2011

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The premier guide for new and significant artists in rock, blues, and folk - including NPR-syndicated World Cafe ®

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WXPN Features Fitz and the Tantrums as the XPN Artist To Watch for February

PHILADELPHIA, PA - WXPN, the nationally-recognized leader in Triple A music and non-commercial radio service of the University of Pennsylvania, names Fitz and the Tantrums as its February Artist To Watch. WXPN Music Director and Host Dan Reed will present the first of the month's on-air segments on Tuesday, February 1, in the 4 p.m. hour.

With a distinctly soulful feel and driving rhythms that are sure to stick with listeners, Fitz and the Tantrums truly impress. The band really delivers with their mix of funky lyrics and energetic musical riffs, and the unique blend of incredible instrumental prowess and powerful vocals excite audiences and are sure to produce long-lasting favorites. The group has toured with Maroon Five and played with Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, and their debut full-length album, Pickin' Up the Pieces, has already been a huge success. With appearances on Last Call with Carson Daly, numerous musical spots on television, and a sold-out show at World Cafe Live, Fitz and the Tantrums are sure to continue to thrill audiences and grow in popularity. Their World Cafe performance and interview are scheduled to air on Thursday, February 17th, and the group has a promising tour in the works for 2011. As they continue creating fabulous tunes, Fitz and the Tantrums are sure to be the voice of a new generation of lovers of funk and soul.

"While Fitz and The Tantrums are being pegged as a `neo-soul' band by some, the band draws on a much wider palette of styles including rock and even 80s New Wave," says Bruce Warren, Assistant General Manager of Programming for WXPN. "Their debut album is fantastic and their live shows are totally entertaining. This is a band that knows the pleasures of putting on a good show and of making a great debut album."

For more on the XPN Artist To Watch series and this month's featured artist click here.

Since 2003, the XPN Artists To Watch series has been a reflection of 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, 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 NPR, and the Peabody Award winning Kids Corner hosted by Kathy O’Connell. WXPN also produces the alternative rock service, Y-Rock On XPN (yrockonxpn.org) as its secondary radio channel in HD. WXPN serves the greater Philadelphia area at 88.5 FM, the Lehigh Valley at 104.9, Worton/Baltimore at 90.5 FM, Lancaster/York at 88.7 FM, Harrisburg at 99.7 FM and the world via online streaming at XPN.org.

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