Humor in dark times. Tricky business. Topical humor to make a point is a time-honored tradition - irony, sarcasm, black humor - but these days in the instant gratification world - the subtlety can often be missed or misinterpreted. Humor can be seen as inappropriate. Many of us use humor as a defense mechanism. Like I said, tricky business.
But what of those who get caught admitting something or saying something offensive or stupid and then say, "I was kidding" or "It was sarcasm" when all evidence indicates they were not kidding and they were not being sarcastic. So, it becomes even trickier.
And what of escapist humor to take a break from fighting systemic racism or holding police accountable for their actions or trying to resist a would-be dictator. Will some, she this humor as poorly timed or accuse you of not taking things seriously enough? Maybe. Should you alter your behavior? Maybe or maybe not.
I think it is worth thinking through every tweet, every Facebook post, every comment and considering the possible implications and interpretations. Ask yourself, who is your intended audience and your potential audience and do either of those groups need to hear what you have to say. Do they need to hear it in this way, in this format, in this context. What is it you are trying to say and do your words adequately convey your message This is messy and complicated, and you may feel as if your free speech has been curtailed. Has it been? Is self-reflection and self censorship a bad thing? We hear censorship, and it sounds and is bad. Is self-censorship even a thing? Censorship denotes government suppressing free speech - surely, considering and weighing ones owns words is not that.
More later....
Now to Part 3 of our Featured Friday Playlist Recap - songs 14-19 (tomorrow 20-25)
14. "When You Don't Fight" by Darlin' Brando
First up, we have the lead track from Also, Too... the new album from Darlin' Brando. Darlin' Brando is singer-songwriter Brandon Goldstein. He was born and raised in Virginia - spent time in Los Angeles, Brooklyn, and Nashville. In Nashville, he recorded 8 of the songs on this album at The Bomb Shelter with a band he played at places with the American Legion. Our friend Adam Kurtz (heard earlier in the playlist) plays pedal steel on the album. A.J. Croce sings on one track. This track is a duet with Darlin' Brando's new wife, playwright Edith Freni.
15. "The Quiet Earth" by The Academy of Sun
The Academy of Sun is a psychedelic post-punk outfit from Brighton that formed nine years ago. This is the title track of their new album.
16. "The Clearing" by Pharamcose
Pharmacose is an alternative rock band from Jacksonville, Florida. This is the new single off their new EP Prescription Fiction Vol. 1.
17. "Codeine Veins" by Ja-Mali
Ja-Mali is a young hip-hop artist. This is his third overall release. Dig it.
18. "100 Times" by Dives
Dives are a trio from Vienna Austria that play surf-garage pop. They met at a Girls Rock Camp. This is their new single, and it is pretty cool.
19. "Release Me - Easteria Remix" by Monsieur Minimal
Next up, we have a disco dance remix of the March 2020 single by Greek alternative artist Monsieur Minimal. A cool way to end this segment of the playlist.
Featured Friday Playlist
Tuesday Morning Shuffle
"Only a Game" by Patricio Johnson (from You Gotta Be Quick Around Here)
Our first listen to this 2019 album from this Nashville based singer-songwriter. Cool stuff.
"Five Long Years" by Joe Beard (from Wayback Machine)
From Mark Hummel's album, Wayback Machine - the last two tracks features blues legend Joe Beard.
"Step Back (Take a Look Around)" by Skaciety featuring Laila K (from single)
A 2015 track. Skaciety would later become The Long Game - thus the video from The Long Game.
"Imago" by Tomorrow's Eve (from Mirror of Creation III - Project Ikaros)
An album we featured in 2018 - from German progressive metal band Tomorrow's Eve.
"Hero" by Angela Easterling (from single)
Next up, we have a single released in May dedicated to the individuals on the front line fighting against the virus that has devastated so many lives. Angela Easterling is joined by her common law husband and regular collaborator Brandon Turner here. We featured Easterling's Common Law Wife several years back.
