In an ever-changing music industry musicians and producers alike must learn to adapt to new sounds, trends, and styles to stay relevant. Nobody knows this more than longtime beat master and hip-hop veteran DJ Muggs, whose illustrious career has helped solidify himself a position as one of the utmost pioneers in hip-hop music today. Muggs began deejaying back in 1985 and started to build a reputation as one of the premier DJ’s of his time.

Combining the sounds of 90’s dance progressive house with modern age electro has given singer/songwriter/producer Brian Suarez quite a reputation in the electronic music today. Catch Allies for Everyone live and you will see him combine forces with Arvin Ajamian to form a synth-heavy wonderland of beats and bass. Eclectic pop music with a twist, Allies For Everyone blends the roots of house music with today’s modern feel of electro house.

2012 saw the release of critically acclaimed album A Thing Called Divine Fits, by what, ostensibly, could be called a “super-group.”  Divine Fits is the new project comprised of Britt Daniel (Spoon), Dan Boeckner (Handsome Furs/Wolf Parade), Sam Brown (New Bomb Turks) and keyboardist Alex Fische.

The only time I ever saw Bill Staines live was several years ago in East Grand Forks, MN. I was eager for him to sing his (for me) signature song, “Roseville Fair.” It was a song my husband at the time had made into his own, creating a tender arrangement of this most romantic song of lasting love. I had never heard the original recording.

Perhaps at the most simple level musicians view it as their job to deliver the music their fans love them for and to put on a good, entertaining live performance. Beyond that however, making and performing music is about much more. For world jam rockers Rusted Root, this means a new devotion to consciousness, focus, and discovering the vibe and light of being for both themselves and their community of fans.

46 years after his first recorded Success, Mighty Sam McClain continues to bring the funk, the soul and the ‘tude with his latest album, “Too Much Jesus (Not Enough Whiskey).” Along with the musical talents of his guitarist, Pat Herlehy, the duo creates rhythm and blues flowing through his songs with powerful messages behind each.Sticking true to the name of the album, a religious theme underlies several songs. This comes as no surprise to his fans as Sam grew up in Louisiana singing Gospel  in his Mother’s church by age 5.

With 2012 wrapping up shortly and 2013 on the horizon, the future looks incredibly bright for 23-year-old music producer Christian Bauhofer, better known as Minnesota.

Few producers can stand the test of time and survive the modern-day music industry like Dutch music producer Tom Holkenborg, better known as Junkie XL. A one-man wrecking machine, Holkenborg has accomplished more in his 15-year career than many musicians could ever fathom. "When I found out in 1986 how my sampler could produce sounds, I knew it was pointless to ever leave the studio," says Holkenborg.

Listening to northeastern synth-tinged rock band Jimkata, it’s obvious that these boys want to add their own special blend of spice to the standard of indie fare that’s become business-as-usual in an increasingly predictable genre.

Canadian-based jam band Days Of You is set to release their first album in over a decade, after taking a 12-year hiatus throughout the 2000’s. The band’s upcoming LP release, You Belong Where You Go, marks a triumphant return to the scene for the Canadian pioneers. Mixing elements of rock, blues, jazz, reggae, and folk, on top of improvisational experimentation, Days of You quickly gained success through community radio and word of mouth.