The second installment of our on-going conversation with singer songwriter Ann Reed as she continues her statewide tour and writes a new Minnesota song, with help from listeners.

Bon Iver's debut release "For Emma, Forever Ago," a nine-song album, came together at a remote cabin in the woods of Northwestern Wisconsin. All of his personal troubles,including heartache, longing, love, loss, and guilt was purged into the form of song.

Garrett Dutton III - also known as G. Love - was born in Philadelphia, PA. He began playing guitar at the age of 8 and wrote his first song by the time he was a freshman in high school. With influences such as Bob Dylan, John Hammond Jr., The Beastie Boys, Run-DMC and Schooly D, you'd probably wonder what the music of G. Love would sound like.

What started as a side project for two friends to collaborate and just have fun has become quite a bit more. In just over a year since their last stop by our studios Inara George and Greg Kursten have released a full length an Ep and they're just about to release another EP next month.

As singer songwriter Ann Reed prepares to embark on the first leg of her statewide tour, she discusses the writing of a new Minnesota song, with help from listeners.

December 22, 2007 is Heiruspecs Day in St. Paul. After 10 years together playing live-band hip hop, it's about time their hometown honors the contribution to the local music community they've made over the years.

Vicious Vicious began as lead man Erik Appelwick's moniker for his debut album "Blood and Clover." Now Vicious Vicious is a full-blown live band featuring Heath Henjum, Adrian Suarez, and J.G. Everest

It's been said that Nashville has more songwriters per capita than most other towns. Alison Rae and Julie Lee are both singer-songwriters with Nashville experience. Alison spent a few years there before moving back home to Minnesota. Julie lives there now and has had success not only recording her own music, but also having it recorded by the likes of Alison Krauss.

Some would say that stand-up comedy would be the perfect preparation for a career in the music industry. However, Nellie McKay decided to go her own way with her Hungry Mouse label and self-produce her new album "Pretty Little Head" and her 30-minute miniature entitled "Obligatory Villagers."

The New Standards triumphantly returned to the Fitzgerald Theater for their second annual holiday concert on Saturday, December 8. The trio -- John Munson (Semisonic and Trip Shakespeare), Chan Poling (The Suburbs) and Steve Roehm (Electropolis) -- was joined by an all-star guest list including Haley Bonar, Mike Doughty, Dan Wilson, Matt Wilson, Adam Levy, Jelloslave, Maddie Poling, Laurie Lindeen, JoAnna James, Jeremy Messersmith and Tim Frantzich. True to the New Standards, the show was a mix of holiday classics and unexpected takes on recent favorites.