Month: October 2013

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Scary (Good) Mix

Happy Halloween!

First off – we have a treat!  How about the brand new video of a song we presented a week or so ago.  Our friends Those Mockingbirds released the song “How to Rob a Bank” back on the 22nd of October.  Now they have an instructional video.  An Official Video anyway… Here it is!

http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/qODaCcMTiKc&source=uds


I never quite have it together enough for a holiday-themed shuffle… but today, the Randomizer came up with alien arachnids, electrical discharges, monks, extinct birds, and puppets.  Which can create some pretty frightening images if you use your imagination.

Jump to see what I am rattling on about… if you dare… bwahahahahaha!

“Ziggy Stardust” (Original – Bonus track on the 1990 CD Release) by David Bowie ( from The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars – stripped down and just plain awesome… with God-given ass…)

“Make it Together” by Beachwood Sparks (from Paste Fall Pre(View) 2013 (from Desert Skies. This song was the b-side of the L.A. Americana bands’ first single from 1998 – Desert Skies.  The long shelved debut album – also called Desert Skies is going to be released later in the forthcoming month.  We have a link in our web-store if you are interest. I really dig Beachwood Sparks even if I am late to their parade.)

“Afraid to Die” by Monks of Mellonwah (from Afraid to Die.  The band is releasing their new album in three parts.  We featured the first part – Ghost Stories over the summer, and Afraid to Die- the second part was released at the beginning of this month.  This is the title track.  Really like the Monks of Mellonwah)

“Confidence” by The Dodos (from Carrier. A San Francisco indie band.  The album Carrier was released back in August.)

“The Greatest Lie Ever Told” by Puppet Rebellion (from Chemical Friends EP. Puppet Rebellion are a band. They are from Manchester. England – not the Tennessee town where Bonaroo is held. They formed in 2013 – which is this year. Chemical Friends is their first release – a three song EP. “The Greatest Lie Ever Told” is one of those three songs.  It fairly awesomely rocks.  I came to their music via a Twitter Follow – near as I remember.  Check them out.)

 
 
WATCH
 


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Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Onward Mix

Longish shuffle today – time is fleeting… here we go…

“Three Car Jam” by the Minutemen (from Double Nickels. One of three “car jams” on the album. A classic)

“Easy Does” by Let’s Active

“Hey Grace, Hey Tony” by Grace and Tony (from November – it’s almost here)

“The Spins” by Potty Mouth (from Hell Bent/ Massachusetts Rock)

“Midnight You” by The Coal Men (from Escalator.  Such a great song)

“A Morning Song” by Elephant Stone (another from their Seven Seas album – we featured the title track earlier this week)

“Think About It” by Stevie Nicks (from Bella Donna)

“My Heart and the Real World” by the Minutemen (another from Double Nickels)

“Mama’s Baby, Daddy’s Maybe” by Swamp Dogg (aka Jerry Williams… yes!)

“Onward” by The Danbury Lie (from ‘?’.  It was good to see Danbury Lie doing a show with our friends the Grimm Generation.)

“Hombre Secreto (Secret Agent Man)” by Matthew Sweet (from the Repo Man Soundtrack tribute. Sweet cover The Plugz who were covering a song made famous by Johnny Rivers)

“Down by the River” (live) by Indigo Girls (Another cover – this time it’s a Neil Young cover by Amy and Emily. )

 
 
WATCH
 
 
 
 

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Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Foggy Notion Mix

For me, the thing about Lou Reed’s music that is most significant is not that it made me fall in love with Lou Reed’s music, it is that it opened up my mind to the possibilities of what music could be.  It started this life-long quest for what is next and what else is there.  Certainly, I did fall in love with Lou Reed’s music both in and out of the Velvet Underground, but I didn’t stay there.  I don’t know how many posts I say in the hours after the news of his death broke about Lou Reed being the doorkeeper or gatekeeper. It was also so gratifying to see a very diverse list of people who acknowledged the influence that Lou Reed had on their music.

