Quetzal - Based in East Los Angeles, Quetzal combines a variety of Mexican music with Afro-Cuban rhythms, jazz, R&B and rock. Formed in 1994 by Quetzal Flores with the idea of pushing the boundaries of Chicano music, the band's self-titled debut was produced by Oingo Boingo bassist John Avila and released in 1998. Driven by the vocals of Martha Gonzalez and championed by Los Lobos, Quetzal has become one of the most important voices in LA's Latino music scene.

Thea Gilmore - Inspiring accolades in the U.K. like "the best wordsmith of her generation" ("The Independent"), "the best British singer/songwriter of the last ten years - and then some" ("Uncut"), and "the most coherent and literate of singer/songwriters" ("Mojo), singer/songwriter Thea Gilmore is poised to take on the U.S. Born to Irish parents and raised in Oxford, England, Gilmore began left home at age 16 to work in a recording studio. In 1998, she founded Shameless Records and released her debut "Burning Dorothy." Following two more releases, she signed with Compass Records and released "Rules For Jokers" in 2002. The following year, "Juliet," from Gilmore's third album "Avalanche," became her first Top 40 hit in the U.K. Following up 2006's critically acclaimed "Harpo's Ghost," Gilmore released "Liejacker" in 2008 which featured a cameo longtime fan Joan Baez.

Mates of State - The duo comprised of keyboardist Kori Gardner and drummer Jason Hammel, came together in 1997 while both were playing in Lawrence, KS. With a strong mix of vocal harmonies and catchy pop, the group relocated to San Francisco where it released its full-length debut "My Solo Project" in 2000. Hammel and Gardner married in 2001 and released "Our Constant Concern." In 2007, the duo joined NPR's "This American Life" tour, providing musical interludes between readings by Ira Glass, Dave Eggers, Dan Savage, Sarah Vowell and David Rakoff. In 2008, Mates of State issued its fifth full-length release "Re-Arrange Us." The group recently appeared on "Late Night with Conan O'brien."

Al and the Transamericans - From upstate New York, Al and The Transamericans is a five-piece Americana group that includes members of moe., Strangefolk, Okemah, and the Gordon Stone Trio. Blending bluegrass, country and rock, the group played its first shows in January, 1999, and became a regular at the annual moe.down festivals. Led by moe.'s Al Schnier, the band released "Analog" in 2003 and has continued to perform when the members' schedules permit.

Son de Madera - Founded in 1992, Son de Madera is based in Veracruz, Mexico and is one of the leading voices of Son Jarocho, traditional music and dance from the country's coastal region. The band draws its material from the songs of the traditional fandango (musical fiesta) on the south of Veracruz as well as the call and response songs from the African and Creole influence of the Caribbean.

Distribution to public radio will be December 5, 2008