E2TG 8/24/2021 - Tuesday's With E2TG - La L'amour Mix (Lotus Eaters Remix)

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Rolling into a busy week both day job wise and music wise.  Let's jump right in to today's post... 

Featured Friday Playlist recap (part 3) (songs 20-25):

20. "The Ashtangas" by ChiefMaster WinGuru

22 year old Chicago rapper - from the new EP  The Real Rap is Back.

21. "One for Lewis" by Penelope Antena

From the second album by the Belgian/French singer-songwriter.

22. "Wrong" by Zava

Next up, we have the new single from Kansas City pop artist Zava - who performed at Kansas City Pride this past weekend.

23. "The Gallery" by Lindsay Jarman

Next. the title track from the debut album by Atlanta-based singer-songwriter.

24. "Living The Nightmare" by Bumsy and the Moochers

Next up, we have the new single from this six-piece Chicago-based ska band. 

25. "Termite City" by Harry Stafford

And, we close out this segment of music with another single from the forthcoming Bone Architecture album by Manchester's Harry Stafford (Inca Babies) and Brazilian guitarist Marco Butcher who is now based in North Carolina. 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 2/4/2021 - Doing the Deal - Fire Mix (Arther Remix)

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In  the midst of heaviness and loss, it is important, I thing to find things that are life affirming.  It is also a good time to reevaluate how one spends one's time. It is not that every moment has to be "productive", but if one is spending too much time on things that are not necessary, do not bring joy, and do not benefit the world - then maybe, just maybe, it is worth thinking about why one is doing those things... 

Featured Friday Playlist

Featured Friday Playlist Will Return Soon!

E2TG 12/02/2020 - The Middle Part of the Title - More to Rust Mix (Cold Hard Curve Remix)

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As I mentioned the other day, as I do every year, I take stock of E2TG and what I might do differently.  One question that always comes to me and that I always struggle with is should I focus of featuring less music but be more in-depth or do I continue to cover as much music as I can - even if that means I can only write a little about each song/album/artist. 

Of course, I had plans for this year that due to 2020 never came to fruition, but overall, I am happy about how things have worked out. The Featured Friday Playlist has gained followers and I have gotten so hear so many great new artists. 

Initially, I thought I might just list the shuffle songs with no exposition and only focus on writing about new songs - but to be honest, I was never comfortable with that approach. I do know that longer reviews, interviews, etc. would be great, but right now, I am just not in the headspace to do those. Maybe that will change as we slowly emerge from this crisis - whenever that slow emergence begins.  

Some aspects of what I do have become harder - and it is really minor annoyances. Like tagging of Facebook. I like to tag featured artist on Facebook - 1. to let the artist know I wrote about  them and 2. so that interested readers can check out the social media pages of the artists featured. It has, however, become more difficult and  burdensome to tag pages on Facebook. To me, it used to be easier - now sometimes you have to use the exact format of how the page URL is named or Facebook brings up the artist's personal page first instead of the artist page - AND it won't let a page tag a personal page. 

The other thing which I posted about on Facebook is that it has become harder and harder to figure out where a band or artist is from. I am not sure if that is intentional for some reason I don't understand, but it is something I like to know and share. 

Any way, just being transparent about my process.  E2TG will be entering its tenth year soon, and it has survived this long by adapting to the changing circumstances and by my posting on a consistent basis. 

We continue on with our Featured Friday Recap... songs 14-16

14. "I Just Want U Here" by Xelfiy 

Up first, we have a direct artist submission that actually came in right as I was putting together this week's playlist. The e-mail was so genuine, and the song really caught me. Xelfiy is a young artist - I don't know much about him but this song is dedicated to his late father. Dig it!

15. "Tunnel" by Plastic Barricades

Next up, we have a track from the recently released Self-Theories by this duo who are based in London and Paris. Really interesting sound. 

16. "Lonely Landslide" by Perfectparachutepicture

And closing out this short segment, we have the newest single from the UK band known affectionately as PPP. Really nifty alt-rock. A great addition to the playlist. 

Tomorrow - we wrap up with weeks playlist.  Songs 17-19

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 11/12/2020 - Words That Go In This Part of the Title - Flash Flood Mix (Canada Remix)

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In all the commotion this week, I forgot to say, congratulations to President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-Elect Kamala Harris. 

Today - we wrap up our recap of this week's Featured Friday Playlist with songs 27-31:

27. "Hard to Get" by Kafeeno

Up first, we have a really cool track from Gregory "Kafeeno" Whealton Jr. Who draws upon his experience as a young person travelling the world with his family to bring multiple influences. This track features steel drums and flutes to great a fun sound. 

