E2TG 8/16/2021 - Music City Monday - Frames Mix (Holy Hangover Remix)

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Featured Friday Playlist recap (part 2) (songs 13-19):

13. "The Easy Way Out" by Ronan Furlong

Irish singer-songwriter Ronan Furlong kicks us off with his latest single - which brings him back to E2TG. 

14. "Today I Ride Alone" by Gary Hector

From American Trash - which we previously featured, we have another track from this Americana artist from Trinidad and Tobago. 

15. "You Never Made It That Far" by Keeley

Bay Area singer-songwriter Keeley also is a return artist with her latest. 

16. "Said Your Name" by Film School

We next have the second single from the forthcoming We Weren't Here (September 24) from this long-running L.A. shoegaze band. 

17. "My Radio" by Curt Chambers

Next up, we have the lead track from the recent 85 South EP from this Philadelphia native who mixes authentic hip-hop, r&b, and country. 

18. "The Gallery" by Lindsay Jarman

Next up, we have the third single and title track from the debut album by this Atlanta based singer-songwriter. The album is due out Friday. 

19. "Diogi" by Los Blancos

And, we close out this segment of music with a track from the new EP by this Welsh band  (yes another band from Wales - I feel like I'm becoming a Welsh music blog, but there has been so much great music, I am not complaining). This new EP was created during quarantine and features each band member contributing the sound.  

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 6/21/2021 - Music City Monday & More - God & The Devil Mix (Static Swell Remix)

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We are back after a few days off - trying to get back in the swing of things...

Featured Friday Playlist recap (Part 5) (songs 18-21):

18. "FLIP" by Erin Coburn

First up, we have a recent single from this Kentucky based singer-songwriter who combines trap with 90s  flavored rock into an original sound. A great way to jump start our return from a couple of days off.

19. "Underclass Heart" by GAZ Price

Next up, we have a 27 year old singer-songwriter from the UK with his most recent single. 

20. "Better Now" by Mothgal

Next up, we have a Nashville based American-Australian pop duo of Courtney Wray and Alex Tomlins. This is their first release. 

21. "The New Normal" by Christina LaRocca

And, we close with a new single from L.A. based Renaissance woman Christina LaRocca with a song she started before the pandemic which took on some added meaning over the last year and a half. A great song to close out this segment of music. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 11/23/2020 - Music City Monday - The Skin Mix (Landfill Remix)

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In the past couple of days, two musician friends of mine have tested positive for COVID-19.  All the relevant numbers are on the rise across the country.  There is virtually no relief from our government at any level which means it is up to "We the People".  Take all necessary precautions.  Forgo unncessary gatherings.  Stay in as much as possible, wear masks and practice social distancing when you must go out.  This promises to be a long, dark winter. This is not political... the election is over. This is about listening to scientists and what they are saying today - not rehashing some interview from February that may contradict what is being said today.  Take every precaution you can - the worst thing will be that you were too cautious and were temporarily inconvenienced. The best thing is that you might help slow the spread of a virus that has the potential to cause long-term negative health effects and even to cause death. 

I'm going to try to recap the rest of this week's Featured Friday Playlist in three days so I can take Thanksgiving off... so today, we will feature songs 9-16:

9. "This Disease" by Wilder Embry

We start off with a track from a fairly recent EP called Great Tornado by this Nashville based singer-songwriter and Georgia native. A friend of mine mentioned his music, and I checked it out, and I really liked it. 

10. "In the City" by Tower Defense

Next up, we have the title track from the brand new album by this long-running Nashville punk band. My DJ partner Sue met these some of these guys at Dee's and played one of their older songs on our old radio show. 

11. "The Edge" by Adam Wright

Next up, another recent single from a Nashville based songwriter that I was clued into by a friend. Again, I gave a listen - as I do, and I loved what I heard. 

12. "Man on TV" by Josh King

Next up, we have a track from the new album by North Carolina based folk/rock singer-songwriter Josh King. The album was recorded under quarantine with assistance from two of his former band mates from the band House of Fools.  

13. "My First Friend" by Grant Hill & M.O.S.

Next, we have the first single from the forthcoming new album by California singer-songwriter Grant Hill and his band M.O.S.  This one resonated with me very strongly. 

14. "Over You" by Burris

Next, we have the title track from the new album by this New Orleans based folk band. The band's sophomore album is a two-parter. Over You Part 1 is out now. An melodic, emotion-packed song.

