XPN Local, Volume 2 CD Release Party
To celebrate the release of this new CD many of the artists with songs on the CD performed at a special CD release party on Thursday May 1. Be sure to tune in next week to hear the broadcast of performances from Illinois, The Mint, Peasant, Artist To Watch Nicole Reynolds, Andrew Lipke, Matt Duke, Kuf Knotz, Jesse Ruben and Sharon Little with Scott Sax.

As most people around WXPN know, the only things closer to Helen Leicht's heart (other than her family and Paul McCartney) are our local musicians.

We're very excited to release the second volume of music from this amazing community of musicians. All of them have donated their songs to be used to help support the efforts of WXPN, and all recognize that WXPN Members are making their journey possible.

Pick Up a Copy Today
Join XPN at the $75 Level and pick up a copy of the new CD. When you do, you'll be automatically signed up for the May 1 release party. Call us at 1-800-565-WXPN or Pledge Online Now.

Thanks to the artists for their contributions, and thanks to our members for your support of local music.

XPN Local, Volume 2 Track Listing

1. Sharon Little / Scot Sax,
   "Follow That Sound"
   
   Sharon Little just completed work on her new CD - in L.A with frequent collaborator Scot Sax - Perfect Time for a Breakdown to be released May 27. Sharon has been chosen by Robert Plant, Alison Krauss and T Bone Burnett to open 24 shows on their upcoming Raising Sand North American Tour, which kicks off April 19!
   myspace.com/sharonlittle
    
2. Amos Lee, "Sweet Pea"
   
   Currently, "Sweet Pea" is featured in an AT&T commercial. XPN Artist To Watch Amos Lee's 3rd record, Last Days at the Lodge, will be released June 24, 2008 on Blue Note Records. Amos was a guest on World Cafe with David Dye last year. You can hear the interview and performance online in the WorldCafe.NPR.org Archives.
   amoslee.com
   myspace.com/AMOSLEE
    
3. Illinois,
   "Things are Gonna Be Okay"
   
   Illinois' song "Nosebleed" was featured on an episode of the HBO series "Weeds" (YouTube). Their forthcoming album, The Return of Kid Catastrophe is set for release over the summer.
   myspace.com/illinois
    
4. Mutlu,"Livin' It"
   
   Mutlu's album Livin' It featuring Daryl Hall, Amos Lee, G. Love & Raheem DeVaughn will be released July 8 on Manhattan Records. He is currently on tour with Joe Jackson.
   Myspace.com/mutlusounds
    
5. Melody Gardot, "Goodnite"
   
   April's XPN Artist To Watch Melody Gardot begins a European tour in May. She's also being featured on iTunes this month.
   melodygardot.com
   myspace.com/MELODY
    
6. The Brakes, "Into the Ground"
   
   The Brakes' Tale of Two Cities, Debut Album, in-store and online May 6. Recorded live in Philadelphia and New York City on Hyena Records. They also begin a tour with Jackie Green starting April 29 in NYC. The Brakes and Jackie Green, with Tim Bluhm of the Mother Hips, will make a stop at World Cafe Live on April 30.
   brakesband.com
   myspace.com/thebrakes
    
7. Bitter Bitter Weeks,
   "Sincerely, The Last Century"
   
   Currently the Bitter Bitter Weeks are writing material for their follow-up album as well as for The Novenas' album.
   www.myspace.com/
   bitterbitterweeks
    
8. The Hooters, "Until You Dare"
   thehooters.net
    
9. Matt Duke, "30 Some Days"
   
   Matt Duke spent January 2008 in L.A. working with Marshall Altman on a forthcoming album with a release date of June 10th, 2008.
   www.mattdukemusic.net
   myspace.com/mattduke
    
10. Dr. Dog, "Old News"
    
    XPN Artist To Watch (March 2007) Dr. Dog's upcoming album Fate will be out July 22, 2008. They have sold out an upcoming show on May 8th at the Mercury Lounge in NYC.
    drdogmusic.com
    myspace.com/drdog
     
11. Nicole Reynolds, "Juliana"
    
    Reynolds is currently on tour and is scheduled to play the Philadelphia Folk Festival on August 16th.
    nicolereynoldsmusic.com
     
12. Peasant, "We’re Good"
    
    Peasant's debut album On the Ground was released February 26, 2008 and is available on iTunes.
    myspace.com/peasant
     
13. Kuf Knotz & The Hustle,
    "Run Wit Me"
    
    Currently, Kuf Knotz is working on finishing up a solo album.
    myspace.com/kufie
     
14. The Mint, "Blurred Vision"
    myspace.com/themintonline
    
    Lancaster's The Mint will be playing at the May 1 CD Release Party. One of their songs was featured on GarageBand.com.
    myspace.com/themintonline
     
