The Secret Sisters are off to a good start in the music world. Backed by the legendary Jack White, their debut album (produced by White) was just released via Third Man Records. It's full of old-time country and folk, complete with a Johnny Cash cover and the two sisters' take on "Wabash Cannonball."{readmorelink}Read More...{/readmorelink}

This Philly-based trio, originally formed while guitarist Tommy Siegel, pianist Ben Thornewill, and drummer Jesse Kristin were in college in Washington, D.C. – is described as whimsical, quirky, energetic indie band featuring melodic pop tunes driven by a sizzling rock momentum.

Hear a live concert every Friday at 12noon ET from WXPN and NPR Music
Broadcast live from the stage at World Cafe Live

British Rock Veterans, James are touring the states in support of their new album The Morning After The Night Before, and play The Trocadero here in Philly this Friday night, September 24, 2010.

When Paul Gilbertson managed to league up with Jim Glennie and Gavin Whelan in Manchester, UK back in 1982, he didn't realize that his actions would create a framework for decades of music to follow. Sharing their music with fans, the group gigged extensively thorughout the 80's before becoming the popular hit band James in the 1990s. It was then that they teamed up with Brian Eno, who pushed them to expand on their brit pop-rock style with new and exciting experimentation in sound. And with that growth, they were able to accentuate their warm melodies and win over the hearts of millions.

Expanding their sound to feature vocals, guitars, keyboards, violin, percussion, bass and trumpet, James maneuvers between quiet intimate moments and rivoting blasts of sound. Their mastery of dynamics and catchy melodies has always proved to be a crowd winning formula, and their impact on modern rock is undeniable.

With 10 released studio albums and millions of internationally sold copies, the modern rockers decided to depart ways in 2001. Returning to the scene in 2007, James is proving to be as capturing as they were when they started. Their latest double feature is a two mini-album release, "The Morning After The Night Before," which were originally released as separate discs in the UK.

So take the time to explore the light and dark side of these new releases at this Friday's Free At Noon. This is one you don't want to miss.

Website: http://www.wearejames.com/
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/jamesisnotaperson
Recent Release: The Morning After The Night Before
Release Date: September 14, 2010
Label: Mercury
Origin: Manchester, UK

Free At Noon Setlist
1. Dust Motes
2. Rabbit Hole
3. Out To Get You
4. Laid
5. Getting Away With It
6. Crazy
7. Say Something
8. I Want To Go Home

Visit NPR Music to hear the concert.

PARKING NOTICE and Directions

Due to the construction in the area, free parking is no longer available for XPN Free At Noon shows. Metered parking on 31st street is no longer available, and metered parking on Walnut Street is extremely limited as a result of the closure and reconstruction of the South Street Bridge, and the rerouting of traffic onto Walnut Street.

Public transportation to XPN Free At Noon is recommended. For more information on parking in the area visit World Cafe Live.

Find more information on directions and public transportation here.

Serving People in Need - Help Drive Hunger from Our Communities

When you come to XPN's Free At Noon Concerts, bring a can of food to support Philabundance, Delaware Valley's hunger relief organization. We have drop-off boxes to collect canned goods for the needy. Current priority items include: canned pasta, chili, beef stew, tuna, mac & cheese, ready to eat cereal, pork & beans/ baked beans, green beans, corn, fruit cocktail, creamy peanut butter and/ or grape jelly (plastic containers only), and boxed sugar. Thanks!

WXPN and NPR Music Live Friday Free At Noon Concert Archives Include:

Dr. Dog, Carrie Rodriguez, Annuals, DeVotchKa, Adele, Angel Taylor, Winterpills, Sharon Little, Ollabelle, Andrew Lipke, The Low Anthem, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Sean Lennon, Chris Smith, California Guitar trio, Joan Osborne, Disco Biscuits, Damien Rice, Cold War Kids, Marc Broussard, The Slip, Arlo Guthrie, Alice Smith, The Dears, Barenaked Ladies, and more...