15. "Harlem River Blues" by Steve Earle

The first taste of Steve Earle's heart-wrenching tribute album to his late son Justin Townes is out. Harlem River Blues is one of the younger Earle's most popular songs, and the lyrics hit hard in the tragic new context of his life.

16. "Too High to Cross the Street (Too Drunk to Care)" by Uncle Sexy and the Nephews

And, we close out this long segment of music with one that actually came to me via my Spotify Release Radar - which is only did because the song is a collaboration between Dee Oh Gee (formerly Blackfoot Gypsies) and Uncle Sexy and the Nephews - a really fascinating band from Chicago that I am just now getting to know.  A great song. 

Tomorrow - we will pick up with song 17 and get as far as we can...

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 8/17/2020 - Music City Monday - Take a Boat Mix (Little Lion Remix)

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Another Monday on the the side of the looking glass or in the upside down or wherever it is we now reside. The nation is under attack from within and an entire political party is complicit either through their actions or inaction.  Not only that, but a sizable portion of the population is complicit either through ignorance or acceptance of this attack. Science is under attack, the rule of law is under attack, the constitution is under attack, and the election process is under attack - on several different fronts. 

We live in a very fractured and broken society. People are angry and yelling at each other in person and over social media, and honestly, I am not sure all that yelling is doing any good. This is not a statement about protests which is a different thing and historically effective in many cases. This is people yelling at other people and never stopping to listen. 

All too often, I make the mistake of reading the comment section of articles and posts, and they are always the same. Someone jumps in and makes a wild claim with no proof. People jump on that and demand proof of the statement.  The person who originally makes the claim - either states that they don't have to prove it or they ignore the request for proof or they post a sketchy YouTube clip or an out of date news article or an article from a sketchy, biased source, or they just start name-calling and soon people on both sides are name-calling.... 

I feel like a part of me dies when I read the comment section, but it is a bit like turning your head as you pass a car accident - you know you shouldn't, but well traffic is slowing and...

I vacillate between hope and despair. I am uncertain of the future when it comes to COVID-19 - but it seems like many people are just pretending it is all over, and to me we are just barely emerging from the first wave, and I fear the second wave will be worse and I am not sure that another shut-down will happen. 

Ah, but music - we have more from this week's Featured Friday Playlist and today's Music City Monday Shuffle.  

We continue our recap of our Featured Friday Playlist with Song numbers 6-9:

6. "Are We Having a Good Time Yet?" by Bikini Test Failure

We start of this segment of music with a new single from the Manchester band that is the recording project of James Hill. It is a newly re-multitracked, newly mixed, and newly mastered song from the first Bikini Test Failure album Another Day, Another Fat Pile of Cash which was released in 2004. I missed this band and this song the first time around, but I dig it. 

7. "Two Step de St. Anne" by Goldman Thibodeaux and the Lawtell Playboys

Next up, we have a track the first album in 13 years by pre-Zydeco legends Goldman Thibodeaux and the Lawtell Playboys. The album was recorded live at the Thibodeaux family reunion last year. The Lawtell Playboys formed in 1946. I could use more time to explore the shared roots of Cajun and Zydeco music in the very segregated Louisiana of the mid-twentieth century - suffice it to say this music speaks to a deep place in my Cajun soul. 

8. "Veronica" by Brandon Phillips & the Condition

Next up, we have a wonderful piano ballad from this Kansas City band that features members of several well-known Kansas City bands like The Architects and The Gadjits.  This is a great song.  

9. "Dose" by The Danbury Lie 

Our old friend, The Danbury Lie returns to the Playlist with another track from his new release, Mist. Man, I love hearing new music from Rob, and it has been so much fun to follow his musical and literal journey for much of the existence of E2TG. A great end to this segment of music.  

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 7/31/2020 - Featured Friday - Just Feels Right Mix (Up to No Good Remix)

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I don't have a ton of time, but I think we have a great Featured Friday Playlist this week.  I little shorter than the past few weeks, but it is jammed back with some great music. Check it out and follow.  Our recap begins below the jump with the first seven songs. 
 

   

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Jesus and Jim Morrison Mix

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Greetings from Nashville!  It is Monday and time for Music City Monday.  Exploring all things Nashville - Past and Present!

Let's get right to it!

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Rolls off the Tongue Mix

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Just another manic Monday....

I am short on time - so let's get right to our Music City Monday shuffle!

