Pick of the Day: 7/10/09

Every weekday at 1:30 PM listen up for the Philly Local Pick of the Day, an especially rockin' sample track from the plethora of hot new tunes Philadelphia has to offer.

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Pick of the Day: 7/8/09

The Jellybricks
"More to Lose"

Just weeks after releasing their debut full-length, Kinky Boots Beast,
in 1997, the Jellybricks found themselves sharing the stage with the likes of the Goo Goo Dolls, Live, and Fuel. Their steady succession of tours and albums since then has given the ‘bricks ample time to hone their craft, as demonstrated on 2008’s Goodnight to Everyone. Jelly fever has been reinvigorated with the release – and subsequent viral diaspora – of the band’s video for “Ruin Us,” created entirely in the video game Rock Band using avatars resembling band members. Oh, Jellybricks! When will the tricks up your sleeve run out?

UnderCover: 7/10/09

One of the best parts of music is hearing your favorite artist or band cover a classic. That is why for today's UnderCover set, we are bringing you artists who have perfected the art of covering a song.

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Song: "The Crystal Ship"

Covered By: Nicole Atkins

“The Chrystal Ship,” the B-Side of the Doors’ iconic “Light My Fire,” was supposedly written for Jim Morrison’s first love, Mary Werbelo, during their breakup. Since its release, the song has been covered by Duran Duran, George Winston, Joe Perry, and most recently, Nicole Atkins.

Nicole who? Nicole Atkins is an up-and-coming Central Jersey-based singer-songwriter who has garnered too many comparisons for any one of them to be properly descriptive. After a bidding war, she was picked up by Columbia, who then sent her to Sweden to record her debut LP, Neptune City. Her latest release, Nicole Atkins Digs Other People’s Songs, features this Doors cover, as well as covers of Nada Surf, the Mamas & the Papas, and Church.

Digging Deeper 7/10/09: Farewell Flight

You've probably heard the name in a magazine article or heard background music that catches your ear. If you have not gotten the chance to find out just who that artist everyone's talking about truly is...Digging deeper, we'll help you become one of those people in the know.

Wednesday 7/8/09

Farewell Flight

Today, we dig deeper into Harrisburg’s Farewell Flight, known as one of Pennsylvania’s hardest working acts because of their relentless tour schedule and do-it-yourself ethic – they recorded their EPs in singer Luke Foley’s bedroom and have self-released all their music. Their debut 2008 album, Sound.Color.Motion, received substantial critical acclaim, including a 10/10 from Sylinepress.net. The magic of Farewell Flight might best be described by this post on the Farewell Flight MySpace page:

"That song Lullaby for Insomniacs is magical or something cause yesterday I got a headache in 4th block 20 min. before school let out and I was with my friend in his truck waiting to get out of the parking lot and I didn't feel good and my friend just who had seen you guys recently hands me some headphones and says "listen to this song it'll help your headache" and I'm thinking bullsh*t I listen to it and it made my headache go away when the song was done I felt great man."
- MySpace user Derek AKA Squeegee

York Fire needs Family Assistance efforts

On Wednesday a fire in York ripped through a series of row homes leading to upwards of $2.6 million in damage. The fire damaged 15 row homes. Relief efforts are currently underway -

According to the York Daily Record here's how you can help

People interested in donating new or gently used household goods can bring them to First Church of Christ, Scientist, 15 N. Broad St. in York, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Items needed: Kitchen and bathroom supplies, beds, sheets and towels, small dressers, small appliances, kitchen furniture and clothing.

For questions regarding donations, call 586-6943

U-Stor-It, 1331 N. Sherman St. in Springettsbury Township, is taking donations of "gently used" items for fire victims, said Rebekah Sweeney, property manager. Call 840-9369, or stop by 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. They are seeking furniture, clothing and toiletries.