WXPN Free at Noon Photo Gallery at Flickr
Click to visit our gallery for photos of the Free At Noon Concerts! Previous concerts include Hall & Oates, O.A.R., Citizen Cope, Old Crow Medicine Show, Kaki King and many more!

Singer-songwriter Lissie (Maurus), who was born and raised in the heart of Illinois right beside the Mississippi River, is readily known for her soulful, blues infused Americana tunes.

Born, raised, and tested in the mecca for American rock 'n' roll, Seattle, Washington, Minus The Bear is just about ready to explode. The 5-piece group, consisting of members Jake Snider (guitar, lead vocals), Dave Knudson (guitar), Alex Rose (keyboards, backing vocals), Cory Murchy (bass), and Erin Tate (drums), joined forces in 2001, and after a myriad of EP's and LP's, have finally found their true sound.

Made possible by XPN Members, NPR Music and Comcast

With an incredible vocal range and an uncommon talent for the guitar, singer-songwriter Martin Sexton has been consistently been able to channel his love for classic, soulful folk, blues, rock, and pop music into accessible, emotional songs that combine the best aspects of singers like Van Morrison and Otis Redding.

A self-taught guitarist and singer, Sexton formed his first rock n'roll band when he was in the eighth grade; his garage bands in high school would play the music of the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and Led Zeppelin. He left his home in Syracuse, NY for the coffeehouse scene of Boston, where he began busking and playing open mic nights in 1989. Recorded in a friend's attic in 1990, Sexton's cassette-only self-released debut record, In The Journey, managed to sell 15,000 copies before it was later reissued by Eastern Front Records. After winning the National Academy of Songwriters' Artist of the Year award in 1994, Sexton continued his grueling touring schedule while taking time to release eight more albums, up until the present day. His latest album, Sugarcoating, was released on Kitchen Table in 2010. As always, the tracks are powerful and interesting, without a hint of pretense. The album was written as a reflection on a society that's been through much, including 9-11. In addition, Sexton also addresses subjects important to him--family and selflessness. Don't miss an opportunity to see this talented musician--he's got one heck of a stage presence.

Website: martinsexton.com
MySpace: myspace.com/martinsexton
Recent Release: Sugarcoating
Release Date: April 6, 2010
Label: Kitchen Table
Origin: Syracuse, NY

Free At Noon Setlist
1. America/Found
2. Boom Sh-Boom
3. Stick Around
4. Livin’ the Life

Visit NPR Music to hear the concert.

Blue-eyed soul virtuoso, Eli “Paperboy” Reed may have grown up in Massachusetts but he executes the heart-wrenching emotion of Southern predecessors like Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding. Even more bizarre, Reed, along with his seven-piece True Loves, just finished a month long tour, sharing dates with alternative/pop-punk band, Say Anything.

Reed’s electrifying performances enable him to captivate any crowd. With his mixture of high-energy, body-swinging music and tear-jerking, lovelorn ballads, he keeps his audience craving for more. Paperboy was nominated as the Breakthrough Artist of the Year in the 2009 Mojo awards after his two independently released albums, Sings Walkin' and Talkin'and Other Smash Hits!, and Roll With You.. His major-label debut, Come and Get It, is respectful of pop music. Mr. Reed knows the true origin and value of this sometimes-devalued genre. As he said in reference to his style, "...it's all about writing pop songs. Soul music was the greatest pop music of the 20th century and its influence is so far-reaching." You can listen to his 2008 session on World Cafe, by clicking here.

Website: elipaperboyreed.com
Myspace: myspace.com/elipaperboyreed
Recent Release: Come and Get It
Label: Capitol
Band Origin: Allston, MA

Free At Noon Setlist
1. Intro/Satisfier
2. Name Calling
3. Just Like Me
4. Come and Get It

Visit NPR Music to hear the concert.

