Artist To Watch
Music News
mary in the junkyard | Artist to Watch – August 2026
Hometown: London, England Why They’re WXPN’s Artist To Watch: mary in the junkyard is the hottest indie art-rock outfit out of the UK right…
Hometown: London, England Why They’re WXPN’s Artist To Watch: mary in the junkyard is the hottest indie art-rock outfit out of the UK right…
mary in the junkyard | Artist to Watch – August 2026
Hometown: London, England Why They’re WXPN’s Artist To Watch: mary in the junkyard is the hottest indie art-rock outfit out of the UK right…
Music News
Alex Amen | Artist to Watch – July 2026
Hometown: The Gulf Coast of Texas. Why He’s WXPN’s Artist To Watch: Alex Amen blew us away at NON-COMMvention 2026, when he performed in…
Hometown: The Gulf Coast of Texas. Why He’s WXPN’s Artist To Watch: Alex Amen blew us away at NON-COMMvention 2026, when he performed in…
Alex Amen | Artist to Watch – July 2026
Hometown: The Gulf Coast of Texas. Why He’s WXPN’s Artist To Watch: Alex Amen blew us away at NON-COMMvention 2026, when he performed in…
Artist To Watch
Angine de Poitrine | Artist to Watch – June 2026
Hometown: Saguenay, Quebec Why They’re WXPN’s Artist To Watch: The duo, known only as Klek and Khn de Poitrine for now, took the internet…
Hometown: Saguenay, Quebec Why They’re WXPN’s Artist To Watch: The duo, known only as Klek and Khn de Poitrine for now, took the internet…
Angine de Poitrine | Artist to Watch – June 2026
Hometown: Saguenay, Quebec Why They’re WXPN’s Artist To Watch: The duo, known only as Klek and Khn de Poitrine for now, took the internet…
Artist To Watch
Annabelle Dinda | Artist To Watch – May 2026
Hometown: Wayne, Pa. Why She’s An WXPN Artist To Watch: The Philly-area native has dropped four albums in just six years’ time, the most…
Hometown: Wayne, Pa. Why She’s An WXPN Artist To Watch: The Philly-area native has dropped four albums in just six years’ time, the most…
Annabelle Dinda | Artist To Watch – May 2026
Hometown: Wayne, Pa. Why She’s An WXPN Artist To Watch: The Philly-area native has dropped four albums in just six years’ time, the most…
Artist To Watch
Mon Rovîa | Artist To Watch – April 2026
Hometown: Chattanooga, Tennessee by way of Monrovia, Liberia Why They’re WXPN Artist To Watch: It doesn’t take long to understand why Mon Rovîa is…
Hometown: Chattanooga, Tennessee by way of Monrovia, Liberia Why They’re WXPN Artist To Watch: It doesn’t take long to understand why Mon Rovîa is…
Mon Rovîa | Artist To Watch – April 2026
Hometown: Chattanooga, Tennessee by way of Monrovia, Liberia Why They’re WXPN Artist To Watch: It doesn’t take long to understand why Mon Rovîa is…
Artist To Watch
Ratboys | Artist to Watch – March 2026
Hometown: Chicago, IL Why They’re WXPN Artist To Watch: Ratboys make indie rock in the grand Midwestern tradition — hearts on their sleeves, served…
Hometown: Chicago, IL Why They’re WXPN Artist To Watch: Ratboys make indie rock in the grand Midwestern tradition — hearts on their sleeves, served…
Ratboys | Artist to Watch – March 2026
Hometown: Chicago, IL Why They’re WXPN Artist To Watch: Ratboys make indie rock in the grand Midwestern tradition — hearts on their sleeves, served…
Artist To Watch
Tyler Ballgame | Artist to Watch – February 2026
Hometown: Los Angeles by way of Rhode Island Why They’re WXPN Artist To Watch: Tyler Ballgame has a big, round, theatrical tenor voice that’s…
Hometown: Los Angeles by way of Rhode Island Why They’re WXPN Artist To Watch: Tyler Ballgame has a big, round, theatrical tenor voice that’s…
Tyler Ballgame | Artist to Watch – February 2026
Hometown: Los Angeles by way of Rhode Island Why They’re WXPN Artist To Watch: Tyler Ballgame has a big, round, theatrical tenor voice that’s…
Artist To Watch
Kashus Culpepper | Artist to Watch – January 2026
Hometown: Alexander City, Alabama Why They’re WXPN Artist To Watch: Kashus Culpepper is making music straight out of the American taproom. Blending a top-notch…