The York-Adams Chapter of the American Red Cross, at 724 S. George St. in York, is coordinating assistance efforts, including emergency shelter, along with housing efforts with the Community Progress Council and furniture and clothing help from the Salvation Army.

My Morning Download 7/10/09 - Katie Herzig

Singer-songwriter Katie Herzig is joining us in two weeks (July 23.24.25) at the XPoNential Music Festival Presented by Subaru. Katie is performing on Saturday the 25th. Her latest album Apple Tree is a strong collection of songs that's both playful and creatively adventurous. Today is the last day to take advantage of early bird ticket prices so get your tickets today here.

Here's a song from Katie's album -

Hologram - Katie Herzig

My Morning Download 7/9/09 - Sweet Tea

Sweet Tea is a a side project formed between Alex Maas of the Black Angels and Erika Wennerstrom from the Heartless Bastards. They recorded a couple of songs together which are being released on Fat Possum as a limited edition single - Side A is a cover of the classic Tim Hardin song; the B-side is a Ray Price cover of "Crazy Arms." Here's Alex and Erika doing their take on Johnny and June Carter.

If I Were A Carpenter - Sweet Tea

Pick of the Day: 7/8/09

Every weekday at 1:30 PM listen up for the Philly Local Pick of the Day, an especially rockin' sample track from the plethora of hot new tunes Philadelphia has to offer.

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Pick of the Day: 7/8/09

Dan May

"Thunder Road"

Singer-songwriter Dan May’s story is the quintessential saga of the American rock musician: Hard-working young man leaves behind jobs of ice cream truck driving and grave digging for music school, man discovers opera at music school, man launches successful opera career, man has debilitating vocal chord surgery that renders him unfit for opera, man returns to roots and starts playing his own music.

Okay, May’s story may not be so typical. And neither is his music. His rootsy third album, The Long Road Home, is his best yet. With this cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Thunder Road,” May establishes his place on the Springsteen Salute album, on which Philly’s local musicians pay tribute to the Boss.

UnderCover 7/8/09

One of the best parts of music is hearing your favorite artist or band cover a classic. That is why for today's UnderCover set, we are bringing you artists who have perfected the art of covering a song.
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Song: "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"
Covered By: Devo



We all know the classic, swaggery jam by the Rolling Stones. So what happens when a systematically swagger-less band (after all, they are not men, they are Devo) covers the song? Devo released this cover as a B-side of their first single, "Mongoloid." Their take on “Satisfaction” is an interesting one, complete with Devo’s signature 70s synths and singer Mark Mothersbaugh’s jolty vocals. What would Mick Jagger think?

Remote Broadcast: Andrew Lipke at Reading Terminal Market

Today, we are broadcasting from Reading Terminal Market at 12th & Arch St. with a free concert from XPoNential Music Festival Presented by Subaru guest Andrew Lipke. Come brave the beautiful weather to see Lipke with his folk-rock outfit The Prospects from noon-1:00, or if you’re lazy, simply tune in to hear the show. If you like what you hear, get your tickets to the festival while Early Bird pricing is still available! Andrew Lipke and the Prospects perform at the festival on Sunday, July 26.

Digging Deeper 7/8/09: Illinois

You've probably heard the name in a magazine article or heard background music that catches your ear. If you have not gotten the chance to find out just who that artist everyone's talking about truly is...Digging deeper, we'll help you become one of those people in the know.

Wednesday 7/8/09
Illinois



Less than a year after self-releasing their debut EP, Revenge of Some Kid, Bucks County’s Illinois were signed by Ace Fu Records in early 2007. Since then, they released another EP (What the Hell Do I Know), had a song (“Nosebleed”) featured on Weeds, and toured America with the Kooks. Their latest release, The Adventures of Kid Catastrophe, arrived in “chapters,” fractions of the album released with an accompanying video once a month starting last November. Confusing? Absolutely. Good music? Totally.

My Morning Download 7/8/09 - Magnolia Electric Co.

