Recent single. Wilderwater is Aaron Shafer-Haiss's solo project and for this single he is joined by the always amazing Kyshona Armstrong. This is fabulous.
19. "Pandemonio" by Moonshine Booze
Italian band Moonshine Booze are incredible hard to pin down. We first featured them a few years back with their Desert Rose album. They are back with a new album and we have the title track.
20. "Little Tiger" by Adam Klein
Athens, GA singer-songwriter Adam Klein is up with the title track of his new EP.
21. "Forever" by Teen Creeps
Belgian indie rock band Teen Creeps are next with the title track of their second album.
22. "Sail On Sailor" by A.J. Croce
We have been featuring early singles, but now Nashville singer-songwriter A.J. Croce has release his covers album By Request. This is a cover of a 1973 Beach Boys song.
23. "St. Maria" by Timid, the Brave
Next, a truly beautiful song from Canadian singer-songwriter Tim Selles who records under the name Timid, the Brave. The song was written a couple of years ago on one of warmest November days on record. It was so warm that rose bushes started blooming again.
24. "The Long Con" by Shayfer James
Shayfer James was a "Featured Artist" on E2TG back in June 2012. This, his latest single, is an wonderful song and a great reminder as to why I fell in love with is music to begin with.
Last night, I got a good and much needed dose of rock and roll- checking out Snakehips and Smoky White Devils at The 5 Spot.
Tonight is the long awaited CD release show for Rayvon Pettis' Dying Light album. I am pretty sure I wrote about this album last year, and I got to hear a preview several months back. I am so excited for people to hear this album.
So, I have one Earie to give out before we get to the shuffle. Over the course of this year, I have found myself reading about what my friends are up to and saying, "Man, they are killing it!" And yes this happens a lot with musical performers but as often it has been people in other fields (closely or loosely or completely connected to music) (music is kind of a big part of my life). So, I have several winners of the "Killing It"* award. This is not an exhaustive list, but all of these folks are infinitely deserving.
1. Hayden Coleman (and not just because I accidentally tagged him in yesterday's post) - I have featured Hayden's own music several times in the past. He is a hip-hop producer and a rapper - who has been immersed in that world for much of his life. In 2017, Coleman has been busy as a producer, co-writer, and guest performer. Most notably (perhaps) on Morgan Bosman's cool track "Runaway". Check out the video where Hayden can be seen running...
2. Lindsy Davis - I met Lindsy - as I did so many people - through Darrin Bradbury. You may recall she drew the cover image for Bradbury's The Story of Bob" album. You member the devilishly handsome man on the cover. That, though, is just the tip of her talents. She is an extraordinary visual artist, this year she ventured into tattoo artistry. For me, she is inspiring in the way she has carved out a niche for herself in this town and continues to chip away and grow that niche.
3. Stacie Huckeba - To be honest, Stacie used to kind of scare me, but that was probably more about me than her. I know that Stacie has had a difficult year, but through that, she has managed to continue to kick ass as a photographer, writer, advocate, and just generally all around awesome person. She is up for East Nashvillian of the Year - which I think she richly deserves, but I don't get to vote on that one (as far as I know), but I get all the votes on the Earies.
4. Chad Cochran - I had been aware of Chad's photography - mostly his art photography of incredible landscapes - for a couple of years. I think I followed him on Instagram before I ever met him. He still produces some of the most visually stunning landscape photographs I have ever seen, but in 2017 (and before) he has been killing it with his photos of musical performers - both on and off stage.
All of these folks motivate me to do more, and I am happy to know them.
*I know some people hate the phrase "killing it" (and to be honest, my use is somewhat ironic but I mean it with the utmost respect and admiration)
Okay - on we go to the shuffle and perhaps a few more Earies...
I'll be honest, the constant barrage of insanity coming from the (occasional) occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, is exhausting. It's not just daily, it's like several times a day - behavior that would not be acceptable from any adult human being let alone the POTUS.... the latest (well probably not the latest, I just have the heard to look up the actual latest) threatening the broadcast licenses of a major news organization because he doesn't like what they are reporting. How can anyone- regardless of political ideology accept this? This is why I insist that my posts here are not political. Granted there is a lot politically that the right does that I don't like or agree with, but the actions and words of the current head of the executive branch go so far beyond "normal" partisan issues. But, hell, I don't think I even know what "normal" is any more.
