E2TG 3/31/2021 - March Goes Out Like a... - Hey Captain! Mix (Bad Remix)

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And just like that we are already a quarter of a way through 2021.  A hundred or so thoughts just went through my head when I thought about where we are at  this juncture.  So, I guess I will ask my reader - how and where are you in  the context of hope vs. anxiety? (hope that things are improving and the light may be visible vs. anxiety that some are moving too fast toward a return to some sort of normalcy). 

I guess there seems to be a great divide even among those who formerly were on the same page in terms of the pandemic.   I think I am stuck somewhere in the middle of hope and anxiety.  I do see that light (which might be an on-coming train) but I also see the stark reality that a significant percentage of people are refusing to be vaccinated - and I am not just talking about some anti-vax fringe... And I fear that will slow recovery. I am also concerned that some are rushing to reopen - but that anxiety also fuels my anxiety about what reopening will look like for me personally.  What I mean: going out to see live music was always a social event and a reprieve from the normal anxieties of life. So, seeing live music -  with less social engagement and with more anxiety of how to behave and how to be safe - isn't so appealing to me. 

I just want to fast-forward to some future state when a new normal has been established and I know exactly how to behave and what to expect. 

We move along in our Featured Friday Recap. Today: Songs 24-29

24. "The Knockout Artist" by Cathal Coughlan

First up, we have a recent single and track from the new album by Irish indie legend Cathal Coughlan (Microdisney, The Fatima Mansions).  A stirring track and a great way to start out this Wednesday. 

25. "Voyeurs Who Offer Nothing" by Nick Hudson

  Next up, we have the lovely lead track from the new 3-song single from Nick Hudson (The Academy of Sun). The principal song is called "Come Back When There's Nothing Left". The third track on the single is a cover of Oingo Boingo's "Not My Slave". 

26. "No Miento" by Coque Tornado

Next up, we have the brief and atypical lead track from El Toledano by this hard rock band from Madrid. The band has a really interesting sound that combines a variety of influences into something unique. As I said, there are probably more typical examples of the band's sound - although they are very diverse - but this lovely piece caught my ear late on the Thursday night I was putting the Playlist together. 

27. "Guilty Pleasure" by What If Elephants; Flara K

Next up, some delicious indie pop confection from Montreal based band - the latest single from their forthcoming Relationship Status EP. Great stuff. 

28. "Talk With You" by Remington Super 60

Next up, Norwegian band Remington Super 60 return to E2TG with the lead track from their recent album Nouvelle Nouveau. A great opportunity to reconnect with this band - we first featured last year. 

29. "Angel Follows Me Out" by Gallery 47

And finally, we close out this segment of music with a lovely new single from this UK folk-pop band.  A wonderful way to prepare out way to finish off our recap tomorrow. 
 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 3/30/2021 - Inward Gaze - Cinnamon Mix (Behave Remix)

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One thing occurred me - thinking back on yesterday's post. Thinking about the immensity of the issues faces the world and the country and the state and the city... is that the best place to start making changes is with ourselves.  One thing I learned in a previous part of my life is that if something is bothering your about someone else's behavior is to look at where you may have a similar behavior in your own life. It isn't always easy - because your own behavior may be quiet different but often if you take the time and make the effort to look - you will something somehow related to that bothersome behavior that you can work on in yourself. And that is often more productive since it is next to impossible to change other people's behavior. 

Today - we move on in our Featured Friday recap - with songs 18-23:

18. "Looking Through the Glass" by Kieran Mercer

First up, we have the new single single from Canadian singer-songwriter Kieran Mercer - who released his debut EP in 2016.  This is his first independent release.

19. "Noyalain (Burn)" by Lisa Gerard; Jules Maxwell

Next up, we have the first single from the forthcoming (May 7) album Burn. Lisa Gerrard  is a founding member of the band Dead Can Dance.

20. "I Wanna Be a Teenage Boy" by Zoe FitzGerald Carter

Next up, we have a new track from this Bay area songwriter and memorist. This song (from the forthcoming album Waterlines) manages to be fun and intriguing, and it is worth a close listen.  

21. "The City's Coming Down" by The New Ravis

Next up, we have a song born out of the mental health strain of the last year - from this indie duo from Galway. Really strong addition to the playlist. 

22. "Collide (Bury My Heart)" by Golden Streets of Paradise

Next up, we have the lead track from the new 3 song mini-EP from this Cleveland, Ohio duo.  Really digging this. 

23. "Taming Monsters" by Stefan Prigmore

And, we close with a powerful track from the full length debut album by this Texas singer-songwriter. An excellent album - check it out. 

  

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 3/29/2021 - Music City Monday - Walking Wounded Mix (Better Now Remix)

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We are back after a much needed week off... 

