There are some records that manage to span multiple eras of time and various places, in essence creating a new sonic space. New Englanders Bronze Radio Return have done just that on their sophomore album, the gorgeous and varied SHAKE! SHAKE! SHAKE!. The roots of this travelogue-time capsule — and the band that made it — can be traced back to lead singer and guitarist Chris Henderson's childhood.

Spending hours on end in his father's art studio, one of Henderson's clearest, dearest memories is the large bronze radio, and the joyful noises he learned of there. "When the band started, we were looking for our direction, to see what this was going to be," explains Henderson. "We came back to this idea of the return of the bronze radio, a return to some of those older, familiar sounds that all of us inherently grew up with."

Connecticut's Chris Pureka has built a grass-roots fan base across the U.S. over the course of two albums and tireless touring. On her third release, How I Learned To See In The Dark, Pureka expands on her distinct and beautiful melodies exploring broader musical soundscapes all the while maintaining the stunning vocals and distinct guitar work she is known for.

With her 2004 debut LP, Driving North, Pureka started a career as a touring troubadour and began building a cult following that started in her native New England and steadily grew to a national level. Fans and critics alike were drawn to the signature voice that somehow makes heartbreak sound desirable and her acute attention to lyrical detail, while others lauded her aptitude for crafting guitar parts that speak for themselves. With her 2006 follow-up, Dryland, Pureka further expanded on the emotional topography she charted earlier in her career by continuing to tour extensively playing 200+ shows a year and gathering supporters city by city, show by show and fan by fan. This year Chris will take touring to the next level by adding a full backing band to her incredible live show.

Floor Thirteen's song "Blame It On Me" was licensed to major video game company Electronic Arts near the end of 2008. Since then, EA has placed the song in top selling game franchises Need For Speed and The Sims, exposing their music to millions of people across 30 different countries. Since the release of their debut full-length album Mmmm!, Floor Thirteen has been turning up in more than just games.

"Blame It On Me" popped up on George Stroumboulopoulos The Strombo Show, radio stations across North America and tons of fan made videos shared online. The band headed to the U.K. to showcase in London and a few months later headed to Los Angeles where they had previously played a number of shows including a packed room at the world famous Whisky A Go Go. Floor Thirteen have been nominated for an L.A. Music Award for their song "Let it Go" and have had songs featured on U.S. and Canadian television, movies, and in an online promotion for Mazda Canada. Most recently, they've won the honour of being voted #1 in rock on OurStage.com, again with their song "Blame it On Me." Floor Thirteen is ready for some more success with new material, having released their EP Neon Lights in November 2011.

Contemporary R&B has been longing for a fresh new voice and the wait is officially over. Jesse Idol is the answer; the beginning of a new era in the genre. Raised in a musically inclined family, music courses through Idol's entire being. Idol got his start in the church and cites Fred Hammond as a strong influence. He showcased his vocal talent early as a member of the prestigious Newark Boys Choir and has performed in London, England, in South Africa for Nelson Mandela, and throughout the United States.

Thanks to a loving, supportive family, Idol is a well-rounded individual. He served his country as an officer in the U.S. Navy and after two years of active duty, he returned to civilian life, ready to share his experiences with the world. His eclectic library ranges from intimate to inspirational and is meant to touch all lives. Idol's first single "Movie Night" demonstrates his incredible talent as an artist. He pays homage to the many artists that influenced him: the late, great Michael Jackson, Jamie Foxx, Kim Burrell, Brian McKnight, Tyrese, and Beyonce. He is currently featured on the single "TOWARDS THE SKY" alongside Rappers Billy Roadz & Maino. The single has already gained major momentum on mainstream radio.

Drawing on her Peruvian roots, Pop singer/songwriter Luci offers a pop-driven sound that is infused with Latin, R&B and funk. Beginning in her childhood years, music was an integral part of Luci's life, from singing to playing piano and flute. Born in Lima, Peru, Luci lived in the U.S. from a very young age and grew up in various southern states. She draws her unique style from a sea of influences varying from Celia Cruz and Christina Aguilera, to Aerosmith and Stevie Wonder.

As she has grown both personally and as a songwriter, Luci feels her music has grown along with her, sharing the character and life experiences gained along the way. "My vision is to inspire strength, joy and hope in others," Luci said. "I work tirelessly to put on the best performance, which is what I feel all my fans deserve. From the songwriting and dancing to the fashion, my fans know they can expect to experience Luci. I know this is what I'm made to do and I absolutely intend to make a career out of it and share my music and performance experience with as many people as I can." Working alongside award-winning producer Kene Bell, her debut EP, entitled Live It Up, was released in May 2010. She currently lives in Nashville with her husband and their two young daughters.

Luke Wade came from a family of artists in rural Central Texas. He recently moved to Fort Worth to form No Civilians. The music they have created together has been called "well-crafted and compelling" by the Dallas Observer and "a veritable masterpiece of Funk, Soul, and R&B" by Pegasus News.

