E2TG 6/9/2020 - What are words for? - This is Reality Mix (Pink Grout Remix)

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Words. As a writer, words are very important to me. I try to be precise in the words I use to make sure they convey what I am trying to communicate.

It seems like over the last day or two, the theme of words has come up more than once. Celebrities being called out for their past or present words. Debates over the concept of "Defunding" the police. And the inflammatory words being used by our local, state, and national leaders to evoke gut-level reactions.

On the issue of the phrase "Defund the Police".  I can see both sides of the debate. First of all I totally understand and support the concept. The money taken from police department budgets should be reallocated to professionals like mental health experts, education, healthcare etc. And police officers should be pulled from doing things for which they are are not properly trained.

So, this is a concept I think many Americans would support, but if they hear "Defund the Police" they will be turned off. I get that. But, at the same time, I understand why certain activists and group chose that language. Many of them have been fighting this battle for years without widespread public support - being ignored or not heard. So, "Defund the Police" gets heard and it opens dialogue. But, how do we get the average voter to push back their initial reaction to the phrase? I don't know.

To be honest, it bothers me that we have to work so hard to convince the average voter that we are better than a fascists government that violently attacks the free press, uses tear gas on peaceful protesters, support violent attacks on elderly citizens.  "Well, those things are terrible, but you said 'Defund the police', and we couldn't be bothered to look into what that means, so we are going to support the fascists rather than you." 

I get it - but I am frustrated. So, how should be explain "Defunding the Police" in a soundbite culture?

Here is another point - semi-related, how does the campaign to defeat President Trump defer from the Black Lives Matter protests and movement? Where do they separate?  Here is what I mean. As a white American, I do not feel it is my place to tell my Black brothers and sisters how to protest or what words to use or not use.  But, as someone who is working to remove the cancerous tumor from this country, I feel I have an obligation to weigh in on tactics and language of that message. In this moment, the two movements are linked. But, I think there is a separation.

I don't know. I just needed to vent some words.  Words. Words.  And I am not sure I said what I meant to say. I truly hope there are no words in my past that I would regret if they were brought to light. But as someone who writes a lot of words it is hard to say. I know my own heart but would everyone who reads my words understand the thoughts behind the words.

Many of us are evolving day by day, but we are still responsible for the words and actions of our less evolved selves.

Words, words, words...



Our Featured Friday Recap continues with songs #12-16 (tomorrow songs #17-21)

12. "Runnin'" by Wayne Graham, The Green Apple Sea

Wayne Graham is a band a band from Kentucky formed by two brother - neither named Wayne Graham or Wayne or Graham. Kenny and Hayden Miles to be precise. My fellow music lover and friend Crystal Rhoten kept talking about them, and I finally got to see them live last year, and I finally understood. I am a fan. 

13. "Gravity" by Sammy Brue

Utah based singer-songwriter Sammy Brue's new album Crash Test Kid will be released this Friday. This week, we have the final single released ahead of the album. I am so excited about this album. As I have alluded to before, Brue is living up to the potential he showed at a very young age, and at this point, the "young" adjective is not really needed - not that he isn't young, but that he has matured as an artist.

14. "Run to You" by Julia Anrather

Next, we have a new single from NYC indie pop singer/songwriter. Lush and emotive. 

15. "Dance Alone" by Darwin

Next up, we have the new single from California synth-based artist Darwin - who is the manager of David J (Bauhaus and Love and Rockets). Somewhat dark in tone, the song is nonetheless uplifting as only dark music can be.

16. "Plasma Platter" by People Without Shoes, Inkswell

And today's recap closes out with a track from NYC hip-hop artists People Without Shoes - joined here by Australian producer Inkswell. 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 1/22/2020 - Beach Notes - Trendy Trendy Mix (Sax and Violins Remix)

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Beach Notes: 1/22/2020 

Random musings.. I think that death often forces the still living to think about mortality and to ponder the vast questions of life. Or at least it does for me. For me, I have so many conflicting messages in my head - some put there by others so seem to have sprung fully formed from my own brain (but maybe they were consciously or subconsciously received from someone at some time). 

Time is a struggle for me almost all the time. First of all, time is by its nature a finite resource. There are only 24 hours in a day and we all have an expiration date, though, we usually don't know when that is. So, everything we do or don't do is a choice to some degree. Granted sometimes those choices were made years ago and we are now living in those choices and so we may forget that it was a choice.

Conflict: Making good use of available time vs. the concept "we are human beings not human doings".  What if I spend an hour or two watching an inane television show or flipping mindlessly through a social media site or playing some game on my phone or staring into space? I could have, should have, would have spent that time doing something "productive".

On a less esoteric level, for me, the issue is going out to shows vs. staying in and writing or listening to music that has been sent to me or...  Never mind the almost nightly conflicts of what show to see out of many wonderful choices.  I do better than I used to, but I do often feel some sense of failure or guilt over my choices. Especially, when certain friends' shows seem to always end up getting missed. It almost never a decision based on quality or worth. It can anything to location, time, my level of exhaustion, availability.  It is just that sometimes, it feels like the same bands or people keep coming up on the wrong side of any one of those factors.

I remind myself that I am not obligated to do anything or to go anywhere, but the guilt/regret isn't really about obligation. It is about desire and relationships and... what else. I don't know.

