Justin Townes Earle shouldn't be overshadowed by his famous father Steve Earle. The two may have similar styles, but Justin modernizes what his dad began popularizing in the late '90s. His newest record "Nothing's Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now" has garnered considerable accolades in the Americana scene, and there's a chance for you to win a copy of that CD from The Current this week.

Dylan Hicks has been in the midst of a long-term hiatus. We saw the release of his last record in 2001 after a string of prolific efforts starting all the way back in 1990. Maybe he was tired and maybe he needed something new, but we can at least partially chalk up his absence as the result of his most recent endeavor: "Boarded Windows," Hicks' new book.

I Self Devine's new record features a slew of hip-hop power players to complement an emcee who is gaining major ground locally and nationally for his whip-smart and poignant raps. In his debut for The Current, I Self Devine talks Soundset, origins, his wide-range of influences from disco to his mother, graffiti and more.

L'Assassins have been playing together for over two years, but they may seem new to local music fans since L'Assassins wasn't always their name. In fact, the quartet performed without a title for months before settling on something that fit their aesthetic and style. They've found their identity and are rising fast: L'Assassins will be playing the inaugural Girls Got Rhythm Fest in early May.

Born out of two bands -- The Secret Machines and On!Air!Library! -- New York City's synth-dreampop act School of Seven Bells have been together for six years, but have grown with their line up changes. Originally, the project consisted of identical twin sisters Alejandra (On!Air!Library!) and Claudia Deheza and guitarist Benjamin Curtis (Secret Machines). However, Claudia left the band in 2010 before the latest record "Ghostory."

California-based singer-songwriter and fiddler Sara Watkins first rose to fame as a member of the popular and prolific progressive bluegrass trio Nickel Creek in the '90s and early 2000s. Watkins is set to release her second solo album, "Sun Midnight Sun," on May 8th on Nonesuch Records.

Lucy Michelle and The Velvet Lapelles have been together for a long time. A string of well-received albums, best band nods and consistently well-attended shows has made the act a local treasure. In the past year though, they've been a little off the radar. Now we know why - the band has traded in their traditional folk sound for a full sonic revamp and the results on their newest record "Heat" couldn't be more promising.

The backstory of Manhattan band Cults is second-nature by now: originally a duo, Brian Oblivion and Madeline Follin released a three-song EP on Bandcamp in 2010 that gradually gathered accolades over the next year. It eventually nabbed them a spot on famed major label Columbia Records, proof that no matter how small you start off, your impact can still be huge.

Mike Hadreas has been looking for the right way to explore his life experiences. Based on the extremely personal nature and simultaneously heart-breaking and inspiring anecdotes that he has collected, it seemed only natural to create a new identity to bring these stories to fruition. Perfume Genius was born in 2008 and Hadreas quickly drew acclaim for his sparse and touching compositions and affecting stories.

Aby Wolf was chosen to partake in the Cedar Cultural Center's 416 Club Commission in 2011 and received a grant to explore a new electro-art-pop project that had been stewing in her mind. Recruiting the talents of Jesse Whitney, Linnea Mohn and Joey Van Phillips, Wolf created A. Wolf and Her Claws. Instead of a one-off performance as originally planned for the Cedar's winter season, a full-fledged band has been formed and there's no signs of slowing the momentum.