Tony Allen is a Nigerian born, self taught musician who for eleven years, was the drummer and musical director for the legendary band Fela Kuti and Africa 70. Allen along with Kuti have been credited with pioneering afrobeat music. His latest project, "Secret Agent" was released in early 2010.

No Bird Sing's Eric Blair (Joe Horton), Graham O'Brien, and Robert Mulrennan continue their bold and raw approach to hip-hop on their sophomore release Theft of The Commons. Theft of the Commons is built on more organic ground than their 2009 self-titled deubt. Recorded in a barn in rural Minnesota the band drew inspiration from the stark autumn landscape.

Hip-hop artist, skilled freestyler, and producer Blueprint first received attention when he appeared on a track off of producer RJD2's Deadringer. After that, he and RJD2 formed the hip-hop duo Soul Position and came out with several albums before Blueprint struck out on his own.

Chris Koza will perform another round of Works for Words on June 8, 2012 at 8 pm at the Fitzgerald Theater. Koza, along with Gabriel Douglas of 4onthefloor, Caroline Smith, and Sims will explore explore the meanings of the lyrics and importance of words in pop, rock and folk songs.

It's been nearly 10 years since Sam Beam donned the Iron and Wine moniker and released his debut "The Creek Drank The Cradle" in 2002. Since then, he's expanded the arrangements from his voice and an acoustic guitar to including a variety of other instruments, and he continues the trend on his newest album "Kiss Each Other Clean."

The Knoxville, TN trio Royal Bangs have come a long way after playing an old soccer arena and coffee shops as teenagers. After starting their band in high school, growing to a five-member band that played SXSW in 2009, they decided to downsize their band to the current three piece. In recording their latest effort, "Flux Outside" the band enlisted the help of Scott Minor of Sparklehorse to engineer and help produce the record. They also had help from Dave Fridmann, who has worked with the Flaming Lips, Tapes 'n Tapes, MGMT, and Low, on the mixing.

From Duluth to the Twin Cities to Portland and back, local singer-songwriter Haley Bonar, has used her change of scenery as inspiration on her fourth album, Golder.

After over ten years making music together, local hip hop duo Atmosphere are are focusing their latest effort, "The Family Sign" on the people they care about the most - their family.

Duluth-based indie-rock mainstays Low have returned with their ninth full-length album, "C'mon," which features guest turns by Wilco guitarist Nels Cline as well as members of Trampled by Turtles and the Trans Siberian Orchestra (yes, you read that correctly).

Sam Beam, who performs under the name Iron and Wine, brought his signature acoustic sound (and beard) to Minnesota Public Radio's UBS Forum, playing a couple of songs off his newest record "Kiss Each Other Clean".