of respect and sensitivity to you, why shouldn't you treat them the same?  But, that is a vicious cycle, and the only way to break a vicious cycle is change behavior.... 

Anyway, something for me to think about.. Onward! 

Today, we recap the next five songs in this week's playlist - songs 9-13:

9. "Whisper Away" by Jason Molina

We start off with something I was very happy to get in my inbox a few months back - the last collection of solo studio recordings by the late great Jason Molina. I know that fans are excited about this release, and I can tell you - it sounds amazing. Molina's life was cut way to short, which makes any new material that much more sweet.

10. "A Steady Hand" by I LIKE TRAINS

Next up, we have the return of Leeds band I Like Trains to the Playlist- with the latest single ahead of their KOMPROMAT album which is due in a couple of weeks. I am digging their sound.

11. "Time to Run" by Smile 

Now, this is the way E2TG is supposed to work. I write about an artist and another artist finds out about me and sends me their music, and it is so amazing. Smile is an Italian band whose sound features the kind of jangle pop I grew up listening to, and so strikes a warm spot with me. This track really stood out to me. Great stuff!

12. "Joskus mä pelkään" by Gim Kordon 

Next up, we have some long-awaited new music from Helsinki-based indie rock band Gim Kordon. The title of this song means "Sometimes I Fear". The band played their first gig at a festival in 2012 which was headlined by Sonic Youth featuring Kim Gordon - whose name inspired the band name. They got to give Gordon one of their pins at the festival.

13. "Drip a Drop" by The Flat Five

And, we close things out with a supergroup from Chicago.  The Flat Five features members who have and do play with artists like The Decemberists, NRBQ, JD McPherson, Neko Case, Andrew Bird, Cactus Blossoms, Mavis Staples, Brian Wilson and more). The music features out of this world vocal harmonies in a wonderful sunshiny sound. A great way to close out this segment of music.

Tomorrow the next five songs (14-18)! 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 1/27/2020 - Music City Monday - Show preview and more - I'm Okay Mix (One Dead Peckerhead Remix)

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Show alert:

Chicago’s Joe Policastro Trio will be headlining the 9:30 PM show at The SpringWater tonight. More information at  http://www.thespringwater.com/events 

Hailed by Downbeat for its “deft analysis of choice repertoire” and by the Chicago Reader for its “diversity of approaches to all kinds of source material,” the JPT is a Chicago-based alternative jazz trio led by bassist Joe Policastro and features guitarist Dave Miller and drummer Mikel Avery. While firmly rooted in jazz, the band’s open-minded, inclusive nature draws upon a wide array of musical styles and sources while still keeping the aesthetic of an acoustic trio intact. Their fourth album, Nothing Here Belongs, focuses on the band’s original music, whereas previous releases, West Side Story Suite (2013), POPS! (2016), and Screen Sounds (2017), highlighted the trio’s ability to remake unlikely songs in its own raw, highly idiosyncratic fashion.  

Random Notes:

A quick behind the curtain (pay not attention to the man) - I am still experimenting with the new features of E2TG.  Expect some changes periodically has I fine-tune things. 

Featured Friday Playlist  (It is called Featured Friday because that is when the list for the week updates and the name is a homage to our Featured Friday Shuffle). It is available every day on E2TG for viewing and playing. Thanks to those who have followed the playlist.   The way I have been managing the list is by creating a private playlist called E2TG on-deck. As I hear about releases, I add them to that playlist. Then on Thursday night/early Friday, I check for new releases and tweak the on-deck list. I delete out the songs from the  current Featured Friday playlist and add the songs from the on-deck playing to that one. Then I delete out the songs from the on-deck playlist and start over. I try to keep the list around an hour - but I don't have a fixed number of songs. 

As with all of E2TG, I try to heavily weigh the list to "under the radar" picks, but depending on the week - so better known artists of interest may appear. 

The new release listing is and will always be a work-in-progress. I mostly add from e-mail submissions - sometimes if I see a social media post, I will sent the link to myself to add later. Please feel free to send me new release information (singles, EPs and LPs) to e2tgmusic@gmail.com.  

In the current world, the release date can be tricky. I add to the list as it is reported to me, I know sometimes albums will be added to Spotify before or after the announced date. 

I will working on adding some links and some more "First Impressions". Time is still a challenge, but I will keep plugging away. 

Today, we have a great Music City Monday shuffle - please check that out below!