Both during the quarantine and especially this past couple of weeks, I have had time to reflect on the State of E2TG. This week marks the 9th Anniversary of E2TG. During those nine years, many solo music blogs have come and gone or gone dormant, and I totally understand why.
I have always said E2TG has kept going out of stubbornness and my intention to keep going as long as it made sense to do so. During 2019, I reached a point where I knew I had to make some changes to how I operated E2TG, and I put that new plan into place in January (sort of). Not everything has gone according to plan. It has been an eventual and difficult five months so far - with no sign of abatement.
The Featured Friday is going well, and I appreciated all the support. The shuffle was, as planned, relegated to a feature not intended to highlight new releases (often). This was a big change from prior years, and it was basically necessary - the daily posting was taking too long and my time was running way too short.
The limitations of the Spotify Playlist is that I can't really featured music that hasn't been released yet, and some artists are choosing not to use Spotify (which I again totally get).
Another new feature was the new release calendar. I am only moderately happy with it. It is relatively easy to maintain (when I have time), but many times, I don't get things added like I would like - either because I don't know about it or don't remember when I do update it.
I had hoped to use that as a springboard to post some short reviews and possibly provide links to pre-orders etc. That has not happened as I would have liked. Basically, I spend the time I have adding music to the calendar, and then run out of time or energy when it comes to the short reviews.
I know that all of this has meant that some people may feel like E2TG is providing the coverage it once did - while some people now get coverage that wouldn't have before. At this point, it is what it is. As with many people, some days, it is all I have to just get out of bed and put one foot in front of the others. In addition, I am fortunate enough to still have my day job and be working from home - so I don't have the huge glut of free time that some people have experienced. Not a complaint at all, just an observation.
So part of my self-assessment is to decide what E2TG is and what it isn't, and then to decide if it still makes sense to keep going. E2TG is not an unpaid publicist - even for artists and people I love. (Nor a paid one either). Some times, my methods and approaching will not align with the marketing strategy of a particular artist or publicist - it just won't. I can only offer what I have to offer - which is me telling my readers what music is on my mind,
If ever comes a time when I stop having fun and/or no one is reading, I probably will stop, but that day is not today.
And I am back! Sorry for the extended and unexpected hiatus - it could not be helped, but I am happy to be back.
Last Wednesday, just before everything went down, I started a blog post - including a shuffle. I didn't get to finish it, but here it is in all of its unfinished glory! Lost Shuffle!
Moving on. Even though I was out of blogging commission, I have managed to keep up with the Featured Friday Playlist. All the more reason to "Follow" the Playlist on Spotify and check back every Friday (usually updated sometime after midnight).
This week's list included some favorites and at least one new name to us.
New and recent music from Adrian + Meredith (from their Live at The 5 Spot Release), Tom Schreck - from his recent album Schrexit, Brian Wright & the SneakUps (from Lapse of Luxury), Marchelle Bradanini (aka Ponyboy - but releasing her first music under her own name), our old friends Sci-Fi Romance, Nashville singer-songwriter Paul Nelson, Cup, Eli Cook (who played our Residency in 2018), and Watch Clark.
By the way, apologies to everyone who has sent me music in the last couple of weeks. In some cases, I responded, but I didn't know I would be out as long as I was. Be patient, and for those who had time sensitive submissions - I am truly sorry.
Let's get right to today's shuffle - after the jump!
Last Wednesday, I started this posted, and then some things came up in my life which kept me away for over a week and half. I am going to offer this shuffle without commentary so I can move forward.
More to come.