See, I don’t write Ear to the Ground to make money – I would have quit long ago if that were the case, and I don’t write to make friends with so many cool artists – although that it is a pretty nifty side-effect. I write Ear to the Ground (and I keep writing on those days when I am not sure anyone is reading) because music moves me.  Lou Reed’s music moves me and the band who you’ve never heard about – there music moves me.  And the music that is being made somewhere in the world that I haven’t heard yet – that moves me. See, I’m passionate about music. I write Ear to the Ground because even if I stopped writing this blog, I would still be thinking about music and wondering what was next and what else was out there waiting for me to hear.



Let’s Shuffle

“Lillian, Egypt” (LIVE) by Josh Ritter  (from Live at the Iveagh Gardens. I dig Josh Ritter.  He writes cool songs and he has a great voice. That’s pretty much enough for me sometimes.)

“Desperado” by Linda Ronstadt (a cover of a then still recent Eagles song from her fourth studio album, Don’t Cry Now. I’m honestly not a huge Eagle’s fan – but to tell the truth, Linda Ronstadt could have been singing the phonebook, and I would be listening. Beside, while listening to this song I found my self staring into the horizon like Karl Farbman on Seinfeld.)

“May the Road Rise to Meet Your Face” by James Crawford (from his self-titled debut.  I think this is a traditional Irish Toast. I have to say it is really cool when some you have known for a long time makes a truly great record.)

“Temporary Though Exchange (AKT Vocal Version)” by Its Teeth with Travis Orbin and Gabriel from The Gabriel Construct (from Divided – which you can get  here   – CD Sold out digital still available – One of the reasons I stay open, not only to genres and styles of music but to the various ways that music reaches my ear holes, is that I never know…  Earlier this year I was introduced to The Gabriel Construct by a music promoter – one of the best in my opinion and thus discovered one of the best, most challenging albums of the year.  Gabriel recommended this album which includes his collaborator Travis Orbin and on which Gabriel contributed vocals to this track. I never know… if I had dismissed the submission for The Gabriel Construct because it had come from a promoter – not only would I have missed out on that album, but more than likely I never would have heard this amazing record either.)

“Dixie Fried” by The Howlin’ Brothers (from The Sun Studio Sessions.  Nashville’s own, The Howlin’ Brothers start off their album recorded at the famous Sun Studios in Memphis with a cover of a song by one of the legends who came out of that storied, tiny building on Union Avenue – the late great Carl Perkins.)

“New Boy” by The Connells (from New Boy. The title track from the Mid 90s EP by this great and perhaps underrated band from North Carolina.)

 
 
WATCH
 
 
 


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Monday Morning Music Shuffle – Linger On Mix

http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/DVADkFxtqU8&source=uds

http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/OLFk18LfDsM&source=uds
 
Lou Reed (1942-2013)
 
It is impossible for me to say with any degree of certainty that Ear 2 the Ground would not exist if it weren’t for Lou Reed.  But, what I can say with absolute certainty is that it would not be the same. The simple but truthful reason is that music would not be the same.  Walk on, linger on…
 
 
 

 
 
“The Seven Seas” by Elephant Stone (from The Seven Seas. Indian-inspired Psychedelic Rock from Montreal, Canada.)
 
“I Can’t Stop Loving You” by Joseph Mooradian (via Soundcloud.  A cool cover of the Don Gibson penned classic made famous by the late great Ray Charles.)
 
“Young Girls” by Black Joe Lewis (from Noisetrade Eastside Manor Session.  Another Eastside Manor recording of a song from Electric Slave)
 
“I Think We’re Alone Now” by Screeching Weasel (from the 1995 Compilation Kill the Musicians.  A rip roaring cover of the Tommy James and the Shondells song which many of my generation knows from the 1987 version my Tiffany. Come to think of it – this may be a cover of the Tiffany version. I’m not really sure.)
 
“Rock ‘N’ Roll Suicide” by David Bowie (from Ziggy Stardust. Good to have David Bowie in the shuffle.  Ziggy was released in 1972 – the same year that Bowie along with Mick Ronson produced Lou Reed’s second solo album Transformer.)
 
“Fearless” by Gerald Collier (from Gerald Collier. A Pink Floyd cover – and the third cover in this Shuffle – from the Singer-Songwriter Collier’s self-titled 1998 album.)
 
 
 
 
 
VIEW TODAY’S VIDEO PLAYLIST
 
 
 


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Friday Morning Music Shuffle – In the Basement Mix



“Sometimes words have two meanings….”

Ah hell – we have a jam packed Mix of music so let’s get down to it…. 

