WXPN Features The Head and the Heart as the XPN Artist To Watch for April

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Created on Friday, 01 April 2011 14:51

PHILADELPHIA, PA - WXPN, the nationally-recognized leader in Triple A music and non-commercial radio service of the University of Pennsylvania, names The Head and The Heart as its April Artist To Watch. WXPN Assistant Music Director and On-Air Host Mike Vasilikos presented the first of the month's on-air segments today, Friday, April 1, in the 4 p.m. hour.

After meeting by chance at an open mic in Seattle, this group of five has quickly gone from merely acquaintances to a popular band on the rise. Featuring Josiah Johnson and Jon Russell on lead vocals, Charity Thielen on vocals and violin, Tyler Williams on percussion, and Kenny Hensley on piano, The Head and The Heart weaves together a sound that is not only modern and fun but is reminiscent of such classics as The Beatles and Crosby Stills Nash and Young. After releasing their self-titled debut album, The Head and The Heart sat atop local charts and soon were opening for Vampire Weekend at Seattle's Paramount Theater. This rapid rise in fame was accompanied by features at SXSW and a spot on World Cafe with David Dye this past March. With their classic folk harmonies, driving rhythms, and melodic piano underscores, this group could easily continue down the path towards being the next big name in folk rock.

"Seattle's The Head and the Heart have captured our heads and our hearts! They've recorded an honest, sweet and well crafted album steeped in classic singer-songwriter traditions but with a very current appeal," says Bruce Warren, Assistant General Manager of Programming for WXPN. "The harmonies shine and the melodies linger on their acoustic-based indie pop debut. The sextet's playing is diverse and warm sounding and underlying what appears to be the simplicity of their sound is a complex artistic and musical statement."

"The Head and The Heart have produced a highly engaging album full of tunes with personality and passion," says Dan Reed. "Their live shows are getting rave reviews, and their harmonies are fantastic."

For more on the XPN Artists 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.