Hometown: Alexander City, Alabama Why They’re WXPN Artist To Watch: Kashus Culpepper is making music straight out of the American taproom. Blending a top-notch…
Kashus Culpepper | Artist to Watch – January 2026
Hometown: Alexander City, Alabama Why They’re WXPN Artist To Watch: Kashus Culpepper is making music straight out of the American taproom. Blending a top-notch…
Artist To Watch
Medium Build | Artist to Watch – December 2025
Hometown: self-proclaimed nomad but also Nashville, TN Why They’re WXPN Artist Of The Month: Did you ever wish that fridge cigarette could be a…
Hometown: self-proclaimed nomad but also Nashville, TN Why They’re WXPN Artist Of The Month: Did you ever wish that fridge cigarette could be a…
Medium Build | Artist to Watch – December 2025
Hometown: self-proclaimed nomad but also Nashville, TN Why They’re WXPN Artist Of The Month: Did you ever wish that fridge cigarette could be a…
Artist To Watch
Madison Cunningham | Artist to Watch – November 2025
Hometown: Escondido, CA Why They’re WXPN Artist Of The Month: In what feels like the early days of what is destined to be a…
Hometown: Escondido, CA Why They’re WXPN Artist Of The Month: In what feels like the early days of what is destined to be a…
Madison Cunningham | Artist to Watch – November 2025
Hometown: Escondido, CA Why They’re WXPN Artist Of The Month: In what feels like the early days of what is destined to be a…
Artist To Watch
CMAT | Artist To Watch – October 2025
Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson – aka CMAT – will be our next Artist to Watch. The Irish singer-songwriter recently released her third album, Euro-Country, and…
Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson – aka CMAT – will be our next Artist to Watch. The Irish singer-songwriter recently released her third album, Euro-Country, and…
CMAT | Artist To Watch – October 2025
Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson – aka CMAT – will be our next Artist to Watch. The Irish singer-songwriter recently released her third album, Euro-Country, and…
Artist To Watch
Hermanos Gutiérrez | Artist To Watch – September 2025
WXPN’s Artist to Watch for the month of September 2025 is Hermanos Gutiérrez. The brotherly duo are creators of atmospheric guitar music that evokes…
WXPN’s Artist to Watch for the month of September 2025 is Hermanos Gutiérrez. The brotherly duo are creators of atmospheric guitar music that evokes…
Hermanos Gutiérrez | Artist To Watch – September 2025
WXPN’s Artist to Watch for the month of September 2025 is Hermanos Gutiérrez. The brotherly duo are creators of atmospheric guitar music that evokes…
Artist To Watch
Southern Avenue | Artist To Watch – August 2025
The next Artist to Watch for the month of August 2025 is Southern Avenue Back on March 21st, our Free At Noon performers were Southern Avenue, a band…
The next Artist to Watch for the month of August 2025 is Southern Avenue Back on March 21st, our Free At Noon performers were Southern Avenue, a band…
Southern Avenue | Artist To Watch – August 2025
The next Artist to Watch for the month of August 2025 is Southern Avenue Back on March 21st, our Free At Noon performers were Southern Avenue, a band…
Artist To Watch
Palmyra | Artist To Watch – July 2025
WXPN’s next Artist to Watch is a lively new band that blends folk and modern rock, and is no stranger to our stages: Palmyra.…
WXPN’s next Artist to Watch is a lively new band that blends folk and modern rock, and is no stranger to our stages: Palmyra.…
Palmyra | Artist To Watch – July 2025
WXPN’s next Artist to Watch is a lively new band that blends folk and modern rock, and is no stranger to our stages: Palmyra.…
Artist To Watch
How Lucy the Elephant and family photographs inspired The Tisburys’ latest album
The Tisburys on WXPN Local Reflecting on his band’s newly-released A Still Life Revisited, Tyler Asay of The Tisburys says “I’m really proud of…
The Tisburys on WXPN Local Reflecting on his band’s newly-released A Still Life Revisited, Tyler Asay of The Tisburys says “I’m really proud of…