BUT! I cannot let exhaustion deter me. I must take care of myself, but then I must keep on resisting and persisting. We all must.
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Ah - but music - my solace. Oh man, last night's Songhoy Blues show at The Basement East was incredible. Probably among the best shows I've seen this year. So much positive energy. It was also great hanging a bit with some of my fellow WXNA DJs - which doesn't happen often enough for me. Also, seeing some other friends. It was hard not to dance and smile, and I have to say I failed miserably at not doing those things.
Now, it is mid-week, and I am semi getting used to my new phone (although I am also researching third party music player apps). Wednesday, we always get "Wild" at E2TG, and today is no exception. Let's shuffle:
To me the biggest danger to as the weeks and months go by, is that the insanity that we are seeing will begin to seem "normal". It is human nature, I think, to survive regardless of the circumstances. And sometimes to survive it becomes necessary to accept the unacceptable on some level just to make it through the day. The fact is (I must repeatedly remind myself of this) that there is so much about the current administration that is not normal, is not "okay". From the fact that white supremacists still have a seat at the table of power, to the attacks on the press, to the attacks on science... it is not normal, it is not okay.
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We have reached Thursday... and we continue to work our way through the "New Music" playlist. Let's jump to it!
Well, it's July 3. Tomorrow is American Independence Day. I imagine many of us are not feeling much like celebrating. After all, our government has been hijacked by people who seem intent on destroying the basic principals on which this nation was founded... or at least that is how I feel about it. But, maybe it is important to celebrate...I've always had an uneasy relationship with the Fourth of July. There is a fine line between patriotism and jingoism. Right now, it is unclear if the American experiment is failing or just in the middle of a very difficult test. This year, I choose to celebrate the people who have and who are fighting for our freedom. All of our freedom. In the face of corruption and greed and fear and hatred and violence and boorish behavior and misogyny and homophobia - I celebrate those who practice and demonstrate love and compassion and acceptance.
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We are officially into the second half of 2017. As I promised last week, I am continuing this week to shuffle from the "New Music" playlist. Next week, we will go back to our regularly scheduled programming. But, as a compromise, I have added a bunch of new music to the playlist...
Welcome to Monday, the beginning of the last week of the month of June - which means it is the beginning of the last week of the first half of the year.
Program alert: I will be traveling a bit this week - so there is a good chance that there will be no posts on a couple of days this week - which makes our quest to feature as many of our "new music" playlist songs as we can while we can.
ICYMI: E2TG premiered a brand new song from Flying Buffaloes earlier this morning. You can check that out HERE.
Keep your ear to the ground for more premiere's as I begin to dig myself out from my backlog which developed during my Residency last month.
In other news, a release date has been set for Lifers - Jon Latham's follow up to Real Bad News. The album will drop on September 1 on Cafe Rooster Records. I plan to take the day off from work and listen to the album in the parking lot of a local Taco Bell. You should make similar arrangements.
Speaking of Cafe Rooster Records, the line-up that graced us with their appearance in week 4 of the E2TG Residency will be down in Georgia on July 1 at Eddie Owen Presents in Duluth. If you are within driving range and able to make it there, it is highly recommended.
All week (and next), we have been playing songs which populate our "New Music" playlist. These are primarily albums/songs that were submitted to E2TG for play plus some old friends and favorites that we added even if not specifically submitted.
Well - I had the realization that we have just two weeks of shuffles left and then the first half of 2017 will be over. It's been a busy year so far. I know New Years is the traditional time to make life changes (or at least to talk about it), but I like to think of June 30 as kind of halftime for the year. In my limited knowledge of football, it seems like teams that are good at making halftime adjustments tend to do better (overall). Okay sports analogy over. Anyway, as I sit here on the verge of the 2nd half of 2017, I noticed I have over 300 songs in my "New Music" playlist. All (with one or two exceptions) represent music that was submitted to me in one form or another in relatively recent months. I also noticed that some recent additions have been underplayed - the nature of the random shuffle, and there are also some stragglers (one or two songs from albums nearly or over one year old). It seems like a good time to tidy up the playlist, but before I do, I thought I would dedicate the next two weeks to just playing songs from the "New Music" playlist to clean it out a little naturally.
This would normally be Music City Monday - but as I suspected over half of the songs in this shuffle would have fit that playlist, too.
