The Knux - Roxanne (buy at Amazon.com)

Personally I’m no big fan of all things hip-hop, but what if you spice it up with a pinch of rock-n-roll? Then you get a wonderful creation by the New Orleans natives The Knux, two sibling rappers that play instruments (keys, horns, guitar, bass and drums) and produce their own music. Al Millio (the younger brother) and Krispy grew up playing in jazz, marching and concert bands.

Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside - Danger (her Myspace)

In House (local radio program on OPB/NPR) is a great introductory point to the world of local indie and rock scenes. And, oh boy, do I like discovering new music. I wasn’t able to find anything even remotely resembling a meaningful biography of hers except for the fact that she is based in Portland, but it’s not the main thing that brought you here, right? So prepare to enhale a fresh doze of cheerful summer sounds.

Bishop Allen - Butterfly Nets (buy at Amazon.com)

Brooklyn by way of Boston indie rock quartet Bishop Allen formed in 2003 around core members Justin Rice and Christian Rudder. The group (the two longtime friends are joined by a rotating cast of musicians) takes its name from Bishop Allen Drive in Cambridge, MA, the street where Rice and Rudder used to reside. The band released the largely self-recorded Charm School in 2003, followed by a flurry of EPs (January, February, March, April, and May). In 2006 the band signed to Secretly Canadian/Jagjaguwar sister label Dead Oceans and released the full-length Broken String. ~ James Christopher Monger, All Music Guide

Wild Beasts - Brave Bulging Buoyant Clairvoyants (buy at Amazon.com)

England’s Wild Beasts were founded as a duo in 2002 by Hayden Thorpe (guitar, vocals) and Ben Little (guitar). Originally called Fauve, the group was joined by drummer Chris Talbot in 2004 and changed its name to Wild Beasts. After recording a self-titled EP, Tom Flemming was recruited as Wild Beasts’ bassist and the band relocated to Leeds, where its breezy pop sound and Thorpe’s theatrical falsetto (both of which were akin to the style of fellow Brit Mika) earned the group a dedicated local following. Wild Beasts released a number of singles on Bad Sneakers Records (which they signed to in 2006) before signing with Domino Records in 2007. Their debut album, Limbo, Panto, was released in July 2008 in the U.K. and that fall in the U.S.

Headlights - Cherry Tulips (buy at Amazon.com)

Headlights is an indie rock band from Champaign, IL. The band was formed following the dissolution of Absinthe Blind, when members Erin Fein, Seth Fein and Brett Sanderson formed a band named Orphans. It was only when Tristan Wraight started writing songs with Fein bck in 2004 that Headlights was formed.