Since the late 1800’s Austin Texas has been known as a hotbed of music, hosting well known artists from Elvis Presley to Duke Ellington, while launching the careers of Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughn, Charlie Sexton, The Black Angels, and hundreds of others. 

One musician that slipped through the cracks was Billy White. After co-founding the influential progressive metal band Watchtower in 1982, Billy would eventually part ways with them and form his own trio. In 1995 they released Sistershootingstar on DMZ Records and seemed ready to conquer the modern rock world.
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“Cookie Cutter” is a prime example of their talents, and if you’re a fan of mid 90’s alternative rock, with a touch of guitar hero, this is the song for you.    

If you’ve ever been in love, with the flickering smiles, pining, and the occasional crumbling of emotions, this is the tune for you. It’s a warm rainfall or delicate breeze, and a number that your friends either hated or adored.
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Released in 1976 on their debut album Tracks, Liverpool Express scored several hits from this record in both the UK and South America.  

I think it’s a wonderful love song, and a band that deserves much more attention in the United States.    

It has been said that musicians are thieves, stealing what they hear, and that the best just hide their influences better than the others.  If that’s the case, then Pete Rock is a master thief. Since 1987 he has produced some of the finest Hip Hop ever recorded.

His 1994 release The Main Ingredient with Cl Smooth is an overlooked, underrated album that deserves far more attention. It’s a layer cake of samples, with drifting horns and well-rounded basslines, and if your headphones/ speakers can’t handle 20 Hz then please don’t listen.
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“Sun Won't Come Out” is the fourth track from that record, and a great example of how he hides his influences, disguising samples from 6 different artists. It also showcases his diverse background as a DJ, creating a driving, funky, trance like groove with musicality that younger Rap producers of today can only envy.

Since 2006 Bára Kratochvílová and Jan Kratochvíl have been making wonderful electro acoustic music that references tango, cabaret, and whatever music the wind whips through their doors.

“Juchu” is from their 2012 soundtrack for the point and click adventure game Botanicula. In the game you play as various botanical creatures who are trying to save their home from parasitic infestation. Portions of the money raised from the sales of the game went to the World Land Trust. It’s a brilliant game and a wonderfully inventive soundtrack that seamlessly matches the enjoyable gameplay.
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Please do not sleep on DVA. Each of their delightful albums offer inventive music that will warm your heart.
 
For more information about DVA: http://www.2dva.cz/   
And for those of you seeking beautiful, heartfelt artwork- the creators of Botanicula http://amanita-design.net/