Sunday, July 13

River Stage

Joan Osborne

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Though Joan Osborne is best known for her 1995 Grammy-nominated hit, "One of Us", her two-decade long career has produced a wealth of multi-genre-spanning work. From relative obscurity to Lilith Fair mainstay to venerated cult act, she's worked with country, blues and folk, but she's also dipped into the jam band scene, joining The Dead for a stint in 2003 and performing with Phil Lesh & Friends. Her latest album, 2007's Breakfast in Bed, marks her second album focused on the work of the legendary soul singers of the 70s and 80s, featuring eleven covers and five original songs that evoke the smooth power of Etta James, Gladys Knight and Howlin' Wolf, whose emotional rawness Osborne emulates in her songs.

Set List:
Right Hand Man / Help Me / Broke Down Palace / Hallelujah
Cathedrals / St. Teresa / Baby Love / Heart Of Stone
Ladder / One Of Us / Only You Know / Bury Me
What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted

Website: joanosborne.com | MySpace: myspace.com/joanosborne
Recent Release: Breakfast in Bed | Label: Time-Life
Origin: Anchorage, Kentucky
Listen: Live in Concert XPN Free at Noon
World Cafe: Joan Osborne: Folk-Pop, Familiar and Original
Song Clip: Love's In Need of Love Today
Purchase Joan Osborne from Amazon.com

Shelby Lynne

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Growing up with a bandleader as a father, and harmony-singing instructor as a mother, Shelby Lynne has music in her blood. A presence in country music for 20 years, Lynne has established herself as one of the rare, unwavering voices in the notoriously fickle revolving door of the Nashville music industry. Compared to a diverse group of legends, from Bonnie Raitt to Elvis Costello, Lynne makes music that's enlivened by both her sultry voice and honest delivery. Evidencing the tradition she herself carries, in 2008 Shelby released an album of Dusty Springfield covers titled Just A Little Lovin'.

Set List:
Life Is Bad / Telephone / Your Lies / Leavin'
Breakfast In Bed / Only Wanna Be With You
Willie & Laura Mae Jones / Ten Rocks
Killin' Kind / Jesus

Website: shelbylynne.com/ | MySpace: myspace.com/shelbylynne
Recent Release: Just A Little Lovin' | Release Date: January 29, 2008
Label: Lost Highway
Origin: Quantico, Virginia
World Cafe: Shelby Lynne Dusts Off Springfield Songs
Song Clip: Killing Kind
Purchase Shelby Lynne from Amazon.com

Matt Nathanson

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Following his move from Boston to San Francisco in the early 1990s, Nathanson broke onto the coffeehouse scene with his acoustic guitar and thought-provoking lyrics. Even with his wrenching melodies and independent artist state of mind, he hasn't forgotten his start of big-riff rock, breaking into a Bon Jovi or Kiss cover when the mood strikes. After headlining and opening for acts like John Mayer and Tori Amos Nathanson landed a major record deal for 2003's Beneath These Fireworks, but returned to independent roots for his next album. His 2007 release, Some Mad Hope, marks his 6th release and his first on Vanguard.

Set List:
Car Crash / Gone / Wedding Dress / All We Are
Falling Apart / Detroit Waves / C'mon Get Higher
Answering Machine

Website: mattnathanson.com | MySpace: myspace.com/mattnathanson
Recent Release: Some Mad Hope | Label: Vanguard
Origin: San Francisco
World Cafe: Matt Nathanson: Charming and Sincere
Listen: Live in Concert XPN Free at Noon
Song Clip: Car Crash
Purchase Matt Nathanson from Amazon.com

Ingrid Michaelson

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27-year-old Ingrid Michaelson may be compared to artists Fiona Apple and Regina Spektor, but she has definitely staked out her own territory in the music industry. The New York-based singer-songwriter fuses indie pop, folk and alternative in a smooth and unique way, a quality that first attracted her audience via MySpace. Michaelson began playing the piano when she was five years old and continued training at various schools including Manhattan's Third Street Music School and Dorothy Delson Kuhn Music Institute; throughout high school she worked with vocal coach Elizabeth McCullough.