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Chocolate Milk and Cigarettes Mix

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All of this happened a long time ago when the world was a very different place. Of course, none of us knew that at the time.
(From 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 three - January - March 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.

E2TG January 2018
E2TG February 2018
E2TG March 2018
E2TG April 2018 (NEW!)


In case you missed it, Friday, we premiered a new song, "Gloria" by Nashville singer-songwriter Benjamin Jason Douglas from his album First World Blues which is being released this coming Friday.  Check it out HERE !


Back to the shuffle. We have another Music City Monday shuffle- which comes from our Music City Monday Playlist on Spotify. 

Let's get right to the shuffle!

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Caves of Ice Mix

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All of this happened a long time ago when the world was a very different place. Of course, none of us knew that at the time.
(From 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 three - January - March 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.

E2TG January 2018
E2TG February 2018
E2TG March 2018


Well, it's time for another Music City Monday playlist.  We have another good one today, so let's get to it!

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - I Don't Even Try Mix

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I haven't been posting too much about current events here. I never wanted or intended to... but as you may be aware since last year, I have felt compelled. When I do make posts like this, I do not consider them political though some might. I believe there is value in all political viewpoints being heard and respected. I do not, however, there are things happening that go far beyond political differences.

I am proud of and support the young people speaking up about the cancer of gun violence which has gripped our country.  I am disgusted by those who attack, threaten or belittle these engaged young people.

On another note, as the Mueller investigation moves forward, we are clearly in uncharted territory as a nation. I don't know how this will end or even how it should end, but it is clear that our nation is and has been under attack and we need to do something.

Personally, I think our democracy is broken and needs to be repaired. I don't know how or if it will be repaired.  These are definitely interesting and troubling time.

The near constant barrage of information is overwhelming. I believe there is a concerted effort to instill a sense of chaos and confusion to keep American's back on their heels. I, for one, need to find solid ground.

As always, I turn to music as a solace.
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I am super excited to announce that E2TG will be back at The 5 Spot every Thursday in June. We will be celebrating our seventh anniversary in style with a different awesome line up every week. I am currently finalizing acts and dates, but expect further announcements soon!

Now, it's Monday, and as you may know, on Monday, we shuffle up songs from Nashville's past and present.  We call it Music City Monday. Since the beginning of the new year, we have been shuffling up a special Spotify playlist made up of some of the awesome people who have called Nashville home.

If you want to explore the playlist at your own leisure, you do so HERE.  As always, when I post from Spotify, I remind you that if you hear music you love, go ahead and purchase it. Spotify is a tool for hearing music, but it does not, unfortunately pay artists well. Saving or downloading music on that site is not the same as buying the music.

Anyway, we have a cool list today - so let's shuffle!

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - Boy They Can't Ignore Mix

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 Warner E. Hodges from this past Saturday's Royal Court of China Reunion at Foobar. Nashville.

Had a blast this past Saturday witnessing a reunion show by Nashville Rock legends Royal Court of China with special guest Warner E. Hodges on guitar.  As an added bonus, the band was introduced by the cover model from their self-titled debut album (she was actually Japanese).

Onward and upward, we have another great collection of music this morning, and as usual, the accompanying Playlist includes the songs from the Mix or if the actual song was not available (or locatable) in video form, another song by the same artist.

Pre-Shuffle (songs from my morning drive):

"The Moon Dead in the River" by Wendy James
"Bad Feeling" by The Beat Up (formerly known as The Beatings) 
"Who Are You" by Ivan and Alyosha
" This Time Around" by Royal Court of China
"Vanity" by Monks of Mellonwah (from their excellent new EP Ghost Story)
"Blood of the Saints" by Dave Hogan (who I got to see at the Nashville Songwriter Festival a few weeks ago with a h/t to Jason from Grimm Generation)
"Trip" by Canopy Climbers (from their awesom album Miles)

 Shuffle commences right after the JUMP

Friday Morning Music Shuffle - It's Been So Long... Mix

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 A very special Shuffle just 'cause I am so stoked about the Royal Court of China reunion show tomorrow night at FooBar.  The show is a benefit for RCC bassist Robert Logue's Black Raven Emporium and their efforts to add a patio space. The legendary Nashville band will be assisted by Warner E. Hodges (Jason and the Scorchers, The Bluefields, and Dan Baird's Homemade Sin).

