Major contributors to the roots-based musical hotbed that is the Twin Cities, Pert' Near Sandstone fuel the flame with their high energy old-timey tunes.

Mike Doughty led the influential band Soul Coughing in the 1990s known for its idiosyncratic sound rooted in improvisation. At the turn of the last decade, he made his way into the solo scene, soon signing to Dave Matthews' label ATO Records.

L.A.-based Dawes has only been around a few years, but in that short time they've skyrocketed to the top of the folk-rock scene, especially with the release of their second album "Nothing Is Wrong." As an artist on ATO Records, they have harnessed plenty of inspiration with labelmates like My Morning Jacket, Drive-By Truckers and Gomez by their side.

Dessa played a very sold-out show at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul in support of her newest release, "Castor, the Twin," a reworking of mostly older songs from her extensive catalogue. Enjoy audio and video from the event.

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.