How Lucy the Elephant and family photographs inspired The Tisburys’ latest album
The Tisburys on WXPN Local Reflecting on his band’s newly-released A Still Life Revisited, Tyler Asay of The Tisburys says “I’m really proud of…
Artist To Watch
The Tisburys | Artist To Watch – June 2025
The next Artist to Watch for the month of June 2025 will be The Tisburys. Local Philly-based rock band The Tisburys have been doing…
The next Artist to Watch for the month of June 2025 will be The Tisburys. Local Philly-based rock band The Tisburys have been doing…
The Tisburys | Artist To Watch – June 2025
The next Artist to Watch for the month of June 2025 will be The Tisburys. Local Philly-based rock band The Tisburys have been doing…
Backstage With
Building connections with Orla Gartland
In front of a soft pretzel wall decal, decked out in camo capris and graphic eyeliner, Orla Gartland seemed calm and collected ahead of…
In front of a soft pretzel wall decal, decked out in camo capris and graphic eyeliner, Orla Gartland seemed calm and collected ahead of…
Building connections with Orla Gartland
In front of a soft pretzel wall decal, decked out in camo capris and graphic eyeliner, Orla Gartland seemed calm and collected ahead of…
Artist To Watch
Gigi Perez | Artist To Watch – May 2025
WXPN’s Artist to Watch for the month of May is indie singer-songwriter Gigi Perez. The Hackensack, New Jersey native, who lives and makes music…
WXPN’s Artist to Watch for the month of May is indie singer-songwriter Gigi Perez. The Hackensack, New Jersey native, who lives and makes music…
Gigi Perez | Artist To Watch – May 2025
WXPN’s Artist to Watch for the month of May is indie singer-songwriter Gigi Perez. The Hackensack, New Jersey native, who lives and makes music…
Artist To Watch
Genesis Owusu | Artist To Watch – January 2023
With a melting pot of musical influences, Kofi Owusu-Ansah's (aka Genesis Owusu) songs are both celebratory and introspective.
With a melting pot of musical influences, Kofi Owusu-Ansah's (aka Genesis Owusu) songs are both celebratory and introspective.
Genesis Owusu | Artist To Watch – January 2023
With a melting pot of musical influences, Kofi Owusu-Ansah's (aka Genesis Owusu) songs are both celebratory and introspective.
Artist To Watch
Thee Sacred Souls | Artist To Watch – December 2022
For Thee Sacred Souls, the first time is often the charm.
For Thee Sacred Souls, the first time is often the charm.
Thee Sacred Souls | Artist To Watch – December 2022
For Thee Sacred Souls, the first time is often the charm.
Artist To Watch
Cautious Clay | Artist To Watch – November 2022
He has co-written songs with and for Taylor Swift and John Legend, and has had his own suave acoustic-centered pop/rock songs placed in several…
He has co-written songs with and for Taylor Swift and John Legend, and has had his own suave acoustic-centered pop/rock songs placed in several…
Cautious Clay | Artist To Watch – November 2022
He has co-written songs with and for Taylor Swift and John Legend, and has had his own suave acoustic-centered pop/rock songs placed in several…
Artist To Watch
Tamino | WXPN Artist To Watch – October 2022
The Belgian Egyptian singer recently performed live at the 2022 XPoNential Music Festival, just before releasing his latest album, Sahar, on September 23.
The Belgian Egyptian singer recently performed live at the 2022 XPoNential Music Festival, just before releasing his latest album, Sahar, on September 23.
Tamino | WXPN Artist To Watch – October 2022
The Belgian Egyptian singer recently performed live at the 2022 XPoNential Music Festival, just before releasing his latest album, Sahar, on September 23.
Artist To Watch
Momma | WXPN Artist To Watch – September 2022
The duo's third studio album, Household Name, rocks and is worthy of repeated listening.
The duo's third studio album, Household Name, rocks and is worthy of repeated listening.
Momma | WXPN Artist To Watch – September 2022
The duo's third studio album, Household Name, rocks and is worthy of repeated listening.
