The Worcester, Massachusettes quartet Dom signed to Astralwerks last fall. Since then they've released their debut EP "Sun Bronzed Greek Gods" and have been touring relentlessly. They dropped by for an in-studio while in town for a gig at The Entry.

Up-and-coming local band Usonia's jittery, energetic pop feels refreshingly retro. With Beach Boys-like harmonies and new wave beats Usonia creates infectious mix of old and new.

After a whirlwind year of touring, Foster the People -- known for their synth-laced hazy pop -- brought an acoustic set to The Current studio. The California trio spoke to Mark Wheat about their love of surfing, touring, and the German website that kickstarted their internet buzz.

The five-piece rock band Grouplove began in 2009 when they started playing together during their free time in Greece for an art recidency. When the world-travelers got back to the states they wanted to meet up again and keep working on the music they had been making abroad.

Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten admits that she's still trying to find her voice, which she says is dependent upon what she's listening to -- anything from folk to hardcore. She plays April 6 at the Cedar Cultural Center.

Best-known as the frontman for Dinosaur Jr., J Mascis is- somewhat surprisingly- laconic and soft-spoken. In interviews, he is known for his minimal responses and repeated disdain for enthusiasm.

Spyder Baybie Raw Dog and 2% Muck are an ironic, rap duo fronted by Bight Club's Jeremy Nutzman and local producer Eric Muchow. Spyder Baybie Raw Dog and 2% Muck started getting hype in 2009 when they released a free mixtape.

Famed for their live performances- which often include fake foliage, birds, and a 10-foot-tall stuffed bear- British Sea Power started collecting fans with a series of nightly shows called "Club Sea Power" in their hometown of Brighton, UK.

Hildur Victoria's classic-sounding name comes from a band member's great-grandmother. They were originally going to be called Herringbone, but that reminded drummer Jeremy Hanson -- also of Tapes 'n Tapes -- too much of ska band Fishbone. So instead, that's what Hildur Victoria named their 2009 EP.

With an oddly similar story and even voice, the Irish singer-songwriter James Vincent McMorrow has received several comparisons to Wisconsin's Bon Iver. Self-recorded over five months in a small, one room house by sea, James Vincent McMorrow captures the sounds of the waves and the isolated house on his debut album "Early in the Morning" to create a haunting yet beautiful tribute to nature.