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Featured Friday Playlist
First up, we have a five minute seven part jazz and soul journey from this California artist.
Next up, we have the debut single from this UK singer-songwriter.
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.
Next up, we have a new single from the forthcoming Water from the Stone - by this roots rock band from Fort Collins, Colorado.
Next, we have a new single from this singer-songwriter from Ireland.
Next up, a lush new track from the new album by this Seattle based artist.
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.
From a just released rarities compilation from this Tampa band - released in coordination with the reissue of their 1997 debut.
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.
Latest single from this Nashville based singer-songwriter originally from Georgia.
New single from Australian artist Ben Donnelly who records as Florel Daze.
We close this short segment of music with the title track to the new EP by UK based singer-songwriter Mary-Anne Hatton (aka Poggy)
Featured Friday Playlist
First up today, we have the new solo album from Michigan based songwriter/singer Scott Robert Allen (Thunderbirds Are Now!, Red Shirt Brigade). It is his first new music following a decade long hiatus.
Next up, we have the new solo album from this California singer/songwriter (Anchor & Bear) who previously released solo music under the name Paul Starling.
Next up, we have a track from the self-titled debut album by The Red Step - which features Tobias Nathaniel of The Black Heart Procession who is backed by some of Belgrade's best musicians.
Last week, we had the new single from Feralman - now, we have a track from the British rock band Feral Ghost. Great stuff.
Next up, we have some new music from L.A. 21st Century garage band formerly known as Julez.
And we close out this week's Playlist with the debut single from an artist from Santa Ana who combines surf rock, indie pop, and reggae. A great debut and a wonderful way to take us out of this week's playlist and to prepare for a new playlist hitting around midnight.
First up today, we have a really cool track from this singer-songwriter currently based in Denver. His music has elements of alt-folk and bedroom pop. It is rich and lovely. I dig it.
Next up, we have a track from the brand new album, Doubtlands by this Edinburgh-based band. This is their third album - with the sound evolving to this album which makes a powerful statement of band arriving.
One that I'm playing just because I want to... we recently featured Lydia Loveless playing with our friend Benchmarks. Now, she has released Daughter - her new album, and it is amazing. On this track, she is joined by Against Me!'s Laura Jane Grace. The intersection of punk and roots music which has been happening in the Mid-West for many years, is one of the most exciting things happening in music. Bands and artists like Two Cow Garage, Austin Lucas, and Lydia Loveless have an authenticity in both worlds and are creating memorable and important music.
We close out this segment of music with a track from Strange Place - the new album by Southern Mississippi based rock band Magnolia Bayou. They are heirs to the long tradition of great music emerging from the swamps and bayous of that part of the Deep South.
I am fortunate to get to feature a lot of music here on E2TG - and to get to hear music that I might not otherwise get to hear. And every once in a while, I come across music that just connects to me in a way that it hard to explain and even harder to write about. I remember the first time I heard Grimm Generation. It was music that sounded like what music I might make might sound like - if I made music. I got to know Jason P. Krug through writing about that band. Then, when Grimm Generation imploded, Krug released an amazing solo album, and I knew I had to name him E2TG Artist of the Year. He was the one that inspired me to create Artist of the Year Nashville and Non-Nashville. Things have been quiet music-wise since that 2016 album The Zen of Losing, and that is why I am so excited that Krug has a new band - along with his significant other Julie Kay and some other Connecticut musicians - and some new music. We featured an earlier single a few weeks back. This latest single really connected with me, and it reminded of why I fell in love with Krug's music in the first place.6. "Darklands" by Tayls, Heaven Honey
Tayls has been on my radar for awhile, but I feel like I just recently really started to connect. They have been releasing some single collaborations with other Nashville bands, including this one with Heaven Honey. I didn't know much about that band before hearing this track, but I want to know more now. I am very excited about the variety of music being made in Nashville these days. While I am tempted to say that this doesn't sound like Nashville music, the fact is - more and more (at least in my orbit)- music that doesn't sound like Nashville is becoming the norm. Which is not to suggest that there is anything overly familiar about this music - on the contrary - I would say that it is the uniqueness of Tayls' music - and I'm guessing Heaven Honey as well - that makes it distinctively Nashville (circa 2020).7. "Magic Moon" by Eric Bolander
The last few years have definitely marked a renaissance of sorts in Kentucky music. Sturgill lead things off for sure. The exciting thing is that in his wake has come a line of unique and talented musicians carving their own path. This is the brand new single from Eric Bolander from Lexington, Kentucky. It is the first single from his forthcoming third album (due in August). I love this song, and I can't want to hear more from him, and I want to go back and check out his first two albums.8. "Perpetual Twilight" by Crooked Heart
We close today's recap with the title track from the new album by Grand Rapids, Michigan based post hardcore/alternative band Crooked Heart. This is a sprawling, noisy soundscape. A great addition to the playlist.