After the jump….

“Animal Tracks” Mountain Man (from Made the Harbor  – sweet sounding trio who met at Bennington College in Vermont)

“Setting Sun” by Elephant Stone (from Elephant Stone – groovy psychedelic rockers from Montreal who came to our attention recently)

“Saint” by Mission South (from Migration Vol. 2 – Three kids from DC – Saw them this week at The Basement under Grimey’s. Such a FUN set. Great sound, great energy. A true highlight on a night of highlights.)

“Bloodstream” by Firehorse (from Pills From Strangers. Not fIREHOSE nor Firehouse (thank God), but a nifty indie band from Brooklyn – think the airy, groovy side of Indie music)

“A Silent Moment” by Elephant Stone (from Elephant Stone – another mind melter)

“Torn Maps” by Bosnian Rainbows (a relatively new project of Omar Rodriguez Lopez of The Mars Volta. Electronic, heavy, and pretty darn cool)

“Baby’s Gone to Memphis” by Mark Robinson (from Have Axe – Will Groove. Let’s all go to Memphis… or at least play the Blues…)

“Two Beads at the End” by the Minutemen (from Double Nickels on the Dime.  Sometimes it’s good to go back and listen to some of the music that first really moved you… oh, D.!)

“Love is a Rose” by Linda Ronstadt (Linda sings Neil… does it get any better?)

“Chili” by Dog Without Warning (from Bark.  One of my favorites on the Bark EP. A cautionary tale of sorts)

“Full Five Paces” by The Autumn Defense (From their debut The Green Hour. Man ‘o man I dig the gorgeous 60s sound of this band – saw them back in September at Grimey’s Americanarama show)

“Time to Go” by Moovalya (from Moovalya. Some nice hard rock from Phoenix)

“Hymn 101” by Joe Pug (from his debut EP Nation of Heat. I love Joe Pug’s music so much.)

“Raise the Sun” by Anciients (from Heart of Oak. Just some jaw-dropping Progressive Metal from Vancouver)

“Tombstone Blues” by Richie Havens (a Dylan cover from the I’m Not There Soundtrack by the late great New York area singer-songwrite and Woodstock alum)

WATCH THIS
 

SHOP HERE (the weekly E2TG Store)


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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Blue Line Mix



Some how the release of the new Those Mockingbirds single – “How to Rob a Bank” got past me.  The single is out and it rocks every bit as hard as one would expect from Those Mockingbirds. If you don’t know what to expect from Those Mockingbirds, expect THE ROCK.  Seriously. But, now that the song is out there is no need to take my word for it.  Unless you need the validation of a high profile taste-maker – in which case, you have come to the right place. 😉 
 
Give it a listen:
 
 
 
Here is a live performance captured on video
 
 
 
Now, we have a cool shuffle – so let’s get to it!
 
After the break

 
“My Blood Ain’t Runnin’ Right” by Black Joe Lewis  (from NoiseTrade Eastside Manor Sessions. A track from his album Electric Slave. Black Joe Lewis is the real deal.  Austin, Texas)
 
“Stockholm” by Jason Isbell (from Southeastern. Yes, yes, and yes. Nashville is proud to a share Mr. Isbell with Muscle Shoals, Alabama.)
 
“Blue Line” by Let’s Active (from Cypress.  A true classic from this underrated and under-appreciated band led by the awesome Mitch Easter. Look for a youthful, Tim Lee of Tim Lee Three in the accompanying video – in the playlist down below – which was taken from an episode of the old MTV show IRS Records Presents The Cutting Edge – a show which was highly influential to the impressionable youth who used to be me.  Winston-Salem, NC)
 
“Wasted and Rollin'” by Amanda Shires (from Down Fell the Doves. Mrs. Jason Isbell – or is it vice-versa?  Nashville is very proud to claim her.  Talk about a Nashville power couple! Whoseit and Whatsit on ABC’s Nashville have nothing on these two.  Nashville, TN)
 
“You Will Be Here, Mine” by Will Johnson (from Scorpion. Since finally catching on to the awesome band Centro-Matic which Will Johnson leads, I’ve had to take crash course in his impressive credentials and music. Scorpion was released in 2012.  Coming soon to a Living Room near you – included one in Nashville on November 4. Austin, Texas)
 
A cool mix of music – coincidentally all from the South – if Texas is considered the South)
 
 
 
Watch the Playlist of the Day
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – In any Language Mix

First off, let me be the first (okay not the first by far) to say that the notion that Nashville is a great town for music is not hype. I don’t get out as often as I would like, but it seems like every time I do – amazing things happen.  Now, I don’t think I am that lucky a guy (although pretty lucky all things considered) nor do I think my mere presence inspires such awesomeness to occur. Therefore, my conclusion has to be that remarkable, amazing, and awesome music happens all the time in Nashville (East, West, and all points in-between).