Featured Friday Playlist
Wednesday Morning Shuiffle
"You Look Like Rain" by Morphine (from The Best of Mountain Stage - Vol. 7)
"27 Club" by Robert Gay and the Alarms (from How to Make a Memory)
"Welcome Anunnaki" by De Surfures (from De Surfures)
"People Like Us" by Brandy Zdan (from Brandy Zdan)
4/?? - I Am A Rocketship - Ghost Stories (LP) 4/01? - Ten Penny Gypsy - Fugitive Heart (LP)
5/01 - BOAT - Tread Lightly (LP)
5/01 - Laura Cortese and the Dance Card - Bitter Better (LP)
5/01 - Cut Beetlez vs Nice Guys - CBNG (LP)
5/01 - Grenon - "Imaginary Friends" (single)
5/01 - Paul Nelson - "Dying to Forget" (single)
5/01 - Felixity - Love Sick (LP)
5/01 - Easy - Radical Innocence (LP)
5/01 - Griffin Winton - "Think of Me" (single)
Last Week
4/19 - Ugggy - "Bicycle Day" (single) 4/20 - Tate and Silas- Rock and Roll (LP)
4/20 - Dopeknife - Breakbeats n' Vandalism (EP) 4/22 - Marco Bonvicini - "Where the Streets Have No Name" (single)
4/23 - The Kecks - "Modern Girls" (single)
4/23 - The Microdance - "Lovesick Kisses" (single)
4/24 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "I'm Gonna Break Your Heart" (single)
4/24 - Ben Bostick - Among the Faceless Crowd (LP)
4/24 - Kyle Lalone - Somewhere In Between (EP)
4/24 - Lazaris Pit - "You Don't Tag Me in Memes Anymore" (single)
4/24 - Goldman Thibodeaux and the Lawtell Playboys - title unknown (LP)
4/24 - Petter Carlsen - "Dogs" (single)
4/24 - Chris Milam - Meanwhile (LP)
4/24 - Felixity - "Twisted Love" (single)
4/24 - The Kings Pond Shantymen - Hold Your Course (LP)
4/24 - 6TH CROWD - "You're Not An Island" (single)
4/24 - Sean Dampte - "Loose Guard" (single)
4/24 - The Northern Belle - "Gemini" (single)
Next Week:
5/08 - Brian Wright and the Sneak-Ups - Lapse of Luxury
5/08 - Watch Clark - Backscatter Effect (EP)
Upcoming:
5/12 - Kory Quinn & Co. - The Blueroom (LP)
5/15 - Special Consensus - Chicago Barn Dance (LP)
5/15 - Zach Aaron - Fill Dirt Wanted (LP)
5/15 - Secret Emchy Society - The Chaser (LP)
5/20 - Town Meeting - Make Things Better (LP)
5/22 - Victor Wainwright and the Train - Memphis Loud (LP)
5/22 - Lazaris Pit - Conifers (LP)
5/22 - Beauty in Chaos (feat. Steven Seibold) - "Almost Pure" (single)
5/29 - Mick Hayes - My Claim to FAME (LP)
5/31 - Debra Power - That's How I Roll (LP)
6/05 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - "None of Your Business" (single)
6/05 - People Without Shows and Inkswell - Plasma Platter (LP)
6/05 - Short Haired Domestic - "A Song in Latin... A Song in Hindi..." (single)
6/12 - Sammy Brue - Crash Test Kid (LP)
6/12 - Andrea & Mud - Bad News Darlin' (LP)
6/19 - Darlin' Brando - Also Too... (LP)
6/19 - Dolour - The Royal We (LP)
6/26 - The Special Pillow - World's Finest (EP)
6/26 - Dedicated Men of Zion - Can't Turn Me Around (LP)
6/?? - Mighty Brother - The Rabbit. The Owl (Double LP)
7/03 - Nicole Boggs and the Reel - None of Your Business (EP)
7/03 - Paul Nelson - Birmingham Woman (LP)
7/10 - Hurricane Ruth - Good Life (LP)
7/17 - The Bobby Lees - new album (LP)
7/24 - Tawny Ellis - Love Life (LP)
8/28 - The Northern Belle - We Wither, We Bloom (LP)
Recent:
3/18 - Marco Bonvicini - Colors (EP)
3/19 - Victor DeLorenzo - Tranceaphone (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) 3/20 - The Blam Blams - "Isabella" (single) 3/20 - Jon Hassell - Vernal Equinox (reissue) (LP)
3/20 - Kid Be Kid - Lovely Genders (EP)
3/20 - Toni Sauna - Dead Flour (single)
3/20 - Ender Bender - "Star Killer" (single)
3/20 - Strange Majik - 20/20 (LP)
3/20 - I YA TOYAH - Code Blue: Reloaded (LP)
3/23 - Sofia Talvik - "Meanwhile in Winnsboro" (single)
