Category: Balu and Die Surfgrammeln

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle – Great Day Mix

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Well, it’s premier week at E2TG as I unveil my new “programming schedule”.

Welcome to debut edition of Trending Tuesday!  Why trending?  Well, for one thing, it starts with the letter “T” which was a requirement in naming this day.  Also, my social media consultants advise me that the term “trending” is er, um… trending these days.

So, what is “Trending Tuesday”?  In some ways it is similar to Featured Friday.  Basically, it is songs/artist that have been fresh on my mind (new – or fairly recent acquisitions/releases), like all “rules”, I play fast and loose.  The Trending Tuesday playlist is different than the Featured Friday playlist, but they have a lot of overlap.  Well… enough exposition – here is the first Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle….

“Shotgun Behind the Door” by Kevin Gordon

Kevin Gordon has been “trending” at E2TG since we got his album Long Gone Time shortly before it was released.  I got to see Kevin backing up Paul Burch recently for weeks one and four of Burch’s residency at The 5 Spot.  A little bird tells me Gordon will have his own 5 Spot residency within the next couple of months.  Also, to hear more about Kevin Gordon (including some words about the song featured today), I highly recommend you check out Country Fried Rock’s interview which was recorded in Nashville during Americana week and recently released.  You can hear it HERE.

“Der Zerfall Von Backerbsen” by Balu and die Surfgrammeln

Until Balu and die Surfgrammeln became my favorite Austrian surf rock band, I did not know that I was missing having a favorite Austrian surf rock band. I didn’t even know that they surfed in Austria????  Seriously, I am digging this music.

“Stop Listen and Love” by The Naddiks

Late last year, our friends from Canberra (Australia) released a single dedicated to Anti-Bullying efforts.  It is a very important subject, and a rocking fun single to boot.  Notice we did the Austria/Australia thing again… please note that the two countries are not the same…. in case you were wondering.

“Be My Good Dream” (Excerpt) by exedra

Another track (or at least an excerpt) from Elemental which is the new album by exedra which is lead by Jeremy Gluck from the UK. Dreamy music… good dreamy music!

“Salto Nel Buio” by Le Folli Arie

In addition to having a favorite Austrian surf rock band, I now also have a favorite Italian prog-pop band.  I have featured this band several times of late.

“Follow Them to Empty Shores/ Inouye” by Smokey The Firebear

After a four song tour of the world, we return stateside with another track from the brand new album by Smokey the Firebear from Connecticut.  The album is called Ohm Atlanta – great experimental, instrumental music.   I am guessing that the second half of this song is named after the late Senator from Hawaii????

“Land Where the Blues Began” by Sara Syms

Another album that has been trending for me since I first heard it, is Sara Syms’ album Way Back Home.  I was talking with some friends recently about whether or not the “album” was in danger  – in this age of downloads and streaming and stupid blogs that shuffle songs… (kidding) but I have always maintained that albums are important.  They do not have to be “concept” albums either. Syms’ record carries a cohesive sound throughout, and there are some recurring themes.  Certainly, the songs can be heard and work well on their own, but there is also value in listening to the album as a whole piece. This is one of my favorite tracks on the album – one that really sets a mood.

“High on the Plains” (Live) by Leland Sundries

From Live at the Creamery. This is not a “new” album, but one that I have come to know over the last several months.  It is trending here – well because I say it is. 

“It Was a Great Day” by Lori Kelley

We started with a Nashville artist and we end with another.  Lori Kelley recently released an new album, More.  It looks like this song has been in Kelley’s repertoire for a few years.  It is a catchy, light song about the importance of making each day count.  

VIDEO PLAYLIST


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Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Life’s Revolving Door Mix

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Thinking today about those pivot moments in life, when trajectories get changed…

I have been reading a book called Outlaw about Waylon, Willie, and Kris that is a lot about Nashville in the 60s and early 70s… Much about the “establishment” and the creative forces that bucked the system to carve their own path – or to follow a path blazed by Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan. It has me thinking a lot about Nashville in 2016….

