Bluegrass quintet the Punch Brothers have been playing together for six years, but their intensely collaborative instrumental interplay and seasoned songwriting suggest a far longer period of growth.

You may know Erik Tasa as a member of The Rockford Mules, a more raucous project compared to the quiet, contemplative tones of his newest solo release "Ballad Of A Winter Beard."

The demise of popular indie band The Unicorns at the beginning of the aughts left many fans feeling a void. Prolific pioneers of lo-fi indie pop, frontman Nick Thorburn would of course not be gone for long. In 2006, the music world was rocked by the critically acclaimed debut album by Islands, "Return To The Sea," an experimental, long-form record that would go on to inspire countless musicians, especially in the Canadian music scene.

Folky punk singer-songwriter Frank Turner can easily be compared to Billy Bragg - a mix of rebellious punk with articulate songwriting. Initially part of a post-hardcore band called "Million Dead," Frank Turner has taken those influences and combined them with the acoustic guitar.

Denver-based band Tennis describe their new album "Young and Old" as "Stevie Nicks going through a Motown phase." Produced by Patrick Carney of The Black Keys and recorded in three weeks, their breezy pop songs were inspired by touring and poetry from Yates.

Local hip-hop bon vivant, Slug, has become a regular visitor to The Current studios. On his most recent trip he's joined by the rest of the band to discuss their music videos, letting go of some artistic control and building a musical community in Minnesota.

Shearwater's first release on the Sub Pop label, "Animal Joy," is more aggressive than previous albums, focusing on the moments in life that, as lead singer Jonathan Meiberg describes, "bring your blood to the surface."

Now onto her third album about the aftermath of a broken relationship, Sharon Van Etten is sounding stronger than ever before.

Now, Now's new name is the result of a band who wanted to push themselves in a different direction, specifically after a self-imposed hiatus and the addition of Jess Abbott a few years back.

It's hard to believe it's already been 13 years since Dr. Dog first started making music. Once considered an extremely underground act playing shows to support their "Easy Beat" album, their first for a record label in the early aughts, they've since gone on to tour alongside The Spinto Band, My Morning Jacket and The Raconteurs.