28. "Hell Yeah" by Paul Alexander Low

Next up, we have the title track off of the new EP by this UK based singer-songwriter. I dig it.

29. "Usaxpsa" by I Could Live in Hope

Up next, we have some Nashville music via fellow WXNA DJ Travis Trevisan. Really good indie rock with a shoegaze sound and a political message. 

30. "Sweet Talk" by Madisyn Whajne

Next up, we have a new single from this Ontario-based First Nations artist. I immediately thought of the Go-Gos when I heard this - it is really good. Check it out. 

31. "Going Home" by Deleo

And we close out this week's Playlist with the third single from the forthcoming album by this French band. We have featured this band before, and I dig what they are doing.  It is always great to end a playlist on such a high note. 

Be on the lookout for an all-new Featured Friday Playlist - hitting around Midnight. And, again, thanks to everyone who is following the Playlist. 

Final note: Please remember that while Spotify is a great way to share and discover music - they do not treat artists fairly in terms of compensation for the art they create.  Buy music, buy merch, watch livestreams and tip, and when it is safe go see your favorite independent artists live.  
 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 10/26/2020 - Music City Monday - Amazing Grace Mix (Graveyard Stomp Remix)

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As we head into the final two months of this most interesting year, with so much uncertainty and so many unresolved problems...on a more personal note, I am - as I do every year about this time - evaluated the State of E2TG.  Long-time readers know that I made some major changes to E2TG at the beginning of this year - changes I have fine-tuned throughout the year. I felt the changes were necessary.  As a result of the changes I have been able to cover more music than ever before, however, the trade-off has been that some music does not get covered as extensively as it might have in the past. 

So, the questions I have to ask myself every year are: What is it that I want E2TG to accomplish? Is E2TG accomplishing that? and How, I can I improve on what I am doing to better meet my goal?  

I don't have the answers yet for 2020, but that is where my head will be...  

For my readers, I have certain hopes - one is that you give at least a cursory listen to the music I present here. I can almost guarantee that you won't like it all or at least not like it all equally... but I think no matter where your musical tastes lie, you will find something you do like. If an artist or song really catches your attention- I would hope you would follow the artist on social media and follow them on your favorite streaming service. If you are able, buy a download or a physical copy of their music, when it is safe in your area and they come to town, go see them live. 

Selfishly, if you do discover new music via E2TG, I would love it if you would tell me about it. 

I do not make a dime from E2TG - that was a conscious decision I made a long time ago (although to be fair, I am not 100% certain I could make much money if I tried). I am also not a publicist or promoter for any artists- although I am grateful for my relationships with many fine publicists. E2TG is an unpaid, secondary job for me - and I am a one-man operation - so it is inevitable that I miss out on featuring some music and my timing may not be ideal. I do what I can. 

I do believe that there is so much amazing music being produced and released these days, and there are many fine websites, blogs etc that cover some of the music. I have always tried to keep E2TG interesting (to me at least) by being a diverse and inclusive as possible. There is not style or genre of music that I won't consider for E2TG. 

Anyway, this is Music City Monday and as a rare treat, we have 100% local music.

We pick back up on this week's Featured Friday recap - with songs 11-15 - the quality of these five songs just goes to show how deep this week's playlist truly is... oh and they are all based in Nashville...

11. "Surrender" by LORE

This is the debut single by the new Nashville band featured Laur Joamets and Laura Reed. Their album is due out next year and was produced by Dave Schools and Vance Powell and features Robbie Crowell and Nick Buda.  A wonderful song.

12. "Mostly Ouroboros" by Andrew Adkins

Yet another track from the forthcoming The Echoist (November 13) by E2TG favorite Andrew Adkins. This one shows off his more rocking side. 

13. "Perfect Job" by Kevin Burnstein

Kevin Burnstein moved to Nashville just head of the pandemic and found himself in a new city at an inopportune time. He made the most of the situation recording this politically charged album and releasing at a most opportune time. 

14. "I Want Out" by Will Kimbrough

By contrast to Kevin Burstein, Will Kimbrough has been a Nashville resident over well over 30 years, but he, too, found himself in an unusual situation. Used to keeping up a busy schedule of touring, recording, and producing - Kimbrough found himself - like so many others - grounded. Spring Break is the result of that time, and it is a most wonderful result. 

