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.

Former Metric front-woman Emily Haines wrote and recorded "Knives Don't Have Your Back" over four years in four cities and two countries.

Maggie, Terre and Suzzy Roche started singing Christmas carols in New Jersey when they were young, and have since recorded 15 albums as trios, duos and singles. They're back together as a trio for their latest tour passing through Minnesota, and have a new record coming out in March 2007.

My Brightest Diamond is Shara Worden, granddaughter of an Epiphone-playing traveling evangelist, fathered by a National Accordion Champion, and mothered by a church organist. Spanish tango, Sunday-morning gospel, classical and jazz were the accompaniment to her home life.

Dr. Dog has been creating music in various incarnations in their hometown of Philadelphia for nearly six years now.

The voices of Alexis Taylor and Joe Goddard are a study in contrast. While Taylor offers dreamy falsettos, Goddard offers a tone that sounds a bit more world-weary and at times almost gruff in comparison.

He's now spent more time as solo artist Frank Black than he ever did as Pixies front man Black Francis. His solo work, however, has never gotten the same attention. While he hopes his newest album Fast Man Raider Man will change that, he's just happy making music.