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Merritt's voice is an incredible instrument in itself, but she also has the guitar skills and songwriting chops of a seasoned professional. In support of her third release, Another Country, Merritt speaks with host David Dye about its primary inspiration: France.

When The Helio Sequence set up in KEXP's studio with just one guitar, one drum kit, and two microphones, few expected such a full sound to emerge. Many challenges faced the band as it made Keep Your Eyes Ahead, yet its end result on CD and in the studio reveal focus and power.

Bibb grew up amid the New York City folk scene in the 1950s and '60s, a scene he calls "a magical world that I was born into and never left." But Bibb has since become a blues guitarist and songwriter in his own right. His latest album, Get On Board, pays tribute to his heroes.

House writes roots-based pop songs in the tradition of Jeff Buckley and Bruce Springsteen. The Ohio-born singer realized that he enjoyed entertaining others in high-school drama class and began to write music. His latest CD is titled Flying Upside Down.

Carbon/Silicon is a collaboration between The Clash's Mick Jones and Tony James of the Billy Idol-fronted Generation X, but its sound veers more toward danceable rock. See and hear the band play "The News" at the corner of 7th and Red River in Austin, Tex., for SXSW.

Damron used to lead the booze-drenched roots-rock band I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch In The House. Time hasn't mellowed his worldview, but in "Hallelujah," he's learned that righteous indignation can be even more affecting when it's delivered with a whisper instead of a scream.

Sinatra, Streisand, Rosemary Clooney and Tony Bennett — even Fred Astaire — have all recorded their songs: The husband-and-wife team of Marilyn and Alan Bergman has been writing irresistible tunes together for 50 years. Alan Bergman has recorded an album of their songs with the Berlin Radio Orchestra; it's called Lyrically.

Jay McShann, nicknamed "Hootie," helped define the Kansas City style of jazz, which mixed blues and boogie woogie. In this program from 1980, McShann talks about those early days in Kansas City and meeting a young sax player named Charlie Parker.

Expansive and poppy, The A-Sides' blend of silliness and sincerity has helped make the band a rising star. The 2005 album Hello Hello received attention well beyond the band's hometown of Philadelphia, and Silver Storms should reach an even wider audience.

O'Riordan gained plenty of notoriety as lead singer of the '90s alt-pop sensation The Cranberries, but with the release of her first solo album, she's looking to establish herself as a solo artist. Hear an interview, as well as an in-studio performance of the singer's old and new songs.