The new album by Magnolia Electric Co. is out on July 21st on Secretly Canadian. Josephine is a concept album; a tribute to bassist Evan Farrell who toured & performed with the band as well as playing bass for Rogue Wave. Lead singer/songwriter Jason Molina is in excellent songwriting form on this album and as a special bonus for music fans, Philly's very own Slo-Mo (Mike Brenner) plays dobro and lap steel on the album. Here's the title song from MEC's forthcoming release.

Josephine - Magnolia Electric Co.

Philly's George Stanford - Cover of The Month

One of our favorite XPN Locals George Stanford offers this sweet "cover of the month" of the James & Bobby Purify classic, "I'm Your Puppet."

I'm Your Puppet - George Stanford

And in case you missed it, he has some fun with this summer classic, "Under The Boardwalk."

Under The Boardwalk - George Stanford

My Morning Download 7/7/09 - Spiral Stairs

Pavement co-founder Scott Kannberg, aka Spiral Stairs, makes his solo debut with an October 20 album release of The Real Feel on Matador. Matador Records wants you to know that no raccoons were harmed during the making of the album artwork.

Maltese Terrier - Spiral Stairs

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Pick of the Day: 7/6/09

Every weekday at 1:30 PM listen up for the Philly Local Pick of the Day, an especially rockin' sample track from the plethora of hot new tunes Philadelphia has to offer.

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Pick of the Day: 7/6/09

American Babies

"Backstreets"

In belated July 4th Spirit, today’s XPN Pick of the Day is another Bruce Springsteen cover for the Springsteen Salute album, this time by Tom Hamilton’s American Babies outfit. Hamilton and Co. put their mellow rootsy spin on “Backstreets,” an urban love ballad in the true Springsteen vein. For information about American Babies, see the post from last Wednesday, when they were also the featued Pick of the Day.

What’s that you say? “Wow, American Babies were the Pick of the Day twice in less than one week? I have to check them out!” Well, faithful listener, purchase your ticket to the XPoNential Music Festival Sponsored by Subaru at early bird pricing, and you’ll be able to see American Babies on Saturday, July 25, for cheap.

Undercover 7/6/09

One of the best parts of music is hearing your favorite artist or band cover a classic. That is why for today's UnderCover set, we are bringing you artists who have perfected the art of covering a song.
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UnderCover July 6, 2009

Song: I Want You Back
Covered By: Discovery

“I Want You Back,” a timeless classic by the Jackson 5, provides a reminder of MJ in a simpler time – a young, fresh, smiling Jackson, with a fro and paisley bellbottoms. Or simply, Michael before the madness. Since the icon’s recent death, songs such as these have taken on new meaning and relevance as both indespensible parts of the American music repertoire and relics of a man whose profound talent once landed him on top of the world.



A cover of “I Want You Back,” recorded by new band Discovery before Jackson’s death, also gains on a haunting relevance, layered under the unapolagetically saturated synths. Discovery is the side project of Vampire Weekend keyboardist Rostam Batmanglij and Ra Ra Riot singer Wes Miles. Their debut album, LP, is out tomorrow on XL Recordings.

Who Is Major Lazer?

One of the new records we've started playing on XPN is the new release from Major Lazer called Guns Don't Kill People... Lazers Do on Philly's Mad Decent Records. Major Lazer is actually the producer/DJ duo of Switch and Diplo, best known for their work with M.I.A and the hit 'Paper Planes', as well as production work for the likes of Santogold, Amanda Blank, Bondo do Role and Tricky. "Guns" is an incredibly adventurous collection of songs that mixes hip-hop, reggae and dancehall that explodes with creativity and some serious beats. Santigold and Blank are featured on the album along with other guests including Nina Sky, Ricky Blaze and others. Major Lazer is digital dancefloor grooves gone crazy, an album that redefines the idea of musical globalization.

