As band names go, it doesn't get much cuter than Mittens on Strings. This Chicago-based five-piece's sound dabbles in cuteness, sure, but mostly aligns itself with alt-country and low-fi psych rock. Ahead of the band's SXSW appearance, Spinner caught up with singer/mandolin player Alex Preston, who gave us his two cents on Amish nudity and the Red ...

MoJoe are rising stars in the southern R&B scene, but their sound is too complex to be given just one label. As such, the San Antonio-based duo has created its own genre of music -- a hip hop, soul, blues and jazz hybrid they've dubbed "Dirty Genes." The masterminds behind MoJoe, Easy Lee and Tre (aka T.R.R.E.), recently chatted with Spinner ...

MNDR is the pseudonym of Amanda Warner, a jet-setting party gal who, along with band mate Peter Wade, creates club music that blows minds and wiggles behinds. Known for her high-energy live shows, MNDR is takin' the indie electronic world by storm with lights, sound and more hooks than you can shake a stick at. Spinner recently got the opportunity ...

Caterina Barbieri, the Italian-born and Berlin-based songstress, is better known as MissinCat. Her blend of romantic indie folk makes for a sweet sound, which she talked about with Spinner as she gets set to kick off her latest North American tour (which includes a stop at SXSW). Describe your sound. Quiet, but loud. How did your band ...

Bermudan roots reggae artist Mishka has been making sweet, sweet music for almost two decades. iTunes must not have received the memo, though, because it named him the Best New Artist of 2009. The album that won him praise from iTunes, 2009's 'Above the Bones," debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard reggae chart and marked the first release from actor ...

Peter Rosenberg's momma didn't raise no slouch. This hip-hop fanatic has got an equally fanatical work ethic: he can be heard six days a week on New York's Hot 97, makes appearances on MTV and VH1, runs a supremely popular YouTube channel and, with partner Cipha Sounds, hosts the cult-favorite podcast Juan Epstein. He's also the master of ...

Mon Khmer isn't just an "autochthonous language family of Southeast Asia" (thanks, Wikipedia!); it's a genre-dodging band from Brooklyn by way of Boston. The dudes in Mon Khmer test the limits of new wave with a sound that they are preparing to bring down to this year's SXSW. Vocalist/guitarist/fluent Mon Khmer speaker Hammarsing recently took a ...