E2TG 4/15/2021 - What to Put in this Spot - Tricky Love Mix (Therapy Remix)

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My thoughts today are about the return to "normalcy".  I am happy to have received both doses of the vaccine and I hope more people will reach that stage.  I got to see live in-person, inside music for the first time on Sunday, but to me this is not yet a return to an old normal and to be honest, in some ways, that old normal is not coming back - which is okay - I look forward some new normal but I don't think we are there yet either. This current normal is something that I will have to adapt to I guess. For me, going out to see live music (usually in a smaller venue) was often a spontaneous thing, and I usually went out alone and then always met up with friends.   The current normal seems to demand more planning and in some cases buying "pods" of four seats.  For some, this works really well... for me, again, it will be an adjustment.   

I also have a form a social anxiety which is kicked into high gear what with being away from going out for over a year, the new rules etc. This is something I will have to overcome in order for me to exist in this new normal.  

I was not someone who often went to large gathering type events, so changes there will not affect me.  

My night out Sunday went well - not much advance planning - I think several people were feeling our way around new expectations which helped with my anxiety. I felt more prone to stay rooted in one spot than I used to....  

I always need to acknowledge that some people are not yet ready to go out like I did and some are way ahead of me on that. My general feeling is that the only people who are 100% certain of anything these days are the people who are clearly wrong. The rest of us are trying to do right, feeling our way through, and hoping for grace. 

 And just like that it is time to wrap up this week's Featured Friday Playlist.  As always, we save some cool music to finish off the week (songs 28-32):

28. "Time Crystals" by Coyote Man

First up, we have a recent single from this Chicago-based progressive instrumental band. Cool stuff. 

29. "Noah Mount" by Ben Conley

Next up, we have a bluesy new single from this L.A. based artist. This is my first exposure to his music, and I like it. 

30. "Nosebleed" by ZOLA

Next, we have the first single following a year-long hiatus from San Francisco-based singer-songwriter ZOLA whose indie-pop music often combines French and English lyrics. A great sound on this track. 

31. "HEADLIGHTS" by Sleep Nation

Keeping stateside for one more track, we have the new single from this alternative rock band from right here in Nashville. The powerhouse bluesy song's story is a modernized version of Wayne Cochran's 1961 song "Last Kiss" which was covered in more recent times by Pearl Jam. 

 32. "U Can't Hide" by RUMBLE (feat. Blackout Ja)

And we close things out today and for this week's playlist with our second time featuring the Chinese Man Records artists RUMBLE - who also closed out a playlist last November.  Here they are joined by reggae dancehall legend Blackout Ja.

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 5/21/2020 - Something Goes Here - We Will Again Mix (A Grief Ago Remix)

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So, I have continued to think about E2TG and what I can do differently. It is just something I do.

This space was meant to be a place for... well... that is a good question.  An introduction...  Originally, I thought this would be where I would post short recaps of live music, but... well you know how that one goes...

So, I have this idea to try starting next week.  We shall see.  That is what E2TG has always been a long-running experiment. I can't even begin to count how many "New Features" I have introduced only to abandon after a few (or even one) occurrences. Sometimes, ideas sound good in my brain but in reality they don't work out...

Anyway, tomorrow, we will unveil a new Featured Friday Playlist.  Remember you can follow the playlist on Spotify so you don't have to wait until I do my blog post tomorrow.

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 4/27/2020 - Post-Normalcy - Coronet Mix (Skeleton House Remix)

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So, first of all, I don't think I know much of anything for sure. I have thoughts and ideas and guesses, but those change almost daily if not more often. It is disturbing to me how even in this time of shared trauma and shared tragedy and shared inconvenience, we are still very much divided.  There are definitely agents of this divide, but this paragraph is not aimed at any one side... why are there even sides except man vs. COVID-19. Once again we are faced with a seemingly insurmountable inability or even willingness to find any common ground.  It is possible for people of good faith and good conscience to disagree on approaches and philosophies, and as I have said many times, I am someone who - though steadfast in my opinions on certain matters - believes there is value in compromise and hearing and listening to opposing viewpoints.

But any such compromise can only be reached - I think by finding common ground and building upon that. And, in the case of COVID-19 the common ground should be obvious, but it is sadly not the case. Even if evidence staring us in the face, we argue and disagree and toss around conspiracy theories...

I don't know if I am making sense. I'm thinking about the whole reopening vs. staying the course. I respect that people have different opinions on this and I don't think most who are pushing to reopen want people to die anymore than I believe most of  those urging caution and slowing down on reopening are purposely trying to wreck the economy. I sincerely hope that the majority of people want everyone to be safe and healthy and also want to minimize the economic impact which many people of all sides are feeling.  But, the problem is we cannot even agree on numbers and facts and what those numbers mean or don't mean. So, we argue and fight and send nasty memes and ridicule and belittle.  There is a small faction that desires chaos and division, and unfortunately, that small faction seems to be winning the day sometimes.

But - I am an optimist. And so, I hope for solutions and resolutions and better judgement to rally.

