Category: Tymon Dogg

Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle – The Under-Overpass Mix

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We have reached Friday… which means another featured Friday shuffle coming up…

Still dealing with a change of seasons cold, but I did get out early last night for the final night of the Paul Burch residency at The 5 Spot.  As he did the first week, Kevin Gordon played guitar with Burch and his WPA Ball Club whose new album Meridian Rising is out today.  It was a really incredible show with special guest Emma Swift.  Beginning next week, Fats Kaplin and Kristi Rose  will hold down the Thursday early residency slot for the month of March (with the exception of St. Patrick’s Day).  That promises to be outstanding.  I think The 5 Spots’ early residency shows are one of the best things Nashville has going on, and looking ahead to the announced and rumored shows coming up, I think you will agree.

Once again, there is a ton of great music going on tonight.  My plans include stopping by the Tim Carroll Happy Hour and then moving over to Bobby’s Idle Hour to see the Dark Horses of East Nashville (Amelia White, Julie Christensen, and Sergio Webb) and then to see how time and my cold are doing after that.

I am thinking about some tweaks to the E2TG format.  This is not E2TG v. 3.0 (that will come soon enough hopefully), but consider this E2TG v. 2.2 (or at least v. 2.1.1). I will work on that this weekend.

Shuffle time!

“Ocean Soul” by David G. Smith

David G. Smith is an amazing songwriter – I was fortunate enough to see him a few weeks ago in a round at The Bluebird Café.  This song is off of his latest album, First Love. This is a lovely song.

“Don’t You Be Too Cool” by The Deadline Shakes

I keep using the word infectious to describe the music of The Deadline Shakes who are currently promoting their new album Zealots.  It is music so catchy, so groovy that it gets inside your head and forces you to feel it.  I have always been a total sucker for this kind of music, and The Deadline Shakes are about as good at it as anybody I have heard in a long time.

“As Far as Angels Go” by Lori Kelley

Songwriters are the bread and butter of Nashville.  Nashville has great players and great bands, but this music city has a long and complicated history of songs and the people who create them.  From professional songsmiths working out of offices on Music Row to “Outlaws” (first on the West End and now around East Nashville)… I have had the great privilege to meet a lot of really great songwriters here in Nashville.  Lori Kelley is one of them.  She came to Nashville by way of the D.C. area where she was part of successful duo (we have featured Cletus and Lori several times).  She just recently released a CD called More which features some of her newer songs (and co-writes).  This song is a tribute to her father.

“Flash Forward” by exedra

Flash Forward to the fourth song of the shuffle… Exedra is the new project featuring Jeremy Gluck.  I was listening to this one as I was driving on the bridge over the Cumberland River this morning…

“Made of Light” by Tymon Dogg

We’re up to the title track from the latest album by Tymon Dogg who is best known for his work with the late Joe Strummer..

“Bone China Saviour” by Drew Worthley

This is our second listen from Crucible the new album by British singer-songwriter Drew Worthley. I found myself really listening to the words of this song, and I like it a lot.

“Afternoon” by The Foresters

Next up… this song was the first single from Sun Songs – the latest album by Connecticut siblings The Foresters.  The Foresters are the flagship band of the Dord Music Group, and as I mentioned yesterday, I have been following their incredible musical journey for nearly a fourth of their young lives. “Afternoon” really set the tone for the musical development and growth on display on Sun Songs.  Every time I hear this song, I find myself singing parts of it for hours after. 

“Hard Work Pays” by Sara Syms

And we close out the shuffle with one of my absolute favorite Nashville songwriters.  Sara Syms released Way Back Home toward the end of 2015, and I was fortunate enough to get to write all about it.  This track is a duet between Syms and co-producer Nick Africano, and I love the way the two voices sound together.

VIDEO PLAYLIST


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Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle – All Over Before Mix

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I have seen the dystopian future of Buck Owens tribute bands, and it’s name is Buck N Stuff!

Okay, let me start from the beginning…  So, I ended up spending almost the same amount of time at The 5 Spot last night as I did at work yesterday.  No wonder I am tired today…

Paul Burch and the WPA Ballroom began their February residency with special guest Kevin Gordon who played lead guitar all night.  The band was hot, the songs were great, and the vibe of cool.  The only thing missed were the people.  Come on Nashville!  You got three more week of this residency.  You gotta get there!