Tonight is promising to be another of those nights… first off, it is the final night of Jason Ringenberg’s residency at The 5 Spot with tonight’s guests Kristi Rose and Fats Kaplin.  After that, The Family Wash is hosting a tribute to the late great J.J. Cale that has a cast of performers that is pretty amazing.

Shuffle time….

“Technocracy” by Zaibatsu

Some crunching, industrial-like sounds from Zero – the latest album by this Italian progressive rock band. 

“Col. Ratvurst Causes An Eclipse by Accident” by Balu and de Surfgrammeln

Keeping things European with another track from Los Chicharrones del Surf – the latest record by this Austrian surf rock band.

“Ruler of my Heart” by Luella

Luella (formerly of Luella and the Sun) doing her version of a song by the late great Allen Toussaint. This song is from a homemade sampler CD.  For more information check out Luella’s Facebook Page or you can come out to The 5 Spot any given Friday for Tim Carroll Rock ‘n’ Roll Happy Hour and hear Luella do great songs like this and maybe pick up your own copy of this CD.  The video was (I think) done by Earie award winning Paul Zografi.

“At Once” by Beirut

A track from No No No – the bands fifth and latest album which was released in September 2015.  It was their first album since 2011.

“Eye For An Eye” by Ben Lowry

Our second listen to Somnium from Bang Ok Bang front-man, Ben Lowry.  I really like the sound here, and as with the music I have heard from Bang Ok Bang – the songs are strong.

“Running Away from Me” by Sara Syms

Keeping it local, we have another song from Sara Syms’ most recently album, Way Back Home.  This is one of my favorite tracks on the album. 


“Space Song” by Beach House

Now, a track from dream pop duo, Beach house from their fifth studio album, Depression Cherry which was released in August of 2015. The band have already released their sixth album, Thank Your Lucky Stars, which was released just two months after this one.

“Run Run Run” by Michelle Lewis

This is not a cover of the Velvet Underground song, but it is an really lovely song by Boston-based singer songwriter Michelle Lewis which I got on a live album called, Live at Club Passim.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle – Puff Until You Burst Mix

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Greetings from Tuesday! 

First of all, I have to say how amazingly proud I am of Darrin Bradbury who played the first night of his month-long Monday Residency at the Basement East.  I know I may sound like a broken record about this, but even at the end of last year, when I named Darrin my Artist of the Year, the idea of his playing a month-long residency at the largest club in East Nashville would have been almost inconceivable (unless you stopped to consider the trajectory he was on). And yet, here he was playing before a sizable crowd filled with some of the best songwriters and musicians in this town.

I was struck once again by Darrin’s skill as a songwriter.  Back in November of 2013, when a mutual friend (Popa Tune’s) told me that Darrin was moving to Nashville, I checked out his music (I had written about his old band Big Wilson River a year earlier, but did not know much about Darrin’s solo stuff). Around the time, I started listening to Darrin’s songs, a friend of mine posted something on Facebook about how they don’t make songwriters like they used to… or something like that. And, I remember thinking that Darrin may be the best pure songwriter I’ve heard in a long, long time.  And, he has only gotten better since then. 

Darrin was backed by the kind of band that may only be possible in East Nashville:  Laur Joamets (Little Joe) from Sturgill Simpson’s band on guitar, Megan Palmer on fiddle, Cameron Carrus on bass, Aaron Shafer-Haiss on drums.

The always amazing Aaron Lee Tasjan opened the night, playing some new tunes and sounding awesome even when he forget the lyrics to a song and sang it out of order.

2015 E2TG Artist of the Year, Jon Latham played next – confirming the wisdom of my selection.  By the way, Jon was just named Local Artist of the Week at Nashville Independent station Lightning 100.  His song “Anesthesia” will be in rotation this week and he will play a free show Friday at Soulshine Pizza.