Americana
Calder Allen | WXPN Artist To Watch – August 2022
The 19-year-old Austinite is the grandson of renowned singer and songwriter Terry Allen.
The 19-year-old Austinite is the grandson of renowned singer and songwriter Terry Allen.
Calder Allen | WXPN Artist To Watch – August 2022
The 19-year-old Austinite is the grandson of renowned singer and songwriter Terry Allen.
Artist To Watch
Catbite | WXPN Artist To Watch – July 2022
Don't miss this Philly Ska quartet's performance at the 2022 XPoNential Music Festival
Don't miss this Philly Ska quartet's performance at the 2022 XPoNential Music Festival
Catbite | WXPN Artist To Watch – July 2022
Don't miss this Philly Ska quartet's performance at the 2022 XPoNential Music Festival
Artist To Watch
Dehd | WXPN Artist To Watch – June 2022
Chicago Rock Trio Dehd Will Leave You Feeling Alive
Artist To Watch
The Dip | WXPN Artist To Watch – May 2022
Watch the band performing live at public radio's NON-COMMvention on Thursday, May 5, 2022.
Watch the band performing live at public radio's NON-COMMvention on Thursday, May 5, 2022.
The Dip | WXPN Artist To Watch – May 2022
Watch the band performing live at public radio's NON-COMMvention on Thursday, May 5, 2022.
Artist To Watch
Grace Cummings | WXPN Artist To Watch – April 2022
Grace has an arresting, striking, and unique vocal style. The songs on her recent album, Storm Queen, are intimate and beautifully expressive.
Grace has an arresting, striking, and unique vocal style. The songs on her recent album, Storm Queen, are intimate and beautifully expressive.
Grace Cummings | WXPN Artist To Watch – April 2022
Grace has an arresting, striking, and unique vocal style. The songs on her recent album, Storm Queen, are intimate and beautifully expressive.
Artist To Watch
Sarah Shook & The Disarmers | WXPN Artist To Watch – March 2022
Sarah is an Americana singer-songwriter and guitarist from North Carolina. Their new album, Nightroamer, was recently released and they are playing Milkboy in Philly…
Sarah is an Americana singer-songwriter and guitarist from North Carolina. Their new album, Nightroamer, was recently released and they are playing Milkboy in Philly…
Sarah Shook & The Disarmers | WXPN Artist To Watch – March 2022
Sarah is an Americana singer-songwriter and guitarist from North Carolina. Their new album, Nightroamer, was recently released and they are playing Milkboy in Philly…
Artist To Watch
Buffalo Nichols | WXPN Artist To Watch – February 2022
Born in Houston, he was raised in Milwaukee on church music and the blues.
Born in Houston, he was raised in Milwaukee on church music and the blues.
Buffalo Nichols | WXPN Artist To Watch – February 2022
Born in Houston, he was raised in Milwaukee on church music and the blues.
Artist To Watch
Wet Leg | WXPN Artist to Watch – Jan 2022
Their debut single, “Chaise Longue”, and three others they have out are from the band’s self-titled debut, out in April. The band start an…
Their debut single, “Chaise Longue”, and three others they have out are from the band’s self-titled debut, out in April. The band start an…
Wet Leg | WXPN Artist to Watch – Jan 2022
Their debut single, “Chaise Longue”, and three others they have out are from the band’s self-titled debut, out in April. The band start an…
Artist To Watch
Geese | WXPN Artist To Watch – December 2021
Not to be confused with the jam band Goose. Geese recently released its debut album, Projector.
Not to be confused with the jam band Goose. Geese recently released its debut album, Projector.
Geese | WXPN Artist To Watch – December 2021
Not to be confused with the jam band Goose. Geese recently released its debut album, Projector.
Artist To Watch
Neal Francis – WXPN Artist To Watch – November 2021
Neal Francis is based in Chicago, he’s releasing his sophomore album, In Plain Sight, on November 5th.
Neal Francis is based in Chicago, he’s releasing his sophomore album, In Plain Sight, on November 5th.
Neal Francis – WXPN Artist To Watch – November 2021
Neal Francis is based in Chicago, he’s releasing his sophomore album, In Plain Sight, on November 5th.
