Featured Friday Playlist recap (part 5 - the finale) (songs 41-49):
41. "Something Between Us" by Subconscious Culture
First up, we have a five minute seven part jazz and soul journey from this California artist.
42. "Another Girl's Man" by Alice SK
Next up, we have the debut single from this UK singer-songwriter.
43. "Chorus" by No thee no ess
We add yet another band from Wales to the mix - with the first single from the forthcoming Dimmer Switch album from this psych rock band.
44. "Long Time Overdue" by Erik Lunde
Next up, we have a new single from the forthcoming Water from the Stone - by this roots rock band from Fort Collins, Colorado.
45. "Run Out The Distance" by Mark Duggan
Next, we have a new single from this singer-songwriter from Ireland.
46. "Jardin des Etoiles I" by Blue Glass
Next up, a lush new track from the new album by this Seattle based artist.
47. "Hope" by Louise Cappi
Next up, we have the title track to the new album from this jazz influenced artist who is the daughter of jazz legend Al Cappi.
48. "Angels and Frogs" by Hankshaw
From a just released rarities compilation from this Tampa band - released in coordination with the reissue of their 1997 debut.
49. "Fire - Video Series Edit" by Genus Ordinis Dei
Genus Ordinis Dei reclaim their spot closing out another E2TG playlist. The symphonic death metal band from Italy recently finished up their epic video production of their concept album Glare of Deliverance.
We have reached the penultimate Featured Friday Recap Post - Songs 36-45:
36. "Oh Oh Oh" by Eckhardt And the House
Up first today, a great new single from The Netherlands. The music is meant to have a late 70s - early 80s vibe and was inspired by a documentary about Edward Snowden and a German film set in 1984 East Germany.
37. "harlem" by small dogs
Up next, we have the latest single from New York based and recent transplant from London - George Barnett who records as small dogs. Digging this.
38. "Dance in the Rain" by James Burt
Next up - the first of two songs about rain. First up, we have the debut single from a UK based pop artist. Pop music has and still does mean different things. I like this song quite a bit. An impressive debut.
39. "Rainy Day" by Murdocco
More rain... this track comes from Mariana Murdocco who was born in Uruguay, got her musical start in Barcelona, and is now based in London. The inspirational track features piano and a heavy bass line.
40. "Stay in Bed" by Julia Van Daam
Stay in Bed is the latest single from Providence, RI native and Boston based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Julia Van Daam. The song delivers a powerful message and asks hard questions about the state of our nation.
41. "Going Down - Ferry Corsten Remix Edit" by Kosmonova
Shifting gears dramatically, we have a pounding, electronic dance number from German DJ Kosmonova - who had some chart hits in the 2000s.
42. "Criminals, Cannibals, and Animals" by Sam Seibert
Up next, some hard rock via Delaware based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sam Seibert.
43. "County Lines" by Ventrelles
Up next, we have a new single by the Manchester band Ventrelles - led by Phil Knox who formed the band after returning to Manchester after living in Chicago for a time.
44. "End is Near" by Ferko, Rostany, Vic Villian
Next - we have our second track in this week's playlist which came to us via The Eastern European Music Academy. Ferko is based in Glasgow but originally from Budapest, Rostany is a three-piece EDM band from Belarus - their band member Vic Villian contributes to this track which like the track we featured yesterday from Karo Glazer and Zsud - is featured on 2020 Compilation put out by the Eastern European Music Academy.
45. "Season's End" by Facing Mountains
And finally, we have a track from the debut EP by Dutch composer Xander Slikker who is performing as Facing Mountains. Currently based in North Macedonia, the music here is a lovely mix of chamber-pop/folk and indietronica/folktronica. This was a direct artist submission, and I was pleased that Xander actually listened to an earlier playlist and dug the music of my friends The Smoking Flowers. Great stuff.
Tomorrow - we wrap up this very long and very diverse Playlist with songs 46-55
Wow - 2020 is really speeding toward it's end. I think there is a growing realization that things are not going to return to "normal" on January 1, 2021. I think, psychologically, many of have been thinking in terms of 2020 being a really messed up year... but we are in messed up times and they year changing will not mark the end. But, maybe, we are seeing the light at the end... maybe...
