WXPN Welcomes Steve Forbert and the New Renditions

Steve Forbert is a true American treasure, a fact underscored by his 21st album, Daylight Savings Time. Like all his albums of original songs, itʼs suffused with what venerated rock journalist Robert Christgau discerned as his “omnivorously observant” songwriting, marked by Steveʼs gift for finding the deeper meaning and magic within the spectrum of everyday moments, as well as his abundant melodic and poetic enchantment. As Forbert approaches the milestone of his 70th birthday, Daylight Savings Time contemplates and celebrates the proverbial ʻextra hour of daylightʼ that comes with the time change. “Yeah to chirping crickets and to daylight savings time!” he sings on the albumʼs first single “Sound Existence,” “The best ainʼt yet to come, but you could still get by just fine.” Steve arrived in New York City from his Meridian, Mississippi hometown in 1976. He slotted seamlessly into the “new folk” revival in such Manhattan clubs as Folk City, The Bitter End, and Kennyʼs Castaways while taking the stage at CBGB, ground zero of the burgeoning new wave/punk movement. He also busked on the streets of Greenwich Village and in the elegant confines of Grand Central Station. He quickly won a major label deal with Nemperor/CBS Records and released his heralded debut, Alive on Arrival, in 1978. His next album, Jackrabbit Slim, released in 1979, brought wider renown to Forbert with its #11 pop chart hit “Romeoʼs Tune.” It provided the stature for his troubadour existence, which has kept him active ever since as “a striking performer, very much worth seeing and hearing,” according to the New York Times.

Ben Arnold is reintroducing himself. A songwriter, musician, performer and producer, he remains longtime fixture on the Philadelphia musical landscape. He has toured regularly throughout the country as well as Europe for the better part of the last 25 years. Originally signed to Columbia Records in the 90's, Ben has since released countless label supported and independent records over the decades. Always down for the challenge of re-invention and experimentation, you will see him constantly visiting far-flung points on the musical map. He has for many years been involved in collaborative projects such as 4 Way Street (Sanctuary/BMG), US Rails (Blue Rose/Europe) who will be touring extensively throughout Europe in spring 2023 in support of their new record “Live For Another Day”, the Los Angeles based indie rock band Pistol For Ringo which is also releasing a new record this year “Audio Surrender” in tandem with a major film release (“Rumination”) as well as continuing to support David Uosikinnen's In The Pocket: Essential Songs Of Philadelphia. His constant output of new material is a testament to the continual growth of his creative muscles as well as a product of the many worlds in which Ben Arnold operates. His most recent releases "Lost Keys” and “Sunday Morning Meltdown” explore the feel, culture and politics of American music of the 60s-70s thru the lens of the questions of the here and now. He has also just released a full band live show titled “Go Play In The Backyard!” With a crusty, curmudgeonly, but loving take on the world around, Ben Arnold continues to reveal more of himself with every record and live performance. Always a different day, another mood and another view on the human condition. This is not an artist who has simply paid his dues. Ben Arnold is compelled to doing what he does, and does so with one of the most unique, if little known voices in music today.