E2TG 5/13/2021 - Figuring it Out Along the Way - Plum Mix (I Woke Up Remix)

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In the 10 year existence of E2TG, change has been the operative word. The blog and how I do it have undergone many changes - usually driven by some change in my circumstance or schedule etc. Now, with going out to hear music becoming a thing again, I am realizing that I made changes over the last 13-14 months that are going to be difficult to maintain in the emerging new reality. 

I don't know yet what changes will be needed, and it may not happen overnight and the changes may be incremental. It also may take a series of missteps to arrive something that works. Bear with me and thanks as always for reading. 

Featured Friday Playlist recap Part 5 (songs 46-55):

46. "Paris" by Teresa Guidry

Nashville based singer-songwriter who was on Season 10 of The Voice with her first single of 2021.

47. "Hobo Stomp" by Razorhouse

Next up, we have the single from this alternative rock band from Chicago. A really cool song. 

48. "Through the Flames" by Empiires

Next up, we have some hard rock music from Texas. 

49. "Indigo Screams" by Pennies by the Pound

Next up, we have a Finnish band that combines psych rock with 80s college rock to great great sound. This is the lead track from their new album due out a week from tomorrow. 

50. "The Girl in the Barren Room" by Bad Dreams Fancy Dress

Next up, we have the new single from the forthcoming Bi Iconic album from this UK band that originally formed in the late 80s. Spurred on my a Facebook group set up by fans, this new incarnation of the band is doing some cool things. 

51. "Get Me Through It - Live" by The Purrs

Next up, we have a track from the new live album, We Thought There'd Be More People Here, by this dark psych pop band from the Pacific NW. 

52. "The Return" by To Twelve

Next up, we have lovely song about travelling from this duo from the Netherlands who spend time busking through Europe.  Really great stuff. 

53. "Occupied" by Dolly Ave

Next up, we have a track from the debut album, Sleep by this emerging Vietnamese-American singer-songwriter who grew up in Kansas City, Missouri before leaving for art school in Chicago. Really excited to have this song in our playlist. 

54. "Monster Tv" by Death Pop Radio

Next up, we have another debut album this from Chicago based hard pop/grunge band. 

55. "Silent Trees" by Pentral 

And we close with a track from What Lies Ahead of Us from Brazilian prog rock/metal band Pentral who worked producer Tim Palmer on this new album. A great way to close out this segment of music, and the playlist for this week. 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 4/21/2021 - Two Weeks Out and Mid-Week Blahs - Al Gore Rhythms Mix (Much to Do Remix)

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I am now two weeks out from my 2nd vaccine injection which means I am now considered immune.  I will still wear a mask when I am in public and still maintain social distancing as best I can - because it is what the scientist recommend and because I care about my fellow humans.

Featured Friday Playlist recap Part 4 (songs 36-44):

36. "Number 4" by Nouhi's Nomad

We start off this segment of music with the single from the debut self-titled album by this Iranian-American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in NYC whose music incorporates rock, classical, and Persian influences.

37. "Fuel on the Fire" by Ali in the Jungle

Next up, we have the new single from this UK band who combine multiple influences and some bold and innovative instrumentation to create something truly unique and original.

38. "The Edge of the World" by Du Glas

We have another UK band - this one from West Cornwall with the title track from their forthcoming album (due May 1). The song is inspired by the breathtaking landscape around their hometown and the music is suitably majestic and the vocals are otherworldly. 

39. "Lock Down - Radio Edit" by Foxy Mammals

Next up, we have a track by this band that formed in 2018 and features members from the UK, France, and Spain. It is a powerhouse rock song about the lock down - elevated by the sonic energy of the music and vocals. 

40. "Chorus of Lists" by Jim McCulloch

Next, we have the second single from the forthcoming solo debut from Scottish singer-songwriter Jim McCulloch (BMX Bandits, Soup Dragons). I like this song quite a bit. Check it out.

41. "My Whiskey Life" by West of Texas

California's West of Texas (led by Jerry Zinn) brings some real deal honky tonk country music with his new album Heartache, Hangovers & Honky Tonks. The album is a decade in the making - beginning as a three song EP in 2010 before health issues sidelined Zinn for some time. The quarantine provided the time for Zinn to complete the album which was co-produced and engineered by Rich McCulley and features a great line-up of California country musicians. 

42. "Hot Diggity" by Kirk Nelson & Jambalaya West

Some New Orleans-inspired sounds from California - the new album is called Lagniappe. Kirk Nelson and the band brings some impressive credentials to the table to create music that makes me want to drink Hurricanes and stroll through the Quarter.

43. "Better Off" by Post Profit

Next up, we have the second single from this alternative rock band from Longview, Texas. The band is readying their debut album When You Think It's Right, It's Always Wrong. A great modern rock song. 

44. "Headlock" by Troy Bentley

And we close this segment of music with the title track from the new album from UK artist Pete Bentley who records as Troy Bentley (Troy being his mother's maiden name). The album features contributions from Bentley's siblings Tony and Kathy. Multi-layered music that sounds fantastic. 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 4/13/2021 - Words Fail - Voter Suppression Mix (Hope Remix)

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Another day, another (several) shootings, another person of color being killed by police during a routine (if not questionable traffic stop).  We are on the brink of getting the pandemic under control here, but stubbornness and ignorance look like  they could derail that. We seem to be as divided politically as we ever have AND everything is potentially political - which means we aren't just divided politically but potentially divided over every aspect of life. 

And, I did not mean to gloss over the police killings.  For this to happen in the same city as the trial from another killing is taking place (I killing everyone witnessed and yet one which still is requiring a multi-day trial....   

But, yeah words fail... it is so easy to lose hope and to surrender to despair... But, I don't feel like I can or at least that I should because for me to give up seems like a benefit of my privilege. 

And, the mass shootings continue unbated...

And, we, as a nation, cannot even seem to agree that cops killing black people is bad or that mass shootings are bad.   Or, at least, we cannot even try to work toward a solution. 

Our Featured Friday Recap rolls on: Today songs 17-21:

17. "Sun & Moon" by Ben Schenberg

First up today, we have a single from Kansas City singer-songwriter Ben Schenberg that was released on April 1.  I dig it.

18. "It's Time" by The Licata Brothers

The Licata Brothers are an inspirational rock duo from L.A.  Their recent single reflects on how materialism distracts us from fighting for justice. A valuable and important message for our times or any times. 

19. "Pray Like You Mean It" by Nilsen's Southern Harmony

Next up, another timely new single from songwriters Bjoern Nilsen and Austin Church.  Nilsen has worked with Joe Sun, had songs used in movies and television, and had songs recorded by Linda Gail Lewis, Dallas Moore  (yes the time Dallas Moore we featured yesterday) and more. Austin Church's credits include work with Jimmy Buffet, Lyle Lovett and more).

20. "Blackbird's Refrain" by Swift Silver

Anna Kline and John Looney are Swift Silver from Kentucky and they play a new breed of Southern soul music. Check this song out.

21. "Back Then" by Cole Scheifele

We close this segment of music with a new single from this Colorado based folk singer-songwriter.  A lovely song. 
 

    Featured Friday Playlist