This year has been one of change for E2TG and it has been weird in general. At this point, I am not sure what I am going to do in terms of Artist(s) and/or Band(s) of the Year. I guess I am still considering it all. And, at the same time, I am constantly reevaluating how I do things. While I can change any time I want, a new year always seems like a good time to make changes... but we shall see...
On we go!
Our recap of this week's Playlist continues with songs 16-20:
16. "Showing Up Late" by John Calvin Abney
Tulsa based singer-songwriter John Calvin Abney's new album is due out this Friday. It is called Familiar Ground, and this is the last pre-release single. Tulsa is a great city for songwriters and there is a pretty direct pipeline between there and Nashville - which means back in the before time, I used to see great Tulsa songwriters like John Calvin Abney on a semi-regular basis.
17. "If Love Should Call" by The Plastic Pals
Our old friends from Sweden are back with more new music. This is a track from their new EP - It Could Be So Easy, Free and Fine. This band has such a great sound.
18. "Crazy Train" by The Barefoot Movement
In the fun covers department, Nashville-based band The Barefoot Movement take on the Ozzy Osbourne classic in a rousing rootsy cover.
19. "I Love the Way You See the World" by Petter Carlsen
From the far north of Norway - above the Arctic Circle - we have a track from the new album by singer-songwriter Petter Carlsen. This is either the second or third time, we have featured his music. He writes wonderful songs and has a great voice.
20. "Cool, Like David Suzuki" by The Silverbeets
We have previously featured the two pre-release singles from Halcyon Days - the new album by Australian band The Silverbeets. The album is out now, and this week, we are featuring this song about the Canadian academic, science broadcaster, and environmental activist. A really fun song from this band who are becoming favorites of mine.
The recaps rolls on tomorrow when we pick back up at song #21.
Today, we wrap up our recap of this week's Featured Friday Playlist and make way for a new weekly Playlist arriving around midnight or there about.... Songs 26-30...
26. "Video Crash 83" by The Subtheory
First up today, we have a track from the new album by electronic music artist The Subtheory (Andy Hill) who divides his time between L.A. and London. An awesome instrumental to start things off today.
27. "Numb" by The Agency
Next up, we have the lead track from the seasonally appropriately titles In the Haunted Woods by UK band The Agency. Cool stuff. Check it out.
28. "Why" by Shy
Up next, we have a new single from Shy - who is Eritrean-Canadian underground recording artist from Toronto. Adding some undergroup hip-hop to these week's list.
29. "War Cry" by Ashes to Omens
We move from Toronto hip-hop to Athens, Georgia hard rock - with the latest single from Ashes to Omens. The band formed in 2017 quickly dealing with vocalist James Branton's cancer diagnosis and recovery. This new track deals with overcoming mental illness during difficult times. A much needed message these days.
30. "All Eyes" by The Fortune
We always like to close out each week's playlist with some really interesting music, and this week, we have a new track from The Fortune - a duo of childhood friends from India. Their sound mixes pop music with elements of traditional Indian music.
How is everyone doing? Are you staying safe? Just know, if you are staying safe and keeping others safe, you are doing fine. While it is fine to be productive during this time, it is also fine not to be. While it is good to stay informed, it is okay to turn off the news and unplug from social media if it is adding to your anxiety. We are all faced with something new which requires difficult decisions.
This has been a hard week, and I suspect the upcoming weeks will be even harder. Be gentle with yourselves.
I suppose I am writing all this for myself as much as for anyone else.
I did think to mention that I am aware that some artists are postponing releases, so it is possible that a release not on my list below may not be correct. I am trying to update when I get new information, but I don't always get the information. I will say that many releases are going forward, so look for a new Featured Friday Playlist which will go live at midnight.
I have a bad tendency to put things in a box - and consider it bad or good - when in reality things are almost always more nuanced and complicated.
Last night, I attended a book signing for John Partipilo's new book Rancho Beyondo - his second book. John is a true visionary artist and journalist (the two don't have to be mutually exclusive). John and the book's designer Beth Inglish talked a bit about John's artistry, and the point was made (and taken - by me at least) of the importance to staying true to your vision as an artist. We are all given many chances to compromise our vision. Advise from well-meaning friends and family, unappointed arbiters of societal norms and literary (or other conventions).