For today's shuffle, I stirred up my Royal Court of China digital library and the results are after the JUMP

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - Can't Honestly Say Mix

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 Well, here we go... This is going to be a big week for me personally and for Ear to the Ground.  Musically speaking the highlight is the Americana Music Fest which hits Nashville this week.  Expect much Americana news, highlights, pics? and who knows.  This will be my first foray into the Americana Music Fest and there are some epic moments coming up.

I've been working on plotting out my showcase plan and Thursday night I seem to have every spot booked from about 6:30 when the Dunwells open Live on the Green until whatever time The All-Star Big Star tribute show wraps up at The Rutledge. In between? Delta Spirit, Angel Snow, Mary Gauthier and Richard Thompson.  That's all. And that's just one night.

Kicking things off, will be E2TG favorite Jo Wymer who will be part of a pre-Americanafest in-the-round on Wednesday night.  There are some great AMA Fest showcases on Wednesday, but I won't be able to attend those.  

More great music Friday and Saturday...

But more on that later, it's Monday and we have an honest to goodness Music Shuffle to present:

First up is a fun Nashville band called Cheer Up Charlie Daniels. Bunsen Burner Baby Blues is a cool rave up from the band's debut release, Live in 79'. I've had this band in heave rotation lately, and I hope you enjoy.

 

Next up is the second song we've featured from Thurston Moore's exceptional new band Chelsea Light Moving. This was actually the third song released by the band, who have been releasing one song at a time.  Originally our song today, Empire of Time , was released under the title Frank O'Hara Hit by mistake. That song, was released a week later and the error was explained.  

Here is the link to Empire of Time.

Next up we have another great song from the Nashville area super-group, The Bluefields. Flat Out Gone is a nifty rocker off the Pure album with Joe Blanton delivering his always solid vocals backed by Dan Baird and Warner Hodges doing what they do best.

Next we have a track from current Featured Artists Grounded (who are from Tallahassee, Florida).  Glimpse Of comes from the band's demo available on Bandcamp:

 

Here is Grounded's Steven Perez playing with another band Clouds

And finally, Dan and Warner from the Bluefields are back with the lead track off of the eponymous 2008 album by Dan Baird and Homemade Sin.  Damn Thing To Be Done.  Dan Baird was the front man for The Georgia Satellites and Warner Hodges was/is the lead guitarist for Jason and the Scorchers.  That may give you a clue as to what to expect from Homemade Sin (hint: this ain't dubstep).

  

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The Bluefields - In-Store @ Grimey's - 5/17/2012

First of all apologies for the crappy cell phone pictures, there were people there with better camera equipment who took better pictures, so hunt them down.




The Bluefields have this released their first album, and they were booked to do an in-store performance at Grimey's New & Preloved Music (one of the best record stores in the world - btw).  

Warner E. Hodges, Joe Blanton & Dan Baird

Dan Baird played bass and sang

So I posted a brief commentary on Facebook on this show as soon as I got home. 

Words can not express how awesome it was seeing The Bluefields this evening at Grimey's New & Preloved Music.Warner E. Hodges Dan Baird and Joe Blanton brought the house down. - oh and I will try to find words to express how awesome it was tomorrow.

After I posted it, actually just before (as you will see from the last line), I thought, well I'm a writer and a music blogger so I best find some words to express how awesome it was.  Well it took me a couple of extra days, but here goes nothing.


When I approached Grimey's, I saw the band standing out front. I got there early, and I had some time to think about this event. 


First of all, if you don't know, I need to tell you about the Band:


The Bluefields are Warner E. Hodges (Jason & the Scorchers, Homemade Sin), Joe Blanton (The Enemy, Royal Court of China) and Dan Baird (Georgia Satellites, Homemade Sin)




Warner E. Hodges :


Memories: Seeing the Scorchers play Labor Day 1985 at Cat's Records.  Such an amazing experience. The Movement (Richie Owens band who played one of my favorite song's Lost Horizon) and the later Tim Kreckel and the Sluggers  opened the show and were both amazing, but the night belonged to the Scorchers.  From the first explosive note, you could see where that the name was appropriate.  The stage burned, and every moment was a joyous and infectious blur of twirling microphone and slinging guitar.

In the later part of the 80s, I got really into the local music scene in Nashville.  Bands like The Questionnaires and Walk the West and others.  I was still going to school in Cookeville, but whenever we could we would drive up to Nashville and catch a show (it was usually weekends at the Cannery) and at almost every show I attended, Warner Hodges joined the band for the encore and it was always the Rolling Stone's Honky Tonk Women.

