E2TG 6/11/2021 - Featured Friday - Longer Short-Sighted - Cemetery Blues Mix (8:30 Remix)

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So, here is the deal.  This week's Playlist is a little shorter than the past few, and I am going to be out next Thursday and Friday, so I'm extending this Playlist over the next two weeks. Stay tuned and follow the Featured Friday Playlist.  

Short-Sighted People in Power (Deluxe Edition)

One of my favorite releases of 2020 was Short-Sighted People In Power by Nashville's My Politic. The duo just announced a deluxe edition of the album which can now be pre-ordered on vinyl.  This edition includes two new songs, and you can get a digital download now if you pre-order HERE

One of the new songs, "Driving Around", adds a local touch to the album while maintaining the consistency of the theme and the concept.  You can check it out below

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 6/10/2021 - Stuff Goes Here - Record Collector Mix (End of My Rope Remix)

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Winding down another week. 

Had a fun night out hearing live music and seeing people - including seeing more people who I haven't seen in over a year.  

Featured Friday Playlist recap Part 5 (The Finale) (songs 33-38):

33. "Neon (feat. Lori Sky)" by Bilbosa 

First up, we have the new single from this collective from Italy - joined by singer originally from Ireland and now based in Scotland. 

34. "Distance" by Pastel Coast

Next, we have the new single from this French dream pop band. 

35. "Specchio Di Venere" by Moonchy & Tobias 

Next up, we have a track from the recently released 4th EP from the collaboration between vocalist Pat Moochy and multi-instrumentalist Todd Tobias. 

36. "Alma" by Fotis Delinikolas

Next up, we have the title track from the recent prog metal album from Greek composer and guitarist Fotis Delinikolas

37. "Sentiment" by Ventruss

We have a new single from this metal band from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Crushing.

38. "Exorcism - Video Series Edit" by Genus Ordinis Dei

We close with the ninth episode of the series Glare of Deliverance (we have featured several parts of this).  Genus Ordinis Dei are a pioneering symphonic death metal band from Italy.  Always good to have this band close out our playlist. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 6/9/2021 - Trying to Decide What to Say Here - Talk to God Mix (Just Like Hank Remix)

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Featured Friday Playlist recap Part 4 (songs 26-32):

26. "Missing You" by Shutter

First up today, we have a track from the most recent album by this New Jersey based alternative rock band. 

27. "Hidden Drives" by Lanterna

A lovely instrumental track from this Illinois-based project - primarily featuring the music of Henry Frayne. 

28. "Belleville Blues" by Swift Silver

Swift Silver are a duo who have worked together over a decade between Mississippi and North Carolina. Their self-titled debut album, just released, was recorded in Kentucky with brothers Kenny and Hayden Miles (of Wayne Graham). 

29. "Rose + Crown" by AMMO

AMMO is a L.A. based multi-instrumentalist. She is also a rock and roll photographer who grew up in Los Angeles.  

30. "Set You Free" by Soulful Femme

Next up, we have a track from the full-length debut from the Pittsburgh duo of  Stevee Wellons and Cheryl Rinovato. The pair are aided by a college of blues greats. 

31. "Hey Hey" by Ro Halfhide

Next, we have the second single from the forthcoming Paint the Town (Due out July 9) by this singer-songwriter and producer based in Amsterdam.  I dig this song. 

32. "Farm on Mars" by Art Schop

Art Schop is the project of rock musician Martin G. Walker - who was born is the U.K. and currently based in Brooklyn. This wonderful track deals with the harsh realities of colonizing Mars from the perspective of one lonely farmer. A wonderful expansive track to take us out of this penultimate segment of this week's playlist. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 6/8/2021 - Bustin' Out - Head Shot Mix (Smoko Remix)

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It's funny in a way... some thoughts as things begin to reopen... 

In the midst of the shutdowns and lockdowns, I am pretty sure at some point, I made the emotional declaration that if I got another chance, I would never miss another show (or some version of that) and that I would push through my anxiety and go to new, unknown places. 

I have loved the opportunities to get out and see live music, but it still remains a delicate balance. There is too much going on - even already - to do it all - plus my introvert energy gets used up so easily and recharge time is vital.  Also my anxiety about new, unknown places did not magically go away over the pandemic and in fact - there are new anxieties because everything is new and unknown - at least until it is not. 

So, while I hope to make some improvements - the fact is I will still work hard to strike the right balance, sometimes feel guilty about missing some shows, and forever be grateful for the ones I am able to see. 

Featured Friday Playlist recap - Part 3 (songs 19-25):

19. "Time After Time" by Steven Faulkner

First up today, we have the recent single from UK artist Steven Faulkner.

20. "Fantastic Company" by My Name is Ian

Next up, we have the long awaited new album from Welsh band My Name is Ian. This is the title track from that release which took two years to produce. 

21. "One Woman Man" by The Stars of Disaster

Next up, we have the emotionally powerful new single from Pittsburgh's The Stars of Disaster.  The new album, In the Trough of the Wave, is set for release this Friday. 

22. "Prey" by Javi Paton

I am just going to be honest, and I don't know how I was introduced to this music, and I don't know a whole lot about the artist. But, it is pretty cool. 