(I need to point out that I am expounding on the words that were spoken - offering my own thoughts - not implying that either John or Beth said these specific things - just that their comments led my mind down these paths). As an artist (of whatever medium) my job is not to help people remain comfortable. I think the Cesar Cruz quote: "Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable". John's photographs are not staged and although he does sometimes photograph musicians, he does not usually capture them on stage but rather in quiet moments.
So, the event last night was at a boutique hotel in East Nashville. This location was the inspiration for my first sentence. From the outside, I probably would consider this spot - fancy, expensive cocktails, pricey rooms (only eight total rooms) - to be part of the problem with all of the changes. But, it was a lovely event and the expensive cocktail I had was delightful. And the hotel seems really interesting (out of my price range but interesting). John Partipilo in discussing his book - which contains images of ordinary and extraordinary people and situations.
John said that he loves Nashville and reflected on his responsibility to report everything he sees. It struck me, because it is so easy to reflect on all the changes and just to see the negatives or just bemoan the losses. Through John's lens, it is possible to see the glorious shades of grey (literal and figurative) that as a whole create the Nashville of 2020.
The crowd that gathered included some heavy-hitters from all walks of Nashville life, and also some of the people who appeared in the book (in some case both in one person).
I kind of got side-tracked from my thoughts about art. The line between art and commerce are sometimes razor thin (or at least seem to be). I know, I see musicians struggling with making the art they want vs. trying to make some sort of viable living doing what they love and often what they are best suited to do. It is easy to sit on the outside and say, "always keep art pure, stick to your vision, don't compromise", but it isn't that simple and it is not fair to put that simplification on others. I do know, however, that the pure pursuit of art (or as pure as possible) is important and needed in the world. I guess I don't have an answer, but I am grateful for this book signing in a fancy, boutique hotel with delicious, expensive cocktails for triggering all of these thoughts in my head.
Featured Friday Playlist Final day to check out this week's list
Thursday Morning Shuffle:
A timely statement from Steve Earle, a few live cuts and more...
"City of Immigrants" by Steve Earle (with Forro in the Dark) (from Washington Square Seranade)
"All of us are immigrants"
"Oklahoma Blues (live)" by Watermelon Slim (from Traveling Man - Disc 2 - The Depot)
The inimitable Watermelon Slim with our first listen to his forthcoming double live album.
"The One" by Bridge 19 (from In the Afterglow)
"Hot Cha (live)" by They Might Be Giants (from Flood Live in Australia)
One of my favorite albums, Flood, turned 30 years old back in January. This is from a live performance of the album released for free by the band (I don't think it is still available).
"Don't Do It (live)" by Mrs. Henry (from Mrs. Henry Presents The Last Waltz)
Another track from that The Last Waltz tribute by L.A. band Mrs. Henry. We have some new, original music from them.
