E2TG 11/18/2020 - The End of the End of the Beginning of... - Crossfading Mix (The Great Swim Remix)

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

Time marches on and we remain mired in uncertainty, chaos, and in the midst of a pandemic that has entered a deadly new wave with almost zero response to curb it. The vaccine news is encouraging but we need to take action now.  IF new shutdowns are off the table - then it will take a concerted effort to follow guidelines for mask wearing, social distancing, etc. This is not oppression it is a reasonable reaction to the situation....

Oh yeah, and Trump needs to concede. 

We are up to the penultimate recap post for this week's Featured Friday Playlist... songs 21-25:

21. "Free Advice" by Cindy

We featured San Francisco band Cindy earlier this year when their Free Advice album was released. The LP quickly went out of print, but now Mt. St. Mtn. and Tough Love Records from the UK have teamed up to reissue the album. So, we celebrate by revisiting the album via the title track.

22. "Betoni kukkii" by Gim Kordon

Next up, we have the new single from the Finnish band whose name was inspired by the bassist for Sonic Youth.  Like that band, Gim Kordon's music is noisy and wonderful.  Check it out. 

23. "Wide Eyed Lady" by Lou McMahon

Next up, we have a lovely, dark folk song from Irish singer and songwriter Lou McMahon. What a great addition to our Playlist. 

24. "I Want You Around" by Sour Ops

Coming closer to home, we have a new single from Nashville's Sour Ops - the band is led by Price Harrison - who was in the early 80s band 69 Tribe and more recently is a part of the band Snakehips -which is led by his brother Mark who is also part of Sour Ops. Pedal steel master Paul Neihaus plays on this track. This is so amazing.

25. "Going to the City" by Antonio Lopez

We close things out today, with a delightful new single from Colorado folk artist Antonio Lopez. I am digging this one quite a bit.

Tomorrow - we wrap up this week's Playlist recap with songs 26-29...

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 11/17/2020 - Winding Down... - Losing Sleep Mix (Bird Free Remix)

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

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.
 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 11/16/2020 - Music City Monday and More - Homecoming Show Mix (Omg...lol Remix)

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

It feels silly to say it... not because it isn't true, but because it is so obvious... we are still in a pandemic. Here in Nashville and elsewhere cases are on the rise, but from the government down to many citizens there seems to be a nonchalance about it all, and an unwillingness to make any modifications. As we head into winter and the holidays, it looks like dark days ahead. With so many, ignoring the guidance from health officials and determined to act as if the pandemic is either over or not real, it makes it more difficult to do the right thing. 

The progress on the vaccine front is encouraging, but for now, we have to deal with where we are. 

And, we have an administration more interested in fighting the results of a fair and valid election than fighting COVID. 

We pick back up with our recap of this week's Featured Friday Playlist with songs 10-15:

10. "Without Us" by Black Paisley

Up first today, we have a track from the forthcoming album Rambler by the Swedish band that we featured before. This one is a catchy rocker that caught me a little of guard in a good way. 

11. "Some Lucky Stardust" by Brent Moyer

12. "If We're Gonna Kill Each Other" by Dallas Moore, Billy Don Burns

In what is, I believe, a first for our Playlist, we have two tracks from the same album.  The album is A Tribute to Joe Sun.  First up, we have Nashville songwriter and musician Brent Moyer covering a Joe Sun song originally on Sun's 1998 album Heartbreak Saloon.   The second is by outlaw country notables Dallas Moore and Billy Don Burns and it is one of the last songs written by Sun and released here for the first time.  Joe Sun passed away last October.

13. "Look at the Birdy" by The Flat Five

Next up, we have a track from the newly released 2nd album by Chicago area supergroup The Flat Five. So good!

14. "Second Fiddle to a Steel Guitar" by The Sensational Country Blues Wonders!

Next up, we have a track from Jersey City native Gary Van Miert with his first album of original material. Recorded remotely with some Nashville musicians.  This is fantastic stuff. 

15. "Immoral Guidance" by Danny Black; Keith Goodwin

We close out this segment of music with a Good Ole War reunion of sorts from Philadelphia based Danny Black's third album Black Ryno.  A great way to close out this segment of music. 

Tomorrow - the recap continues with songs 16-20 or so
 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 11/13/2020 - Featured Friday - Good God Mix (Fighting Remix)

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

We made it through another week... crazy times for sure... music - as it always does sustains me...

Onward....

A brand new Featured Friday Playlist with some awesome new and recent music from Nashville and beyond...