3/23 - Horace Green - Live from the Algoma Club (EP)
3/24 - Mighty Brother - "Naked Winter" (single)
3/24 - Eye Said So - "Blue Sunday" (single)
3/27 - Mayflower Madame - Prepared for a Nightmare (LP)
3/27 - The 81s - 2 Things and 118 Others (LP)
3/27 - Mayflower Madame - "Swallow" (single)
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)
3/27 - Ben Reel - The Nashville Calling (LP)
3/27 - 100 Mile House - Love and Leave You (LP)
3/27 - Watermelon Slim - Traveling Man (Double Live LP)
3/27 - Lilly Hiatt - Walking Proof (LP)
3/27 - Porcelain Pink - "Sideways" (single)
3/27 - The Ocelots - Started to Wonder (LP)
3/27 - Harry Stafford - Gothic Urban Blues (LP)
4/01 - HMS Morris - "Poetry" (single)
4/02 - I Am A Rocketship - "My Nature" (single)
4/02 - Steve Forbert - "Rand" (Pandemic song) (single)
4/03 - Chip and the Charge Ups - Lightning in Our Veins (LP)
4/03 - Surrija - Surrija (LP)
4/03 - Stumbleine - Sink Into the Ether (LP)
4/03 - Neutrals - Rent Your House (EP)
4/03 - Clwb Fuzz - "No Heaven" (single)
4/03 - Weeks Island - Droste (EP)
4/03 - The Mystery Plan - Zsa Zsa (LP)
4/03 - Tiny Fighter - Going Home (LP)
4/03 - Hallows - Subtle (EP)
4/03 - Ferdous - "Counting Stars" (single)
4/03 - Stick Crickets - "Eternal Suck" (single)
4/03 - Borrowed Chords - "Let Me Go" (single)
4/08 - Zilverbacks - The Dark Horse; At A Time When Time Was Irrelevant (LP)
4/06 - Sean Alan - "The Day That Brought the Whole World to Its Knees (single)
4/08 - ex-mothers - arrhythmia (EP)
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)
4/10 - The Dream Syndicate - The Universal Inside (LP)
So, first of all, I don't think I know much of anything for sure. I have thoughts and ideas and guesses, but those change almost daily if not more often. It is disturbing to me how even in this time of shared trauma and shared tragedy and shared inconvenience, we are still very much divided. There are definitely agents of this divide, but this paragraph is not aimed at any one side... why are there even sides except man vs. COVID-19. Once again we are faced with a seemingly insurmountable inability or even willingness to find any common ground. It is possible for people of good faith and good conscience to disagree on approaches and philosophies, and as I have said many times, I am someone who - though steadfast in my opinions on certain matters - believes there is value in compromise and hearing and listening to opposing viewpoints.
But any such compromise can only be reached - I think by finding common ground and building upon that. And, in the case of COVID-19 the common ground should be obvious, but it is sadly not the case. Even if evidence staring us in the face, we argue and disagree and toss around conspiracy theories...
I don't know if I am making sense. I'm thinking about the whole reopening vs. staying the course. I respect that people have different opinions on this and I don't think most who are pushing to reopen want people to die anymore than I believe most of those urging caution and slowing down on reopening are purposely trying to wreck the economy. I sincerely hope that the majority of people want everyone to be safe and healthy and also want to minimize the economic impact which many people of all sides are feeling. But, the problem is we cannot even agree on numbers and facts and what those numbers mean or don't mean. So, we argue and fight and send nasty memes and ridicule and belittle. There is a small faction that desires chaos and division, and unfortunately, that small faction seems to be winning the day sometimes.