Last night, it was an incredible night of music at The Basement.  Nashville people (or anyone who finds themselves in Nashville on a Tuesday night) get yourselves down to The Basement (under Grimey’s New and Pre-Loved Music) for New Faces night. Local and in-town artists of the Indie persuasion take the stage. Grimey curates, mans the soundboard… There was so much goodness last night, and I will definitely be back. I posted a bit about it over on Facebook. Miss Shevaughn and Yuma Wray were phenomenal.  They played at least two songs which will be on their next album – set for a spring ’14 release – which were both really great.  Fun night…

Today’s shuffle commences after the jump…

“Nostalgia” by Dog Without Warning (from Bark.  Seriously, I love this band and this EP. They are CXCW alums, and I was first introduced to their music at this years “event”. The band reached out to me when the put out this record, and I fell head over heels for it. The music is a major departure from “Go Girl” which I previously heard and liked. Bark has a surprising folksy, Americanaish, country vibe going. Most importantly, it has great songs with killer hooks.)

“Eight Miles High” by Husker Du (Covering The Byrds. This is from an extended single which also includes the band’s classic Makes No Sense at All and a cover of the Mary Tyler Moore theme song. I saw a bumper sticker the other day that said, “What would Husker Du?”  What indeed.)

“Back to You” by Perrin Lamb (a talented alternative/Pop singer/songwriter from here in town.)

“The Shell” by Dr. Fate (Another great song on the Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen Compilation? Seriously?)

“Unforgettable” by Ani DiFranco and Jackie Chan (cover of the song popularized by Nat King Cole – who posthumously recorded a duet of the song with his daughter. Wait a minute!?????  Ani DiFranco and Jackie Chan? That Jackie Chan? Yep.  The results are as one might expect… it’s from the When Pigs Fly compilation)

 
Watch today’s video Playlist
 
 
 
 
 

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Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Invitation to Robbery Mix

As you may or may not know, I create a playlist and let the Shuffle function determine the mix which I call my Morning Shuffle. Am I sometimes tempted to take control and create the mix myself? Sure. But, what I like about the Shuffle mode is the way randomness tends to parallel real life.  Sometimes there seem to be patterns – like last week’s day of several animal themed tracks in a row. Sometimes – like today – there is no discernible pattern. Just a collection of cool songs – old and new in a variety of styles and moods. You know kind of like life….





Today’s shuffle emerges – after the JUMP

“Back in the Saddle” by Mark Robinson (from Quit Your Job – Play Guitar.  This is top-notch Music City Blues from one of our favorite artists.)

“Safe European Home” by The Clash (from Give ’em Enough Rope. One of my favorite Clash songs. A classic.)

“Stay True” by Moovalya (from Moovalya. One of the most recent “discoveries”. Moovalya have a high energy punk/metal sound. They are from Phoenix. )

“You Ain’t Alone” by Alabama Shakes (This song is included on a recent ATO Fall Sampler which I  grabbed off of Noisetrade.  It is a track on the Athens, Alabama band’s break-through album, Boys and Girls.)

“I’ll Be Gone” by The Black Clouds (from Better Days.  This New Jersey Grungy/punk band came onto my radar earlier this year.  I featured several songs from this album earlier in the year, but it’s been a little while since they appeared in a shuffle.  It’s good to have the reminder of how much I dig their music.  Check ’em out)

“Scream (reprise)” by Marla Mase (from the Speak Deluxe album.  A nice way to end today’s shuffle – a reprise of the outstanding song Scream.  Marla Mase is another artist to come to my attention in 2013, and she is one of the most creative and original artists I have ever come across.  If you haven’t – check out her music.)