For me (in kind a full circle kind of way), a highlight of the evening was Darrin leading the band through a cover of the Merle Travis song made famous by Johnny Cash, “Nine Pound Hammer”. This song had been Darrin’s warm-up song for all of those Wednesday night Fran’s shows back in the day.

On to the shuffle….

“Ginchy” by Balu and Die Surfgrammeln

After I played a track from this Austrian surf rock band a while back, they sent me some new music.  Los Chicharrones del Surf is the name of their latest album, and it is excellent.

“I’ll Never Give It Up” by Richard Thompson

From the album, Sweet Warrior.  Richard Thompson remains one of my all-time favorites.

“Right Next to You” by Christopher Aaron Slade

When Christopher Aaron Slade first submitted his music, he referenced sounding like AC/DC meets Scissor Sisters (my wording).  That got me to listen.  His songs are at times brash and suggestive in the best kind of way, and they all have a bit of groove to them.  This song may be my favorite.  It has a hook to die for and it sounds like it belongs on a really cool classic rock station.

“Meet a Changing World” by Smug Brothers

Smug Brothers are a Dayton Ohio rock band. This song is on their latest album, Woodpecker Paradise.  I really like it a bunch!

“Better Off Dead” by Jonas H. Sjøvaag’s Navyelectre

Jonas is a composer and musician from Oslo, Norway.  This song is from the  album, Large Ensemble which we have been featuring for some time.  Every time a song comes up, I am once again intrigued and amazed by how good this is.

“All the Right Reasons” (live) by The Jayhawks

Another from that live Jayhawks album via Noisetrade.  This song was originally on the album Rainy Day Music.

“Get to Me” by Amy Black

Amy Black’s latest album, Muscle Shoals Sessions features some of the great song that were created in that legendary hotbed of contemporary music.  In the midst, she also included 3 original tunes, including this one. It is to her credit as a songwriter, that I had to look up to see if this was a cover or an original.

“Tatiana” by Slingshot Dragster

We began with an Austrian surf rock band, and we end with an Australian surf rock band.  Seems about right.  Did I mention that I love surf music more than I even knew a few months ago.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Hit the Right Spot Mix

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The 1st Annual E2TG Awards (The Earies) continues… Today’s award ended in a tie (expect several to end up this way).  Today’s award is “The Better Late Than Never Award” (aka “The Anti-Hipster  Award”.

About the Award: As a respected music blogger (ahem!) and journalist (ahem!), I do pride myself on “discovering” new artists early on in their careers.  However, I also recognize that there is (and has been) a ton of great music out there, and that I went through periods where life and all kept me from being on the cutting edge like I am today (ahem!).  I also remember the days of trying to outdo people by claiming to have been a fan of (some band or artist) since before they had even played their first show or whatever.  So, these days, when I “discover” music that is new to me or that I have been aware of but not really checked out thoroughly, I just proudly admit that fact and move on.

The two winners of this award are both Nashville artists who released albums prior to 2015, but that I did not get my grubby little hands on until this year. Do I wish I had heard the heard the music sooner? Sure, it’s good stuff, which is why I am handing out the awards (again, no actual trophies will be exchanged). 

Winner #1:  Paul Zografi – Bright (Released 10/2014)

I met Paul at Bobby’s Idle Hour through Tim Carroll which is when I copy a copy of this album which I fell in love with.  Found out he shares at least one band member with Joe Nolan who was also playing at Bobby’s that night.  Zografi’s music has clarity and understatement and really good songs. 

 
 
 
Winner #2: Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau – Tennessee (Released May 2014)
 
 
There was a even longer interval between the release of this album and my getting hold of it, and in this case, I really don’t have a good excuse. I first saw Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau late in 2014 at Rocking Roots Guitar Showcase during Americana week.  (I have been a fan of Richie’s music for over 30 years).  I have been fortunate to see them live on a number of occasions since then, but I didn’t get a hold of the album until a chance encounter with Farm Bureau bassist John Reed downtown over the summer. The album offers a rootsy, rocking history of the Volunteer State through familial and public stories that span the state.  Owen’s besides being an amazing instrumentalist and songwriter, is able to provide an authentic and honest voice to the stories.  Plus, he has more first hand stories of the beginnings of Nashville’s independent music “scene” than just about anybody I know.
 
