Who? Like the four-piece's New York City stomping grounds, the Vanguard are a bubbling melting pot of sounds, influences, and ethnic backgrounds -- yet exude an air distinctly their own.

Who? With a globetrotting mindset and passport stamps spanning from eastern Europe to Brazil, Brit-born singer/songwriter Ed Laurie filters distinct cultural flavors through six nylon strings while heeding contemporary craft, pop fare, and British songwriting icons: Imagine psych-folk legend Donovan cutting a record with Jose Gonzalez atop Spain's Pyrenees mountain range.

Who? As co-songwriter behind both of the now-defunct Ben Folds Five's radio hits

Who? We’re not entirely sure what a "dykeritz" is; then again, there seems to be a lot of aural lo-fi mystery that surrounds Portland's glam-eccentric Dykeritz, aka Jordan Blum.

Who? It's taken nearly a decade, a few DIY EPs and a sojourn through Spanish label Acuarela Discos, but genre-redefiners APSE have finally found a stable stateside home and belated buzz for their ambient-cum-tribal voodoo vibeology.

Who? Seattle-based vets and childhood pals Kimberly Morrison and Jesse Lortz, who, after collaborating in various capacities since 2002, dropped the Dutchess and the Duke's debut single release, "Mary," in 2007 via Boom Boom Castle Records. Shortly thereafter, Sub Pop seedling Hardly Art took notice and put the duo to work in a west Seattle basement studio with an 8-track recorder.