Luke Wade and No Civilians' debut album, Tomorrow's Ghosts, has been hailed by the Fort Worth Weekly as "a rare album, leaving an indelible imprint on hopeful honesty." This new disc was released to much fanfare in June 2010 and received the Weekly's nomination for Album of the Year — a month before the album's official release. Luke's visceral lyrics, infectious melodies, and pristine vocals provide a foundation for the sound of the project. The musical talent that is No Civilians architects the sonic space with patience and precision, making these pop-sensible arrangements sexy and unique.

Emerging from the basements of Seattle's burgeoning indie music scene, Xolie Morra and her band The Strange Kind are staking their claim as the West's newest and freshest set of talent, taste, drive and, of course, unforgettable songs. Having shared the stage with classic headlining acts like Styx and contemporary headliners like Jessica Simpson, Xolie Morra has already seen her share of the spotlight.

But she insists that her most notable and profound experience to date has been the opportunity to perform at the 2010 Lilith Fair, thanks to OURSTAGE.com. Since Lilith, Xolie has also won many contests on OurStage, including the "Shout It Out with Hanson" Competition and the Intel Superstars Rock Competition in 2010. In 2011 She placed 1st in the Intel Superstars Country, Pop and Singer-songwriter competitions, and has been staking her claim on the OurStage charts for months.

Xolie's debut self-titled EP Xolie Morra & The Strange Kind is in the works boasting a wish list of superstar producers such as Brian Young (Fountains of Wayne, The Posies), and standout tracks like "Wings of Gold" (written with and produced by Mike Green) as well as "The Last Time" (written with Ken Andrews & Charlotte Martin).

As people, we all cling to one unified thing that gives us purpose and a reason to carry on. That one thing is hope. Hope that there's something bigger and greater than what we know and live everyday. Tim Anstead lives his hope through Civil Sound, a name he carries simply because he doesn't believe his name should be what is remembered, but rather the music he writes.

"I'm not looking to be the greatest musician," he admits. "I'm just a raw, emotional writer that puts my heart and life into my songs. The people that I play next to and work with are the ones that make it great." Like many others, Tim is someone who has faced tragedy, loss and heartache along with the good, the bad and the in-between. What once was "All Found Out", a band that Tim created in 2005 right out of high school (one of the top 10 bands under 20 in Texas), has now evolved into Civil Sound. With a sound similar to The Fray and One Republic, he has shared the stage with like-minded artists South FM and Tim Halperin (American Idol) and has sold thousands of downloads. With Civil Sound on the rise, Tim is not looking to be different, just to be heard.

PunchFunkLove is four-piece Hip-Hop/Rock band from Queens, the borough of New York which has produced some of the greatest players in the industry, such as Nas, Mobb Deep, A Tribe Called Quest, Run-DMC, Rakim, Eric B, and 50 Cent. It has been well documented that one of Punchfunklove's greatest strengths is their live show, which never fails to evoke the mind-blowing energy reminiscent of bands like Rage Against the Machine and The Roots.

Complimenting this energy, Punchfunklove's music creates that uncontrollable sensation that just makes you want to break out and dance – that feeling you have longed for and embrace every time you listen to bands like Sublime and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. After listening to their debut EP and seeing them live in full force, you will feel like real hip-hop and true rock music are still very much alive and well.

PFL have created a noteworthy buzz in New York and beyond. On their first tour in 2010, the band traveled all over the east coast and middle United States in support of their self-titled EP. They have been fortunate enough to performed with many big names in the industry, such as Havoc of the infamous Mobb Deep, Saigon, Bizzare of D12, Badfish, Diabolic, and more.

The Organ Beats are from Waltham, MA; formed in 2008. Danny and Noelle are siblings who started making music as preteens and were tour veterans (as members of Damone, (RCA Records)) before they were able to buy cigarettes. The lineup is rounded out by Mikey (bass) and Alex (lead guitar). The 9-track album Sleep When We Are Dead was recorded in the summer 2009 in a small studio outside of Houston TX over the course of 3 weeks. The songs convey strength and determination. They are heartfelt pop jams with colorful imagery and a keen sense of wonder. The drums are a solid platform laid out to support crunchy guitars, singing solos, catchy melodies and a voice that belts out epic choruses.

The Organ Beats: Distinct, unusual, yet accessible to the masses.

Alanna Clarke grew up in a house near Cochrane, Alberta that looks out on the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. This is where Alanna learned to sing, write songs, play guitar and piano. Alanna's music comes from real experiences in her life and that's why she's able to connect with her listeners. Alanna found her love of the stage when she was 10 years old and has since devoted all of her energy to pursuing music.

Over the past three years Alanna has played over 250 shows across Canada. In 2007, as a youth in Calgary, she won the city's youth band competition (Toast n' Jam), and in 2008 she won the Don Weldon Award for Most Promising Performer at the Calgary Stampede Talent Search. Alanna is thrilled to be a member of U22, an organization that provides performance opportunities for young talent.

