WXPN Features Free Energy as the XPN Artist To Watch for May

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Created on Friday, 30 April 2010 13:19

Free Energy as its May Artist To Watch. WXPN Music Director and Host Dan Reed will present the first of the month's on-air segments on Monday, May 3 in the 4 p.m. hour.

Philadelphia's quintet Free Energy is blowing up. Formed from the ashes of Minnesota band Hockey Night, the group caught the attention of DFA honcho and LCD Soundsystem frontman, James Murphy, and recorded their debut under his production. The resultant work, 2010's Stuck on Nothing, has generated tremendous internet buzz and garnered rave reviews from the indie tastemakers at Pitchfork, Prefix, and Tiny Mix Tapes. But unlike much of the abstruse, lo-fi sound that emanates from the blogosphere, Free Energy offer clean, hook-laden power-pop in the tradition of groups like Cheap Trick and The Cars. With catchy, straight-forward songs that beam with feel-good energy, Free Energy supply music fans with fresh air and pleasant vibes just in time for summer.

"We're so glad to claim Free Energy as a Philly band cause they're bringing a fresh take on classic pop and rock songs in the way that T Rex, Badfinger and Thin Lizzy did back in the day." says Bruce Warren, Assistant General Manager of Programming for WXPN. "In fact, they should think about changing their names to Fresh Energy!"

Dan Reed says, "There certainly isn’t a lack of 'energy' in Free Energy. All of their songs seem to crackle and burn with the fire of tried and true rock n' roll touchstones: a big guitar sound throughout, hooks-a-plenty, and the aggression and release of the young at the young-at-heart. They instantly remind you of about a hundred things in your record collection, all of them cool."

More on the XPN Artists To Watch series and this month's featured artist

Since 2003, the XPN Artists To Watch series has been a reflection of 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 each artist.

WXPN, 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 NPR, and the Peabody Award winning Kids Corner hosted by Kathy O’Connell. WXPN also produces the alternative rock service, Y-Rock On XPN as its secondary radio channel in HD. WXPN serves the greater Philadelphia area at 88.5 FM, the Lehigh Valley at 104.9, Worton/Baltimore at 90.5 FM, Lancaster/York at 88.7 FM, Harrisburg at 99.7 FM and the world via online streaming at XPN.org.