A lot going on in the world, in our nation, and locally.  I think there are issues that are way too big for any person or administration or party to solve. I think there is a lot of evil in the world - evil in this case being defined as greed, selfishness, a lack of compassion, a lack of empathy.  I see it infecting and infesting many elements in our society and I think we can all fall victim to it from time to time, but I think it is especially insidious in certain situations. 

I also know that there are many kind, generous, compassionate and empathetic people in the world. I think ultimately, the solution has to come from those people coming together, putting aside petty differences and standing up for goodness.  

It will come when we embrace the things that unite us and try not to focus on the things that divide us. I have no idea how or if this is going to happen but I know that unless it does - the evil will continue to win. 

Please note, I use evil not in a religious or even supernatural sense - but rather as I defined it above. I also don't think anyone is all good or all evil - but I think the insidious nature of evil can be hard to resist. 

And, it cannot always been one side compromising and there will be points over which we cannot compromise - but if that is the case - let's move on to another point - while tabling the point where no agreement can be reached. I believe that while revolutionary change may be the most preferred and worth fighting for in some instances - incremental change is better than no change at all. 

Anyway, let's get on to the music for today... 

 

We pick up where we left off - a week ago Friday - a continue our recap of the Featured Friday Playlist with songs 12-17:

12. "El Camino" by Stephen Flatt

The album Cumberland Bones is due out April 16.  Today, we have the second single we have featured from Nashville singer-songwriter (and great nephew of Lester Flatt).  Really great tune. 

13. "Tumbling" by DL Rossi

Also due April 16 is Lonesome Kind by singer-songwriter DL Rossi. The album was recorded in Nashville where Rossi lived before returning to his native Michigan to help with an ailing family member.  

14. "Black Rose" by Shannon McNally; Buddy Miller

Next up, we have Shannon McNally and Buddy Miller doing a Waylon Jennings classic from McNally's forthcoming (May 28) album The Waylon Sessions. I feel like that last sentence says enough to highly recommend this listen. 

15. "America" by Sylvan Paul

Next up, we have the title track from the debut EP from NYC artist Sylvan Paul.  The song is unfortunately as timely as it was when it was written in 2018 - especially in the week of recent gun violence. 

16. "Crocodile" by Arrows to Fire

Next up, our second track to feature from this US/French collaboration (co-produced by Tim Palmer) and this is straight up one of the funnest songs we have featured in a while. 

17. "It's Ok Not to Be Ok" by The Rude Awakening

And we close with a timely message for these times from this UK synthpop act. Some cool music and good words to take us out of this segment of music.
 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 3/19/2021 - Featured Friday - Can't Dance Mix (Undead Remix)

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So, here is the brand new Featured Friday Playlist - jam packed with returning E2TG favorites, long-anticipated album releases and as usual lots of new (to us) artists. 

Reminder, I am taking next week off - so E2TG will return on March 29 when we will pick up the recap at song #12 (but I'm getting ahead of myself - songs 1-11 are below... 

As usual, you can check out the whole playlist on Spotify and if you dig the Playlist give us a follow.  If you dig any of the music, find a way to support the artists: by music and merch, follow and share them on social media, when it is safe, go to shows... 
 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 3/18/2021 - The Middle Part of the Title - Offended Mix (Caravans Remix)

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Just an update:  E2TG will be taking a break next week.  I will be posting a new Featured Friday Playlist at midnight and featuring the first section of songs tomorrow, but I won't feature the rest until a week from Monday.  So, no new Featured Friday Playlist next week, but I will compiling songs for the next playlist - which will come April 2.

Anyway  - here we go with today's post!

Today, we wrap up our recap of this week's Featured Friday Playlist with songs #31-36:

31. "Tears" by Leahy

We start off this segment of music with the latest from this Canadian family band - consisting of the five Leahy sisters (Julie, Erin, Maria, Siobheann, and Denise), their brother Frank, and Frank's son Xavier. A lovely song to start us off.

32. "Parabellum" by Wolfe Hybrid

Next up, we have the latest single from this duo from L.A. made up of two veterans of the film/TV business who came together in 2019. Really great track. 

33. "Alone" by VaughnBornFamous

Next, we have some alt-rock from this New Jersey native now based in L.A. Great track. 

34. "Heart Alive" by The Anahit

This new track from this band based in Budapest was released on International Women's Day and deals with the subject of domestic abuse and violence. I look forward to hearing more from this band. 

35. "War" by The Band Repent

We shift gears to bring you the most recent track from this thrash metal band from Casper, Wyoming. The band formed in August 2019 - playing their first show a couple of months later. They have an EP coming soon. I dig this. 

