2007

WXPN Features Hoots & Hellmouth as the XPN Artist To Watch for July

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Created on Friday, 29 June 2007 10:53

PHILADELPHIA, PA – WXPN, the nationally-recognized leader in Triple A music and noncommercial radio service of the University of Pennsylvania, names Hoots & Hellmouth as its July Artist To Watch. Host Jim McGuinn will present the first of the month’s on-air segments on Monday, July 2, in the 4 p.m. hour.

Representing Philadelphia, PA, Hoots & Hellmouth are creating music “of the folks” with no commercial concern. Founded by Sean Hoots and Andrew “Hellmouth” Gray, this group produces a sound that is real and alive. “It's about bleeding, sweating, crying, and rejoicing.” Their self-titled debut album contains raw-soul, hand-clapping, foot-tapping compositions and gospel-inspired, eclectic-infused acoustic ballads. The band believes their music is an expression of life and all its experiences. They create a community at their shows where the audience is encouraged to leave everything at the door and “just be.” Performing at this month’s XPoNential Music Festival, Hoots & Hellmouth will grace the crowd with their contagious choruses and hallowed harmonies.

“Hoots & Hellmouth are one of our favorite Philly Local bands” said Bruce Warren, assistant general manager of programming for WXPN. “Of the many great rising stars in Philly, this band is starting to make friends and fans quickly. Feisty, independent and fun, their self-titled debut is a unique collection of acoustic based ‘hootenany rock’.”

Says WXPN music director Dan Reed, “From gospel rave-ups and rootsy rock-leaning Americana pop, to soulful ‘power-folk’ ballads, the album mixes many styles of music that has a singular voice of its own. And onstage, the band exudes an explosiveness that is a cross between an old-school punk rock show and a revival tent meeting. It’s a revivalism that has a rock ‘n’ roll energy to it that is completely their own. We want more listeners and lovers of music to get turned onto Hoots & Hellmouth.”

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.