Grace Potter & the Nocturnals

Hometown: Waitsfield, VT
Why she matters: It's easy to see a pretty girl with an acoustic guitar and lump her in with all sorts of Starbucks-ready singer-songwriters. But not with Grace. Confrontational and unafraid, her sultry, sometimes bluesy pop has garnered appreciation from hard rockers and ballad-lovers alike.
You should know: Potter's described Medicine, her forthcoming album, as " Velvet Underground backing Aretha Franklin."