Beneath its pleasant exterior, the music of Joey Ryan & the Inks is a study in contrasts: sunny California vibes with earthy Midwestern roots; hummable melodies with a tinge of melancholy. The sound was established on the band's 2009 debut, "Well, Here We Are Then," and the group continues in the same vein on their brand new sophomore effort, "Dennis Lane", which was once again recorded and produced by the group in their home studio.

NPR Music's Ann Powers met the singer in 2007, just as Winehouse was becoming a star in the U.S.

This group of Texans wereat the forefront of the alt-country movement in the 90's. For the past 20 years, this innovative four-piece has showed us their genre defying skills. As they effortlessly combine reckless punk with catchy pop hooks that are sure to not exclude the down home twang their known and loved for. Some have described their music as a stylistic imagination of The Buzzcocks from Dallas, TX as opposed to England.

Too visceral? Yep. Bad grammar? There's no other way to say it. Haley Bonar and her mighty, musical companions have created something marvelous indeed.

In the vein of Sam Beam (of Iron & Wine) and Alexis Krauss (of Sleigh Bells) John Maus is the latest in a recent slew of teachers that rock. The Austin, MN native teaches Political Philosophy and Theory at the University of Hawaii while working towards a PhD in Political Science.