The story goes something like this:
Major Lazer is a Jamaican commando who lost his arm in the secret Zombie War of 1984. The US military rescued him and repurposed experimental lazers as prosthetic limbs. Since then Major Lazer has been a hired renegade soldier for a rogue government operating in secrecy underneath the watch of M5 and the CIA. His cover is that of a dancehall night club owner from Trinidad and he enlisted the help of long-time allies Diplo and Switch, to produce his first LP. His true mission is to protect the world from the dark forces of evil that live just under the surface of a civilized society. He fights vampires and various monsters, parties hard, and has a rocket powered skateboard.

Hold The Line - Major Lazer

The Fader interview with Major Lazer & Mad Decent Records

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Digging Deeper 7/6/09: Buckwheat Zydeco

You've probably heard the name in a magazine article or heard background music that catches your ear. If you have not gotten the chance to find out just who that artist everyone's talking about truly is...Digging deeper, we'll help you become one of those people in the know.

Monday 7/6/09
Buckwheat Zydeco

As far as zydeco musicians go, Buckwheat Zydeco is a superstar. The accordionist, born Stanley Dural, Jr., may as well be the Elvis of the traditional Lousiana Creole music genre. Haven’t heard of him? That’s because zydeco, despite its widely appealing upbeat and bluesy sound, has never achieved much mainstream popularity.

The relative obscurity of the zydeco genre has not limited the steady success of its superstar. With and without his Ils Sont Partis Band, Buckwheat has been nominated for four Grammys. He has toured with Eric Clapton, U2, Robert Cray, and Los Lobos, and he performed at the closing ceremony of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics to an audience that encompassed nearly half of Earth’s population. In pure Lousiana revelry, Buckwheat also played both of Bill Clinton’s inaugurations.

His latest album, Lay Your Burden Down, features a mix of originals and covers ranging from Led Zeppelin (“When the Levee Breaks”) to the Gov’t Mule title track.

My Morning Download 7/6/09 - The Doves

The recent album from Doves is one of 2009's most underrated records. While the original version of the title song is cinematic and Spaghetti-Western-esque it gets a remix from Still Going that takes the original to another place. Check it out here:

Kingdom Of Rust (Still Going Remix) - The Doves

Via NME

My Morning Download 7/3/09 - Blue Roses

Blue Roses is Laura Groves from Yorkshire, UK. A fan of Joni Mitchell, Laura creates ambient based "singer-songwriter" music that's sensual, sad and simply gorgeous. Here's a song taken from her self-titled debut album coming out on XL Records.

Doubtful Comforts - Blue Roses

The Mid-Day Download - Slimfit

One of our favorite local discoveries last year in the Central PA area (hailing from Lancaster) is the band alt-country band Slimfit. The band are part of Freedom Fest this Saturday, July 4th. Slimfit are part of a great lineup that includes headliner Danielia Cotton and other bands including Perkasie, The Free Press and They Were Only Satellites. 12 bands are playing and the music starts at 3:30. Complete lineup can be found here.

Slimfit sent us a fantastic new song from their upcoming record due in September - check it out here:

Damp Powder - Slimfit

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My Morning Download 7/2/09 - Esser

Who is Esser and why are so many people saying he's released the song of the summer? The 23 year-old London based electro-popper is turning some heads with this infectious little dance song called "Headlock" from his album Braveface. He may look like he stole his hairdo from the 80's, but his songs are very 21st century.

Headlock - Esser
Via Spinner

Pick of the Day: 7/1/09

Every weekday at 1:30 PM listen up for the Philly Local Pick of the Day, an especially rockin' sample track from the plethora of hot new tunes Philadelphia has to offer.
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Pick of the Day: 7/1/09

American Babies

"Swimming at Night”

Though not an actual baby, singer-guitarist Tom Hamilton is young – he’s in his twenties, and he’s already met considerable success as the frontman of American Babies. The band, which includes drummer Joe Russo of the Benevento-Russo Duo and an excellent vibraphone player (yes, vibes), plays subtle, rootsy americana behind Hamilton’s sweet baritone.

