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First off – ICYMI because I posted so late yesterday. Here is the link to yesterday’s shuffle and “Earie” Awards…
Today’s “Earie” Award category is either called, “The Hall of Fame Part II” Award or the “E2TG Survivor Series” Award or something. Over the 4 1/2 year history of E2TG, I have been fortunate to get to know and write about a ton of really awesome and talented artists. As most people reading this know, making music and trying to be heard in 2015 is a challenging proposition. It is easy to get burned out or for more lucrative opportunities to take precedence. This award is meant to recognize long time favorites of this blog who are still out there doing their thing and making vital and interesting music.
1. Killing Kuddles – from Atlanta – Elwood “Killing” Kuddles first caught my attention a few years ago with his blending of punk and folk or folk and punk – which I hereby dub.. “Polk” (because “Funk” means something else). In 2015, Kuddles released the Sinking Ship EP which pushed his signature sound forward. I love his slightly twisted humor and the way his music makes me happy. Very happily, I made a Black Friday purchase that included a Killing Kuddles t-shirt, stickers, patches, and buttons.
2. The Danbury Lie – originating from Connecticut, I think he’s kind of a citizen of the world now. The Danbury Lie holds the distinction of being the third most tagged band in E2TG history. Like so many Connecticut artists, he is extremely prolific. In 2015 alone, he released Scattered Moments of Connection, Choose Your Delusion, Shallow Cuts (kind of a Greatest Hits collection), and the DVD (with accompanying soundtrack) called Whispers to Oblivion. And he is already at work on a new project schedule for early next year. His music is unique and amazing. It is an interesting mix of experimental metal, out there folk, and something harder to define. Whispers to Oblivion is a chronicle of his cross-country drive over the summer. It is an amazing video which manages to give the viewer insight into The Danbury Lie’s world. I would recommend it even if I didn’t make a voice-only cameo appearance.
3. Pony Boy – When I first came into contact with the music of Marchelle Bradanini – aka Pony Boy – she was in Los Angeles, and I was very impressed by both her songs and her incredible voice. Since then, she has partially relocated to East Nashville (she lives 1/2 time here and in L.A.), and she has begun to received some well deserved attention. Pony Boy released Blue Gold this year, and I have seen it mentioned on some best of lists already. And now, she has an “Earie”.
Our last featured Friday shuffle of 2015 is on deck….
“More Glue” by Tim Carroll
Tonight, as I have done many times in 2015, I will begin my Friday evening with one of Nashville’s best deals and best things. Just about every Friday beginning at 6 p.m., Tim Carroll and his band settle into The 5 Spot for an amazing Rock and Roll Happy Hour. There is no cover (but hit up the tip jar or the tip kettle), and settle in for two to two and half hours straight of some of the best music you are likely to hear. Happily, Carroll has begun to release some of his new songs which you are likely to hear on a given Friday. This is a track from his last album, Pure as Coal which is now largely unavailable.
“DMT” by Tymon Dogg
A really cool track from one-time Joe Strummer collaborator, Tymon Dogg . His latest album is called Made of Light, and you will be hearing much more of it in 2016.
“New Wave (Is this Rock ‘N’ Roll?) by Niall James Holohan
A Dublin born, London based recording artist. This is the current single, and my first listen. I like it.
“Clear Sky” by Matt Prater
Alabama-based country music singer-songwriter Matt Prater’s Tables and Chairs is a very good album. Prater makes the kind of country music that flies in the face of much of what the “industry” is putting out. That, to me, is a good thing, a very good thing.
“Dreaming On the Road” by Ted Drozdowski’s Scissormen
Earie Award winning Ted Drozdowski and his Scissormen are up next with an excellent track from Love and Life – one of my favorite albums of the year.
“Christopher” by Pony Boy
Fortuitously, Pony Boy – jumps into the shuffle on the same day that she picks up an “Earie” with a song from Blue Gold. Could this song be a reference to Christopher Thomas Howell who played Ponyboy Curtis in Francis Ford Coppola’s adaptation of the S.E. Hinton novel? I have no idea. I love this song, though.
“Mirror Black Mirror” by Indigenous Engines
Another “Earie” award winner – Andrew Adkins released a pair of EPs under the Indigenous Engines moniker. This track is from the EP called Witches. Ominously wonderful music.
“I Ain’t the Sharpest Marble” by D.L. Duncan
And yet another “Earie” award winner! With the lead track from his self-titled album. The title of this song makes me smile, and it is a really cool blues song.
“American Night” by Benchmarks
Todd Farrell and The Dirty Birds changed their name in 2015, and released their self-title debut as Benchmarks. This is a very summery album which was a great choice for this cold morning. Benchmarks are currently working on their follow-up, and I for one can’t wait. This is the kind of song that is needed to steal back the concept of driving down some desolate country road and partying with your friends from those bro-country bozos. The video in the playlist for this song is from a show that I attended – wherein Micah Schnaubel of Farrell’s other band (Two Cow Garage) jumped stage to join in.
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E2TG: MUSIC/WORDS 