Artist to Watch

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Known for his decades of experience and “lovable growl,” Dr. John, or the “Night Tripper,” is a formidable figure in New Orleans-style blues and R&B. In 2012 he teamed up with the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach to produce his latest album “Locked Down,” which was met with a whirlwind of praise.
Soul, blues, folk, and rock all come together to create Aaron & The Spell’s sound which is tied together by Aaron’s voice which has great range, rich tone, and is full of raw emotion.
The Districts are an impressive young four-piece from Lititz, in Lancaster County. They do the very Pixies loud-quiet-LOUD thing, but in a more textured way than simply turning their overdrive pedals on and off. Singer Rob Grote’s searing voice cut across the concert hall, blending with the band’s smartly-arranged instrumental interplay.
Although all twelve musicians in Alo Brasil are native Philadelphians, their authentic samba-inspired sounds transport audiences to the warm breezes of Brazil. Described as “tornado of rhythm and sound,” this band spanning three generations will continue to dazzle the crowd as it has for over a decade.
Touring with the likes of Corinne Bailey Rae, Sheryl Crow, and John Mayer, Brett Dennen has come a long way from his days convincing venue owners to let him play despite his inexperience. His magical lo-fi sound has been recognized by NPR and Rolling Stone and will be dazzling audiences at this year’s festival.
The Kopecky Family Band of six dedicated, creative and unrelated musicians from Nashville sold out MilkBoy Philly in February. Their sweet folk rock sound pulls you under with their melodies and intelligent string arrangements that make for incredible and catchy compositions. Their 2012 self-released album Kids Raising Kids has generated a sea of positive feedback from many, including NPR’s Live from the World Cafe and Paste Magazine.

TODAY AT THE KIMMEL CENTER Join Helen Leicht from 10am to 2pm as she broadcasts live to celebrate PIFA and our Friday Free At Noon Concert! Featuring British singer-songwriter Bobby Long.





Surprisingly enough, the large acoustic body of work of British singer-songwriter Bobby Long has its roots in folk and even Americana. His love of American singers such as Hank Williams, Woody Guthrie, and Neil Young serves as a strong influence over his own music. His debut studio album from 2011, A Winter Tale, showcases his reverence for the genre, merging his acoustic sound with a powerful band to support him.

Long's newest studio release, Wishbone, came out earlier this February. The album was written and recorded in New York, Long's residence for almost four years now and a place he says he feels "more at home than he ever did in his native country." Wishbone compiles the rough and raw vocals and guitar styles of Long with a more melancholic tone, making the whole album more grounded. Long is currently touring the U.S. in promotion of Wishbone.


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Recent Release: Wishbone
Release Date: February 19, 2013
Label: ATO Records


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Justin Townes Earle was recognized twice by the Americana Music Awards, for New and Emerging Artist of the Year in 2009 and Song of the Year category for "Harlem River Blues" in 2011. His latest album, Nothing’s Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now, is a heartfelt composition of Memphis-soul singing steeped in soft horns, twangy guitar chords and deep bass lines to create a warm slice of Americana.
Artist to Watch in August 2012, past opener for John Legend and Bon Iver, and nominee for BBC’s Sound of 2012, 22-year-old Lianne La Havas is truly a force to be reckoned with. Her debut album Is Your Love Big Enough? blends soul, jazz, and folk into one amazingly gorgeous album. With her numerous performances and frequent plays on XPN, listeners have quickly fallen in love with Lianne’s sultry and beautifully original style of performance, stellar vocal range and distinct guitar work.
A festival veteran and April 2010’s Artist To Watch, Dawes will be captivating audiences at XPoNential once again with driving beats and lively presence. Their new release, Stories Don’t End is another collection of excellent songs featuring the storytelling and songwriting work of lead singer Taylor Goldsmith.
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