"Dig a Hole" by Triggers & Slips (from The Stranger)
And we close with a track from a featured album from 2019 - from Salt Lake City's Triggers and Slips led by Morgan Snow. The band was scheduled to play this year's Magnolia Roads American Roots Hoedown V in April - and Snow played the virtual festival.
VIDEO PLAYLIST
NEW AND RECENT RELEASES
This Week
6/?? - Learn to Fly - "Broken Nation" (single)
6/20 - David Starling - "Cowards" (single)
6/22 - Highway Women - "Shake the Dust" (single)
6/22 - Remington Super 60 - "Still Near" (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)
6/29 - Sofia Talvik - Paws of a Bear - Unplugged (LP)
6/?? - Mighty Brother - The Rabbit. The Owl (Double LP)
Last Week
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 - Lady Couch - "Foolish and Blue" (single)
Next Week:
7/03 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - None of Your Business (EP)
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)
7/31 - 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)
8/21 - Eric Bolander - "Window" (single)
8/21 - Liar,Flower - Geiger Counter (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)
8/31 - 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)
10/16 - Malin Pettersen - Wildhorse (LP)
Recent:
5/15 - Special Consensus - Chicago Barn Dance (LP)
5/15 - Zach Aaron - Fill Dirt Wanted (LP)
5/15 - Secret Emchy Society - The Chaser (LP) 5/15 The Room in the Wood - We're the Martians, Now (LP) 5/15 - Wicked Messenger - "Golden Eyes" (single) 5/15 - Lazerine - "There's Nothing in It" (single) 5/15 - Klashing Black - Thoughts on the Matter (EP)
5/15 - Aimee Steven - "Darling" (single)
5/15 - Wolfhounds - "Can't See the Light" (single)
The tornado that ripped through North and East Nashville and across Middle Tennessee in the early hours of Tuesday morning did considerable damage and left over 20 people dead across the state.
The East Nashville music community with which I have aligned myself (and been accepted into) over the last five or so years was hit hard. In addition to the well-publicized major damage at the Basement East (I am so thankful all of the employees made it through okay), musicians and members of the extended community suffered damage to their homes, cars, and places of employment - all of which puts their often perilous financial situations into more dire straights (I will accept responsibility for that "Sultans of Swing" earworm.)
Already, the resilience and spirit of community have been heartening (but not unexpected). If I could only say one thing about this community, it would be about how they come together in times of loss and through difficult times. I trust that we all will come through this stronger than ever with a heightened sense of community.
All that, however, is not meant to minimize the difficult days, weeks, and months ahead. I encourage anyone reading this who has been affected in any way, to reach out for help. In situations like this, people can be affected in many different ways and it can affect all parts of the community - perhaps none more than our most vulnerable citizens. We (which I use in the community sense) are fortunate enough to have some great community partners who do great work every day, and who have already stepped up.
To anyone who feels called to help out, seek out legitimate organizations to support. I have compiled a brief list of ways to help. The list is growing constantly, but I hope this provides a good place to start.
E2TG has always and still believes in the healing power of music. So, we will proceed with our regularly scheduled programming.
Sorry this list isn't more diverse... (just kidding)... enjoy, I sure did.
"Black Flag Blues" by Adam Carroll (from Live at Flipnotics)
One of my favorite Adam Carroll songs - ask Scott Nolan about the Pecan Logs from Stuckey's.
"Empty Your Head" by Smokey the Firebear (Teshio Democracy EP)
Before he was in Them Airs - Cade Williams put out experimental music under the moniker Smokey the Firebear. This is from one of his many releases no longer on-line. The Video Playlist has a different track substituted.
"Glass Window View" by Triggers and Slips (from The Stranger)
Looking forward to seeing Triggers and Slips in April at the Magnolia Roads American Roots Hoedown V (Just announced: the show will now be a benefit for Tornado relief - details to come). The Stranger was among my favorite albums of 2019.
"Raglan Road" by Ricko Donovan (from Full On)
On-time Nashville resident - who I met on our shared birthday four years ago. He is singer-songwriter and hammer dulcimer player.
"I-i Thina Lapha Esishupekayo" by George Sibanda (from Guitar Music of Africa/Recordings 1950-1955)
Some seminal 1950s African guitar music. Sibanda was from Rhodesia - which is now called Zimbabwe.