The late show, kicked off with Darrin Bradbury  doing a pretty rare solo set and pulling out some chestnuts like “Zoey” (aka the ka-ka-cool song), “Conversation with Superman”, and “Yardsale”.  Jon Latham was up next accompanied by Sean Quinn.  Latham picked up on shoeless singer-songwriter mantle from Darrin Bradbury (who now wears shoes usually) and he did not hold back – making the pain of “Hand Me Down Heart” palpable. A highlight was his extended riffs on “Take It Easy” and “Boys of Summer” into his rendition of his summer anthem “Major Key”.

Next up, were two singer-songwriters that I was not familiar with:  Elli Perry who is in town working on a record, delivered a loose and awesome set with Robbie Crowell of Deer Tick playing drums and producer Adam Landry on bass.  For the last song, Crowell and Landry switched instruments. That last song was a soulful, slow motion dirge that was wildly unexpected and disorientingly awesome.

Chris Watts is a Louisiana born singer-songwriter – whose back story includes being shot in the leg while serving with the National Guard at the Superdome during Hurricane Katrina. Watts played with a stand-up bass player and a drummer – injecting pep and good humor into his songs.  He has a new CD coming soon, and he will be playing a CD release show in March at The City Winery.

The night ended (well past midnight) with the aforementioned Buck N Stuff.  This power trio lead by Adam Kurtz and featuring Cameron Carrus and Lemuel Hayes play nothing but Buck Owens songs, and they play them like you have never heard Buck Owens before.  This was their second ever live show (following a $2 Tuesday gig that I missed last week), and I am so glad I did not miss this one. The styles flew wildly from Reggae to Hard Rock/Punk to Cosmic Country – lots of echo-y vocals and looped guitar parts and Adam Kurtz bouncing all over and off the stage like the madman genius he is – all the while, Carrus and Hayes held the whole glorious mess together.   Hands down among the most fun sets I have seen a while.

Tonight, I will take in some of Tim Carroll Rock and Roll Happy Hour and then head over to The Country for The Tangled Hearts and Saint Luke’s Drifters. 

Oh, and we still have a featured Friday shuffle to get to….

“It’s Been All Over Before” by Tommy Womack

Another track from Tommy Womack’s Namaste album.  This song has he feel of an instant classic. It is first class truth-telling like all great song are.  Womack will be performing tomorrow night at Douglas Corner as part of an “in-the-round” show put on by Nashville Flipside and featuring Peter Cooper, David Olney, and Chris Gantry.  Not a half band line-up…

“Time for Moving On” by Tymon Dogg

We move next into another track from Made of Light.  Still digging this album.

“Sex” (Single Version) by The Sneaky Nixons

This is out first listen to the recently released single from Liverpool band, The Sneaky Nixons.  A wildly fun song.  The video which we’ve included in the playlist is disturbing but a powerful statement. Not for the faint of heart.

“Shuffle Sweet” by Delta Deep

Another hard rocking track from the debut by this new blues rock band featuring members/former members of Def Leppard and Stone Temple Pilots.  This is crushing hard rock that features a powerhouse female blues singer.

“We Got to Meet Death One Day” by Luella

From the new Luella sampler, her haunting version of the Blind Willie McTell song that she has been covering for years.

“Icarus” by Mickey 9s

If it seems like we have been featuring a bunch of bands from Scotland, you are not getting flashbacks from that questionable haggis you ate at some point in your life.  I can’t really explain why, but I like it.  This song is a b-side of their single Computer Inventor which was released back in November.

“Andy’s Loud Shirt” by SuperCrashingStar

This is our first listen to a song from this New York band with international roots. The music is wildly experimental and pretty darn awesome.  More to come.

“The Spirit Molecule” by Saint Cole

Our second listen to Saint Cole – a UK based artist who fuses dance music with indie rock in a pretty interesting way. Within This Skin is the name of the album.