Flashforward:  2012 - I got to stand next to Warner's mother, Blanche (a musician herself) and watch as Warner and the Bluefields tore it up. I got to tell her how much her son's music had meant to me over the years, and she told me that he originally had not shown an interest in the guitar and that he had not begun playing guitar until he was ten.    Warner plays with such intensity and yet such ease, and he flashes this genuine and warm smile periodically throughout the show.


Joe Blanton:


Memories:  Around the same time that I saw the Scorchers for the first time, I remember hearing this local band on WRVU (sadly off the dial now) - The Enemy had this one song, Jesus Rides a U.F.O. that I loved. I remember going to see R.E.M. at Vanderbilt in November of 1985, and a friend pointing out the members of The Enemy in attendance.

MP3: The Enemy - Jesus Rides a U.F.O.

A few years later (very few) The Enemy broke up and out of the ashes came Royal Court of China. To me Royal Court of China always had a larger than life feel.  They played blistering hard rock suffused with a Southern Gothic spirit.  Joe Blanton's voice I remember most and the perfect blend of the two styles of music.  RCC got signed to a major label and made an amazing debut record.  After that, the band split with a couple of members forming The Shakers who took the Southern Gothic mysticism to new heights while Joe and some others carried on as Royal Court of China and made a stunning hard rock album.  I loved The Shakers and the hard rock RCC album, but I always missed that perfect fusion of the original lineup.  Still Joe Blanton's guitar and vocals were always amazing.

Flashforward 2012 - Joe Blanton still has an amazing rock and roll voice, and he can play guitar pretty well, too.  Before the show, it was clear that he was the detail man of the band - setting up video cameras.


Dan Baird:


Memories:  I don't remember the year exactly - maybe 86? But, this "new" band started getting tons of airplay on WRVU.  The Georgia Satellites.  They reminded me of the Scorchers in a way, but it was different, too. Then, I heard The Song, and damn if it wasn't stuck in my head all the damn time.  RVU played it to death, but I never got sick of it.  This had happened before with songs I heard on WRVU - Peter Case's Walk in the Woods comes immediately to mind.  But, then this funny thing happened.  Suddenly, this song began to get airplay on commercial stations and on MTV (and yes kids, MTV used to play music videos).  And wouldn't you know it, this song made it to number one and Keep Your Hands to Yourself became and remains a iconic Rock n Roll song. The band ended up on Dick Clark's New Years Rockin' Eve.

Dan Baird has been making music, great music ever since.  As a solo artist and with his band Homemade Sin (of which Warner is a member).

Flashforward 2012 - When these three guitarists formed a band, Dan Baird got volunteered to play bass. Dan Baird, who I think has one of the most distinctive voices in rock, joked repeated about his voice and his ability to play the bass.  As I've before and I say again, I am a non-musician music lover, and so my take on music is always much more emotional than technical. So, I don't know how Dan Baird's bass playing would be considered by a bass player, but I can say that the whole band sounded great to me.

Overall, my overall impression was of these three world-weary musicians who have seen the highs and lows of a life in music and press on because it is who they are. What I heard in the songs of the Bluefields from their debut, Pure, was maybe not the pure youthful, reckless country soul of that early Scorchers show, but truthful, direct songs that told stories that we all know so well.  What I saw, was these veteran musicians having fun doing what they love.  And what I felt was truly blessed and fortunate to have the opportunity to witness it and to shake the hands of these men whose music made up such large part of my life.

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - I Don't Know What Mix

I hope everyone had a great weekend.  It is Monday, and we have a pretty good rocking shuffle to get your blood pumping...

First up we have Sonny and the Sunsets with Teen Age Thugs  from their sophomore album Hit After Hit.  Trivia - Jackson Browne's son plays bass for Sonny and the Sunsets.

   

Next we have a track from the 2008 album Centerline by Jason & the Scorchers guitarist Warner E. Hodges. Gimme, Gimme scorches just fine thank you...

 

A Video of Warner and Dan Baird performing as Home Made Sin

Next up, Atlanta-based band Biters with Breakin Your Heart Again from their All Chewed Up EP.  This band has a great classic rock sound, but in a good way... if you know what I mean... or even if you don't.

From SXSW 2012

Finally - we offer up another fine track from the German band Rooftop Runners - Streets off the We Are Here EP which dropped in April.  Rooftop Runners play an exciting and original brand of energetic dark pop.

 

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Affiliated Links:

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