"Weekend Brawl" by Jerry Castle (from Not So Soft Landing...)
Nashville based singer-songwriter with a track from his 2016 album.
"Walking Shoes" by Duke Dickson (from Gonna Make it Alone)
"Miss Globule" by Pas Musique (from The Phoenix)
"Pulling Me Down" by Brandi and the Alexanders (from How Do You Like It?)
"I Can See For Years" by Good Field (from Surface Tension)
"Dusk" by Moonshine Booze (from Desert Road)
VIDEO PLAYLIST
Recent and Upcoming Releases:
Recent: 1/16 - Margo Price - Stone Me (single) 1/17 - Mark Hummel - Wayback Machine (LP) 1/17 - Jonny Polonsky - "The Weeping Souls" (single) 1/17 - Them Airs - Union Suit XL (LP)(E2TG First Impression) 1/17 - Innocence Mission - See You Tomorrow (LP) 1/17 - David Dondero - The Filter Bubble Blues (LP) 1/17 - MONO INC. - "Warriors" (single) 1/17 - Damen - "Americana" (single) 1/17 - The Singing Butcher - "Circus Girl" (single)
1/17 - Simen Lyngroth - "Morning Light" (single)
1/17 - 100 Mile House - "Worth the Wait" (single) 1/19 - Merrill Beach - "Geen"/"Marimba" (single)(E2TG First Impression) 1/21 - Broads and Milly Hirst - "Happisburgh" (single) 1/22 - Davis Raines - Turquoise and Silver (LP) (E2TG First Impression) 1/24 - Kailey Nicole - Kailey Nicole (LP) 1/24 - Mrs. Henry - Live at the Casbah (LP) 1/24 - Aeronautical Pioneer - "Hop High" (single) 1/24 - Three Rivers Project - Confluence (LP) 1/24 - MONO INC. - The Book of Fire (LP) 1/24 - Dispel - Lore (LP) 1/24 - The New Nostalgia - "Nothing is New" (single) 1/24 - The Heliocentrics - "Burning Wooden Ship" (single) 1/24 - Electric High - "Harder to Justify" (single) 1/24 - J. Luke Cloutier - Drown (LP) 1/26 - Nik West - "Tears" (single) 1/28 - Motihari Brigade - Power from Below (LP) 1/29 - Remington Super 60 - NEW EP (EP) 1/31 - Eric Brace and Last Train Home - Daytime Highs and Overnight Lows (LP) 1/31 - Nick Pagliari - Midway (LP) 1/31 - Black Paisley - "Dreams" (single) 1/31 - Jolie Holland - Esconidida (Vinyl Reissue) (LP) 1/31 - John Dennis - Mortal Flames (LP) (E2TG First Impression) 1/31 - Emma Hill - How Could I Have Been So Wrong (EP) 1/31 - Ryan Sobb and the Dead Mall - Concrete Feelings (LP) (E2TG First Impression) 1/31 - Alexander Hacke (Einsturzende Neubauten) + Danielle de Picciotto (Crime and The City Solution) - The Current (LP) 1/31 - Drive-By Truckers - The Unraveling (LP) 1/31 - Kristen Englenz - "Rebound" (single) 1/31 - Damen - "Disco" (single) 1/31 - Tinsley Ellis - Ice Cream in Hell (LP) 1/31 - The Singing Butcher - "Coming Home" (single) 2/01 - Glenn Jones - Ready for the Good Times (LP)
2/02 - Karabas Barabas - Degenerate National Anthem (LP) 2/04 - Mayflower Madame - "Vultures" (single) 2/05 - Joseph Mooradian - "We all Work Too Much"/"Dash My Dreams" (single)