At the beginning of this pandemic, I used the term "back to normal" wondering how long before we would get back to normal.  But, these days I think more about the new normal. Regardless of party affiliation or personal opinion, what we are striving for us not a return to normal, but rather an push toward the beginning of what comes next - which will be post-normal or a new normal.

Eh.., I will shut up now, and play some music.

    Featured Friday Playlist

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - No Mystery Mix

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So - in reference to my long pre-shuffle post yesterday, music is what sustains me when the world gets me down. Music has saved my life. Music is not just important to me, it is vital to my existence.

On top of all of the other worldly problems, I am troubled by the devaluing of music by our culture. Technological advancements which should be (and in many cases are) a boon to the goal of getting music out to the people - has - like many parts of society - fallen into the hands of a few "power" players - who exploit the true creators to line their own pocket.

The people I know who make music - mostly do so because they have to - not in absence of other skills but it is a drive. A model has to be developed that adequately rewards the creators. The so-called music business is a microcosm for the rest of society. The gap between the haves and the have-nots.

I do not have a solution, but I think there is one out there. The question is - what will motivate those who are benefiting from the current system?

So, for most of us - who love music- the call is to act on whatever scale we are able. Go to shows, buy merch, buy music in a physical format - even if you mostly listen to electronic formats, if there is a tip jar for the band - use it. Share music!  Social media companies intentionally limit the reach of artists and others - to encourage "boosted" posts. It even happens to E2TG - once my Facebook page like count reached a certain level - fewer people saw my posts. I don't make a dime from E2TG, so it doesn't make sense for me to pay to boost my posts. The only way to combat this is from everyone to share posts. _ I don't just mean E2TG (although that would be nice), but also posts by your favorite bands.

It has been a rough week in many ways - my spirit is low and my temper has been short. I'm combating all that with music and creativity.

It is Wednesday, and that is the day, we do what I call the "Wild Wednesday" shuffle.  A shuffle derived from all the songs saved to my phone.  Let's see what happens!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Friends with Benefits Mix

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I am going to link to yesterday's shuffle which didn't get posted until today as to avoid the social media faux pas of making two posts back to back. 

Check out the awesome Trending Tuesday Shuffle.  HERE

Today's Wild Wednesday Shuffle - lives up to the name - as we have songs that span 91 years.

I have to be a little quick so bear with me.

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Day After Tomorrow Blues Mix

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Time moves on... we are half way through the first month of 2019.  I continue to be overwhelmed with a lack of free time + too many commitments + a need for quiet reflective time + anxiety + cool music events to go to + procrastination + existential crises + political and social upheaval + cat memes + social awkwardness +did I mention lack of free time? + money concerns + did I mention cat memes? + not knowing how to end a list of things that seems endless..... whew!

Breathe!  I am right here, right now. I am doing what I am doing - which is writing this blog - and just for this moment, this is what I am supposed to be doing.

It is Wednesday and time to shuffle up all the songs saved to my phone memory card and see what comes out of it!

Let's go!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Love in Winter Mix

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For your holiday shopping: The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)


Back from the extended holiday.  I listened to my Music City Monday Spotify playlist on my drive, and it made a great travel companion.  Check it out here and follow if you like.  It is a continuous work-in-progress with new music added regularly.  LISTEN HERE


It is Tuesday, and time for Trending Tuesday - where we explore a sampling of some of the newish music to come to E2TG.  Let's shuffle!

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Can of Worms Mix

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The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)

I am continuing to work on my Spotify playlists for E2TG.  So far, I have completed nine - January - September 2018.  These are meant to be a cross-section of music I featured during those months - not necessarily music released in those months.   If you are interested, you can check out the playlists (links below)  and follow my personal profile to find out when new playlists are created.

JUST ADDED!  August and September 2018 Playlists!

E2TG January 2018
E2TG February 2018
E2TG March 2018
E2TG April 2018 
E2TG May 2018
E2TG June 2018
E2TG July 2018
E2TG August 2018 (NEW!)
E2TG September 2018  (NEW!)
E2TG October 2018  


Hey, it is Pledge Week at Nashville's All-Volunteer Community Radio Station, WXNA.  I am thrilled to have a small part in this valuable community resource. WXNA recently announced that we are moving our studio early next year, so one of goals of this Fall's Pledge Drive is to raise funds to defray the cost of that move.

As always, WXNA can be heard at 101.5FM in Nashville (as I like to say, within the Briley Parkway loop) and it can be streamed anywhere at wxnafm.org or through the TuneIn app.

If you want to pledge your support, contact WXNA at 615-933-9962  or go on-line at wxnafm.org


I am happy to report that the inaugural Word No Music: A Reading was a huge success. It was well-received and a ton of fun. It is my intention to make it a recurring event into 2019.  Look for an announcement of the next show, coming soon!

A busy weekend ahead. Tonight, a release show for the new Christmas single by E2TG favorite Ted Drozdowski at Dee's.  Tomorrow, a morning of Pledge Drive fun at WXNA, including Double Shot with our Pledge Drive theme about "Our Favorite Producers".

Next week is Thanksgiving in the U.S. - so a short week of shuffles...

Now, we have our final shuffle of this week, and it is another good one! Let's go!