WXPN Names ALO Its Final Artist To Watch in 2005

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Created on Friday, 02 December 2005 15:33

PHILADELPHIA, PA December 2, 2005 – WXPN, the recognized leader in Triple A music and noncommercial radio service of the University of Pennsylvania, has selected ALO – Animal Liberation Orchestra to cap off its yearlong list of Artists To Watch in 2005. On Monday, December 5 in the four o’clock hour, host David Dye will present the first of the month’s on-air segments profiling the four-piece “rock/funk/jam” band as the station’s December pick.

“This is a rare band that really sounds like a band... a complete complementary unit,” said Dan Reed, music director for WXPN. “They have that special combination of natural, groove-oriented music combined with the fact that—lyrically—they really have something to say.”

Born from a friendship nurtured during their days at the University of California Santa Barbara, the four-piece collective includes Zach Gill (keyboardist/vocalist), Steve Adams (bass/vocals), Dan Lebowitz (guitars/perc-ussion/vocals), and David Brogan (drums/vocals). Part musical explorers, part pop songsmiths, all-around dynamic performers, ALO has been taking the West Coast by storm and now, with their new album Fly Between Falls and a supporting slot on Jack Johnson\'s summer tour, is prepared to make their presence known worldwide. Last month ALO signed with Brushfire Records.

“ALO also proves on this new album that they are more than capable of writing arresting melodies,” said Bruce Warren, assistant general manager for programming at WXPN. “We can\'t wait to see them live... their concert reviews are stellar. It's a complete package that is increasingly rare these days, and we\'re certainly anxious to see and hear what the future holds for them.”

The XPN Artists To Watch series reflects WXPN’s commitment to nurturing fresh, new talent and exposing listeners to the best new music. Each month, the XPN Artists To Watch series spotlights a different up-and-coming performer who has produced an album or body of work that demonstrates outstanding vision, creativity and songwriting ability. Month-long on-air promotion is combined with online features to help audiences discover and connect with each artist.

XPN Artists to Watch 2005:
January - Danielia Cotton
February - Blue Merle
March - John Butler Trio
April - Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion
May - Jim Boggia
June - Matisyahu
July - Feist
August - Death Cab For Cutie
September - Laura Veirs
October - The Magic Numbers
November - Brandi Carlile
December - ALO (Animal Liberation Orchestra)

For more on the XPN Artists To Watch series and this month’s featured artist, visit Artist To Watch.

WXPN 88.5 FM, the nationally recognized leader in Triple A radio and the premier guide for discovering new and significant artists in rock, blues, roots, and folk, is the non-commercial, member-supported radio service of the University of Pennsylvania. WXPN produces World Cafe®, public radio’s most popular program of popular music hosted by David Dye and syndicated by National Public Radio, and the Peabody Award winning Kids Corner hosted by Kathy O’Connell. WXPN serves the greater Philadelphia area at 88.5 FM, the Lehigh Valley at 104.9, Worton/Baltimore at 90.5 FM, Harrisburg at 88.1 FM, and the world via online streaming at www.xpn.org.