2/07 - Palm Ghosts - Wide Awake and Waiting (EP) 2/07 - Emily Zuzik - "Trouble" (single) 2/07 - Chicago Farmer - Flyover Country (LP) 2/07 - Surrija - "Barcelona" (single) 2/07 - The Flyin' A's - No Holds Barred (LP) 2/07 - Christopher Paul Stelling - Best of Luck (LP) 2/07 - HMS Morris - "Babanod" (single) 2/07 - Tiny Fighter- "Strangest Thing" (single) 2/07 - Wynnm - "Fire on the Moon" (single) 2/07 - The Golden Cage Society - Mira (Mini EP) 2/07 - Alienbaby Collective - "Degenerate Moon" (single) 2/07 - Eric and the Anti-Vaxxers - Timeshare Girlfriend (EP) 2/07 - Sammy Brue - "Teenage Mayhem" and "Crash Test Kid" (singles) 2/07 - Lucille - "Kerikeri" (single)
2/07 - Jon Magnusson - Always a Rebel (Live in Studio Silverräven) (single)
2/07 - Thomas Passon - "Über" (single)
2/07 - BisonBison - "Hover" (single)
2/07 - BisonBison - Hover (LP)
2/13 - Little Triggers - "Bang" (single)
2/14 - Grant Peeples - Bad Wife (LP) 2/14 - The Heliocentrics - Infinity of Now (LP) 2/14 - Johanna Kuvaja - "Back for Good" (single) 2/14 - Sarah Reynolds - "I Need Love" (single) 2/14 - Afterimage - "Six Seconds" (single) 2/14 - Kalee Smyth - "Bring Our Love Down" (single)
2/14 - Harry Stafford - "She Just Blew Me Away" (single)
2/14 - Kid Be Kid - "Blood" (single)
2/14 - Chris Maxwell - New Store No. 2 (LP)
2/18 - David J - "I Only Hear Silence Now" (single)
2/19 - Paisley Fields - "Ride Me Cowboy" (single)
2/19 - Tom Cridland - "The Laws of Success" (single)
2/21 - Sarah Morris - All Mine (LP) 2/21 - Kindergarten - Iphigenia (Reissue) (LP) 2/21 - Hot Club of L.A.- Cinema Swing (LP) 2/21 - MUUK - Balbuceo (LP) 2/21 - Aaron Beckum - Songs from a Triangle Room (EP) 2/21 - Every 13 Days - Étant Donnés (Reissue) (LP) 2/21 - Seablight - High-Rise Mannequins (EP) 2/21 - Various Artists -Typical Girls Vol. 5 (LP) 2/21 - 12xPretty - 12xPretty (LP) 2/21 - Arkane Skye - "Don't Ask Me Out" (single)
2/21 - Easy - "Crystal Waves" (single)
2/21 - Blue Lucas - "Train Station" (single)
2/21 - Stumbleine - "Supermodels" (single)
2/21 - Jesse Blake Rundle - "The Death of a Soldier" (single) 2/21 - Whitney Shay - Stand Up! (LP)
2/21 - 100 Mile House - "Test the Timber" (single)
2/22 - Charlotte Eagle Sings - Embracing the Old Ways (LP)
2/24 - Jon Magnusson - "Set Me on Fire (Live Silverraven Sessions) (single)
2/28 - Kristen Englenz - Ingenue (LP) 2/28 - Brett Ryan Stewart - "All or None" (single)2/28 - Close Lobsters - Post Neo Anti... (LP) 2/28 - The Heliocentrics - Infinity of Now (LP)
2/28 - Scenius - "Glass Rain" (single)
2/28 - Jeffrey James - East London (EP)
2/28 - Charmless i - "Long Time Coming" (single)
2/28 - Gallary 47 - "I Wish I Was" (single)
2/28 - Xirita - "Don't Go" (single)
2/28 - Son of David - "Carry On" (single)
2/28 - Harry Stafford - "Painted Ocean" (single) 2/28 - Strange Majik - "World On Fire" (single)
2/28 - MUUK - Balbuceo (LP)
2/29 - Jimmy Who and the Night Creatures - Tinker's Blues (EP)
This Week
3/04 - Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion - Chameleon (LP)
3/04 - Iron Mike Norton - "Help Me Make It Through the Night" (single) 3/06 - Surrija - "Sylvette" (single) 3/06 - Dean Fields - While the Baby Was Sleeping (LP) 3/06 - Broads and Milly Hirst - Ollust (LP) 3/06 - The Mastersons - No Time for Love Songs (LP) 3/06 - Ghostwood Development Project (Feat. Kool Keith) - "Gulley" (single)