15. Andrew Lipke, "Remember This"
    
    Lipke is currently working on upcoming album Mother Pearl and Dynamite. The album will be reminiscent of "concept records" from back in the day and is planned to have a possible vinyl release.
    andrewlipke.com
    myspace.com/andrewlipke
     
16. Madi Diaz, "Side"
    madidiaz.com
    myspace.com/madidiaz
    
    Country twang and folk-pop dominate the sounds of Madi Diaz's debut solo album, Skin and Bone, with powerful vocals rooted in rock and Americana traditions. The Pennsylvania native grew up in Amish country, and was encouraged by her father to pursue music. Madi was a guest on the World Cafe with David Dye in December. You can hear the full interview and performance at WorldCafe.NPR.org. Diaz also played a live show, broadcast on WXPN and NPR.org. You can find the archive at NPR.org/music.  
17. Jesse Ruben, "Standing Strong"
    
    Ruben's debut album Aiming for Honesty was released in January of this year, with a CD release show at World Cafe Live. In February, Aiming for Honesty was officially released on iTunes. He played a live concert with Madi Diaz which was broadcasted live on XPN.org/listen and NPR.org. You can find it archived on NPR.org/music.
    jesseruben.com
    myspace.com/
    jesserubenmusic
     
18. Hoots & Hellmouth,
    "A Song For Solstice"
    
    XPN Artist To Watch (July 2007) Hoots & Hellmouth are working on their second album and are currently on tour all across the U.S. They are scheduled to perform at the Philadelphia Folk Festival on August 17 and played the XPoNential Music Festival last summer.
    hootsandhellmouth.com
    myspace.com/
    hootshellmouth
     
19. Dan May,
    "Christmas In My Hometown"
    
    Dan May's forthcoming album will be produced by Glenn Barratt with an expected release date in May 08. Guest appearances on his album include Lizanne Knott, John Conahan, and Antje Duvekot. May will be playing at Musikfest 2008 in August.
    danmaycd.com
    myspace.com/danmaycd
     
20. Fooling April,
    "Every Single Christmas"
    
    Fooling April is currently on a campus tour, and their album In the Now was recently named one of the Top 10 Most Overlooked Albums of 2007 by Phillylist.com.
    foolingapril.com
    myspace.com/fa

Become a Member of XPN at the $75 Level, and pick up a copy of the new XPN Local, Volume 2 CD.

Thank You from Helen Leicht and 4th Annual Musicians on Call
Thanks for making this a great night. Special thanks to The Brakes, Fooling April, Matt Duke, Cheers Elephant, Trolleyvox, and Nicole Reynolds! All net proceeds from tickets purchased benefit WXPN Musicians On Call.

Contribute CDs to the CD Pharmacy
Bring your new or gently used CDs to the World Cafe Live box office or to an XPN table at any of our XPN Welcomes events. New CD Pharmacies being created at the Philadelphia V.A. Medical Center and the Walter Reed Army Medical Center D.C.

WXPN Members-Only 885 Countdown Costume Party Featured Birdie Busch, Bitter Bitter Weeks and Blue Method

View the WXPN Photo Gallery on FLICKR. And, check out our YouTube Video of the party below.

Philly Local Artists at the 2007 XPoNential Music Festival

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of the local artists who performed at the XPoNential Music Festival:

Slo-Mo featuring Mic Wrecka
Eastern Conference Champions
Bitter Bitter Weeks
The A-Sides
Ruder Than You
Beretta 76
Hoots & Hellmouth
Robert Hazard
The Swimmers
Illinois
David Falcone
Dr. Dog
Andrew Lipke
Blackthorn
Sharon Little & Scot Sax
The Cobbs

What an amazing group of musicians and performers!

Also, a BIG thank you to everyone who came out to support local artists at the Festival - you truly made it a success! We hope that you'll continue to support the Philly bands that graced our stages as well as all other local artists in the future, whether it's by attending a concert or buying a CD!

Philly Local Sings Sgt. Pepper:
A Tribute to Sgt. Pepper with the Philly Local Lonely Hearts Club Band

Photos by Ryan Schwartz

Thanks to all those who came out to celebrate Sgt. Pepper's with Philly Local! We had an amazing time and we hope everyone had a chance to experience and enjoy it, either in person or in spirit during the playbacks!

And an especially huge thanks to all the artists who participated in our Sgt. Pepper Tribute:
Fooling April
Andrew Lipke
Blue Sinatra
Mutlu
Matt Duke
Bebek
Jim Boggia
and
Kufie Knotz

Join General Manager Roger LaMay as he discusses the Philly Local Sgt. Peppers Lonely Heart Club Band show in the XPN vlog Radio Video.
(Click to activate the vlog)