"Strict Joy" is, without a doubt, as grippingly gorgeous a record as anything we've come to expect Glen Hansard to be associated with over the years.

Birds of Virginia celebrated the release of their debut album "Trees at Dusk" in October, 2009.

A product of rural Minnesota, Holly Newsom leads Zoo Animal with her smooth, alto vocals reminiscent of Cat Power. Joined by Tim Abramson on bass and Thom Burton on drums, Zoo Animal constructs clean rifts and catchy rock.