 

Congratulations to the winners!  More to Come….

“Die Traurige Grammel” by Balu and Die Surfgrammeln

So, I was thinking to myself… Joe, I asked myself, “have we ever had Viennese Surf Music is the shuffle?”  And, not knowing the answer or having any willingness to comb the archives to be sure, I decided to play some just to be sure.  So, now we have!  This is from that Continental Magazine sampler of Surf and Instrumental Rock music. For some reason the name of the band was misspelled in my music play which made it a challenge to find the video, but I did.    

“Burning Fires” by Nellie Clay

Nellie Clay is a part of the loose collective known as Campfire Propaganda. She came to Nashville by way of Alaska, but at her heart she is a red dirt girl from Oklahoma. This is real deal Country Music with authentic drawl and twang.  The song tells a heart breaking tale so beautifully that it actually warms your heart like the burning fires.

“Florida Man” by Aaron Lee Tasjan

I don’t know if ALT is an official member of Campfire Propaganda (or if there is such a thing), but I would think he is at least an honorary member, and one of the brightest spots on the East Nashville music scene.  Besides his obvious talents as a guitarist and songwriter, he is also a tireless champion of other artists and really a very nice guy. His new album, In the Blazes is rightfully getting some amazing coverage.  “Florida Man” received a nice write up from Rolling Stone. The song offers a bit of comfort to the state which has received much negative attention due to the actions of some of its residents, but which has made some amazing contributions, too. 

“Tailspin” (Live) by The Jayhawks

Noisetrade recently released a live album by alt-country pioneers The Jayhawks. This is a track from the band’s 2003 album Rainy Day Music.

“Skalle” by Smokey the Firebear

Another very brief track from Smokey the Firebear.  (“Remember kids, only you can start forest fires!” ????)  Skalle (according to my haphazard internet search can either mean “headbutt”, “roach”, “peel, flake”, or “skull”). This 30 second track is included on the BNGFKR which was released back in May.  The album is a collage of sounds and noises and stuff. By the way, a limited edition CD version of the album is available on Bandcamp (only six remain!) for $420.00.  I ended up posting  video of the defunct band, Circus Propaganda of which Cade Williams (Smokey the Firebear was a member).

“Don’t Own the Right” by Uncle Lucius

During the middle of a very crazy American Week this year, I got to hang out for a few hours in a small Artist Co-op building in East Nashville (the “Purple Building”), and I saw and heard some incredibly great music including a performance by Uncle Lucius from Austin, Texas.  Really like this song a bunch. The song is from the band’s most recent album, The Light. 

 

“Fiat 500” by Discount Ravioli

From the late night July 4 (early morning July 5) outdoor tent session recordings… the opening track from the album, Robin Schultz and the 21 Prayers. Unfortunately, I could not find a Discount Ravioli videos on You Tube, so I posted instead a Neutral Milk Hotel cover by at least one or so of the people involved here.  Appropriate because this track name drops, Jeff Mangrum.

“Hittin’ Where It Hurts” by Webb Wilder

The opening track of Webb Wilder’s Hybrid Vigor.  The video performance is from the short lived Pat Sajak show.  Sajak got his start in Nashville television and Wilder is a long time fixture on the Nashville music scene. Coincidently, Facebook showed me that a year ago or so, I saw Webb- solo in the round with David Olney and Kevin Gordon – that was quite a lineup!

“We Have No Problems” by The Unravelling

Another track from the experimental Metal band from Canada – from their record, Tear a Hole in the Collective Vision.

“Smile” (Live) by The Jayhawks

And we close out today’s shuffle with another track from that Jayhawks’ Live album (via Noisetrade).  This song was the title track from the band’s 2000 album. 

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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