But - I am an optimist. And so, I hope for solutions and resolutions and better judgement to rally.
At the beginning of this pandemic, I used the term "back to normal" wondering how long before we would get back to normal. But, these days I think more about the new normal. Regardless of party affiliation or personal opinion, what we are striving for us not a return to normal, but rather an push toward the beginning of what comes next - which will be post-normal or a new normal.
Time marches on... we are now into the final week of April, and although so the decision to start reopening some things is happening in some areas, we are still a long way off from many music related functions from opening, and that is assuming that we do not have a resurgence in cases.
I know many people and small businesses are suffering. For those us who are faring relatively well, the need can be overwhelming. My best advice is to support the venues and artists that mean the most to you and do so in a way that makes sense for your situation. I have tried (emphasis on tried) to match my giving to the money I would have been spending if I was able to out. Everyone's situation is different, and so there is no wrong answer here.
Mostly, what I want my readers to hear - is that regardless of the orders and openings in your area, it is important to be safe and to still stay home as much as you can. No matter which models or philosophies that you chose to believe, it is clear that we are not at the end of this pandemic, and the possibility exists for a comeback. At a minimum follow the guidelines of health officials regarding masks and social distancing. We are all restless and eager to get back to "normal", but to rush this will only delay things and will likely cost people their health and their lives.
Meanwhile, I am going to do my part to feature some new and not so new music here from the comfort of my home.
One final reminder to tune into Virtual Festival Magnolia Roads American Roots Hoedown V tomorrow from Noon to Six O'Clock. Visit the Facebook Event Page - HERE.
In case you missed it, we premiered a brand new video from Anana Kaye this morning. You can view that HERE
Today is also Friday, so that means we have a brand new Featured Friday Playlist - check it out below and on Spotify, and if you feel so inclined, please follow! Thanks for everyone who has followed so far.
Below the jump, I have some short takes on some of this week's songs. As usual, no video playlist on Friday since you can stream the music here.
Special shout out to our old friend Ugggy who released a stunning new song earlier this week. It is not on Spotify, but you can download and listen here!
Last week, Anana Kaye and her musical and life partner Irakli Gabriel released a cover of Bob Dylan's "Señor (Tales of Yankee Power)" - we included that song as part of last week's Featured Friday Playlist. Now, a week later, they are releasing the accompanying music video, and E2TG is thrilled to be premiering it here this morning.
Natives of Georgia (not the U.S. State, but the former Soviet republic), Anana and Irakli moved to Nashville a couple of years ago and have really taken this town by storm. They have captured the attention and collaborated with some of the most talented folks in town (and this is a town rich with talented folks).
Both musically and visually, they have hit upon something special. One thing I have observed about Nashville is that it is not just the abundance of talent and the accumulation of that talent, it is a near magical way talented people in this town seem to feed off each other to become better versions of themselves.
To be fair, not everyone who comes to Nashville has that experience, and I cannot say for sure why that is, but in the case of Anana Kaye and Irakli Gabriel and everyone with whom they have worked, it definitely has worked.
Speaking of this spirit of collaboration, the song features Chris Benelli on drums, Chris Donohue on bass and Fawn Larson on harmonies (all supremely talented musicians). Anana and Irakli produced the song with Stephen Leiweke doing the mixing. As for the song, it was the second song on the second side of Dylan's 18th studio album - the somewhat underrated 1978 release Street Legal. Anana Kaye has stated that she has wanted to cover the song for some time.
Covers in general and Dylan covers in particular can be tricky business. Here, without straying too far from the source material, Anana Kaye manages to make the song her own. But, I will let you judge for yourself. The video premieres after the jump.
