Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shaking Through?

Shaking Through is a music and video web series produced by Weathervane Music and WXPN radio in Philadelphia, featuring emerging independent musicians in the recording studio. Shaking Through is designed to provide a high-end, professional recording experience, along with career advancing opportunities and resources to select independent artists.

Why is Shaking Through produced?

Weathervane Music and WXPN created Shaking Through because today more than ever there's a profound need for all of us to actively support independent music. We can all be a part of the music that is important to us, and THAT is a beautiful, beautiful thing!

What level of artist does Shaking Through feature?

Weathervane Music and WXPN designed Shaking Through because the for-profit music industry no longer invests in the early stages of most artists' careers. Independent artists have to achieve far more on their own before they are commercially viable in the eyes of the music industry. Shaking Through spotlights unique, creative and self-motivated artists, who are still just short of achieving sustainability, with the hope of pushing their careers to the next level.

What makes Shaking Through different from other music web series?

While there are many excellent online series in which artists perform music from their current or previous albums, the songs recorded for Shaking Through are new, previously unreleased songs. Shaking Through projects take place in a high-end recording studio, with professional production staff. The recording sessions last 2 - 3 days. What you see in these videos are new songs being born into the world.

How often do Shaking Through episodes come out?

Weathervane and WXPN produce 10 Shaking Through episodes per year. They come out every third Tuesday of the month with the exception of July and December.

How do bands get selected for Shaking Through?

Shaking Through is a curated series. For most episodes the artists are selected by guest curators, well known, respected members of the music and/or arts community who help Shaking Through's Selection Committee find and help deserving independent artists.

Does Shaking Through feature only unsigned bands/artists?

No. Shaking Through is designed to provide career advancing opportunity to select independent artists. For this reason, Shaking Through artists tend to be "new" or "unsigned" acts, though these are not necessarily "requirements" for eligibility.

Shaking Through artists can not be obligated to relinquish ownership of their master recordings to a third party label, production company or other such entity, during the period in which their Shaking Through recording is being produced. Artists CAN be signed to licensing deals, so long as the label can not claim exclusive right to license songs recorded for Shaking Through.

Who owns the music recorded for Shaking Through?

All music recorded for Shaking Through is owned by Weathervane Music, but the vast majority of any revenue that may come of it goes directly to the artist who make it in perpetuity (that means "forever").

Shaking Through is produced in Philadelphia... Does it feature Philadelphia bands exclusively?

No. Shaking Through artists come from all around the United States and potentially the world.

Can my band submit music to be considered for a Shaking Through episode?

Shaking Through artists are selected with the help of guest curators, well respected members of the music and arts community who are eager to help select artists take the next step in their careers. The Shaking Through Selection Committee selects very few Shaking Through artists on its own.

That said, Yes, we'd love to hear your music. Weathervane Music has set up a SoundCloud Dropbox where you can show us what you are doing!

Where do Shaking Through recording sessions take place?

Shaking Through sessions are recorded at Miner Street Recordings in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

What is Weathervane Music?

Weathervane Music is a new music incubator whose mission is to create community, opportunity and resources that support and advance the careers of working independent musicians. Weathervane Music is a project of PositiveSpace, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Weathervane Music was founded by Brian McTear and Bill Robertson in 2009, and since 2010 has been producing Shaking Through in partnership with WXPN, non-commercial radio from the University of Pennsylvania.

What is the nature of Weathervane Music's and WXPN's partnership for Shaking Through?

Shaking Through is made possible by a unique partnership between Weathervane Music and WXPN. Weathervane produces all music and video content, the Shaking Through website and limited artist publicity with the help of Apollo Audio Publicity. WXPN oversees radio and online marketing, including a Shaking Through radio segment on WXPN, 'Shaking Through Live' release concerts, podcasts, social media promotion on WXPN's Facebook and Twitter Pages, online promotion on the WXPN website and in the WXPN e-newsletter and outreach to traditional and new media outlets.

How can I help or get involved in Shaking Through, or other Weathervane Music and WXPN projects?

Make a donation! Your donation will make Shaking Through opportunities possible for more emerging independent artists.

Volunteer! To find out about volunteer opportunities, email us.

To find out more about WXPN volunteer opportunities, click here.