“Brevity Lane” by Paul Zografi

And we close things out with Nashville songwriter Paul Zografi and the title track from his latest EP.  Brevity Lane is a real road in my old neighborhood which as the name implies is an extremely short road – connecting two Crieve Hall streets.  If I am not mistaken, I think I actually looked at house on Brevity Lane one time when I was house hunting.   The song is lovely.  Zografi was a winner of the Better Late Than Never “Earie” Award in 2015, but I’ve jumped on this record much sooner.

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Monday Morning Music Shuffle – Indonesian Fog and the Rain Mix

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Friday, another fun night at Tim Carroll Rock and Roll Happy Hour.  Just about the best hang, I know with some kick ass rock and roll music to boot.

Saturday,  David Olney killed it at Bobby’s Idle Hour, and Patrick Kinsley and a Fistful of Dollars, Cataline Crime, and Zach Schmidt put on a hell of a show at The 5 Spot.

Tonight, one of the finest songwriters of our time is making his debut on Colbert. America, prepare to be blown away by John Moreland – as I have every time I have seen him perform.

I cannot believe it is February already…  To start off the week and the month, we have a random shuffle that makes no sense whatsoever, but which was a whole ton of fun to hear during my commute.

“Perfect Match” by Tymon Dogg

Another track from Tymon Dogg’s album, Made of Light.  As I have pointed out before, Tymon Dogg collaborated with the late Joe Strummer.  This will come into play later in the shuffle… hold that thought.

“Night” (live) by Bruce Springsteeen and the E Street Band

Last week, Bruce Springsteen made his entire 1/19/2016 Chicago show available for free download for about 48 hours. I jumped all over that.  Expect much more Bruce in the coming weeks!

“Say My Name, F**** the Rest” by Discount Ravioli

With references to Julian Koster and a brief reprise of the Donald Trump rap we featured previously… well, what else can I say. The title pretty much tells the rest of what the song is about.

“California Nights” by Best Coast

The title track from 3rd album by Best Coast which was released in May 2015.

“Extermination” by Discount Ravioli

Discount Ravioli return to the shuffle after a one song absence. I need to point out that I still cannot find Discount Ravioli videos on YouTube, so in lieu of posting suggested videos about how to make ravioli, I selected a video by at last a couple of the people who made this  and others doing a Neutral Milk Hotel cover.  Plus some archival footage of two of the Nork brothers…

“King of the Bayou” by Joe Strummer

From Earthquake Weather which featured Joe Strummer and The Latino Rockabilly War – a band that included Zander Schloss of Circle Jerks and Weirdos fame.  This album and some tracks from the soundtrack of a movie called Permanent Record are the only releases featuring Latino Rockabilly War that I am aware of.   The Permanent Record soundtrack – by the way – was awesome.

“I Don’t Want Nobody” by Rich Robbins (feat. Dantrell Cotton) (prod. Since ’93)

On February 26, Rich Robbins will be putting on his first headlining show in Madison, Wisconsin. Should be a classic night.  One of the more soulful and powerful songs on the Nimbus. 

“Send My Love (To Your New Lover)” by Adele

Although, we usually stick to only the most commercially successful/well-known artists – at #E2TG (like Discount Ravioli for example), every once in awhile, we like to shed a little light on more obscure artists.  Adele recently released her album 25 (a complex numerical puzzle that most people will not understand).  Anyway, you’ve probably never heard of her, but I think she shows real potential.  Keep it up, Adele.

“Let a Little Love Inside” by Adam Stafford

Another listen to the forthcoming album, Taser Revelations. Adam Stafford is from central Scotland. I like what I’ve heard so far from this album.  Check it out.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

Monday Morning Music Shuffle – Frozen Out Mix

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As Nashville digs out from Snowpocalypse ’16 (with temperatures expected to rise to above 50 degrees today), it seems a good time to remind you that tonight is the FINAL NIGHT of the Darrin Bradbury Residency at The Basement East.  Roads should be much improved by the time tonight rolls around.  If you have made it out to the one or more of the first three weeks, I do not need to tell you…. if you haven’t, this is the last chance to experience the magic!  Guests tonight are Erin Rae, Rorey Carroll, and Steve Poltz!  Doors at 6:00p.m.  Music starts at 6:30p.m.   Go to the Pub if you need Grub before or after.  Do it!

