Piano based songs with strongly poetic lyrics and powerful vocals. Click here for Apple Music playlist

Intriguing, fresh indie rock songs from lesbian perspective. Good quiet-loud dynamics, good lyrics and catchy melodies. Click here for Apple Music playlist

Ben Harper is a solid songwriter and performer with his own extensive catalog, and also several albums with The Innocent Criminals. They back him well, adding a sort of New Orleans vibe to Harper's music. One of their big hits was "Steal My Kisses," which is very Jack Johnson-ish, but most of the stuff leans more towards soul. Harper's solo stuff can be in just about any genre as he dabbles in many. Click here for Apple Music playlist

Elegant alternative pop-rock with just a touch of 1950's torch songs. Good lead vocals. Click here for Apple Music playlist

Heavy, hook-laden, very grungy metal grooves combined with excellent rap vocals, sort of a harder-edged Rage Against the Machine. When they ditch the announcement style rap in favor of ogre-growl vocals, not as good. Explicit. Click here for Apple Music playlist

Trumpetist and multi-instrumentalist/composer. "Stretch Music" is a very listenable album of fusion jazz grooves. "Bark Out Thunder Roar Out Lightning" is an album of Native American chant-songs. Click here for Apple Music playlist

This may seem like a stretch, but if Public Image Limited were an American punk rock band, they might sound like Home Is Where, with their droning scream-talk vocals and lengthy, oddly enjoyable grooves. If you don't believe us check out "Floral Organs." We couldn't find a single bridge - just verses and choruses, with choruses often being just an extension of the verse. Uniquely themselves. Click here for Apple Music playlist

We really like Emile's peaceful, slowly developing instrumentals that are filled with atmmosphere. No surprise he has scored some films....

Very listenable heavy metal 3-piece band from New Zealand with solid vocals and tight arrangements. Lyrics are mostly in their native...

Slick suave funky urban rock-pop duo. Click here for Apple Music playlist

Interestingly styled baritone vocals, and quirky engaging lyrics buoy Mr. Dally's unique brand of art-pop. Click here for Apple Music...

The male-female harmonies are the strongest element of this chill alternative folk-rock, along with strong songwriting. Click here for...

Lighthearted Boston band playing heavy rock with a guitar sound reminiscent of early Black Sabbath. Very effective lead singer for their...

These Boston-based indie rock guys have been around for a while; first album was "Antics" in 2013, but they're still putting new stuff...

Listenable, longer length indie folk-rock that reminds us of Pavement. Funny, interesting lyrics. One album out. Click here for Apple...

If you like your country on the traditional, more serious side, Cris Jacobs may be for you. He has a soulful, well trained voice, like a...

Hummable power pop similar to Weezer, but with more distortion, and heavy focus on chorus rather than verse. Solo project from a guy...

A very unique combination of classical and jazz guitar with etherial Japanese vocals. Peaceful, evocative. Click here for Apple Music...

British indie rock band that produce plodding (but not in a bad way) and occasional uptempo soundscapes with sparse singing. Definitely...

Singer/songwriter Sammy Rae is a peppy revelation, full of panache and good humor. The Friends are as good of a backing band as she could...

Well constructed and pleasantly listenable DJ mixes, with some world music flourishes. Click here for Apple Music playlist

Peppy, fun bossa nova pop mixes. Well produced. Intriguing. Brijean Murphy is involved in both Toro y Moi and Poolside. Good spa or...

Chill, twangy groove band, with nice harmonies, occasional pops of psychedelia, and some rockers too. Click here for Apple Music playlist

Super talented multi-instrumentalist jazz musician and composer puts out some sizzling tracks. Click here for Apple Music playlist

Very original and very personal pop & indie folk. Familiar sounding - some melodies may be borrowed. Still funny, adorable and poignant....