Born into the music world, audiences have watched Nikka Costa grow through four albums, a process which challenged her to stay true to her unique, soulful sound.

The music of Brooklyn's Yeasayer is an eclectic mix of rock, pop, folk, dub, Middle Eastern, and African musics. They first garnered national recognition in 2007 at the SxSW music festival and soon after, released their debut CD, "All Hour Cymbals" in October of that same year.

Although they're in their early twenties, British band and former schoolmates Friendly Fires have been playing music together for ten years. They describe their sound as a mixture of shoegazer and dance pop.

of Montreal's debut album, "Cherry Peel," was released in 1997. Since then the band has recorded a total of eight studio albums with their latest being "Skeletal Lamping" in 2008.

The Rumble Strips are a London based band whose music has been described as a mix of rock, soul, indie, and pop.

North Carolina's Annuals have been credited with taking down the three major music labels in six months. Ok, maybe that was that was a spoofed album review in Paste Magazine written as if it were 2050. Who says it can't happen?

While songs titled "Hey, Wanna Throw Up?" and "Lemurs, Man, Lemurs," may be what grabs your attention about Minus the Bear, the catchy and polished songwriting will keep you listening.

Punk-pioneer Alejandro Escovedo has just released his ninth solo album earlier this year entitled "Real Animal."

Sonya Kitchell released her first CD when she was only 16 and created a storm of sorts. Critics raved, audiences cheered, and that record opened a lot of doors for the Massachusetts singer-songwriter, including a tour with legendary jazz man Herbie Hancock.

The Magnetic Fields are a band, but in many ways they are simply the extension of Stephin Merrit. As well as a multi-instrumentalist, Merritt writes, produces, and sings their material.