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.

What started as a demo project for Andrew Jansen turned into a full band named after the content of the songs he was writing about, Crimes. The original demos, with all parts performed by Anderew, were about a seedy action, jealousy, or crime. The songs were posted online and paired with links to Minneapolis Crime Statistic.

For a band that plays mostly lengthy, cathartic, guitar-led instrumentals, Explosions in the Sky have amassed an impressive following. Since the band formed in 1999 in Austin, Tex., their have albums have reached ever-larger audiences and racked up increasing critical adoration. The quartet stopped by The Current studios to chat with Mark Wheat and play a few songs.

Explosions in the Sky stopped by our studio and played two songs off their latest album Take Care, Take Care, Take Care. Here is a slideshow with all the goods.

Brooklyn band The Drums serve up a master class in wired guitar-pop. Their infectious music is sourced in everything from '60s garage-rock to '70s power-pop and '80s post-punk and new-wave.

Cults can owe much of their success to the internet. Two and a half years ago, the duo of Brian Oblivion and Madeline Follin met at a rock show in San Diego, began dating, and a week later decided to move to New York. They began playing music together and posted songs on BandCamp, and it wasn't long until they were garnering attention from record labels and new fans.

Inspired by the 50s blues and rockabilly that her brother was listening to, Ireland's Imelda May began singing and performing at the age of 16. Twenty years later, she's still in the industry climbing up the charts in the UK with her record "Mayhem."

Wild Flag stopped by the Current Studios to chat with Bill DeVille and play a few songs: "Short Version," "Electric Band," and "Future Crimes."

Onetime Polyphonic Spree member Annie Clark made her debut under the recording name St. Vincent four years ago with 2007's "Marry Me." But it was her sophomore effort, 2009's "Actor," that propelled her to critical acclaim and widespread popularity in the indie-rock community. Now, two years later, she has returned with her third album, "Strange Mercy."

Althought they don't consider themselves such, they are a "supergroup" of sorts. Wild Flag, featuring ex-members of Sleater-Kinney, Helium and The Minders officially formed in 2010 after Carrie Brownstein (Sleater-Kinney) announced it on the NPR All Songs Considered blog. The all-female rock band based in Portland, Oregon and Washington D.C., released their debut "Glass Tambourines" on Record Store Day.