Like so much classic literature, art, an poetry, 24-year-old Gran Bel Fisher's circuitous journey from rural Sabina, Ohio to Los Angeles, CA, begins with something essential and ultimately inexplicable: life, love, and death. {readmorelink}Read More...{/readmorelink}

The music of The Slip is deceptively straightforward rock. The layers and intricacy of the sound, with persevering drums, melodic vocals, and guitars that easily transition between smooth background and a driving heaviness, come through on a second listen.

Singer-songwriter Sasha Dobson upholds the jazz tradition of past greats like Ella Fitzgerald while breaking conventional rules. Her sultry voice, amazing talent and extensive performance experience makes her a very notable artist to watch.

Meet Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero. They play flamenco guitar and are influenced as much by Metallica and Led Zep (which they cover on their debut) as they are influenced by Al DiMeola and Strunz & Farah. Their self-titled debut in the States is on ATO Records, and was produced by John Leckie.

The Format is a band that won't let adversity get to them. The two times the band got dropped by their record label, they threw parties. In fact, their sophomore effort, Dog Problems, sounds carefree and happy. {readmorelink}Read More...{/readmorelink}

With a soulful, bluesy voice that draws frequent comparisons to Bonnie Raitt and Janis Joplin, Grace Potter and her band, The Nocturnals, are clearly ready for the big time.

The Hiders hail from Cincinnati and there's a good reason why they list Neil Young on their MySpace page as the first of many influences on their new album, Valentine. {readmorelink}Read More...{/readmorelink}

So who is Gnarls Barkley? It seems that, in the music world, Gnarls Barkley is always nearby yet impossible to find. The membership rolls of both the Atlanta hip-hop collective Dungeon Family and Athens, Georgia's psychedelic enclave Elephant Six list Barkley as an affiliate, but mention him to either group and they'll shoot each other frightened looks and start talking basketball. {readmorelink}Read More...{/readmorelink}

Britain's Guillemots are a young band greatly skilled at fusing unique sonic textures to their catchy and uplifting music. {readmorelink}Read More...{/readmorelink}

Anyone who's seen or heard James Hunter perform is already hip to his remarkable talents as a singer, guitarist and songwriter. This includes Van Morrison who asserts, "James is one of the best voices, and best kept secrets, in British R&B and Soul. Check him out." {readmorelink}Read More...{/readmorelink}