Spending most of his life between Jacksonville and Seattle, Andy Bothwell's adopted pseudonym of Astronautalis has managed to play shows in the Twin Cities on a consistent basis over the past decade. Through his time in Minnesota, Bothwell befriended many of our most acclaimed local musicians, one of the many reasons he finally decided his move to the state would become a reality.

Growing up in central Virginia, listening to punk music, hopping trains and learning the fine art of leather-working, Jonny Fritz was dubbed Jonny Corndawg. A folk legend in the making, Jonny hopped on his motorbike and traveled the country making friends and playing music.

Cursive is a true genre-definer. The Omaha-based band has explored a post-hardcore sound and its fringes since the mid '90s, a precursor to what would become popular in the years to come. Longtime members of Saddle Creek Records (Bright Eyes, Land of Talk), they're back with their seventh release "I Am Gemini," a highly conceptual affair which still manages to pull in new listeners alongside their veteran fans.

The Joy Formidable has been around for five years now, but it wasn't until 2011 that they released their debut album. Building upon the steady buzz they received with their EP "A Balloon Called Moaning," they've since gone on to play late-night television, appear on film soundtracks and gather accolades from some of alternative rock's most iconic acts like Garbage and Foo Fighters.

General Manager offers tickets or cash, apology

Read about and download their new track "Designer Homes"

Watch their entire 30 minute set

Local music notes from the weeks of March 12-23

Why is this album essential? Because The Clash were one of the most exciting bands in the world at that time. Sandinista!, the highly anticipated follow up to their rock masterpiece London Calling, is a joyride around the world.

Growing up in London, Ben Howard had two loves: surfing and music. Very rarely are people able to make their hobbies into a fulfilling career, but it looks like Ben Howard is on his way to making it a reality.