Reef the Lost Cauze | Photo by John Vettese

In this week’s Key Studio Session, presented in collaboration with Philly Music Mag, we spotlight Philadelpiha powerhouse rappper Reef the Lost Cauze. This video shoot was his first time performing with live musicians – PMM-curated house band featuring Elliot “El Smooth” Garland (keys), Charlie “Chaz Patz” Patierno (drums) and Rhodney “Rah M. Sungee” Miller (bass) – and the resulting set is electrifying. Check out the video below to see Reef perform three songs and talk about his music – from using hiphop as a means of channeling anger, to making a living out of being an MC – and download the three songs, engineered by WXPN’s Chris Williams. And catch Reef the Lost Cauze on Thursday, October 11, at the Balcony bar at The Trocadero.

• Philly Cousinsby Reef the Lost Cauze, from the Key Studio Sessions, Sept. 26, 2012Download

• This Is My Lifeby Reef the Lost Cauze, from the Key Studio Sessions, Sept. 26, 2012Download

• The Sound of Philadelphiaby Reef the Lost Cauze, from the Key Studio Sessions, Sept. 26, 2012Download

Ethel Cee | Photo by John Vettese

In this week’s Key Studio Session, presented in collaboration with Philly Music Mag, we delve into the world of Philly emcee, Ethel Cee. Her latest release is the Seven Thirty EP, recorded with South Philly production guru Dumhi, and for this series, she performed with a PMM-curated house band featuring musicians Elliot “El Smooth” Garland (keys), Charlie “Chaz Patz” Patierno (drums) and Rhodney “Rah M. Sungee” Miller (bass). Check out the video below to see Ethel perform three songs and talk about her background as a performer – from crafting song titles that stand out from the pack, to making music from Fela Kuti samples – and download the three songs, engineered by WXPN’s Chris Williams.

Video by Philly Music Mag – phillymusicmagazine.com

• 150by Ethel Cee from The Key Studio Sessions, Sept. 19, 2012Download

• Coke And Yogaby Ethel Cee from The Key Studio Sessions, Sept. 19, 2012Download

• End It On Thisby Ethel Cee from The Key Studio Sessions, Sept. 19, 2012Download

This month’s Key Studio VIDEO Session features The Bailey Hounds, the Philadelphia-based gothic Americana band that released its first full-length record, Along the Gallows, last Halloween. In our interview, singer-guitarist Ryan Petrillo talks about his fascination with the horror genre, how he and his bandmates have learned to apply it to their songwriting process, and their camaraderie with the Philadelphia music scene. We also see The Bailey Hounds performing three original songs in our studio – “Those Devils Don’t Scare Me,” “Along The Gallows,” “Dead and Gone” – and a cover of Pantera’s “The Great Southern Trendkill.” Watch the video and download the session below, and catch The Bailey Hounds at the XPoNential Music Festival this Saturday; they play The Key Stage at the Susquehanna Bank Center at 8 p.m.

Key Studio Video Session – Bailey Hounds from WXPN FM on Vimeo.

Video by Bob Giardini – bobg-media.com

• Those Devils Don't Scare Meby The Bailey Hounds, from The Key Studio Sessions, July 18, 2012Download

• Dead and Goneby The Bailey Hounds, from The Key Studio Sessions, July 18, 2012Download

• The Murder Songby The Bailey Hounds, from The Key Studio Sessions, July 18, 2012Download

• Along the Gallowsby The Bailey Hounds, from The Key Studio Sessions, July 18, 2012Download

This month’s Key Studio VIDEO Session spotlights Panic Years, the Philadelphia-based alt-rock band that just released its first full-length record, The Month’s Mind. In our interview, founding members Edward Everett and Amy Miller talk about the importance of chemistry in the band’s songwriting process; taking risks and stretching its sound on the new album; and the introspective undercurrent of The Month’s Mind. We also see Panic Years performing three songs from the album in our studio – the Pixies-esque “Qualia,” the synthpoppy “Two Hearts” and the anthemic rocker “Anomie.” Watch the video and download the session below, and look for local appearances from Panic Years later this summer, when they return from their first national tour.