Artist To Watch
Cimafunk | WXPN Artist To Watch – October 2021
The Afro Cuban funk band’s album is out October 8th, titled El Alimento.
The Afro Cuban funk band’s album is out October 8th, titled El Alimento.
Cimafunk | WXPN Artist To Watch – October 2021
The Afro Cuban funk band’s album is out October 8th, titled El Alimento.
Americana
Cosmic Guilt | WXPN Artist To Watch – September 2021
The band recently were featured in an Unprecedented Session, the local music collaboration between XPN/The Key, Cherry-Veen Zine, and Powercycle Productions.
The band recently were featured in an Unprecedented Session, the local music collaboration between XPN/The Key, Cherry-Veen Zine, and Powercycle Productions.
Cosmic Guilt | WXPN Artist To Watch – September 2021
The band recently were featured in an Unprecedented Session, the local music collaboration between XPN/The Key, Cherry-Veen Zine, and Powercycle Productions.
Artist To Watch
Dylan Cartlidge | WXPN Artist To Watch – July 2021
From the UK, Cartlidge is a singer, songwriter, rapper and multi-instrumentalist. His debut album, Hope Above Adversity, is being released on July 9th.
From the UK, Cartlidge is a singer, songwriter, rapper and multi-instrumentalist. His debut album, Hope Above Adversity, is being released on July 9th.
Dylan Cartlidge | WXPN Artist To Watch – July 2021
From the UK, Cartlidge is a singer, songwriter, rapper and multi-instrumentalist. His debut album, Hope Above Adversity, is being released on July 9th.
Artist To Watch
Amythyst Kiah | WXPN Artist To Watch – June 2021
Kiah is releasing her debut solo album for Rounder Records, Wary + Strange, on June 18th.
Kiah is releasing her debut solo album for Rounder Records, Wary + Strange, on June 18th.
Amythyst Kiah | WXPN Artist To Watch – June 2021
Kiah is releasing her debut solo album for Rounder Records, Wary + Strange, on June 18th.
Artist To Watch
Japanese Breakfast |WXPN Artist To Watch – May 2021
Fronted by Michelle Zauner, the band will release their third album on June 4th.
Fronted by Michelle Zauner, the band will release their third album on June 4th.
Japanese Breakfast |WXPN Artist To Watch – May 2021
Fronted by Michelle Zauner, the band will release their third album on June 4th.
Artist To Watch
Sofía Valdés | WXPN Artist To Watch – April 2021
Sofia recently performed a three song afternoon music set for us, and in early February we featured Sofia on World Cafe.
Sofia recently performed a three song afternoon music set for us, and in early February we featured Sofia on World Cafe.
Sofía Valdés | WXPN Artist To Watch – April 2021
Sofia recently performed a three song afternoon music set for us, and in early February we featured Sofia on World Cafe.
Artist To Watch
Tamar Aphek | WXPN Artist To Watch – March 2021
March’s Artist To Watch is an exciting new singer, songwriter and guitarist from Israel, named Tamar Aphek.
March’s Artist To Watch is an exciting new singer, songwriter and guitarist from Israel, named Tamar Aphek.
Tamar Aphek | WXPN Artist To Watch – March 2021
March’s Artist To Watch is an exciting new singer, songwriter and guitarist from Israel, named Tamar Aphek.
Artist To Watch
Bartees Strange |WXPN Artist To Watch – February 2021
Bartees Strange is a singer/songwriter/guitarist based in Washington D.C. He was born in England and grew up in rural Oklahoma.
Bartees Strange is a singer/songwriter/guitarist based in Washington D.C. He was born in England and grew up in rural Oklahoma.
Bartees Strange |WXPN Artist To Watch – February 2021
Bartees Strange is a singer/songwriter/guitarist based in Washington D.C. He was born in England and grew up in rural Oklahoma.
Artist To Watch
Deep Sea Diver | WXPN Artist To Watch – January 2021
The group released their first EP in 2009, and their debut full length album, History Speaks, in 2012.
The group released their first EP in 2009, and their debut full length album, History Speaks, in 2012.
Deep Sea Diver | WXPN Artist To Watch – January 2021
The group released their first EP in 2009, and their debut full length album, History Speaks, in 2012.