American Babies perform at the XPoNential Music Festival Presented by Subaru on Saturday, July 25 (if you haven’t yet gotten the hint, buy a ticket already!). Be sure to watch these babies crawl from the crib to the spotlight.

Attention Local Musicians: Gap's Born to Play Concert Series

Have you ever had trouble deciding between performing your music and shopping for accessible, clasically cool clothing on a Thursday? Your problems are solved!

On Thursday, August 20, every Gap retail store in the United States and Canada will host an exclusive acoustic concert in a series called Born to Play. For local performers, this is a great opportunity to gain exposure and possibly win the chance to work with producer John Alagia (Dave Matthews Band, Ben Folds Five, John Mayer, O.A.R.), as well as free Gap wardrobe. Performers will be able to sell CDs at the event and get their music into the hands of thousands of Gap employees through an exclusive employee website.

Believe it or not, the original Gap store sold both records and clothes forty years ago in San Fransisco (a bastion of both jeans and music in the 1960s), beginning a deep-rooted tradition of Gap support for music.

Performers must provide an unplugged acoustic set with no explicit lyrics and no more than four performers. Submit your music for consideration as soon as possible. Learn more about the even here.

Jimi Hendrix displays the timeless marriage of rock music and jeans

Digging Deeper: 7/1/09: Wilco

You've probably heard the name in a magazine article or heard background music that catches your ear. If you have not gotten the chance to find out just who that artist everyone's talking about truly is...Digging deeper, we'll help you become one of those people in the know.

Wednesday 7/1/09

Wilco

Wilco was born like a phoenix from the ashes of alt-country outfit Uncle Tupelo, retaining all members save singer Jay Farrar after his departure. Former backup singer-guitarist Jeff Tweedy took the reins as the frontman of the new musical incarnation, which they named Wilco for the radio voice procedure for “I will comply.” The Chicago-based band has since released seven studio albums and one live album, including the acclaimed Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002), which was ranked the best album of the year by the Village Voice and amoung the 100 best albums of all time by Q Magazine, and A Ghost Is Born (2004), which won two Grammys, including Best Alternative Music Album.

Yesterday, June 30, Wilco released Wilco (The Album), their seventh studio full-length. The album features more experimental production work a duet with Canadian indie chanteuse Feist, whom they met at the 50th Grammy Awards.

Wilco (The Album) is XPN's Featured Album this week, so become a member with a $75 pledge and receive a copy along with the other benefits of membership.

Leicht Lunch 7/1/09

Today's Leicht Lunch is a personal journey. The theme is "songs that define your favorite artist." Thanks to Dustin in Marlton, New Jersey for starting off the requests with John Lennon's "Imagine."

Philly Local Hour Playlist: 6/30/09

Every Tuesday night at 9pm tune into XPN to listen to the Philly Local Hour with Helen Leicht. A full hour of local music, you will hear classics and the newest music on the Philly scene. In case you missed the show last night, here is the complete playlist.

Philly Local Hour 6/30/09

Gillian Grassie - Silken String - Serpentine

Perkasie - Ginger Sobs - Little Pony EP

The Peace Creeps - Bulletproof - Autumn of Love

Rachael Yamagata - Meeting Across the River - Philly Local Artists Salute Bruce Springsteen

Missing Palmer West - Jungleland - Philly Local Artists Salute Bruce Springsteen

The Great Unkown - I'm Not Listening - Milkboy (Compilation)

The Tamboureens - Lily - The Tamboureens

John Francis - The Way the Empire Fell - The Better Angels

Carsie Blanton - Baby Can Dance - Buouy

Gildon Works - Forth But First - Artful Rifle

Lili Anel - Nothing in Common - Hi-Octane Coffee

Hoots & Hellmouth - What Good Are Plowshares If We Use Them Like Swords? - The Holy Open Secret