Key Studio Video Session – The Panic Years from WXPN FM on Vimeo.

Video by Bob Giardini | bobg-media.com

• Control the Actionby Panic Years from The Key Studio Sessions, June 20, 2012Download

• Qualiaby Panic Years from The Key Studio Sessions, June 20, 2012Download

• Two Heartsby Panic Years from The Key Studio Sessions, June 20, 2012Download

• Anomieby Panic Years from The Key Studio Sessions, June 20, 2012Download

Photo by Eric Ashleigh

This month’s Key Studio VIDEO Session spotlights Carsie Blanton, a free-spirited singer-songwriter who for the past six years has called Philadelphia home. This year she self-released her third album, Idiot Heart, and in our interview, Carsie talks about the album’s central ideas of bravery and passion, tells us about working with nationally-renowned producers The Wood Brothers, and recalls an exciting string of gigs opening for Paul Simon. We also see Carsie and her band performing three songs from the album in our studio. Watch the video and download the session below, and catch Carsie and her band in concert at Phoenixville’s Steel City Coffee House on May 25.

• Idiot Heartby Carsie Blanton from The Key Studio Sessions, May 9, 2012Download

• Smoke Alarmby Carsie Blanton from The Key Studio Sessions, May 9, 2012Download

• Triggerby Carsie Blanton from The Key Studio Sessions, May 9, 2012Download

• Backboneby Carsie Blanton from The Key Studio Sessions, May 9, 2012Download

Video by Bob Giardini | bobg-media.com

This month’s Key Studio VIDEO Session spotlights Chill Moody, an emerging Philadelphia rapper who’s built his spot from the ground up in the city’s vibrant hip-hop community. In our interview, Chill tells us about the musical influences he absorbed growing up in West Philly, his do-it-yourself method to cultivating an enthusiastic fan base, and the origins of “nice things,” his self-styled slang. We also see Chill and his band performing three songs at MilkBoy Studio, engineered by JoeLogic and Karl Petersen. Watch the video and download the session below, and catch Chill and his band in concert tonight at the Pool in Harrah’s Casino in Atlantic City, or on the Roots Picnic lineup on June 3.

Video by Bob Giardini | bobg-media.com

• Cottonby Chill Moody from The Key Studio Sessions, April 18, 2012Download

• Suicide Barzby Chill Moody from The Key Studio Sessions, April 18, 2012Download

• A Good Thingby Chill Moody from The Key Studio Sessions, April 18, 2012Download

• Ruling The Worldby Chill Moody from The Key Studio Sessions, April 18, 2012Download

• Inspiredby Chill Moody from The Key Studio Sessions, April 18, 2012Download

Photo by Madeleine Lesperance

This month’s Key Studio VIDEO Session spotlights Buried Beds, a staple of West Philadelphia’s indie-rock community fronted by singer-songwriters Brandon Beaver and Eliza Jones. In our interview, Beaver and Jones tell us about the friendship that led them on a journey from folk duo to rock ensemble. They also discuss their fondness for meticulous, challenging, prog-rock style playing, and perform three songs from their new Small Stories EP. Watch the video below, and download a track from Small Stories here.

Key Studio Sessions #8 – Buried Beds from WXPN FM on Vimeo.

For this month’s Key Studio Video Session, we profiled Arrah and the Ferns, the country-tinged four piece that self-released its latest EP, Soldier Ghost, in fall of 2011. In our interview, singer-guitarist Arrah Fisher talks about coming to Philadelphia from Muncie, Indiana; finding her voice as a songwriter; and the affinity for old country music she discovered after moving to a new city. Watch the video and download the Key Studio Session below, and catch the band in concert on March 2 when it plays Milkboy Philly.

Key Studio Sessions #7 – Arrah and the Ferns from WXPN FM on Vimeo. Video produced by Bob Giardini.

