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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/

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




One of the founding members of The Smashing Pumpkins, Guitarist and songwriter, James Iha just released his second solo album, Look To The Sky and will be here the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 23, for an XPN Free At Noon concert.

James Iha Since his debut, James Iha has continued to explore various realms of the music world. He is most known for co-founding the premier alternative rock group The Smashing Pumpkins in 1988 with bandmate Billy Corgan, along with being the group's rhythmic guitarist.

Since its formation, The Smashing Pumpkins have produced seven studio albums, four of which have gone platinum. The band has also received multiple nominations and awards, including Grammy Awards for "Best Hard Rock Performance" and an American Music Award for "Favorite Alternative Artist." In 2012, the band released their most recent album Oceania, which they will be promoting this December with a national tour.

In addition to his work with The Smashing Pumpkins, Iha has produced music for multiple artists, including rock artist Marilyn Manson. Currently, he co-owns both independent record label Scratchie Records and recording studio Stratosphere Sound. Iha has continued to make music as well as produce it. In 2003, he became a member of the band A Perfect Circle, which he returned to again in 2010 after the group was briefly suspended. He will perform with A Perfect Circle in Las Vegas this December and subsequently tour with the group in Australia from February to March. Iha has also released two solo albums, his most recent being Look to the Sky in September.

Facebook: facebook.com/jamesihamusic
Website: http://www.jamesiha.com


Recent Release: Look to the Sky
Release Date: September 18, 2012
Label: The End Records
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

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




Led by brothers Joseph & David Dunwell, the British folk rockers, The Dunwells, released their first album this year, called Blind Sighted Faith. they are touring the states and stop in Philly for an XPN Free At Noon concert on November 16!

Formed in 2009, the Dunwells can be best classified as an English folk-rock band that has recently been making waves in the American music scene. Based in Leeds, England, the band released its highly acclaimed debut album Blind Sighted Faith (Concord/Playing In Traffic) in February 2012. The band has been named HMV’s Next Big Thing of 2012 and has opened for artists like Mumford & Sons. Recently, peaking at #19 in the Triple A radio music chart, the British band continues to flourish in the music scene.

The band consists of five members, all of whom were independently successful in the Leeds music scene before the band’s formation. Brothers Joseph Dunwell (vocals, guitar) and David Dunwell (guitar, piano, banjo), cousins Jonny Lamb (vocals, drums) and Rob Clayton (bass), and finally Dave Hanson (guitar, pedal steel) form The Dunwells. Capturing the attention of Tony Moore during a performance at The Bedford in London, the band was invited to perform at the 2011 International Folk Alliance Conference, resulting in the immediate signing to the Austin based label Playing In Traffic. Working with the legendary music producer John Porter, the band re-released Blind Sighted Faith in August and relaunched their highly successful and catchy single “I Could Be King.”

To promote the re-release of Blind Sighted Faith , the Dunwells toured across the United States playing at major music venues like Austin City Limits and Lollapalooza. In addition, the band was able to perform “Follow The Road” on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Essentially, The Dunwells have us convinced that they are a band to keep in your music playlist. Come enjoy a Free At Noon performance of the band on November 16, 2012 at World Cafe Live!

In addition to the XPN Free At Noon, The Dunwells play Rams Head Live in Baltimore on November 14!

Facebook: facebook.com/TheDunwells
Website: thedunwells.com/


Recent Release: Blind Sighted Faith
Release Date: August28, 2012
Label: Concord Records
Hometown: Leeds, England

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

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