On to the morning shuffle:

“Frozen Out” by The Deadline Shakes

Appropriate song for a icy morning commute.  Another awesome track from the album Zealots by this catchy, cool band from Glascow (not Kentucky).

“Trap Door” by Seprona

Seprona are an indie pop/rock band from Liverpool.  They have a new album called, Trap Door due out on February 26, 2016.  This is the title track and my first listen, and I like what I hear so far.

“The Woman Who Got Old” by The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club

This Chicago band have announced their latest album, Don’t Buy This Record.  The band will be giving away the album one song at a time through the end of 2016 when they will release the CD.  This is the first track which was released back in December.  They just released the second track today.  Head over to their bandcamp page to get in on this. 

“Mister Dragonfly” by Ben Lowry

Ben Lowry is the lead singer of the Nashville-based band Bang OK Bang which I have featured a few times on E2TG.  Ben just released new album called Somnium on January 18th, and he had a release show on the 21st at The East Room which I totally spaced on.  Mister Dragonfly is our first listen, and it is quite different from what I have heard of Bang OK Bang, and it is also quite good.  Check it out!

“Sad Clown” by Brian Wright and the Waco Tragedies

Keeping it local… Brian Wright has been missed in East Nashville as he winters in Mexico with The Cordovas.  Los Angeles – do not miss them on February 9.  Nashville – mark your March calendar to make sure every Thursday is free (The Family Wash!) This is a track from the album Dog Ears.  Brian is simply put one of the best songwriters I know.

“This is What the Fuck Robster Craws Are” by Iced Ink

Iced Ink are part of the Mama Coco’s Funky Kitchen family.  They released their latest album Willie Nelson Prince last month.  You can also get a sticker book, and who doesn’t love a sticker book.  Get it for $6.66 at the band’s bandcamp page. The band is a three-piece instrumental rock band. This track is a face-melting, mind-blowing six minute jam.  Did I mention that it is instrumental – so all of the profanity is contained in the title and whatever words escape your mouth while you listen.

“Silence” by Bang Ok Bang

I mentioned Bang Ok Bang before, so it is only coincidentally fitting that we have an other track from their Live at East Nashville Underground album. 

“As I Make My Way” by Tymon Dogg

Another track and a life lesson from Made of Light the latest album from Tymon Dogg.

“More of a Man” by Brandy Zdan

Another track from Canadian born, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Brandy Zdan from the sampler put out on Noisetrade last month.  The full self-titled album is available in the usual places. Highly recommended. This song was featured on the MTV series, Awkward.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle – Great and Powerful So and So Mix

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Here we are!  The final regularly scheduled shuffle of 2015. (I’m not ruling out a shuffle tomorrow but no promises).  But first, we have one final bit of business to wrap up the debut edition of the “Earie” Awards.  Remember: The “Earies” it sounds strange, but it’s not really.  The final award is the Golden “Earie” Award (aka the E2TG Artist of the Year). 

Since we have a bunch of new readers, I thought I would indulge in a brief history of the award.

I began writing the blog in May 2011. That year, I named a “Band of the Week” every week.  As the end of the year approached, I thought it would be fun to have a Readers Poll to select a “Band of the Year”.  So, I created an on-line poll that included all of the Bands of the Week.  Being new to on-line polls, the poll was wide open meaning you could vote as many times as you wanted.  The polling was spirited and fun with several artists really getting into it.  At the end of the poll, The Mobbs (a UK band) flooded the ballot box and were named Band of the Year.  Howard Rabach’s band Ubiquity Machine finished second and Don Ryan from New Jersey finished third.

Because the poll was so much fun (and brought a lot of page views to the blog), for 2012 I decided to have a Band of the Month poll – which I did.  At the end of 2012, all of the Bands of the Month plus some “Wildcards” competed for Band of Year.  The now defunct but totally awesome Skeletons in the Piano from upstate New York were the second Band of the Year.

By 2013, I had kind of grown tired of the polls. It seemed like some artists were more into it than others plus I kind of decided it was a distraction from what was really important – being the music.  When 2013 year end came up, to me there was one obvious choice for Band of the Year.  The End Men, of Brooklyn, remain to this day the most tagged artist on #E2TG. Beyond that they are really wonderful people.  They had a big 2013 and (as I expected) they had an even bigger 2014. 