 
 
Watch today’s Video Playlist
 
 

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Monday Morning Music Shuffle – 99 Mix

Earlier this year, E2TG featured several songs by Christian Robins from his debut mixtape called KidGrownUp.  At the time, he didn’t have any videos for us to feature.  However, he just dropped the Official Video for his song “Suburban Trap Rap”.  So we thought we would post it now.




Now, let’s get into today’s shuffle —- you know the drill – JUMP

We are back with our first Shuffle since last Thursday.  Let’s ease into the week with a nifty little mix of songs…  99…

“CKW” by ItsTeeth (from the album Divided.  This one came to us from our friend Gabriel Lucas Gitin Riccio of the Gabriel Construct.  Its Teeth is an (mostly) instrumental Post-Rock project. Primarily Jacob Belcher. On Divided, Belcher teams with Travis Orbin who was part of The Gabriel Construct album.  And… Gabriel himself contributed vocals to one track on Divided – but not this one.  Anyway, it’s cool stuff – check it out.)



“November” by Grace and Tony (from November.  Tony is the brother of The Civil Wars’ John Paul White.  They call their music Punkgrass. Their debut album is due out next month. Grace and Tony were married in July. So congrats to them.  Check it out!)

“Jesus” by The Velvet Underground (from The Velvet Underground.  “Help me find my proper place”)

“99” by Sonny Boy Williamson (from A Ray of Sonny.  “You asked me for one hundred dollars, and I didn’t have but ninety nine”)

“Easy Easy” by King Krule (from 6 Feet Beneath The Moon. This track is currently free from Amazon.  The description is “Rock and Soul with a Voice like Joe Strummer.”  You be the judge.)

 
Here is today’s Video Playlist (99)
 


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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – Elephants, Teddy Bears, Monkeys and Coyotes – Oh My! Mix

We have a damn fine shuffle to close out the week…. the first five songs even start a bit of theme (purely thanks to the shuffle function).  Due to circumstances (yada yada), this will be the final shuffle of the week.  So it’s a nice way to go out.

Jump past the break to see today’s shuffle…

“Spiderhead” by Cage the Elephant (from the new album, Melophobia. The video included in the playlist below, is a performance of the album’s first single on Letterman – last week. Mr. Letterman’s reaction after the song, is everything you need to know about why Cage the Elephant are a great Rock and Roll band.  They are from just up the road a bit – Bowling Green, Kentucky)

“How Long” by Elephant Stone (from their 2009 album The Seven Seas and included a recent Noisetrade sampler.  This band is new to me, and I am digging it so far…)

“Every Time the Son Leaves” by Telepathic Teddy Bear (from Reactions. I’ve been listening to this album for a couple of months now. I’m digging the groovy vibe and subtle humor in some of the songs.  This one has a trippy, mellow vibe that I kind of dig)

“Brass Monkey” by Beastie Boys (from Licensed to Ill. What can I say? Booooy!”

“Coyote” by Miss Shevaughn and Yuma Wray (a non-album live cut from the band’s Live at DC9 release.  Man oh man, I love this song.  Maybe if I beg nicely, they will do this one on Tuesday… Maybe?)

“Pictures” by Logan X (from the Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen compilation. This is a remarkable song.  I wish I could have found a video for it, but go look at the Mama Coco’s bandcamp page and give it a listen – hell download the whole compilation.  Logan X is an instrumentalist. The vocals on this song are by Molly Connelly.  The ubiquitous Oliver Ignatius contributes as he does on almost if not all of the Mama Coco’s compilation songs. By the way, Mama Coco is apparently a cockatoo, so technically this song continues the theme of the first five songs… )

“Comfort Consumption” by False-Heads (from Tunnel Vision.  Another cool song by these kids from England who looked us up and gave us the chance to hear their very awesome album)

“Storm in my House” by Minutemen (from Double Nickels on the Dime. Double Nickels is one of my all-time favorite albums and in my opinion one of the best albums ever.)

“Save Charlie” by Rubblebucket (from the EP Save Charlie. This came from a Paste/Noisetrade compilation. My first exposure to this Brooklyn band, and I am kind of digging it.)

Here’s the Video Playlist of the Day
 
 

And since there will not be a shuffle tomorrow, here is the E2TG Store for the Week

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