Alanna recently completed a new six song EP Wild Rose, on which she worked with acclaimed songwriter and producer Luke McMaster (Rhianna, Nich Lachey, Kalen Porter). Last summer, her song "Fine Line" was featured on Degrassi's new movie Degrassi Goes Manhattan.

Cameron Stymeist and Curtis Van Winkle have been playing together since September 2005. Cameron is from Placerville CA, where he was born and raised. He took an interest in music at the young age of 13 when he taught himself how to play the guitar. However, it wasn't until high school that he discovered his love for music. He joined his high school choir sophomore year and discovered his voice. By his senior year Cameron decided this was what he wanted to do with his life.

Curtis Van Winkle was born and raised in Redmond OR. Curtis was involved in music throughout high school. Playing guitar for various projects, but mainly leading worship for his youth group. After he graduated high school, Curtis moved to California to pursue music. After settling in Folsom CA, he met Cameron after a Sunday morning service and asked how he could get involved with the band, for which Cameron was music director. Curtis began playing with the band on weekends. Cameron and he often half-joked about forming a band and going on tour. A few months later, after a weekend service, Cameron came to Curtis with a melody line, which later became "I Wanna Live." The idea became a reality, and "The Reel" was born. Their album, Come Alive is OUT NOW.

Watching Eclectic Approach you get the same feeling as when you walk into a really great party; people are dancing, groovin' and letting the good times roll. "We bring a really positive message with our music and live show. We want people to have a great time and walk away feeling better about life." It's a great philosophy for a band to have, and has proven effective as their name spreads like wildfire across the Northwest and beyond.

Originally conceived as a hip-hop group, EA has expanded its musical horizons and fully embraced the name "Eclectic." The band stationed themselves in Seattle, marketing their unique vision of positive, gritty rock'n hop. With a lyrical flow influenced by underground hip hop artists such as Del, guitar riffs that range from Jimi Hendrix to Jim Croce, bass lines inspired by Jamiroquai and drums that are as rockin' as any Metallica album, EA's sound is truly one of a kind.

Having worked with well-known engineer and producer Justin Armstrong (Death Cab for Cutie, Dave Matthews) on their latest album, Jump Into Life, EA now has a record with sonic clarity that matches the intensity of their live show.

Established in September 2009 as Northampton, MA's premier "string-rock" quintet, Darlingside has quickly taken hold in New England's musical imagination. Playing over 100 shows during their first year of touring, the band has created a seamless, exhilarating sound at the intersection of rock, classical, and folk music.

Their first studio offering, EP 1, has earned high praise for its craftsmanship and originality, and the band's new material has further expanded their artistic range. Last spring, the band took their talent and energy on the road, embarking on a tour that ranged as far as Toronto, ON and Austin, TX. Their brand new subscription album Pilot Machines is rolling out through the first half of 2012.

Mieka Pauley began as a solo artist in Boston. Her haunting voice and heartbreaking lyrics gained her more than a few fans, securing her bills with Citizen Cope, KT Tunstall, Natasha Bedingfield, Ben Kweller, Mason Jennings, John Legend, the Avett Brothers and many others. She won the first ever Starbucks Emerging Artist Award and the New York Songwriters Circle Songwriting Contest, and she was named Cosmopolitan Magazine's Fun Fearless Female Rockstar of the Year.

So, the music: Imagine Radiohead tiptoeing silently behind Patty Griffin as she makes her way backstage. Imagine Jeff Buckley in drag, singing along loudly at a Nirvana concert. Imagine Death Cab hiding in the back of an Emily Dickinson reading. She describes the music as "mainstream indie rock" and feels the contradiction perfectly describes her obsessions.

Sometimes, preconceived notions can be comforting and welcome. For the more adventurous among us, though, the best part of defined expectations is having them broken – in a good way. Enter: The Niceguys, a four-member Houston-based group with Southern roots and musical sensibilities that stretch far beyond the city's limits. A self- contained unit, The Niceguys is comprised of MC Yves 'Easy Yves Saint' Ozoude, DJ Lucien 'DJ Candlestick' Barton and producers Todd 'Christolph' Louis and Winfrey 'Free' Oribhabor.

Despite garnering their first national attention in late 2009, the origins of the group actually date two years prior, when Yves, DJ Candlestick, Christolph, and Free came together, releasing their inaugural project, a mixtape titled Niceguys Finish Last Vol 1. Taking a little over two years to perfect their chemistry, they released 2009's The Green Room, a highly lauded seven-song free EP. An eclectic combination of soulful, boom bap-era beats backing Yves' nimble rhymes, the EP — with tracks including the playful street wear giant-ode "Supreme Team" and "Not At All," with its horny bravado supporting Yves' witty lyrics and bouncing flow — served as rock-solid precursor to the group's forthcoming debut LP, The Show.