In 2014, once again the choice was obvious.  Darrin Bradbury emerged from a Wal-Mart parking lot and began to conquer Nashville. He dominated Ear to the Ground – at one point I think there was at least one DB song in the shuffle everyday for almost a month.  In 2014, I probably saw Darrin play life on average 2 or 3 times a week.   Also, as expected, in the year that followed (2015), he continued to excel and made me very proud to have him as my Artist of the Year (I had to rename it because he wasn’t a band).

Which brings us to the 2015:

The choice this year became pretty clear to me early in the year.  my anticipation of Jon Latham’s debut album was so high.  But, anticipation does not equal awards.  Real Bad News managed to exceed my very high expectations. My review can be read HERE.  And the album alone is almost enough to make Jon a lock for Artist of the Year.  But, there were several great albums released in the past 12 months.  But wait, there is more!  Jon is one of the kindest people I know. Some people may say that has nothing to do with music, but I would disagree.  Grant it, there is long list of really amazing artists who happened to be assholes, however, in the case of Jon Latham, his kindness comes through in just about every song.  Beyond that, Jon’s knowledge and interest in a wide variety of music is almost encyclopedic.  Again, at least in the case of Jon Latham, that depth of knowledge is, I think, crucial to his craft as a songwriter. 

As 2015 rolled along, people began to take notice of Jon Latham.  The Sin City vs. Guitar Town Eastside Throwdown was a turning point.  Jon Latham backed Aaron Lee Tasjan in one of the most electrifying sets I have seen all year.  Playing acoustic guitar and singing bgv, people took notice.  Since then, Jon has opened shows for Aaron Lee and for the legendary Malcolm Holcombe.  Real Bad News has garnered international acclaim and made some best of 2015.

You have one more chance to see the 2015 Artist of the Year in 2015. Jon will once again be joining the incredible Aaron Lee Tasjan in an opening slot for Christ Knight at the Exit/In on New Year’s Eve.   On Monday, you can catch 2014 Artist of the Year Darrin Bradbury as he kicks of his residency at The Basement East.  2015 Artist of the Year Jon Latham is on the bill for that night.  I, for one, am excited!

Basically, those who get it, will understand right away why Jon Latham is my Artist of the Year.  If you don’t get it, check out the video playlist below and you probably will.  Some of Jon’s best moments (plus if you look closely in one video  you will see the jean shorts clad leg of 2014 winner Darrin Bradbury).  A couple of bonus clips that I came across: one is a clip I had heard about but not seen, Jon doing a song that does not often make it to his playlist these days.  The touching and tender, “Put It in Your Butt” plus so that we didn’t end on that note, a rare clip of the Latham Family Band doing a Dawes cover.

Congratulations Jon!  Terry Rickards take note: 2013 Band of the Year, The End Men played the 2014 Post-Americana all-day marathon show at The Basement, 2014 Artist of the Year, Darrin Bradbury, played the 2015 Post-Americana all-day marathon show at The Basement East.  I’m just sayin’  American Fest will be here before we know it.

Now the last shuffle of the year…. a short commute and walk, and some longish songs means only 5 songs in the shuffle

“Forgive All His Sins” by Jean Synodinos

Jean Synodinos is an Austin-based singer-songwriter. This is our first listen.  The song is very moving. Her album is called Love and Blood.  Expect to hear more of this one as 2016 gears up.

“45” by Silverbird

Another track from Pureland, the debut album by this New York City based rock band.

“Pound of Grain” by Tymon Dogg

A vegan anthem from the one-time Clash/Joe Strummer collaborator Tymon Dogg from his album Made of Light. 

“Dorothy” by Jon Latham

The shuffle gods do right, and throw a Jon Latham song into this final shuffle of the year.  “Dorothy” is one of the first songs I heard Jon sing.