3/06 - The Mystery Plan - Ballad of JC Quinn (LP)
3/06 - Brian Wright and the Sneakups - "Patrick's Crossing" (single)
3/06 - Jonny Polonsky - Kingdom of Sleep (LP)
3/06 - Tiny Fighter - "Perfect Game" (single)
3/06 - African Head Charge - Drumming is a Language (LP)
3/06 - African Head Charge - Songs of Praise - reissue (LP)
3/06 - African Head Charge - Churchical Chant Of The Iyabinghi (LP)
Upcoming
3/09 - Marco Bonvicini - "Colors" (single)
3/13 - The Flatmates - The Flatmates (LP) 3/13 - Kleenex Girl Wonder - Ponyoak (20th Anniversary Edition) + BLP (demos and out-takes) (LP) 3/13 - Sandwick - Reconstruct (LP) 3/13 - Foley and the Fire - "Springsteen on the Radio" (single) 3/13 - Kalee Smyth - The Ceiling (EP)
3/13 - Sha Davis - Songs I Wrote When You Left (EP)
3/13 - The Losing Touch - "Through the Night" (single)
3/13 - Gerry Gareau - Feet Off The Brakes (EP)
3/13 - Ayla Brook and the Sound Men - Desolation Sounds (LP)
3/13 - The Academy of Sun - "The Parts That Need Replacing" (single)
3/18 - Marco Bonvicini - Colors (EP) 3/20 - Matt Wilson and His Orchestra - When I Was a Writer (LP) 3/20 - Chris Moyse - Bitter Ballads and Cynical Prayers (LP)
3/20 - Samuel Boller - Kingdom of the Sun (LP) 3/20 - The Blam Blams - "Isabella" (single) 3/20 - Jon Hassell - Vernal Equinox (reissue) (LP)
3/27 - Mayflower Madame - "Swallow" (single) 3/27 - Alienbaby Collective - F I S H B O W L / T E R R E S T R I A L (Double EP) 3/27 - Mairena - "Weird All the Time" (single) 3/27 - Lucille - Come on,Fly (LP)
3/27 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "Money" (single)
3/27 - Ben Reel - The Nashville Calling (LP)
3/27 - 100 Mile House - Love and Leave You (LP)4/03 - Surrija - Surrija (LP) 3/27 - Watermelon Slim - Traveling Man (Double Live LP)
3/27 - Lilly Hiatt - Walking Proof (LP)
3/?? - Harry Stafford - Gothic Urban Blues (LP) 4/01? - Ten Penny Gypsy - Fugitive Heart (LP)
4/03 - Chip and the Charge Ups - Lightning in Our Veins (LP)
4/03 - Stumbleine - Sink Into the Ether (LP)
4/09 - Ellison - "Sing" (single)
4/10 - Eliza Gilkyson - 2020 (LP) 4/10 - Dan Montgomery - Smoke and Mirrors (a phonographic memory) (LP) 4/10 - Pokey LaFarge - Rock Bottom Rhapsody (LP)
4/10 - The Dream Syndicate - The Universal Inside (LP)
4/13 - Pilotcan - No More Shan Goodbye (LP) 4/17 - Paul Burch and WPA Ballclub - Light Sensitive (LP)
4/16 - Destijl - Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (LP)
4/17 - Aimee Stevens - "Hell is a Teenaged Girl" (single)
4/24 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "I'm Gonna Break Your Heart" (single) 4/24 - Ben Bostick - Among the Faceless Crowd (LP)
4/24 - Kyle Lalone - Somewhere In Between (EP)
5/08 - Brian Wright and the Sneak-Ups - Lapse of Luxury
5/31 - Debra Power - That's How I Roll (LP)
6/05 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "None of Your Business" (single)
6/12 - Sammy Brue - Crash Test Kid (LP)
7/03 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - None of Your Business (EP)