Jotto - Against the Background - Good Friend Electric

My Morning Download 7/1/09 - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros are a Los Angeles based folk-rock band, fronted by Alex Ebert, formerly of the band Ima Robot. The Zeros include as many as 11 or 12 people as members of their rolling thunder revue and their debut album Up From Below comes out on July 14th on . The album is a wonderful collection of indierockhippie songs that will appeal to fans of Bright Eyes, Dylan, The Band and as a result of the large amount of members in the band they bring to mind a rootsier version of Arcade Fire or Polyphonic Spree.
This band has definitely got some amazing songs going on Community Music/Fairfax Recordings and they perform in Philly on August 8th.

40 Day Dream - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
via Spinner.com

Pick of the Day: 6/30/09

Every weekday at 1:30 PM listen up for the Philly Local Pick of the Day, an especially rockin' sample track from the plethora of hot new tunes Philadelphia has to offer.
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Pick of the Day: 6/30/09

Carsie Blanton
"Please"

Dubbed “Philadelphia’s best-kept secret” by the Philadelphia Daily News, singer-songwriter Carsie Blanton grew up on a rural ex-cattle farm in Virginia listening to a variety of music. After a stint in Eugene, Oregon, where she held a number of odd-jobs including dog grooming to support her starving-artist lifestyle, Blanton landed in Philadelphia in 2006. Since then, she has shared the stage with John Oates, the Wood Brothers, and Amos Lee. Her forthcoming album, Bouy, is due out in July.

Leicht Lunch 6/30/09

Today on Leicht Lunch, we present a memory of this day in Spectrum history:

On June 30, 1975, the Rolling Stones played the second of two back-to-back shows at the Spectrum, to which they have not since returned. To commemorate this momentous moment in Philly’s rock heritage, we played “Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker),” “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” and “Gimme Shelter.” We salute you, Stones.

Undercover 6/30/09

One of the best parts of music is hearing your favorite artist or band cover a classic. That is why for today's UnderCover set, we are bringing you artists who have perfected the art of covering a song.
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UnderCover June 30, 2009

Song: Stairway to Heaven
Covered By: Rodrigo y Gabriela

We’ve all heard “Stairway to Heaven.” Led Zeppelin’s 1971 classic has topped countless “Best Rock Song of All Time” polls and is the top-requested song on American FM radio. “Stairway” was the song that defined a rock and roll generation, the anthem that still shakes the speakers of parents’ record players, and a classic that still enraptures kids discovering rock music.

Given this, would a flamenco-tinged instrumental classical guitar cover of “Stairway to Heaven” be blasphemous? Not if it’s as good as Mexican duo Rodrigo y Gabriela’s driving, fast-paced rendition.

Lead guitarist Rodrigo Sánchez’s take on Jimmy Page’s iconic solo makes it seem as if the song were originally written by Paco de Lucía. Unsatisfied with the Mexico City Scene, Sánchez and rhythm guitarist Gabriela Quintero moved to Dublin, where they were discovered and taken on tour by Irishman Damien Rice. After immense success in Ireland, the duo is starting to take roots in the states, due in part to the popularity of the Rodrigo y Gabriela album, which includes the cover of “Stairway.”

Digging Deeper 6/30/09: The Jayhawks

You've probably heard the name in a magazine article or heard background music that catches your ear. If you have not gotten the chance to find out just who that artist everyone's talking about truly is...Digging deeper, we'll help you become one of those people in the know.

Tuesday 6/30/09

The Jayhawks

The Jayhawks have reunited. The Minneapolis-based formed in 1985 but gained notoriety in the 90s with albums like Tomorrow the Green Grass Grows, The Sound of Lies, and Smile. Though received enthusiastically by critics, The Jayhawks never gained immense widespread popularity, prompting a New York Times review of Smile to be titled, “What If You Made a Masterpiece and Nobody Cared?” In the last decade, the band underwent several lineup changes, and though founding members Gary Louris and Mark Olson have since occasionally toured together, The Jayhawks played their last official show in 2003.