36. "Out With the Old" by MONOWHALES

We close things out for today and for this week's playlist with the latest single from this Toronto based band who scored a number 2 hit on the Canadian Alternative Rock chart with a previous release.  A great track to take us out. As we set the stage for a new Playlist at midnight (or so).
 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 3/17/2021 - St. Middle Name Day - Coyote Mix (Delta Woman Remix)

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We move on into the home stretch of our Featured Friday Recap... songs number 25-30:

25. "La tête pleine" by Kaky 

French rapper Kaky just released the Room 404 EP.  This is the lead track.  We previously featured a single released ahead of the EP.  I really love the sound of this music. Great stuff. 

26. "Falling" by Jordy Benattar; Tyler Simmons

Next up, we have the breezy new single from Canadian actress and musician Jordy Benattar. Really nice. 

27. "Stay (It Will Get Better)" by Bonsche

Next up, we have a single from German EDM musician, producer, and audio engineer. The song is dedicated to the LGBQIA+ community.  

28. "Weather the Storm" by Kaleigh

Los Angeles based actress, model, and musician Kaleigh just released her debut full-length.  The theme here is coming of age. Cool tune. 

29. "Salami" by Pretty Happy

Next up, we have a recent single from this post-punk band based in Cork. I dig this a lot. 

30. "Talledega" by Ventruss

We close this segment with a recent single from this metalcore band based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. You can almost smell the engines and burning tires. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 3/16/2021 - Lessons in Lack of Understanding - Live Forever Mix (Cold Hearted Remix)

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A recurring theme in my thoughts of late has been my lack of understanding about why some people do the things they do or act the way they do. It can be innocuous things or serious things... 

I think of my self as a pretty open minded person. I am not one who thinks everyone needs to believe, think, or act like I do... but there are some things that I just don't understand. 

For example - when a lane in ending and clearing marked that it is ending and people ride that lane until the last minute... and I mean when there is no traffic and no apparent reason not to just get over. 

Or the opposite - like happened today - multiple lanes and someone forces there way into your lane (not an aggressive driver trying to weave in and out of lanes to speed (that is another matter) but someone who is trying to get into a lane they will eventually need to be in for a split (which I get) but who is miles away from the split and who insists on getting over right at that moment. 

Another thing I don't understand: people who seem to devote a significant amount of time and energy to actively hating a band or a style of music or whatever. Or even worse, devotes that time and energy to hating on people who like something they don't like. 

There are plenty more examples - I guess what it comes down to is that I don't understand the benefit these actions offer.  There are definitely actions I don't like or that I would never do - but which I do understand why people do them.  But what I am talking about are thinks that make no sense to me... 

But - here is the rub. If I try, I can turn my confusion into a lesson in tolerance and acceptance. What I mean is - it is easy to practice tolerance and acceptance if something really doesn't bother me. The trick is to practice that same level of tolerance and acceptance of something that does cause be discomfort.  So, the next time someone rides the lane that is ending for no apparent reason - after I get annoyed - I will try to accept  that their action provided some benefit (real or perceived) to them. 

Finally, I feel the need to make the point that there are some behaviors that go beyond acceptance and tolerance. And in those cases, the trick is to recognize those things and to know those lines. That is what muddies the waters and makes it a constant practice and a contact conflict. 

The Featured Friday Playlist recap rolls on with songs 19-24:

19. "Culture Shock Treatment" by Round Eye

First up today, we have the title track from the new album by this Shanghai freak punk band. The album was produced by Mike Watt and mixed by Bill Stevenson.  It is out now digitally and out on vinyl in May. This is wonderful music. 

20. "Give Me a Reason" by Michael Ross

Next up, we have the new single from this Las Vegas musician and artist who has been performing as part of residency in Vegas for the last four years.  

21. "Vivant Tenebrae" by Drown in Sulphur

Well, this segment of music is nothing if not diverse.  We abruptly transition into the latest single from this Italian death metal band. Great stuff. 

22. "Murakami's Ghost" by Josh Machiz

Next up, we have first solo single from veteran Philadelphia musician Josh Machiz. The nearly nine minute track is based upon the Murakami short story, The Mirror. It is the first taste of his solo album due later this year.

23. "Monday Morning Drive" by Nature's Neighbor

Next up, we have a lovely song. This is the first single from the new album by this indie band that formed in Chicago in 2010. Really beautiful music. 

24. "Don't Trip" by Kairo Beats (feat. Sam Swancott)

We close out this segment of music with a new collaboration between a singer-songwriter from Swindon and an EDM songwriting duo made up of producer Jordan Hendon and songwriter/vocal engineer Chiarna Deller.  A cool way to wrap up this incredibly diverse segment of music. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist