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I had a good time last night at The Basement East. I got to see performances from two people I was first introduced to at the Safety Harbor Song Fest way back in late March – Chris Gelbuda and Daphne Willis. It was the soft EP Release Show for Willis – whose new EP, Get It, will be released on Friday.
Opening the show was Kyshona Armstrong. She actually played the first Safety Harbor Song Fest in 2014. She plays some wonderful acoustic soul music and was backed by an outstanding band. I really enjoyed her set, and I will be on the lookout for more opportunities to see her again.
Daphne Willis played next back by yet another outstanding band. I am always hesitant to assign genres when the artist/band does not. I will say there is a real pop instinct to her music. The overwhelming impression is energy, enthusiasm, and a very clear understanding and appreciation for the way her music sounds. Chris Gelbuda, who co-produced her new CD, joined her for a couple of songs, and then was the next on the bill.
I found out after the set that Gelbuda and his band only got the chance for minimum rehearsal time before the show, but I can honestly say, that did not come across. Gelbuda is an accomplished producer (he produced the latest hit single for Meaghan Trainor) and a professional songwriter. I was very impressed by the caliber of his songs.
Unfortunately, I had to leave before the last act on the bill was done, but Sonia Leigh – playing with much of the band that accompanied Daphne Willis – sounded great.
On to the mid-week shuffle for your listening pleasure…
“Stupid Bird (This Time Next Year)” by Dean Fields
Another track from the Harvester Sampler. This song relates the migration (leaving only return) to the similar effect small towns have on people. I really like this one.
“Generic Bike Rider” by Batkhi Dahn
The return of Batkhi Dahn to the shuffle. They have a new single out, but this is from the Plays 15 record. This song is not about a name brand bike rider. Just so we are clear.
“City Kids” by Motorhead
What’s that? Why does Ear the Ground never have early period Motorhead in the shuffle? The hell you say! Ta-Da.
“The Bulrushes” (Bongos cover) by Tim Lee 3
When I came across this song a few weeks ago, and then discovered it was a few years old, I had to wonder why it took me so long to learn of its existence. Some of favorite people and E2TG favorites from Knoxville, Tennessee covering one of my favorite songs by one of the best bands of all time. The song appeared on an benefit album for Hurricane Relief – I think following Sandy.
“The Hydra’s Heart” by The Unravelling
One of my favorite local songwriters has been posting lots of metal links today (that really doesn’t narrow it down much), but before I even knew that, this song came into the shuffle from the progressive metal band from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The lead track (I think) from Tear a Hole in the Collective Vision. ROCK!
“It’s All Gone Now” by Jeremy Nash
Nashville-by-way-of-New York singer-songwriter Jeremy Nash just released a new album called Getaway Driver. I got to hear him do some songs in a round Sunday night at Bobby’s Idle Hour. This is our first listen to Getaway Driver, and it will not be the last. We start with the last track on the album because that is how our randomness rolls sometimes. I’ve just listened to a few tracks on the album, but I really dig what I’ve heard so far.
“Monterey” by The Milk Carton Kids
Monterey is the title track from the latest album by the folk duo, The Milk Carton Kids. The track came to us via those 100 World Café Session downloads we got back several months ago. It is a great performance of a gorgeous song.
“Collide” by Dan Coyle
Another track from Random Thoughts and Incomplete Sentences – the 2009 album of one of our favorites.
“I Don’t Wanna Know” by Human Radio
We close things out with a favorite from the self-titled Human Radio record. The band is working on a new album and playing some shows in Nashville and Memphis – including this Saturday at The 5 Spot.
E2TG: MUSIC/WORDS 