 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 11/12/2020 - Words That Go In This Part of the Title - Flash Flood Mix (Canada Remix)

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

In all the commotion this week, I forgot to say, congratulations to President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-Elect Kamala Harris. 

Today - we wrap up our recap of this week's Featured Friday Playlist with songs 27-31:

27. "Hard to Get" by Kafeeno

Up first, we have a really cool track from Gregory "Kafeeno" Whealton Jr. Who draws upon his experience as a young person travelling the world with his family to bring multiple influences. This track features steel drums and flutes to great a fun sound. 

28. "Hell Yeah" by Paul Alexander Low

Next up, we have the title track off of the new EP by this UK based singer-songwriter. I dig it.

29. "Usaxpsa" by I Could Live in Hope

Up next, we have some Nashville music via fellow WXNA DJ Travis Trevisan. Really good indie rock with a shoegaze sound and a political message. 

30. "Sweet Talk" by Madisyn Whajne

Next up, we have a new single from this Ontario-based First Nations artist. I immediately thought of the Go-Gos when I heard this - it is really good. Check it out. 

31. "Going Home" by Deleo

And we close out this week's Playlist with the third single from the forthcoming album by this French band. We have featured this band before, and I dig what they are doing.  It is always great to end a playlist on such a high note. 

Be on the lookout for an all-new Featured Friday Playlist - hitting around Midnight. And, again, thanks to everyone who is following the Playlist. 

Final note: Please remember that while Spotify is a great way to share and discover music - they do not treat artists fairly in terms of compensation for the art they create.  Buy music, buy merch, watch livestreams and tip, and when it is safe go see your favorite independent artists live.  
 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 11/11/2020 - Mid-Week Holiday - Drug Store Wine Mix (Everything Remix)

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

Today is Veteran's Day - a time to pause and remember those who served our nation in the military. 

I have the day off work. In the past, I have taken a day off from blogging when I am off work, but I am choosing today to press on. 

Our Featured Friday Playlist recap rolls on with songs 22-26:

22. "Medicine" by The Sea at Midnight

Starting things off we have LA based postpunk band The Sea at Midnight with a track from the  debut self-titled album. Really great stuff that reminds of a lot of great bands I love. 

23. "Dosed" by Arran Sym

Coincidentally, we follow up a song called "Medicine" with a song called "Dosed".  This is a track from the another debut - this time the EP 1000 Micrograms of Love via Scottish producer and artist Arran Sym.  Really digging this. 

24. "Illinois by Numbers" by Moral Mazes

Next up, we have a great new track from Moral Mazes - which features members of Jawbox, The Bomb, Airstream Futures,  and more.  This is from a recently released 7".

25. "White and Black Angels" by Monsieur Minimal

This is our third time (unless I lost count) featuring Greek artist Monsieur Minimal - we had previously featured the track Easteria - which is the title track from his new album.  

26. "The Distances" by Cosmopolis

There has definitely been a mood and feel to this segment of music, and this new single from global band Cosmopolis is a great way to close it out. The band's members are from UK, Belgium, and Australia.  

Tomorrow - we wrap up this week's playlist - with songs 27-31...
 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 11/10/2020 - The Art of the Loss - Peace Love and Understanding Mix (Enough is Enough Remix)

Tweet #E2TG

Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

A bit short on time today - so we will jump right in...

Today, our recap of this week's Playlist continues with songs 17-21:

17. "Let Me Tell You What I Think" by Ordinary Elephant

Starting off today, we have a brand new single from Houston, Texas based, husband and wife folk duo Ordinary Elephant. This is a thoughtful and nuanced song of our times. Really fantastic. 

18. "Culture War" by Paul Maged

More timely music - albeit of a different variety - via New York Alt-Rock singer-songwriter Paul Maged.  We have featured his music before, and we probably will again. This is the title track from his new album. 

19. "Love in Quarantine" by New Way Vendetta

Next up, we have yet another timely track - this of the goth/dance variety via the long-running New Way Vendetta.  Stellar stuff. 

20. "Partypooper" by HMS Morris

I believe this is our second time featuring Welsh band HMS Morris in a Playlist. It is really catchy pop music of the best variety.  

21. "You've Got Another Thing Coming" by Beyond the Grey

And, we close out this segment of music with a really tasty Judas Priest cover from this band who are based in Kansas City.  A nice addition to the Playlist. 

Tomorrow - the recap continues with songs 22-26
 

    Featured Friday Playlist