• Waterproof Gold Watchby Arrah and the Ferns from The Key Studio Sessions, February 8, 2012Download

• Wake Upby Arrah and the Ferns from The Key Studio Sessions, February 8, 2012Download

• Deerby Arrah and the Ferns from The Key Studio Sessions, February 8, 2012Download

• Soldier Ghostby Arrah and the Ferns from The Key Studio Sessions, February 8, 2012Download

Last night, Arrah And The Ferns dropped by the XPN studios to record a Key Studio Video Session. In addition to the audio and video, we were able to shoot a few photos. As a preview, you can check out the photos above; the full session will be posted in a few weeks.

Photo by John Vettese

For this month’s Key Studio Video Session, we profiled Pink Skull, the Philladelphia indie-dance quintet that, last year, released its third album, Psychic Welfare, on RVNG Int’l Records. In our video, band leaders Julian Grefe and J.G. Geller talk about bridging the divide between hooky pop songs and expansive disco epics, the growth of the electronica scene in Philadelphia, and the origins of their “music for record-store nerds.” Watch the video below and download their performance from December’s Key Studio Sessions Live concert at Johnny Brenda’s.

Key Studio Video Session #6 – Pink Skull from WXPN FM on Vimeo.

• Oh, Monorailby Pink Skull from The Key Studio Sessions, Jan. 18, 2012Download

• Summer Readingby Pink Skull from The Key Studio Sessions, Jan. 18, 2012Download

• El Topoby Pink Skull from The Key Studio Sessions, Jan. 18, 2012Download

• If You Know Can, Then I Guess You Really Know Musicby Pink Skull from The Key Studio Sessions, Jan. 18, 2012Download

• Janine Aubergineby Pink Skull from The Key Studio Sessions, Jan. 18, 2012Download

• Peter Cushingby Pink Skull from The Key Studio Sessions, Jan. 18, 2012Download

• Hot Bubblegumby Pink Skull from The Key Studio Sessions, Jan. 18, 2012Download

For this month’s Key Studio Video Session, we profiled mewithoutYou, the Upper Darby-bred experimental five-piece that bridges the divide between raw, introspective punk rock and lush, Neutral Milk Hotel-esque indie symphonies. This year, they celebrated ten years as a band, and in the spring they plan to release their as-yet untitled fifth album, recorded over the summer with Daniel Smith of Danielson – it’s their first since 2009′s It’s All Crazy! It’s All False! It’s All A Dream! It’s Allright. In our session, the bandmates reflect on their first decade together, discuss the forthcoming album and preview three new songs from it. They also played two favorites from Brother, Sister and Catch For Us the Foxes, which you can stream or download below. Catch the band on Friday Dec. 30 when they play the Theater of Living Arts for a pre-New Years’ co-headlining show with Thursday.

Key Studio Video Session #5 – Me Without You from WXPN FM on Vimeo.

• In A Sweater Poorly Knitby mewithoutYou from The Key Studio Sessions, Dec. 21, 2011Download

• Tie Me Up! Untie Me!by mewithoutYou from The Key Studio Sessions, Dec. 21, 2011Download

Last week, the experimental quintet mewithoutyou dropped by the XPN studios to record a Key Studio Video Session. In addition to the audio and video, we were able to shoot a few photos. As a preview, you can check out the photos below; the full session will be posted in a few weeks.

For more photos by Eric Ashleigh, visit lefte.co.

The Key Studio Session #4 – Ben Smith from WXPN FM on Vimeo.

