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

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

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

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Folk music radio streaming on the web; Americana, Roots Music, recordings, and stories from folk's best.
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January 7, 2013 - London's new soul sensation is twenty-two year old, songstress, Lianne La Havas. She blends soul, jazz and folk in her new album, released in the U.S. on August 7, "Is Your Love Big Enough?" La Havas has been nominated for BBC's Sound of 2012, along with another XPN favorite, Michaeal Kiwanuka and her performance of "Age" on the cult video site Black Cab Sessions created a nice buzz online."
Hailing from Edinburgh, Scotland, this four member psychedelic rock group has been capturing the attention of audiences around the world. The band’s self-titled debut album Django Django (Because Music) was released in the United King in January and was able to debut at an impressive #33 within its first week. The band was nominated for the prestigious British Mercury Award in the category of Best New Band. The band is not only increasing in popularity worldwide but also it is currently headlining a full-stage European tour for the first time ever.
Nearly a quarter-century into his career, pioneering Italian rapper Jovanotti is more popular than ever in his homeland. He is a megastar, selling out stadiums and producing No. 1 hits like L’ombelico del mondo. Taking on issues from poverty in Africa to AIDS, he’s like an Italian Bono.
The Canadian indie-rock group Stars formed back in 2000 under the influence of vocalist Torquil Campbell and keyboardist Chris Seligman. They were soon joined by friends Evan Cranely and Amy Millan. After relocating to New York City for a time, the band finally settled in the members’ hometown of Montreal. They released their first full-length album, Nightsongs, in February 2001 and followed up with an EP, The Comeback, that July. Since then, Stars has created a additional three EPs and five studio albums.
Yeasayer’s third and latest album Fragrant World continues the momentum that the experimental poppers from Brooklyn have been enjoying since they formed the group in 2006. Released in August, Fragrant World features all of the trademarks that transformed the group from a much-hyped psychedelic pop outfit into an international festival draw. Synth grooves as densely layered as they are danceable dominate the album, especially on lead single “Henrietta” and opening track “Fingers Never Bleed.”
Formed back in 1991 in New York City, the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion puts the American rock and roll into alternative rock. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Jon Spencer, drummer Russell Simins, and bass guitarist Judah Baer. For over twenty years, the trio has reconstructed the base of American roots music through experimenting with their own sound and recording techniques. Their style draws upon the influences of many genres, including punk, blues, and rockabilly. Their unique approach to music has allowed the group to collaborate with artists such as Elliott Smith, Solomon Burke, Martina Topley-Bird, Steve Albini, and Ad Rock of the Beastie Boys.
Recently performing the irresistibly catchy single “This Head I Hold” on the Late Night Show with Jimmy Fallon, Electric Guest is riding on a noteworthy wave of momentum that is helping the band significantly flourish in the music industry. This Los Angeles based indie band garnered an enormous amount of success with its release of Mondo (Downtown Records/ Across the Universe) this past April. Having well-known musician Danger Mouse produce the entire album, Mondo peaked at #32 on the French Albums chart, #11 on the US Heatseekers Albums chart and #49 on the US Independent Albums chart. It is clear that the band enjoys a rather fervent fan base in the US and abroad. Constantly, touring in North America and in Europe, the band is well on its way to establish firm presence in the music industry.

Hear a Live Friday Free At Noon Concert at 12noon ET from WXPN and NPR Music
Broadcast Live Fridays from the stage at World Cafe Live




Rachael Yamagata Rachael Yamagata just released an intimate new EP titled, Heavyweight. With her graceful and riveting voice, she's coming to Philadelphia for a Free at Noon performance on December 7. With three studio albums and four EPs released, Yamagata is a soulful critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter who generates unforgettable emotionally-charged music.

Throughout her solo career, Yamagata received the opportunity to collaborate alongside well-known artists in the industry such as Mandy Moore, Jason Mraz and Ryan Adams. And, many of her songs have been featured on a variety of TV shows like Grey's Anatomy, The O.C., One Tree Hill and The L Word. Her last full-length album release, Chesapeake (Frankenfish Records/Megaforce Records) in 2011, received stellar reviews and helped Yamagata establish a solid presence in the industry. Additionally, her talent with music has recently landed her a coveted #1 spot on the Australian Single's chart with the smash single "You Won't Let Me."