23. "If It Makes You Happy" by Rid of Me

Next up, we have a nifty cover of the Sheryl Crow hit from this Philadelphia noise-punk band. 

24. "Grace" by 4 Minutes Later

The story of this band began is 2018 with a tweet promising music coming soon. There were no band members listed, no band images, no tour dates, and no location. Just the promise - which captured a lot of attention. Then the music did come, but the band remained anonymous. With a planned tour postponed, it looks like 2021 will be the year that the band reveal themselves - but first we have this new single - which sound fantastic.

25. "Face On the Rail Line" by The Catenary Wires

And, we close this segment of music with a brand single from the iconic UK indie-pop band from their forthcoming Birling Gap album which is due out June 18. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 6/7/2021 - Music City Monday - Shallow Graves Mix (Hard Times Fell Remix)

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Back to it after a very nice weekend. 

Featured Friday recap Part 2 (Songs 12-18):

12. "My Father Took Me Everywhere" by Chris Connelly & Monica Queen

First up, we have the first single from the ambitious and inspired new album from Chris Connelly (who has worked with Ministry, Revolting Cocks and more). The album - called My Birthday Poems is due out on June 15 and is a fictionalized account of the relationship between Scottish poet George Mackay Brown and his muse Stella Cartwright.

13. "Don't Look Down" by Doug Kistner

Next, we have a solo single from keyboardist Doug Kistner - known for his work with 

Trans-Siberian Orchestra, John Waite, and more. 

14. "Third Street" by Annie Keating

Brooklyn based singer-songwriter Annie Keating just released her new album Bristol County Tides on June 4. This is the lead track from the album. Great stuff. 

15. "Working Man's Dread" by The Contraptionists

Next up, we have the title track from the new album from L.A. based The Contraptionists, who bill themselves as a two-man, one-man band.

16. "Delicate Strong" by Scott Standley

Next up, we have a track from the debut solo album Victoria from this Austin native. The album combines Texas indie with neo-soul. The influences both traditional and modern come from an authentic place, and that shines through on this album. 

17. "Gone" by Desai (feat. Claire Donzelli)

Next up, we have a new single from this sixteen year old singer-songwriter and producer who is based in Washington D.C. Here he teams with fellow indie singer-songwriter Claire Donzelli who a native of Palo Alto, California. The song was written two years ago.

18. "Bewildered" by Ender Bender

And we close with a new single from Rome based, former L.A. resident 

Eddie Olguin who records as Ender Bender.  A great way to take us out of this segment of the playlist. 

         

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 6/4/2021 - Featured Friday - Battleship Chains Mix (Paper Piano Remix)

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We've reached the end of another week and that means that it is time for another Featured Friday Playlist. 

Thanks to everyone who has followed the Playlist on Spotify - it means a lot.  This week's list is about the same length as last week - I think I have hit upon a good size for the list. Hopefully, the bands and artists will cooperate with their release schedules. (Just kidding).

Let's go!

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 6/3/2021 - Okay, I Guess - Whisky Pyramid Mix (Baby Remix)

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As I continue to feel my way through this "new normal" and try to reintegrate going out to shows with everything else I do - I am finding sometimes it comes down to a case of what I want to do vs. what I have to do. It seems simple at first - obviously do the things you have to do first and then if you have time do the things you want to do... I think I have lived my whole life (more or less) by this method (or at least tried). (Not to say I haven't blown off responsibilities - because of course I have). 

I guess one of my reflections after 14 months of quarantine is to reexamine thinking like this. I think the first thing I have to do is step back and ask - who has certain things "have" to be done.  Like - I have to eat, sleep, file my taxes, pay my bills, do my day job).  But, I know I also put all sorts of things on my myself and call then "have tos".  And then use them as an excuse to neglect myself and then later bemoan that I am too busy or don't have time to do things I want to do. 

So this reexamination must include how I prioritize things,  how I over-commit myself, and how I fail to either recognize or honor my own needs for rest or recreation or whatever. 

This is an on-going process for me, and honestly, I sometimes get it wrong. Okay - I often get it wrong, but I am trying and hopefully, I am getting better. 

Featured Friday Playlist recap Part 4 (the finale) (songs 30-37):

30. "Heat Death" by Pennies by the Pound

First up, we have the new single from this Finnish band that mixes classic and psyche rock in an interesting way. 

31. "Invisible World" by Tony Steele and The Massacre

Next up, we have a recent single from this Liverpool based band that has undergone massive upheaval since their last release. 

32. "The Fear" by Oui Plastique

Next up, we have some electronica out of Denmark. Cool stuff. 

33. "9 Til 9" by Tom Auton

Next up, we have the latest single from this Welsh singer-songwriter. Dig this a lot. 

34. "Left in the Dark" by Sharone

From Morbid Illusion - the latest album from this Denver-based goth/metal rock artist. 

35. "Mundane" by Fiona Brown

The latest from this Belgian singer-songwriter. A great tune. 

36. "Unbroken" by Arcade Stories 

Next up, we have the second single from this Australian musical project of 

Adam Djensen. 

37. "Within" by Nature of Wires; Machina X

And to close us out of the week, we have this collaboration between UK artists Nature of Wires and Anglo-Burmese duo Machina X. A great way to close out another wonderful playlist. 

 

    Featured Friday Playlist