In addition to his solo work, Ken Stringfellow is, or has been, in R.E.M., Big Star, The Minus Five, The Disciplines and The Posies, just to name a few.

Beneath its pleasant exterior, the music of Joey Ryan & the Inks is a study in contrasts: sunny California vibes with earthy Midwestern roots; hummable melodies with a tinge of melancholy. The sound was established on the band's 2009 debut, "Well, Here We Are Then," and the group continues in the same vein on their brand new sophomore effort, "Dennis Lane", which was once again recorded and produced by the group in their home studio.

This group of Texans wereat the forefront of the alt-country movement in the 90's. For the past 20 years, this innovative four-piece has showed us their genre defying skills. As they effortlessly combine reckless punk with catchy pop hooks that are sure to not exclude the down home twang their known and loved for. Some have described their music as a stylistic imagination of The Buzzcocks from Dallas, TX as opposed to England.

In the vein of Sam Beam (of Iron & Wine) and Alexis Krauss (of Sleigh Bells) John Maus is the latest in a recent slew of teachers that rock. The Austin, MN native teaches Political Philosophy and Theory at the University of Hawaii while working towards a PhD in Political Science.

Kelly Crisp and Ivan Howard have a relationship that lies beyond band mates. Forming in 2001 immediately after their marriage, the two found themselves in a sea of differences years later and decided to call it quits after their fourth album in 2008. Fortunately for their dedicated indie rock and folk fans the two discovered a whirlwind of beauty and remorse as they define their relationship not only as musicians but as friends after a tumultuous marriage.

Jolie Holland may have once been a founding member of the Vancouver group the Be Good Tanyas, but she was born in Texas. It's those American roots, perhaps, that color her solo career, which is built upon a rich tapestry of different Americana styles, from bluegrass to blues to folk.

The Durham, N.C.-based band Mount Moriah only just released their self-titled debut LP a couple of months ago, preceeded by 2010's "Letting Go" EP, but guitarist Jenks Miller first started a band under the Biblically-influenced name Mount Moriah around five years ago. After some drastic shifts in sound and line-up, the band's sound has settled into a sweet, melancholy strain of folk music.

Howler may have been started as a side project by Jordan Gatesmith from Total Babe, but the attention they are receiving is front and center. Howler was recently signed to London based Rough Trade Records home of The Smiths, The Strokes, and Belle and Sebastian.

After conquering the 2010 Picked to Click Poll, playing First Avenue's Best New Band Showcase and claiming the hearts of Twin Cities music fans, Pink Mink is ready to release their debut self-titled album.

The trio of Jim Blaha, Mike Blaha, and Dave Roper have now been gracing the Twin Cities with their brand of noise rock--with its hints of blues and 60s garage-psych--for the better part of a decade.