15. "Do You Realize" by Tayls

Taylor Cole - who leads Tayls - as been in Nashville longer than Burnstein but far less than Kimbrough - but he, too found his usual actives limited or eliminated by COVID-19. He took the time to record a collection of cover songs - often recording remotely with other Nashville bands and artists. We have covered several of the singles released but now the full Kwar in Teens: A Covers Collection is out. This is a cover of a Flaming Lips song.  

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 7/8/2020 - More Thoughts - Gin and Gasoline Mix (Chemical Remix)

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I think there is much larger discussion in regards to what I wrote about yesterday.  I think may friend Sue said it best, many of us need to learn or re-learn the concept of nuance. And, especially on the left, we need to recognize that zealotry is not our best look - even if we feel it is righteous zealotry. 

I don't really have time for to cover this subject more, but it is definitely something we, as a society, need to address. I think, in some ways, this is part and parcel of the issue I previously talked about of those pushing for extremism at the expense of building coalitions that are capable of leading to concrete albeit sometimes painfully slow change.

 In the days and weeks following the murder of George Floyd, I observed people beginning to speak up who had heretofore been silent. Read: potential new allies in a quest to remove the stain on the presidency. I feel like it was (and maybe still is) a golden opportunity to come together and force some much needed changes. At the same time, however, I observed some trying to push the envelope farther and farther left (of which I do not object) and in the process criticizing and alienating some of these new potential allies for their left extreme positions. 

It is, for sure, a complicated matter, and I need to emphasize that I am talking mostly in terms of political movement. Any white person, speaking up for black lives needs to be open to feedback from black people and other people of color as to the way we are acting - even if that feedback is or seems laced with bitterness. People who have been subject to systemic discrimination and bias for their whole lives and for generations are allowed to be bitter. But, the people I am primarily addressing in the prior paragraph are primarily white people and I am thinking more generally political and ideological.

As the Minutemen once said... "Maybe Partying Will Help"


Today, we continue our review of this week's Featured Friday Playlist with songs 13-16. We will conclude our review tomorrow with the final three songs.

13. "Dig In" by I LIKE TRAINS

We kick off this segment with the latest single from Leed's based band I LIKE TRAINS from their forthcoming album KOMPROMAT .  Hard hitting and really cool music.  

14. "Madness" by Homeboy Loves You

Next up, we have the b-side of the second single from Nashville based Homeboy Loves You - The a-side is a cover of John Prine's Summer's End. The band features Scottie Prudhoe, Preston Cochran, Chase Ballenger, and more. Awesome stuff. 

15. "Tyrant" by Pozzi

Next, we have a timely and pointed track from L.A. based singer-songwriter Pozzi.  I really dig this tune. 

16. "Always Gone - Jamie Hince Remix" by The Holy Knives

We close this segment of our Playlist with The Holy Knives - who are two brothers originally from New Orleans and now based in San Antonio. This is a remix of their song by Jamie Hince of The Kills. An awesome way to close out this segment of music. 

    Featured Friday Playlist

Wednesday Morning Shuffle

"Gin" by Dylan Lee Johnston (from Dylan Lee Johnston)

FIrst up in today's shuffle - a New Orleans based singer-songwriter originally from Alaska from his self-titled album from a few years back. 

'Love and Gasoline" by Jenny Reynolds (from Any Kind of Angel)

Next up, have a track from the recently released album by the Austin based singer-songwriter. 

"Love Be Gentle" by Tom House (Jesus Doesn't Live Here Anymore)

We go back a few years to our old friend Tom House from his wonderful Jesus Doesn't Live Here Anymore album. 

"Everything Twice" by Mariachi El Bronx (from Mariachi El Bronx (III))

The alter-ego of the L.A. punk band The Bronx - who incorporate Latin influences into their music.  From the third release by the side project.  The Bronx formed in 2002.

"Chemical Friends" by Puppet Rebellion (from Chemical Friends EP)

Next up, we have the title track from a release we featured when it was released (2013 I believe). Puppet Rebellion were based in Mancchester, and they broke up late in 2018. 

VIDEO PLAYLIST

NEW AND RECENT RELEASES

This Week

7/07 - Afton Wolfe - Petronius' Last Meal (EP)

7/10 - Hurricane Ruth - Good Life (LP)

7/10 - Fintan McKahey - "Platinum" (single)

7/10 - Nocona - Los Dos (LP)

7/10 - Easy Love - Wander Feeler (LP)

7/10 - Ten Penny Gypsy - Fugitive Heart (LP)

7/10 - Andy Baker - North Country Sky (LP)

7/11 -Rev. J. Mikhael Smith and the Brimstone Miracle - "10:18" (single) 

Last Week

7/01 - Pussycat Doghouse - Bananas (LP)

