WXPN Features The Format as the XPN Artist To Watch for August

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Created on Friday, 28 July 2006 10:18

Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, the Format materialized around two friends, vocalist Nate Ruess and multi-instrumentalist Sam Means. Self-described as a "desert pop" band, the Format take influence from ‘60s music to craft their own spirited indie pop melodies.

“Now freed from the shackles of their former major label, the Format have made the best record of their career and their roots level fan base continues to grow and for good reason,” said Bruce Warren, assistant general manager of programming for WXPN. Warren continues, “The Format write intelligent guitar based pop songs. Great power pop bands transcend formulaic cliches when they write crafty songs with catchy choruses and the Format have completely nailed it on their new album, Dog Problems.”

According to WXPN Music Director, Dan Reed, “The Format is like XTC's Drums and Wires meets Todd Rundgren at Eric Carmen's pool party. It has one incredibly catchy tune after another.”

The XPN Artists To Watch series reflects WXPN’s commitment to nurturing fresh, new talent and exposing listeners to the best new music. Each month, the XPN Artists To Watch series spotlights a different up-and-coming performer who has produced an album or body of work that demonstrates outstanding vision, creativity and songwriting ability. Month-long on-air promotion is combined with online features to help audiences discover each artist.

For more on the XPN Artists To Watch series and this month’s featured artist, visit Artist to Watch.

WXPN 88.5 FM, the nationally recognized leader in Triple A radio and the premier guide for discovering new and significant artists in rock, blues, roots, and folk, is the non-commercial, member-supported radio service of the University of Pennsylvania. WXPN produces World Cafe®, public radio’s most popular program of popular music hosted by David Dye and syndicated by National Public Radio, and the Peabody Award winning Kids Corner hosted by Kathy O’Connell. WXPN serves the greater Philadelphia area at 88.5 FM, the Lehigh Valley at 104.9, Worton/Baltimore at 90.5 FM, Harrisburg at 88.1 FM, and the world via online streaming at www.xpn.org.