Rachael Yamagata has been an XPN Artist To Watch, played the XPoNential Music Festival, XPN Free At Noon, Musicians on Call Benefit, had a CD of the Month and Featured Albums on WXPN, as well as several end-of-year-in-review lists. Currently participating in an extensive North American Tour, she'll play a full show at First Unitarian Church on Friday night, December 7 at 8:30pm. You can find her complete tour schedule here.

Website: rachaelyamagata.com/
Facebook: facebook.com/rachaelyamagata

Recent Release: Heavyweight EP
Release Date: 2012
Label: Frankenfish Records
Band Origin: New York, NY

A co-production of WXPN and NPR.org/music.
Made possible by support from XPN Members, and Comcast.

Hear a Live Friday Free At Noon Concert at 12noon ET from WXPN and NPR Music
Broadcast Live Fridays from the stage at World Cafe Live




photo credit:  Kevin Mazur Graham Parker & the Rumour just released their first new album in 31 years – Three Chords Good and play the TLA on Friday, November 30.

British singer-songwriter Graham Parker has made major contributions to rock music. Since 1975, his collaboration with the Rumour – consisting of founding members Bob Andrews, Brinsley Shcwarz, Martin Belmont, Andrew Bodnar, and Stehphen Goulding – has led to multiple chart singles and hit albums. After recording The Up Escalator in 1981, Parker and the Roumour officially split. Parker went on to release a score of solo albums, making the charts in both the U.S. and the U.K., as well as a number of collaborative albums with artists like Lucinda Williams, the Shot, and the Figgs. In 2011, Parker reunited with all the original members of the Rumour to record the group's first album in over thirty years. Their new album, Three Chords Good, is now available for purchase, along with their new single "Long Emotional Ride." The group will be touring the U.S. this November through December to promote the album. Parker was also contacted that year by writer/director/producer Judd Apatow to play a small role in the upcoming film This Is 40. The movie is due for theatrical release December 21, 2012 and features Parker as himself and performances by him with both Tom Freund and the Rumour.

Recent Release: Three Chords Good
Release Date: 2012


Facebook: facebook.com/GrahamParkerOfficial
Website: http://www.grahamparker.net
photo credit:  Nigel Crane Martin Harley is on tour in support of his new release, Mojo Fix

The Martin Harley Band are the UK's premier blues and roots-influenced acoustic combo. Fronted by the inimitable singer and guitarist Martin Harley (also an accomplished solo performer), and based around his sublime songwriting, the MHB (as their fans know them) truly are a band like no other. With a strong DIY ethic and a love of unusual instrumentation, from Martin's distinctive lap-slide guitar to balalaikas, double bass and tiny cocks tail drumkit, and bolstered by delectable three-part harmonies, the band have crafted a unique, timeless sound that has seen them develop a sizeable following both in the UK and abroad.

The MHB have garnered a reputation as one of the hardest-working bands around, with an almost unbroken program of gigs, tours and festival appearances at home and overseas, so you can probably expect to catch one of their legendarily energetic live shows at a venue near you. Despite their hectic schedule, however, they have still found time to record two excellent albums, with their latest offering, 'Drumrolls For Somersaults', due on 12th April, marking an even more impressive progression of their original yet accessible sound.

Marin Harley will be performing solo on November 30. The band will be back on the road again in March 2013 with the brand new album Mojo Fix.

Facebook: facebook.com/martinharleyband
Website: http://www.martinharleyband.com


Recent Release: Mojo Fix
Release Date: 2013
Label: Villainous Records
Hometown: UK

A co-production of WXPN and NPR.org/music.
Made possible by support from XPN Members, and Comcast.

Eyes On You, new album from Philly's Shark Tape Philly's Shark Tape have a new album, Eyes On You.

Shark Tape is the up-and-coming indie rock band of Philadelphia. Formed in March of 2012, the group has already made two EPs, Shark Tape and Eyes on You, the latter released on iTunes this past June. Despite Shark Tape's fairly premature existence, members Stephen Lorek, Niles Weiss, and Dylan Mulcahy are no newcomers to the music world. Their previous success with the Philadelphia band Bojibian has given them experience to create rock songs with cleverness and depth. The band is hoping to start releasing more singles this November.


Recent Release: Eyes on You EP
Release Date: June 2012
Label: unsigned
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Facebook: facebook.com/SharkTape
Website: http://www.sharktapemusic.com/

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