5 Piece band calling themselves Polecat out of Bellingham, WA has been blending a variety of styles to create their unique sound for the past four years or so.  You can find yourself skipping around to grassy licks and the next moment bouncing to reggae influenced jams with these folks.  I have really enjoyed catching them play from time to time this year and recommend giving them a try.

Couldn't resist this one. Take a few minutes to listen to this superb instrumental from Holly Springs' own blues legend Junior Kimbrough. Sometimes everyone needs some blues music in their lives.

Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band have been a festival staple for many years now, and show no signs of slowing down with their newest roots blues endeavor So Delicious. For more grumbley blues check out their newest single "Pot Roast Kisses" and of course "Raise A Little Hell" (below).

Marcus King has been playing guitar since he was 2 years old. I didn't even know you could do that. Perhaps it should be no surprise then that at the ripe old age of 18 Mr. King has been blowing minds in the blues music scene. Below is a nice video of him playing a yet untitled track. Damn son! Watch out for this one. 

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I was recently listening to some Alabama Shakes and realized I do not have many women musicians in my music collection (compared to the other gender).  Also, I have not seen many of them live, Grace Potter being the most recent in 2013.  As I was emerged in Brittany Howard's vocals, I remembered the name Andrija Tokic.  He produced Boys & Girls for Alabama Shakes and also recorded an album for another band who has a female lead singer.  Andrija produced the album Look Out Mama for Hurray for the Riff Raff, which is a band based out of New Orleans.  Both of these bands are now with ATO Records, which is a great place to be.  

All this lead to the decision that I have a sexist music library and I feel I need to post some tunes by a few rock'n soulful women, so enjoy!

The Shouting Matches are a side project by Bon Iver's Justin Vernon.  The band has enjoyed the success of their debut album Grownass Man, which has a very JJ Grey type bluesy feel to it.  Today however, I will post a song from their recently re-released EP Mouthoil.  In the true spirit of Valentines day "I Had a Real Good Lover" is some nice, depressingly beautiful, blues music. Be sure to check out Grownass Man as well.

Named one of USA Today's "Top Bands to Watch in 2013" Toy Soldiers absolutely kill it in this video.  Want more? Head over to Kickstarter and help them fund their next album. Enjoy!

I just stumbled across this amazing band over at the Bandcamp Staff picks page.  This San Francisco based blues/jazz five-piece goes by the name Con Brio.  Not only are their instrumentals stunning, but lead singer Xandra Corpora's vocals are some of the best I've heard in a while.  What's even more amazing about Con Brio is they just as good, if not better live.  I present to you "Not At All", both studio and live versions, see for yourself.

 They're called She Keeps Bees.  Here's the Hype:

“An album of fire, spirit and sweat –and sometimes that’s all you need.” -BBC 

  “A soulful duo that fluently burns through rough-hewn and potent blues-rock stompers.”  -The New Yorker

 "Smokey, subtle, single malt - @shekeepsbees is superbly whiskylike" —Ryan via Bandcamp

Yeah, it's good stuff.  Check out "All Or None/Dark Horse" below and grab Dig On Here.

 Meet Gary Clark Jr.. He has been called the modern day Jimmi Hendrix, savior of the blues, and leader of the Austin, Texas rock scene, and he isn't far off.  Clark started his career at age 12 and has been making sweet blues music ever since.  Now he has begun to solidify his seat as a staple of America's summer festival scene by making appearances at Bonnaroo, Electric Forest, Coachella, Sasquatch, and Jazz Fest just to name a few.  Anyone planning on hitting any of those fine festivals would do best not to miss a Gary Clark Jr. set.  Here are just a few reasons to get excited: