Cloud Cult, the Minnesota band with an extremely devoted national following, have a new album coming out. It's called The Meaning of 8. The band are famed for their live shows, which mix their music with videos, light shows and even have a couple of painters on stage who create during concerts.

It's rare that the phrase "punk-influenced" is used to describe a band that includes a banjo, melodica, and cello.

SSM are a trio from Detroit that have roots in garage rock, punk, and even a little bit of new wave and prog rock. It's a catchy, buzzy mix.

Sondre Lerche claims his latest album, Phantom Punch, is "an Orange Juice meets Fleetwood Mac & My Bloody Valentine meets Gilberto Gil & Os Mutantes meets early Elvis Costello & Prefab Sprout & XTC meets Thomas Dolby meets Steely Dan circa Katy Lied, kind of thing."

Mercury Music Prize winner Damon Gough chose his stage name from the title character in the British television show Sam and his Magic Ball.

The Ditty Bops are a band from Los Angeles with their hearts in the past. They play a blend of gypsy jazz, bluegrass, folk and a little bit of the great American musical.

Richard Buckner isn't afraid to take things into his own hands, whether it's songwriting or show security.

The sound of Sparklehorse has been described as atmospheric, ballad-driven, and sometimes a little surreal. However, when it comes to writing a straight-forward pop song, Mark Linkous - the driving force behind Sparklehorse - feels he has to try a lot harder to make it sound interesting.

Kristin Hersh has never had much for a career path, but the evolution of her music has always worked itself out.

Earl Greyhound leader Matt Whyte lays out thick guitar riffs and interweaves rich resounding singing with bassist Kamara Thomas that's described as a mesmerizing vocal movement.