Parking Notice and Directions

Hear a live concert every Friday at noon from WXPN NPR Music

Made possible by XPN Members, and Comcast.

Branching from a popular Santa Barbara nine-piece band with a brass section called The Animal Liberation Orchestra and the Free Range Horns, ALO's Zach Gill, Dan Lebowitz and Steve Adams returned to their hometown in San Francisco to form a stripped down version of the group. After reuniting with college friend and drummer David Brogan in 2002, the ALO line-up was officially in place. The jam band released a number of indie label albums before joining forces with singer-songwriter Jack Johnson, one of Zach Gill's college mates. Supporting Jack Johnson in live performances and later signing to Johnson's Brushfire label, ALO released their first studio album "Roses & Clover" (2007) under Brushfire. The album's blend of jam rock, jazz, folk and pop made them a shoo-in for success.

Following "Roses & Clover" with extended tours and a few side projects, ALO decided to turn to their second album "Man of the World" (2010), making their way to Oahu, Hawaii to record in Johnson's home studio. The laidback quality of the album definitely relays the environment of their recording process, one that revolved around comfortable jazzy-jam sessions. Engineered by Dave Simon-Baker and produced by Jack Johnson, the 11-song collection was mostly recorded live, relying on a more organic process of music making. The compilation strongly reflects songwriting, vocal and strong instrumental contributions from each member, which solidly lock together to create a bluesy rock framework. And yet, their is an overall cafe lounge vibe to the album that sits nicely next to its edgier parts.

Upon the release of "Man of the World," ALO will be putting on quite a show for us for this Friday's afternoon concert. You don't want to miss it.

Website: http://www.alomusic.com/
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/alomusic
Recent Release: Man of the World
Release Date: February 9, 2010
Label: Brushfire Records
Origin: San Francisco, CA

ALO Free At Noon Setlist

From the Band..."Check out ALO"s new album Man of the World produced by ALO and Jack Johnson. We'll be touring the States throughout the Summer with Jack Johnson and playing quite a few festivals. Check out alomusic.com for tour dates and more info. Thanks to WXPN and all their listeners for a great show today!"

Visit NPR Music to hear the concert.

PARKING NOTICE and Directions

Due to the construction in the area, free parking is no longer available for XPN Free At Noon shows. Metered parking on 31st street is no longer available, and metered parking on Walnut Street is extremely limited as a result of the closure and reconstruction of the South Street Bridge, and the rerouting of traffic onto Walnut Street.

Public transportation to XPN Free At Noon is recommended. For more information on parking in the area visit World Cafe Live.

Find more information on directions and public transportation here.

Serving People in Need - Help Drive Hunger from Our Communities

When you come to XPN's Free At Noon Concerts, bring a can of food to support Philabundance, Delaware Valley's hunger relief organization. We have drop-off boxes to collect canned goods for the needy. Current priority items include: canned pasta, chili, beef stew, tuna, mac & cheese, ready to eat cereal, pork & beans/ baked beans, green beans, corn, fruit cocktail, creamy peanut butter and/ or grape jelly (plastic containers only), and boxed sugar. Thanks!

WXPN and NPR Music Live Friday Free At Noon Concert Archives Include:

Dr. Dog, Carrie Rodriguez, Annuals, DeVotchKa, Adele, Angel Taylor, Winterpills, Sharon Little, Ollabelle, Andrew Lipke, The Low Anthem, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Sean Lennon, Chris Smith, California Guitar trio, Joan Osborne, Disco Biscuits, Damien Rice, Cold War Kids, Marc Broussard, The Slip, Arlo Guthrie, Alice Smith, The Dears, Barenaked Ladies, and more...

WXPN Free at Noon Photo Gallery at Flickr
Click to visit our gallery for photos of the Free At Noon Concerts! Previous concerts include Hall & Oates, O.A.R., Citizen Cope, Old Crow Medicine Show, Kaki King and many more!