• Let's Tempt Fateby Ben Smith from The Key Studio Sessions, Nov. 9, 2011Download

• Wine, Women, Songby Ben Smith from The Key Studio Sessions, Nov. 9, 2011Download

• Love Potion No. 10by Ben Smith from The Key Studio Sessions, Nov. 9, 2011Download

• Hollywood Wouldn't Lieby Ben Smith from The Key Studio Sessions, Nov. 9, 2011Download

Photo by Eric Ashleigh

For this month’s Key Studio Video Session, we profiled the funk-punk-hiphop force of nature that is Black Landlord. On the heels of its fantastic new EP, What You Mean to We, the nine-piece band headlined our inaugural Key Studios Sessions Live Concert last month. In our interview, charismatic frontman Maxx Stoyanoff-Williams (formerly of Incognegro and The Goats) shares his thoughts on rocking crowds, playing party music with substance, and being viewed as Philadelphia’s house band. Stream and download highlights from band’s set and watch our video below; download the entire performance as a ZIP file here.

The Key Studio Session #3 – Black Landlord from WXPN FM on Vimeo.

• Grandmomsby Black Landlord, from The Key Studio Sessions, 10/12/11Download

• Watch Outby Black Landlord, from The Key Studio Sessions, 10/12/11Download

• My Moms, My Pops and the Cheesesteakby Black Landlord, from The Key Studio Sessions, 10/12/11Download

• Mind Over Matterby Black Landlord, from The Key Studio Sessions, 10/12/11Download

• Last Nightby Black Landlord, from The Key Studio Sessions, 10/12/11Download

Photo by Michelle Holshue

For this month’s Key Studio Video Session, we profiled Blayer PointduJour and The Rockers Galore. A musician with roots in Hatian kompa music, reggae, and punk, PointduJour has been a longtime side player in Philly acts like Miss Argentina and Phil Moore Brown. This band provides the first showcase of his own songwriting, and its Port Au Prince EP is being released on Philebrity Label. Download the full performance below and catch the band in action at its vinyl release show this Saturday, Sept. 17, at PhilaMOCA.

• Mansion Partyby Blayer PointduJour and the Rockers Galore, from The Key Studio Sessions, 9/14/11Download

• Gunz of Phillyby Blayer PointduJour and the Rockers Galore, from The Key Studio Sessions, 9/14/11Download

• Iron Dreadby Blayer PointduJour and the Rockers Galore, from The Key Studio Sessions, 9/14/11Download

• Trash Talkerby Blayer PointduJour and the Rockers Galore, from The Key Studio Sessions, 9/14/11Download

Port Au Prince EP by blayerpdj

Black Landlord

In conjunction with our first Key Studio Video Session—featuring the Downingtown PA-based indie/folk trio Sisters 3—we’re happy to announce our inaugural “Key Studio Sessions Live” concert. The local music showcase will feature three XPN favorites: Black Landlord, Work Drugs, and Hezekiah Jones + Andrew Lipke. The performances will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, September 12th, at World Cafe Live; registration is free.

Funding for The Key Studio Sessions, The Key Studio Video Sessions, and The Key Studio Sessions Live comes from a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, as part of its Knight Arts Challenge, a $9 million initiative supporting innovative projects that inspire and enrich Philadelphia’s communities.

Key Studio Video Session: Sisters 3 from WXPN FM on Vimeo.

For our inaugural Key Studio Video Session, we profiled longtime XPN favorites Sisters 3. The Sadler siblings—Annachristie, Beatrice and Cassandra—are known largely for their collaborative work among the Philadelphia folk community, backing up Hoots And Hellmouth, Hezekiah Jones, and more with their three-part harmonies. But their second full-length album, Coruscate At The Meadow Gate, showcases a range stretching from driving indie-rock to pure pop. Above, you can stream the video; below, download the full performance, recorded with the tight rhythm section of Todd Erk on bass and Mike Bardzik (formerly of Philly punks The Boils) on drums.

• Wolfpackfrom The Key Studio Sessions, 8/10/11Download

• Meadow Gatefrom The Key Studio Sessions, 8/10/11Download

• Apocalypsefrom The Key Studio Sessions, 8/10/11Download

• Pleased To Meet Youfrom The Key Studio Sessions, 8/10/11Download

• Wolf Motherfrom The Key Studio Sessions, 8/10/11Download