Though she is currently unsigned by a record label, Michaelson has been gaining recognition from the media. On January 10, 2005 she self-released her debut album Slow the Rain, but her career has taken off with the release of her second album Girls and Boys on May 16, 2006. A few songs from the album were featured on the popular television dramas "Grey's Anatomy" and "One Tree Hill." On September 18, the album was re-released by record label Cabin 24 and in support of the re-release, she performed "The Way I Am" the same week on "Last Call with Carson Daly." This catchy and romantic tune has been extremely successful, making its way onto Old Navy and Chevrolet commercials later in the early fall. The soothing piece peaked at number 6 on iTunes and number 37 on the Billboard Hot 100. She was XPN's Artist to Watch in November 2007.

Set List:
Die Alone / Breakable / Overboard / Far Away
The Chain / The Hat / Keep Breathing
The Way I Am / Starting Now

Website: ingridmichaelson.com | MySpace: myspace.com/ingridmichaelson
Recent Release: Girls and Boys | Release Date: September 18, 2007
Label: Cabin 24
Origin: New York
Listen: XPN Free at Noon
World Cafe: Ingrid Michaelson: Unique Indie-Pop and Folk
Song Clip: Die Alone
Video: NPR: Ingrid Michaelson is Everywhere
Purchase Ingrid Michaelson from Amazon.com

Back Door Slam

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After forming 3 years ago, Davy Knowles (guitars, vocal, mandolin, lap steel), Ross Doyle (drums) and Adam Jones (bass) have been taking the world by storm with a sound influenced by Jimi Hendrix, BB King, and Eric Clapton. Natives of the Isle of Man in UK, the teenagers were raised on blues music, leading to the mix of contemporary/traditional blues-rock they perform today. Since touring the states for the past year, the young group has played at festivals like SXSW, Lollapalooza and opened for acts like The Who, Styx and Corinne Bailey Rae. Roll Away, their 2007 debut album, reached #7 on the Billboard Blues Chart. Back Door Slam was XPN's Artist to Watch in March 2008.

Set List:
Outside Woman Blues / Heavy On My Mind / Gotta Leave
Come Home / It'll All Come Around / What In The World
Riding With The King

Website: backdoorslam.com | MySpace: myspace.com/backdoorslam
Recent Release: Roll Away | Label: Blix Street Records
Origin: Isle of Man, UK
World Cafe: Back Door Slam: Sizzling Rock Gets the Blues
Listen: Live In Concert XPN Free at Noon
Song Clip: Come Home
Purchase Back Door Slam from Amazon.com

Mutlu

Mutlu's music is a clever blend of soul, reggae, hip-hop, and Brazilian jazz deriving inspiration from Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers, Bob Marley, and Antonio Carlos Jobim. He avoids falling into retro phonic traps with cool grooves and a quick wit. His songs feel foreign and familiar, risky and romantic. The worldly sound of Mutlu finds the groove that makes his thoughtful, clever lyrics dance. Fans outside his hometown of Philadelphia and music industry professionals got a taste of Mutlu’s music during his well-received stint with Amos Lee on Lee’s North American and UK tours. His performances ultimately caught the attention of Manhattan Records, which lead to the release of his 5-song EP produced by Amos Lee.

Mutlu is currently touring with Joe Jackson. He just finished up recording his new album Livin' It featuring Daryl Hall, Amos Lee, G. Love & Raheem DeVaughn. Release date is July 8 on Manhattan Records.

Set List:
Livin' It / See What It Brings / Upside
Shaky Ground / Without Love

Website: Mutlusounds.com | MySpace: Myspace.com/mutlusounds
Recent Release: Livin' It | Release Date: July 8, 2008
Label: Manhattan Records
Origin: Philadelphia, PA