"Shootin' For The Moon" by Sonny Landreth (from South of I-10)
"Showboat" by Josh Ritter (from Gathering)
VIDEO PLAYLIST
Recent and Upcoming Releases:
Recent: 1/07 - The Singing Butcher - "Top 40" (single) 1/08 - Luis Mojica- Shaman Food (LP) 1/10 - Palm Ghosts - "Wide Awake and Waiting" (single)(E2TG First Impression) 1/10 - Mary Bragg and Drivin' N Cryin' - "Don't Walk Away" (cover) (single) 1/10 - Them Airs - "Food Pyramid" (single) 1/10 - Lilly Hiatt - "Brightest Star" (single) 1/10 - Strange Majik - "Lo-Fi Hi" (single) (E2TG First Impression) 1/10 - Dean Fields - "Armadillo" (single) 1/10- Chicago Farmer - "All in One Place" (single) 1/10 - RB Morris - Going Back to the Sky (LP) 1/10 - Guided By Voices - "Volcano" (single) 1/10 - Sunshine Boys - "Infinity Girl" (single) 1/11 - Dolour (Shane Tutmarc) - "The Snake Eye" (single) 1/12 - Francesco Mariano - "Nine Lives" (single) 1/13 - Lauren Anderson - "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" (cover) (single) 1/14 - Drive-By Truckers - "Thoughts and Prayers" (single) 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) 1/19 - 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 - Harry Stafford - "She Just Blew Me Away" (single) 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)
2/14 - 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)
2/16 - Kas Havoc - "Light'em Up" (single)
2/18 - David J - "I Only Hear Silence Now" (single) 2/19 - Paisley Fields - "Ride Me Cowboy" (single)
Tomorrow:
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) Upcoming:
2/22 - Charlotte Eagle Sings - Embracing the Old Ways (LP)
2/28 - Kristen Englenz - Ingenue (LP) 2/28 - Close Lobsters - Post Neo Anti... (LP) 2/28 - The Heliocentrics - Infinity of Now (LP)
2/28 - Scenius - "Glass Rain" (single)
2/29 - Jimmy Who and the Night Creatures - Tinker's Blues (EP)
3/?? - Strange Majik - 20/20 (LP)
3/04 - Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion - Chameleon (LP) 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)
3/09 - 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)
3/18 - 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)3/27 - Lilly Hiatt - Walking Proof (LP)
3/20 - Jon Hassell - Vernal Equinox (reissue) (LP)
3/20 - Kid Be Kid - Lovely Genders (EP)3/27 - Mayflower Madame - Prepared for a Nightmare (LP) 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)4/03 - Surrija - Surrija (LP) 3/27 - Watermelon Slim - Traveling Man (Double Live LP)
4/03 - Chip and the Charge Ups - Lightning in Our Veins (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)
4/13 - Pilotcan - No More Shan Goodbye (LP)4/17 - Paul Burch and WPA Ballclub - Light Sensitive (LP)
4/24 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "I'm Gonna Break Your Heart" (single)
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)
If you follow me on Social Media, you will have noticed a lot of memory and anniversary type posts. There have been several anniversaries recently - 5 years since I first met Darrin Bradbury in person, 3 years since I met The Foresters and Jack Nork, 6 years since I met David Hogan, just about 3 years since Double Shot with Joe and Sue began... and I am keenly aware that none of those things would have happened if I had not started E2TG 8 years ago this month.
That so much of my life today would be different - I would say lesser - if I had not (practically on a whim) started writing a music blog in May 2011 - is not lost on me. I am not sure if the world needed another music blog in 2011, and at that time I could not have said with any confidence that even I needed to write a music blog in 2011. Time has proved that I needed to start E2TG. As for what the world needed, I will leave that to the world.
If you are reading this, thank you!
Something I don't say often enough. If you love music, find you best way to support the people who make that music. Buying albums, going to shows, buying merch, telling people about artists or albums they should know about, supporting crowd-funding/pre-orders, and I'm sure there are other ways not in my mind right now. The financial situation in music is dire. People are making money off of music, but by large measure it is not the writers, players, and singers. Rather, it is often people in offices and suits. Streaming is a great technological innovation that allows us (the listened) instant access to more music than we could possibly be able to hear in one lifetime. The ability to create custom playlists and share those - it is awesome. unfortunately, creators see a fraction of the profits derived from the streams.
So support your local and touring independent musicians - in what ever way works for you!
ICYMI - Earlier today we premiered a new video from Nashville-based duo Anana Kaye for their song, "Blueberry Fireworks". It is a gorgeous short film - if you haven't seen it yet, you can check it out HERE.
Meanwhile, it is the end of another work week- finally - and we have our final shuffle of the year.
ICYMI - E2TG premiered the first song released from Josh Gray's forthcoming Songs of the Highway album - this morning. HERE is that post.
Now it is Friday. Remember I will be off next week - so no regular posts, however, keep your eyes and ears out for a special Video Premiere that I am really excited about.
Let's get right to the shuffle - my time is a little short today.
I'm back. I took an unexpected sick day off work yesterday. This extreme weather is getting the best of me, but we are in the midst of a couple of days of sunshine, and I feel much better. So onward.
Let's dive right into our Trending Tuesday shuffle.