Meanwhile, here I sit - into the third full week of 2020, with a ton of e-mails to review, a ton of story ideas to explore and research and write, a ton of music to listen to, an unfinished novel, a ton of great shows every single night, and I limited amount of energy to do anyone of those things - some of which is expended at a day job that demands attention and effort.

So, I can't answer why I went to this show but not that one, or why I went out this night but not that one or why I wrote about this album but not that one. I am not even sure if anyone is asking this questions other than me.

So, I DID go to The 5 Spot last night and spend somewhere around six hours hearing  a ton of truly great music, catching up with some wonderful people, sharing bits of grief and stories about David Olney, laughing, talking, thinking...  As for tonight, I don't know. There are things I want to do...

Meanwhile, I am not going to Folk Alliance - even though it was something I considered when the date and location were first announced. I would love to be there, AND I can't imagine my stress at all the things to be done if I were going. And, I am envious of people who can drop everything and go on a whim. But, those choices were made for me in the past, and for today, I don't know how to change them or even if I want to.

Beyond the doing and the choosing and the thinking and the guilt and the productivity and the idleness and the laziness and the need for escapism and the art and the commerce is the living. I am alive and I have work to do and I have rest that is needed and I have relationships to forge and others to cultivate, and I have only so much time and I waste so much time.

Welcome to my life on earth and as human.

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - The Rainbow Didn't Bring Me No Luck Mix

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Welcome back... No shuffle yesterday because I was off work for Veteran's Day.  Lot's to recap...

Tuesday night, I attended the weekly $2 Tuesday show at The 5 Spot.  As it always is, it was a great time at a great price.  Included: a second opportunity to see Brock Zeman and Blair Hogan - who killed it.  Bob Lewis with great band that included my old friend Joe Bidewell plus Lemuel Hayes and Issac Anthony.  Plus Derek Hoke's always awesome set, and the late night spot was rocked hard by new Nashvillian K. Phillips whose band included by friend Steven Cooper.

Since, I was off I got to hang out in the studio and observe the making of Darrin Bradbury's next album.  A lot of people are going to be surprised by his turn toward gangsta rap, but I never question an artistic genius.

Last night, a great night of songwriters at Mad Donna's featuring the always awesome Kiely Schlesinger who was backed by Drew Kohl - who did a killer version of Springsteen's "Atlantic City", Violet Delancey who was backed by a great band that included Andrew Leahey on guitar, and Lindsay Ellyn who was awesome as always backed by Raun Schultz and Buddy Woodward and for the first time by fiddle player - Holly Parks. 

In the midst of all that, I wrote a review of the (still fairly new) Sara Syms album, Way Back Home.  The title track (coincidently) showed up in the shuffle today, so I will post the links when I get to that song...

On to the shuffle

Featured Friday Music Shuffle - Where the Blues Began Mix

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Well it's Friday and it is All Hallows Eve Eve and it is sunny today and did I mention it is Friday!

Last night I completed my punch card and made it to all five of the Campfire Propaganda residency shows. This week Megan Palmer  and Brian Wright were back, and Darrin Bradbury was out of town on tour. Great sets of music by Tim Easton, Brian Wright (who covered Darrin's "Blue Highways"), Megan Palmer, and then Nellie Clay played with a full (and awesome) band for her CD Release show.  She even brought up a horn section for the last two songs.

After that I decided to enjoy the crisp Autumn evening and made my way to Drifter's BBQ to watch Tim Carroll and Luella before heading home to do some preparation for a meeting this afternoon which should help me set a course to make 2016 the best year ever for #E2TG.

We have a featured Friday shuffle that is sure to provide a multitude of treats with a minimum of trickery.

Saturday Morningish Music Shuffle - Spring Cleaning Mix

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A rare Saturday shuffle to make up for not posting yesterday... life happens - you know....

It's been a very interesting week in many ways.  Musically, since we last connected, Thursday night, I went to week 3 of 5 of Campfire Propaganda.  It was a blast with the usual suspects - who are some pretty awesome songwriters: Brian Wright, Tim Easton, Megan Palmer, Darrin Bradbury, and Nellie Clay plus this week joined by Matt Haeck.  Then, I headed to The Family Wash to see Bark (Tim and Susan of Tim Lee 3) play an awesome set and then back up Jim Mize along with Laurie Stirratt.

Last night, it was the Jon Latham CD Release Show at Belcourt Taps.  Darrin Bradbury opened.  A really fun time.  Jon was joined by Haley Dreis, Josh Morris, Shawn Conerton, and Sean Quinn. And he even asked me to emcee the show.  There was tons going on musically around Nashville last night, and I though I don't like that I missed some of the things that I missed, I know I was at the right place.

Speaking of Jon Latham.  In case you missed it, I wrote some words about Real Bad News - his brand new album.  You can check it out HERE.


Just some tunes I listened to while I did some spring cleaning this morning. And, the answer is yes, I do know that it is mid-October.  What can I say, it has been a crazy, busy summer...

I am not going to comment on the songs - many I found the actual song for the Video Playlist.  If something interests you, and you need help finding out more - shoot me a line and I will tell you all I know.  Meanwhile, sit back and enjoy and maybe if you need to do some spring cleaning you can listen while you clean - like I did.