Led by singer, guitarist, and main writer Matthew Murphy, The Wombats formed at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts back in 2003. While the debut saw limited success in the States, the band hit the Top 10 in the UK and found themselves at Glastonbury and other festivals, setting the stage for their second album, "This Modern Glitch."

Transplants from Madison Wisconsin, Sleeping in The Aviary have made the Twin Cities home to their energetic pop-rock sound. With a flair for 50's pop melodies, Sleeping in The Aviary keep their tunes short, sweet, filled with the catchiest hooks and even a shoo-be-do or two.

Vancouver-based singer-songwriter Dan Mangan has been making sturdy, smart music for nearly a decade now. In September, he released his third full-length album, "Oh Fortune."

In terms of cultural anthropology, the Liminal Phase is the transitional threshold between two existential planes in one's life. In terms of the Twins Cities music scene, Liminal Phase is Adam Levy's latest experimental project. Leaving behind traditional song structure and form, Liminal Phase creates instrumental soundscapes blending together jazz, psychedelia and improvised works.

Forming in 2001 in Ames, Iowa, the Radiohead-esque four-piece that make up the Envy Corps, have been through several ups and downs in their ten years as a band.

With their debut record under their belts, the Saratoga Springs, New York duo Phantogram, are ready with a new EP entitled Nightlife. Joshua Carter and Sarah Barthel, who have been friend since junior high, continue to make infectious beats set against their ethereal indie pop sound.

Music runs in the family for Alan Palomo, frontman for the electro-indie band Neon Indian. Born in Mexico, his father was a pop star in the '70s and '80s, which influenced his band now based in Denton, Texas.

Buffalo Moon's sun drenched sounds have moved off of the coast and into the jungle on their sophomore release "Selva Surreal." Appropriately translating into "Surreal Jungle," Buffalo Moon steps away from the breezy and dreamy sound found on their debut "Wetsuit" and dive into a psychedelic forest where laser sounds grow like palm trees.

In the seven years they've been together the Portland, Ore. (by way of Wasilla, Ala.) psych-rock quintet Portugal. The Man have continued to crank out tranquil, lush indie rock inflected with hints of psychedelia, prog and folk. The band sat down with Mary Lucia to discuss growing up in Alaska, their songwriting process, Sesame Street and more.

Named the Citypages Best Jazz Artist of 2011, Atlantis Quartet have garnered the attention of jazz fans and critics alike, fitting right into the sweet spot where complexity and accessibility meet.