2007

WXPN Features Amy Winehouse as the XPN Artist To Watch for April

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Created on Monday, 02 April 2007 10:44

PHILADELPHIA, PA – WXPN, the nationally-recognized leader in Triple A music and noncommercial radio service of the University of Pennsylvania, names Amy Winehouse as its April Artist To Watch. Host David Dye will present the first of the month’s on-air segments today, Monday, April 2, in the 4 p.m. hour.

Amy Winehouse exploded onto the UK pop scene as a retro-inspired, yet fiercely liberated, very modern soul singer. Her joyful clash of pop jazz stylings with brash hip-hop attitude and powerful vocals turned more than just heads. She has quickly established herself as a bona fide star overseas, even though she's barely out of her teens. Winehouse has been compared to Sarah Vaughan, one of her biggest lifelong influences, as well as Macy Gray and Lauryn Hill. Her second album, Back To Black, was released in October of 2006 and her first ever U.S. tour kicks off with sold out shows in New York and Philadelphia.

“After seeing Amy Winehouse at this year's SXSW we're convinced she's an artist with a singular talent and voice,” said Bruce Warren, assistant general manager of programming for WXPN. “She is an incredible confident live performer and her new album embraces old soul and 60's girl-group styles in a contemporary setting with remarkably fun and refreshing results."

According to WXPN music director Dan Reed, “Amy Winehouse is a very talented singer, and Back To Black manages to sound both modern and retro. Her vocal stylings are quite extraordinary when you consider that she's only 23. The song is hook-filled and fun, and she packs a tremendous amount of attitude into every song."

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

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.

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 also produces Y-Rock On XPN, an online alternative rock music stream. 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.