The name Penny Peaches might conjure innocence and nostalgia, and the Peaches do tap those sensibilities at times, but they’re not a mere throw-back band, and their last name really is Peach. Sisters Hattie and Grace Peach provide the vocals, guitar, bass and fiddle, while their father, John Peach, plays drums. Long-time family friend Tom Kolter offers additional guitar support. The sisterly blood harmonies and thoughtful song-crafting are the centerpiece of their music, and one may detect the influence of the dynamic Swedish sister band First Aid Kit in some of the tunes. Their first full-length album, Good for Me, was released in August.

Eclectic quartet Peat Boggs plays an organic blend of groove, jazz and twisted folk music. The band’s sound shifts from smooth melodies to flavors of doom and surf rock. Peat Boggs is led by guitarist Charlie “Butter Lungs” French, who talk-sings his way through the band’s gorgeous, highly orchestrated songs. Cole “Quail” Webster is on guitar, “Gentle Ben” Wagener is on bass and Chris “The Body” Shea takes care of drums and all things rhythm. Secret weapon Cavan Denning joins the band on sweet pedal steel. The group released a debut five-song EP Good Enough in 2024.

P.B&J is the ultimate rock ’n’ roll sandwich. Take two pieces of heavy metal. Spread some sloppy grunge on one piece and psychedelic blues on the other. Put it all together and it sounds so tasty. Peter Anderson is the singer, songwriter, guitarist and mastermind behind “the hottest band on YouTube,” with 315 videos posted in five years. Jake Ericson is the faithful bassist. Like Spinal Tap, the trio has gone through multiple drummers — Antonio Davis is the latest. The 13-track concept album Progressive Concept, released in 2023, features songs written in each of the major keys.

Somewhere inside the Owls Club, that mysterious little bar perched on East Second Street in Downtown Duluth, beats the heart of a 17-piece jazz band. Formed in 2016, Owls Club Big Band performs regularly at its namesake space and ventures outside the nest on occasion to deliver its swinging, horn-driven dance music to venues throughout the Zenith City. The group features Alex Nordehn, Eric Cyr, David Leslie, Will Collins, David Adams, Josh Lehigh, David Rode, Beck Fulin, Matt Wasmund, Greg Moore, Joseph Anderson, Trevor Spurbeck, Ian McNicholes, Darin Bergsven, Mark Glen, Ian Hopp and Charlotte Dike.