Divers open for Auctioneer at Kung Fu Necktie tonight. The brainchild of local musicians Emily Ann Zeitlyn and Ross Bellenoit, Divers are a new quartet filled out by Tom Bendel (Buried Beds) and Todd Erk (The Weeds). Alternating between wailing, dynamic flourishes and upbeat rock-outs, the Philly band’s still-growing discography of three tracks is an enticing preview of what’s to come. Tickets and information for tonight’s 21+ show with Auctioneer and Anna Vogelzang can be found at the WXPN Concert Calendar. Stream “Wild Things” below and right-click here to download it for free.
John Francis
RECENT POSTS
Tonight’s Concert Picks: Up Up Down Down with Hop Along at Union Transfer, XPN Welcomes The City of Love Festival to Underground Arts, River City Extension at Fed Live, XPN Welcomes Bruce Hornsby to the Scottish Rite Auditorium, XPN Welcomes Morrissey to the House of Blues Atlantic City
South Jersey’s Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start reunite for a show at Union Transfer tonight. Ten years ago the math rock / shoegazing-punk outfit released And Nothing is #1 – tonight, they will be playing the record from start to finish, appeasing fans who have patiently waited for the band to resurface after 2007′s Worst Band Name Ever. Tickets and information for the all-ages show with A Great Big Pile of Leaves and Hop Along can be found here. Read yesterday’s interview with Steve Poponi of Up Up Down Down here. Below, stream “By Surprise” from And Nothing is #1.
Listen to John Francis’ appearance on the Leicht Lunch (playing the City of Love festival on 1/12)
Philly singer-songwriter John Francis appeared on The Leicht Lunch on WXPN last week to play some music and chat with host Helen Leicht about The City Of Love Festival, the benefit concert he’s staging at Underground Arts this weekend. With a massive 13-band bill ranging from rapper Kuf Knotz to singer-songwriter Kwesi Kankam and rock foursome The Districts, the show will raise money for Broad Street Ministry and its hospitality initiative to help Philadelphia’s homeless. Below, download Francis’ on-air performance of his song “Just a Moment Ago,” and hear his entire interview with Helen Leicht. For more invormation about the festival, visit WXPN’s concert calendar.
John Francis’ City of Love Festival to benefit local church’s hospitality effort
The Broad Street Ministry
One of the many wonderful things about the Philadelphia music community is its desire to rally around causes and make a difference in the city. As cliched as that sounds, its true – the latest example being hometown musician John Francis‘ new City of Love Festival, benefiting Broad Street Ministry and their “Breaking Bread” hospitality initiative. Amidst debate over whether or not outdoor meal services for the homeless should be allowed in Philadelphia, the Broad Street Ministry has created its own safe haven for the city’s homeless men and women where they can receive a hot meal and a variety of services (including medical attention, art therapy and assistance for veterans) every Thursday afternoon. Continue reading
The 12 Days of Local Christmas: Download “Don’t Tell Me It’s Christmas” by John Francis
WXPN’s Twelve Days of Local Christmas continues today with the song “Don’t Tell Me It’s Christmas” by singer-songwriter John Francis. John has a show with Ben Arnold on New Year’s Eve at Steel City Coffee House in Phoenixville. Francis has also organized the City Of Love Fest on January 12th at Underground Arts to raise funds for the Broad Street Ministry’s hospitality initiative and he hosts the “Magic Hour” singer-songwriter night at Fergie’s Pub every Tuesday evening. The 12 Days of Local Christmas compilation is curated by XPN mid-day host Helen Leicht and the songs will be played daily during My Morning Download on the Morning Show with Michaela Majoun and on Helen’s local pick of the day. You can download the entire Twelve Days of Local Christmas compilation here.
John Francis to open for Loretta Lynn at The Keswick Theater on 11/30
Though he migrated to Nashville to record some records, John Francis got his start in the musical halls of Harrisburg and Philadelphia. The rootsy singer-songwriter released the critically acclaimed The Better Angels in 2010, which he recorded in Johnny Cash’s Nashville studio, and lately he’s been working on a follow-up with a band comprised of musicians who played with James Taylor, Lucinda Williams, JJ Cale, to name a few. When he stopped by for a Key Studio Session in 2010, Francis shared his often critical but always eloquent view on struggle in America; listen to “People on the Edge of the World” below. He brings his heartfelt country-twang to The Keswick Theater when he opens for Loretta Lynn on November 30th. Tickets and information are available here.
Philly prodigal son John Francis returns from Nashville for a performance at St. George’s United Methodist Church on 9/29
After spending time in Nashville to pick up some country roots, Philadelphia native John Francis returns to the City of Brotherly Love Saturday, September 29th at Historic St. George’s United Methodist Church. His latest album, The Better Angels, is an Americana record heavy with themes of justice for the working class hero. Francis’ latest work can be seen on the Johnny Cash Music Festival, a special PBS/ DVD to be released in October. His collaboration with Kris Kristofferson, George Jones, Rosanne Cash, and Gary Morris, “No One Gets Out of Here Alive,” will also be on the DVD. Francis joined The Key December 2010 to perform tracks from The Better Angels for The Key Studio Sessions; below, download a performance of “The Way the Empire Fell” from that session.