Remember when we had a President who was not under investigation for obstructing justice? Good times!
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Had a blast last night at Music City Roots! Note to myself: it's not really that bad driving down there.
Peter Cooper hosted and opened show with a song. It's always good to hear Peter Cooper - even if it is just one song.
E2TG favorites Adrian + Meredith were the first guest act. Every time I see them, I am more and more impressed, and they sure won over the crowd at the Factory in Franklin.
Sean McConnell was next. I was not that familiar with his music - though he has a quite a following. Great voice, great playing, catchy songs.
Mark Robinson Band - another E2TG favorite was smoking as always - doing some of my favorite songs of theirs. Somehow, no matter the line-up, Mark Robinson always has a killer band and he is - a consummate entertainer in the truest sense of the word.
New Orleans legend Walter Wolfman Washington closed the show. Smooth rhythm and blues music that was dripping in New Orleans charm and history. Backed by a great band - Washington has roots back to many of the New Orleans legends - like Ernie K. Doe for example, and it is great to hear him still making great music in 2017.
The closing "jam" was a treat. I have to say, I had never seen someone clogging to a blues song, but I have now thanks to Meredith (of Adrian + Meredith). All that and I was home not long after ten.
As you may know by now, we are still "celebrating" the sixth anniversary of this blog via a special playlist I created. Basically, I went through my entire collection of music and selected one song from each artist that I determined was an E2TG alumnus. It gets complicated - I admit. Back in the early days of the blog, I had "Bands of the Week" "Bands of the Month" "Featured Artists" and the like. I considered any band/artist that fit one of those categories to be part of the E2TG "Family" (whether they liked it or even knew about it). Later, I decided just to keep writing about bands but not worry about designations. Nowadays, I get music submitted to me from a variety of sources. I still think about the bands I write about as "family" - albeit a very extended family. Of course, in some cases I never really connected with the band/artist - or I have lost touch in the intervening years, or whatever... but in any event, I went through all of the artists I had songs for - and the ones that I deemed E2TG artists were added to this playlist. 450 in all originally. Every Thursday, we shuffle that list - we'll do it until I get tired or it or we run out of songs - which ever comes first.
Well... if you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a country with a delusional lunatic in charge, you don't have to wonder anymore... For those who cannot look past their biases and party loyalty to see the current situation for the insanity it is... you, too, will be remembered.
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Well! The E2TG 6th Anniversary May Residency at The 5 Spot is just a day away! If you are in Nashville, I hope you can make it out.
It Tuesday, and that means "Trending Tuesday" here at E2TG. We spin songs from our "New Music" playlist Let's see what comes up today!
Here we go... It is Friday... and yes, a white supremacist is still holding a position of power in the White House - along with unqualified family members of President. This is somehow okay to people who believed this president would "drain the swamp". If any swamp was drained, it was replaced with a cesspool. Just saying.
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Ah, but music. Last night - one of the most rewarding and well-done shows of the year (and in a while). Richie Owens celebrated 25 years of his band Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau. The show opened with a reunion Owens' 1980s band The Movement. They sounded wonderful and really seemed to be having a great time. It definitely took me back to my 30 somewhat years.
Next, the history of The Farm Bureau was told beginning with the original line-up and then past and present members entered and exited the stage playing music from every era of the band, the most recent line-up performed a few songs and then everybody returned for one of the bands signature songs that has spanned the band's history. Throughout Richie Owens narrated the shifting tides and times. Just about perfect. The Farm Bureau will be playing Muddy Roots this fall, but otherwise, Richie will be devoting his musical time to Smokey White Devils and an acoustic project that I can't remember the name of. So, in some ways this was a farewell show for now at least.
After I left that show at The 5 Spot, I headed down Main Street to The Family Wash in time to catch Megan Palmer with Jonathan Beam and Paul Niehaus - sounding amazing, followed by Russell Thompson with Sergio Webb plus David Conrad and Rebecca Weiner-Tompkins (of Conrad y Skordalia), and ending with Sergio Webb backed by David and Rebecca.
The bad storms spared Nashville, and so here we are...
Show alert: Tomorrow night - April 1 is the CD Release and Art Show for the latest album by Nashville legend David Olney. Brock Zeman (who produced the album) will open and be joined by his regular sideman Blair Hogan. You really want to be at this show - whether you know it or not.
It's Friday, and that means a Featured Friday Shuffle...
