The Low Anthem have been local New England favorites on the music scene for quite some time. Appearing at the Newport Folk Festival year after year they've been beginning to gain more national recognition. With one record already distributed by a huge label, there second is due out next week. When they were making this record last we winter we had the amazing opportunity to visit them in that pasta sauce factory turned studio in Pawtucket with a Gansett delivery up an icy fire escape. In fact, we video taped a take of Ghost Woman Blues which you can view below. NPR actually has the first listen of the new album, Smart Flesh, and is streaming it on their site. Click here to read the full story and hear the record in it's entirety. Music isn't free. It costs the artists a substantial amount of money to produce which comes from studio time, reproduction etc. So when you have a chance to hear some great music before it's release and for free, you should always jump on it. The only reason we have this great opportunity is thanks to NPR. You may disagree with this, but NPR is in danger of being cut completely from the recent Congressional budget proposal which they rely on to help support their free efforts. Public media is a great source for local and independent artists like The Low Anthem, why cut their funding? Not saying you have to, but if this is something of interest please click here to learn more on ways you can help.