7/01 - Monsieur Minimal - "Easteria" single

7/03 - The Vignatis - Red, White & Blue - Gypsybilly Vol. 4 (LP)

7/03 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - None of Your Business (EP)

7/03 - Paul Nelson - Birmingham Woman (LP)

7/03 - Matthew Frederick - "Laura Jones" (single)

7/03 - Year of October - "Black Widow" (single)

7/03 - Michael McArthur - Oh, Sedona (EP)

7/03 - Petter Carlsen - "Contradictions" (single)

7/03 - Divine Horsemen - "Mystery Writers" (single)

7/03 - Mayflower Madame - "Sacred Core" (single)

7/03 - Andrew Adkins - One Evening In Brooklyn: Live! (EP)

7/03 - Angela Easterling - "Home" (single)

7/03 - Felixity - Love Sick Remixed (LP)

7/04 - Jackson Capps - "Yesterday's Makeup" (single)

Next Week:

7/?? -  Learn to Fly - "Cherished Ruins" (single)

7/17 - The Bobby Lees - new album (LP)

7/17 - Soft Set - "Never Die" (single)

7/17 - Michot's Melody Makers - Cosmic Cajuns from Saturn (LP)

7/17 - Laura Cortese & The Dance Cards - Bitter Better (LP)

7/17 - Graham Bramblett - The Great Inbetween (LP)

7/17 - ElJay - Champion (EP)

7/17 - Sienne - "Side by Side" (single)

7/18 - Union Kain - Black Dawn (EP)

Upcoming:

7/24 - Tawny Ellis - Love Life (LP)

7/24 - Lee Gallagher - L.A. Yesterday (LP)

7/24 - Even As We Speak - Adelphi (LP)
7/24 - The Wild Blue - Anonymous Future (EP)

7/24 - The Danberrys - Shine (LP)

7/24 - Ted Russell Kamp - Down in the Den (LP)

7/24 - A Shoreline Dream - "Seek to Hide" (single)

7/24 - Rev. J. Mikhael Smith and the Brimstone Miracle - Dogwood Winter (EP)

7/26 - Herb Barclay Project- "Gusta" (single)

7/31 - The Jason Daniels Band - Downloads from the Universe (LP)

7/31 - Shishi - Mafitishei (LP)

7/31 - Vee VV - "Ugly Freedom (Toka Remix)" (single)

8/07 - The Furious Seasons - La Fonda (LP)

8/07 - Jason Molina - Eight Gates (LP)

8/07 - Steven Bruce - Same Time, Same Place, Same Station (LP)

8/07 - Vincent Cross - The Life & Times of James ‘The Rooster’ Corcoran (LP)

8/14 - Michael McArthur - How to Fall in Love (EP)

8/14 - Sylvie Simmons - Blue on Blue (LP)

8/21 - Eric Bolander - "Window" (single)

8/21 - A Shoreline Dream - The Melting (LP)

8/21 - Liar,Flower - Geiger Counter (LP)

8/21 - Xanthe Alexis - The Offering (LP)

8/28 - The Northern Belle - We Wither, We Bloom (LP)

8/28 - Special Moves - Little Help (LP)

8/28 - Debbie Lagrange - "La chanson des moustiques" (single)

8/28 - Molly Tuttle - ...but I'd rather be with you (LP)

8/31 - Andre Salvador & the Von Kings  - Last Night From Glasgow (LP)
9/04 - India Ramey - Shallow Graves (LP)

9/25 - Buildings and Food - Up Down Strange Charm (LP)

10/09 - Year of October - Wastelands (LP)

10/16 - Malin Pettersen - Wildhorse (LP)

Recent:

6/01 - Bessie Smith - Get in Union (LP) (from the Alan Lomax Archives)

6/01 - Darwin - "Dance Alone" (single)

6/04 - Benedict Sinister - "Your Parents (Dancing with the Stars)" (single)

6/05 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "None of Your Business" (single)

6/05 - People Without Shoes and Inkswell - Plasma Platter (LP)

6/05 - Short Haired Domestic - "A Song in Latin... A Song in Hindi..." (single)
6/05 - Turkeyfoot - Promise of Tomorrow (LP)

6/05 - Delta Maid - Katie (LP)

6/05 - KissDoomFate - "Innocence" (single)

6/05 - Lacey Williams - "Cut N' Curl" (single)

6/05 - Johnny Irion and Friends - "Inside the Endless OM" (single)

6/05 - Skanger - "Condolences" (single)

6/05 - Good Foxy - "Dust" (single)

6/05 - Merv Pinny - "I Feel Like a Prisoner" (single)