“Mistreated” by Delta Deep

Given the spirit of #E2TG, it seems appropriate to close out the year with a band that I am hearing for the first time.  Delta Deep is a band that features Phil Collen of Def Leppard and a real deal Delta blues singer named Debbi Blackwell-Cook plus Stone Temple Pilot bassist Robert DeLeo.  I’ll be honest, I was not the biggest Def Leppard fan (although some of their songs were pretty damned catchy).  But this!  This is really cool.  Blistering blues based rock back by an authentic blues voice.  From what I have read, I believe Joe Elliot even appears on this track.  I really like this.  Expect more as 2016 rolls on. This song is a Deep Purple cover by the way.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle – Sharpest Marble Mix

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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.

VIDEO PLAYLIST

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Thursday Morning Music Shuffle – The Rainbow Didn’t Bring Me No Luck Mix

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Welcome back… No shuffle yesterday because I was off work for Veteran’s Day.  Lot’s to recap…

Tuesday night, I attended the weekly $2 Tuesday show at The 5 Spot.  As it always is, it was a great time at a great price.  Included: a second opportunity to see Brock Zeman and Blair Hogan – who killed it.  Bob Lewis with great band that included my old friend Joe Bidewell plus Lemuel Hayes and Issac Anthony.  Plus Derek Hoke’s always awesome set, and the late night spot was rocked hard by new Nashvillian K. Phillips whose band included by friend Steven Cooper.

Since, I was off I got to hang out in the studio and observe the making of Darrin Bradbury’s next album.  A lot of people are going to be surprised by his turn toward gangsta rap, but I never question an artistic genius.

Last night, a great night of songwriters at Mad Donna’s featuring the always awesome Kiely Schlesinger who was backed by Drew Kohl – who did a killer version of Springsteen’s “Atlantic City”, Violet Delancey who was backed by a great band that included Andrew Leahey on guitar, and Lindsay Ellyn who was awesome as always backed by Raun Schultz and Buddy Woodward and for the first time by fiddle player – Holly Parks. 

In the midst of all that, I wrote a review of the (still fairly new) Sara Syms album, Way Back Home.  The title track (coincidently) showed up in the shuffle today, so I will post the links when I get to that song…

On to the shuffle

“Frying Eggs (The Roadkill Song)” by Darrin Bradbury

Decades from now, musical historians will look back and note that this was the first sign of Darrin’s eventual turn toward gangsta rap… what is more gangsta than singing about a dead raccoon?  Seriously, this our last track to post from The Story of Bob – the record which made my face famous…  By the way, I did not find a video of this song, but I did find a nine year old clip of Darrin.

“Saint Francis” by Gretchen Peters

Another from Hello Cruel World. Gretchen Peters is, hands down,  one of the best songwriters  working today.

“Side of the Mountain” by Carl Anderson

Another chance to talk about Carl Anderson’s amazing album Risk of Loss. The year is almost over and this is still on my mind as one of the best of 2015.

“Goodbye Marie” by Gear Daddies

Billy’s Live Bait – along with Let’s Go Scare Al – were part of the soundtrack of particularly interesting portion of life.  I think the songs (as all great songs do) have held up well in the decades since they were released.

“Florida Water” by Jesse and Noah

Another from Jesse and Noah – this one is from their Driven Back album of original songs.  It is a tribute to their home state.

“Way Back Home” by Sara Syms

As I mentioned in the Intro – I have written a review of Sara Syms’ awesome new album, Way Back Home.  This is the opening and title track which sets the tone for the album.  My review can be found on No Depression and right here on Ear to the Ground.

“Walking Down the Road” by Tymon Dogg

Tymon Dogg is a stalwart of the London underground music scene – whose credits include being a part of Joe Strummer’s last band, Mescalero’s.  He also contributed to Sandinista! and Combat Rock by the Clash.  Made of Light is the name of his new album which was released last week. Check it out!

“Tears Fall the Same” by Tiffany Huggins Grant

We return to local favorite, Tiffany Huggins Grant with another track from her album, Jonquil Child which also has to be on my list of favorites for the year.

“Motel Matches” by Elvis Costello and the Attractions

And, we close out the shuffle with some classic Elvis from Get Happy!  Get Happy! was Elvis Costello’s fourth album – his third with the Attraction, and it was released in early 1980 and remains one of my all time favorites.

VIDEO PLAYLIST


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