Artist to Watch

WXPN Radio

The premier guide for new and significant artists in rock, blues, and folk - including NPR-syndicated World Cafe ®

Listen Xpo

24/7 Musical discovery. A unique mix of emerging and heritage blues, rock, world, folk, and alt-country artists.

Singer Songwriter Radio

Featuring classics from heritage troubadours to new musicians and bands in the singer-songwriter tradition.

Folk Radio

Folk music radio streaming on the web; Americana, Roots Music, recordings, and stories from folk's best.
Listen Live

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Up From Below - Community Music

When you first listen to Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros it's difficult not to be captivated by their revivalist style of jangly folk-rock. It's somewhat striking, an open departure in the current landscape of indie rock. And the band has created a big buzz locally in Los Angeles due in large part to their lively stage shows and their debut album Up From Below.

Formed in 2007, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros is a 11 to 13 piece band formed by singer-songwriter Alex Ebert. The name Edward Sharpe comes from the childhood alter-ego of Ebert, whose songs magnify his free-spirited, peaceful outlook on the world. The album begins with the lavishly orchestrated and soulful "40 Day Dream".

While Ebert may be the conductor of this big band, his female vocal counterpart Jade Castrinos is equally as engaging. The two sing in tandem on the song "Home", a confessional duet which outlines their relationship.

While the band's appearance and throwback style may be the initial factor in drawing people's interest, the music on Up From Below will certainly do its part to satisfy. The big band orchestrations, cheery songs and thoughtful attitude surely confirm Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros as an artist to watch.

listen

NEW - Download and Listen to Mike's review.

Help Support WXPN

Non-COMM Recap: Going introspective with John Murry (photos, audio, setlist)

With just his guitar and his voice, Bay Area by way of Mississippi songwriter John Murry played an emotional, powerful set Wednesday...Read More

Non-COMM Recap: Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside dabble in retro rock (photos, audio, setlist)

Portland retro group Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside showed the Non-COMM crowd its rockability in a feisty set that closed out...Read More

Non-COMM Recap: The late night gets weird with Foxygen (photos, audio, setlist)

Quirky upstate New York four-piece Foxygen got crazy in a late-night Non-COMM set yesterday that blended Doors-esque poppy psychedelia...Read More

Non-COMM Recap: Robert Randolph makes steel strings sing and the crowd dance (photos, audio)

Slide guitar wizard and XPN favorite Robert Randolph got the downstairs crowd at World Cafe Live dancing in his Non-COMM set....Read More

Watch Surgeon perform “Greed” at Garage Mahal (playing Johnny Brenda’s on Sunday)

Local thrash / metal band Surgeon has been readying its long-in-the-making new full-length Chemical Reign for the past couple years...Read More