Until now. This April, Billboard reported the reunification of the band and its mind-1990s lineup. They have played, or plan to play, a number of festivals, including Basilica Block Party in their hometown of Minneapolis. Today on Digging Deeper, listen out for tracks from the upcoming album, Music from the North Country.

My Morning Download 6/30/09 - Sun Airway

Sun Airway is the groovacious new electro pop project from a couple of the guys from Philly's ultra-suede A-Sides, Jon Barthmus & Patrick Marsceill.

They sound like their name; poppy and full of wonder. They sound like Yes if Panda Bear and Jimmy Tamborello in the band instead of Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman. If you have a soul and believe in magic you will love this. And don't let the Yes part scare you.

Swallowed By The Night - Sun Airway

Zip it here (the full EP is for free!)

And if you miss or missed A-Sides, here's some music:
Diamonds - A-Sides
We're The Trees - A-Sides

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My Morning Download 6/29/09 - The Budos Band

The Budos Band released a new 6-song EP last week that as expected, is smoking. This simmering tune captures the essence of the Budos with a nice Fela Kuti flair.

Proposition - The Budos Band

Buy the EP here

Singer-Songwriter Diane Birch Live Concert

Singer-songwriter Diane Birch took half her lifetime and traveled across the globe to get to America, where she literally found her voice and made her remarkable debut, Bible Belt. Though only in her mid-twenties, Birch likes to think of herself as an “old soul.”

Birch is wowing critics and audiences alike with her unique blend of rock, soul, and pop. Today, it was Philadelphia’s turn as Birch visited the World Café Live stage.

Birch and her band brought with them a powerful live show. Her stage presence was undeniable, and her band only added to her raw power. On “Valentino,” she invited the audience to join her in the hand-clapped intro, and dedicated “Fire Escape,” a song about loss, to the late Michael Jackson. As the show drew to a close, Birch wowed the audience with a stripped down cover of “What is Love” Haddaway’s classic 90s dance tune.

Today's set list...
1. Forgiveness
2. Choo Choo
3. Nothing but a Miracle
4. Fire Escape
5. Ariel
6. Fools
7. Valentino
8. What is Love (solo)

Blog Post from Diane Birch
" Hi Guys-
Thank you for listening and supporting. Michael Jackson RIP. "

Hear the entire concert - recorded live and archived at NPR.org/music. XPN Free At Noon concert rebroadcast Sunday June 28, 2009 at 12noon on WXPN 88.5FM, and XPN.org/listen.

See Diane Birch at World Cafe Live on Sunday night July 19. Buy your tickets here.

Classic Jackson 5 Saturday morning cartoon show

As we remember the incredible Michael Jackson, let us not forget the classic J5 cartoon show.

A new "Buzz" for Snoop Dogg! 6/26

On the Morning Show today we talked about a new, albeit surreal collaboration between moon-walking astronaut Buzz Aldrin and rapper Snoop Dogg, Talib Kweli, and Quincy Jones. This is the interview for his new song called "Rocket Experience." The purpose of this rap is to get children interested in space and to provide funds for his ShareSpace Foundation. This may seem like a mocumentary but it's apparently for real!

My Morning Download 6/26/09 - Howling Bells

Australia's Howling Bells formed in 2004 and include brother and sister Juanita Stein on vocals and guitarist Joel Stein, bassist Brendan Picchio and drummer Glenn Moul. Their new album Radio Wars is their sophomore release on Nettwerk Records. The band's got an edge of darkness running throughout their melodically striking & sonically rich songs. The band recently toured opening for Coldplay. Here's a song & the video of "Cities Burnig Down" from their new album.

Cities Burning Down - Howling Bells