6/05 - Carrus & Kurtz - The Genius of Carrus & Kurtz Vol 1-There are No Words (LP)

6/05 - Bands Against Brutality - Bands Against Brutality (LP)

6/05 - Various Artists - Mix for a Movement (LP)

6/05 - Eric Bolander - "Magic Moon" (single)

6/05 - Crooked Heart - Perpetual Twilight (LP)

6/05 - Steven Bruce - "Cryin' Eyes" (single)

6/05 - Ghost Town Remedy - "Therapy" (single)

6/08 - Learn to Fly - "Broken Nation" (single)

6/09 - Kevin Herig - Barcelona (Memoryy Remix)

6/10 - Mile Me Deaf - Ecco (LP)

6/10 - The Vignatis - “Red, White & Blue” (single)

6/11 - Luciano Illuminati - Terra Vision 2020 (LP)

6/12 - Sammy Brue - Crash Test Kid (LP)

6/12 - Andrea & Mud - Bad News Darlin' (LP)

6/12 - Teghan Devon - Little Lion (EP)

6/12 - Culture Vultures - "Reflection (ft Hollie Singer & Dai Pump$)" (single)

6/12 - India Ramey - "King of Ashes" (single)

6/12 - Nate Lee - Wings of a Jetliner (LP)

6/12 - Eli Gauden - Call My Name (EP)

6/13 - Ja-Mali - "Codeine Veins" (single)

6/15 - The Bustermoon - Mareena Roots (LP)

6/16 - Carlos Severe Marcelin - Impressionist (LP)

6/17 - DIVES - "100 Times" (single)

6/18 - Monsieur Minimal - "Release Me (Easteria Remix)" (single)

6/19 - Darlin' Brando - Also Too... (LP)

6/19 - Dolour - The Royal We (LP)

6/19 - The Microdance - Our Love Noire (LP)

6/19 - Mendoza Line - We're All In This Alone (reissue) (LP)

6/19 - Jenny Reynolds - Any Kind of Angel (LP)

6/19 - DeLeo - Mythomania (EP)

6/19 - Buildings and Food - "Streetlights" (single)

6/19 - Maria Matiss - "More Than Heaven" (single)

6/19 - Leon Majcen - Back 'Til I'm Gone (LP)

6/19 - Raveis Kole - “Help One Another (We All Can)” (single)

6/19 - Kids Love Surf - "Oyo" (single)

6/19 - Sylvettte - "Kelpius" (single)

6/19 - Patrick Ames - "Reawakened" (single)

6/19 - The Asteroid No. 4 - "The After Glow" (single)

6/19 - The Academy of Sun - The Quiet Earth (LP)

6/19 - Brett Ryan Stewart - "It's Alright to Grow Old" (single)

6/19 - WeWantMore - "Heartbreak" (single)

6/19 - The Neville Staple Band - "Lockdown" (single)

6/19 - Michael McArthur - "Purple Rain" (single)

6/19 - Highway Women - "Shake the Dust" (single)

6/19 - Pozzi - "Tyrant" (single)

6/19 - Lady Couch - "Foolish and Blue" (single)

6/20 - Alpha Pegasi - "Summertime (Doin' Time)" (single)

6/20 - David Starling - "Cowards" (single)

6/22 - Remington Super 60 - "Still Near" (single)

6/24 - I Like Trains - "Dig In" (single)

6/26 - The Special Pillow - World's Finest (EP)

6/26 - Dedicated Men of Zion - Can't Turn Me Around (LP)

6/26 - Serratone - "Groovy Lucy" (single)

6/26 - 8 Floors Up - "Roman Bones Make Good Glue" (single)

6/26 - The Speed of Sound - "Glide on By" (single)

6/26 - Fellow Hollow - "Where can I buy fresh berries at night?" (single)

6/26 - Scenius - "Darkest Lines" (single)

6/26 - Melissa D. - Little Girl (EP)

6/26-  TJ George - Fragmented Soul Vol 2 (EP)

6/26 - Dead Method - "Babylon" (single)

6/26 - Indie Dog - "Moving On" (single)

6/26 - Laura Cortese & The Dance Cards - "Typhoon" (single)

6/26 - Molly Tuttle - "Fake Empire" (National cover) (single)

6/26 - Holy Knives - "Always Gone" (Jamie Hince Remix) (single)

6/27 - Joseph C. Krause - Iztac (EP)

6/29 - Sofia Talvik - Paws of a Bear - Unplugged (LP)

6/?? - Mighty Brother - The Rabbit. The Owl (Double LP)