WXPN Local Picks – Week of September 29, 2025

Every weekday afternoon in the 1:00 hour, WXPN celebrates the Philly-regional music scene with the WXPN Local Picks. That’s when midday host Mike Vasilikos presents a hand-picked new song by an artist rooted in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Delaware. Here’s who Mike has on deck this week! Tune in to hear these songs on the radio every day at 1 p.m., and for more Philly music, don’t miss the WXPN Local Show with John Vettese every Tuesday night at 8 p.m.

Monday 9/29: JR Everhart – “Hard Enough”

Jimmy from Cosmic Guilt is striking on his own with his debut single under his own name, JR Everhart. It’s plucky and country-fried in the way only Jimmy can deliver, and we’ll start the week of Local Picks with it on Monday. [click for more on the band]

Tuesday 9/30: Parts Work – “Trenton”

Hop Along frontperson and songwriter Frances Quinlan and Kyle Pulley, a multi-instrumentalist and co-owner of Headroom Studios, have a stunning new project out called Parts Work. Their debut EP releases in October, and on the lead single, they’re joined by an all-star cast including Dom Angelella, Chrissy Tashjian of Thin Lips, violinist Molly Germer (who’s toured with Japanese Breakfast and Alex G), versatile keys player Logan Roth, and vocalist Chance Milestone. The song references the famed Trenton Makes, The World Takes bridge as a metaphor for scorn and hard-held bitterness. [click for more on the band]

Wednesday 10/1: Dylan Zangwill – “Running The Hell Out”

Classic rock fueled singer-songwriter Dylan Zangwill is 18 and on a serious upward trajectory. On his latest single, “Running The Hell Out,” he teams up with Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie on the production side for a terrifically timeless sound. [click for more on the band]

Thursday 10/2: New Enemies – “Full Stop”

Singer-songwriter, author, and educator Sarah Gulsih did time in the Philly indie scene in the early 20-teens, and returns to the stage in New Enemies, a vibrant and poppy modern rock project. We’ll hear their brand new song “Full Stop” ahead of their Kung Fu Necktie concert on Friday the 3rd. [click for more on the band]

Friday 10/3: Kate Gaffney – “5-Star Beach Bungalow”

About 15 years ago, singer-songwriter Kate Gaffney was a huge force on the WXPN Local scene. She’s bounced around the country in the years since, and has made her way back to the east coast with a richly rustic album called Here By The Ocean. Released digitally in 2023, it gets a new vinyl edition this fall, and Kate is having a “catch and release party” for it at the Fallser Club on Saturday, October 4th with collaborators Chris Kasper and Andrew Lipke. [click for more on the band]