World Cafe

The Cave Singers are no doubt inspired by the rain and shine of the Pacific Northwest. Formed in 2007 from the dissolution of bands such as Pretty Girls Make Graves and Hint Hint, this trio has built a sound full of dark folk, with more than a hint of punk rock. Pete Quirk (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Derek Fudesco (guitar and bass) and Marty Lund (drums, guitar) have found their own niche in contemporary Americana. After signing with Matador and releasing two albums, the band jumped to Jagjaguwar and released another set of enticing songs, No Witch.

Brooklyn band TV on the Radio are simply one of the biggest acts in rock music today. Combining everything from jazz, soul, hip-hop and electro-pop, the group has carved out a niche entirely its own.

This April, TV on the Radio released Nine Types of Light, its fourth LP and another bold step that defied expectations. Coming off of the funky percussion and new wave synths of Dear Science, the record is downright calm by comparison. Some have called it a lovers' album, full of muted beats and humble melodies.

Hayes Carll is a dry-witted folk musician whose humble music is poised, but infused with humorous anecdotes. Hailing from Texas, the singer-songwriter first picked up a guitar at the age of 15. He followed a common route through college while singing on the side, moving around Texas in search of success. But his music is anything but common. He eventually returned to Houston, his hometown,and began to develop a following.

?uestlove, born Ahmir Khalib Thompson, is the renowned drummer of Grammy-winning Philadelphia band The Roots, but that's just the beginning. He's also a DJ, journalist and record producer. He's worked with Common, Erykah Badu, John Legend, Jay-Z, Bilal... the list goes on and on. And, of course, he's on network television almost every weeknight as the leader of the house band on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.

Suze Rotolo has been described as the '60s muse of Bob Dylan, the girl behind some of his most moving love songs and rousing political statements. The two met in the early 1960s in New York, and fell in love. She was a "red diaper baby," born to Communist sympathizers in the McCarthy era. She was living a politically active life in bohemian Greenwich Village when she met Dylan at a concert. Dylan described it as love at first sight, and the two soon became romantically involved.