The Langertsons is a young, Mahtowa-based rock band that started producing solid, straight-from-the-heart, original music before its members were old enough to drive. The group combines two sets of siblings, Josie and Audrey Langhorst and Amri and Eli Gilbertson, to form a group bursting with blood harmonies, lyrical piano work and soul-searching songs written mostly by Josie Langhorst. The Langertsons have put together three records with Rich Mattson at Sparta Sound. The latest, Peppery Cat, is an EP released in June that continues to advance the group’s sound into more creative and ear-popping places.

Lacuda is a three-piece, power-rock trio that performs with the same fearless spirit and tireless energy as the White Stripes, Black Keys and Melvins. Just guitar, bass and drums. Vocals straight from the gut. Nowhere to hide. No off-nights. Crank it up and keep going until the wheels fall off. Simon Thill, Hayden Bakke and John Roemhildt formed Lacuda last fall and have been performing regular gigs at R.T. Quinlan’s Saloon. The group opened for Social Animals at Blacklist Brewery in November and is making its Homegrown debut.

Mikayla Wenzel is Kayla K, a genre-bending, indie-pop, hip-hop artist who can kick it with the best. Dynamic. Soulful. Captivating. Kayla K performs solo to recorded beats, electronics and fire-roasted grooves of all kinds. Her raps take down old boyfriends and her singing lifts the spirits of anyone with ears. Kayla K’s music reflects the beauty and resilience of her northern roots. Two delightful holiday songs were posted to her YouTube channel in December: The rollicking “Mistletoe Slide” and “All I Want for Christmas,” featuring Duluth rapper MN Moder.

Old-tyme country, acoustic three-piece Junkyard Mule plays original songs and classic covers about drifting, drinking and long-lost love. The band’s music sounds like it was made in the back room of a crossroads general store sometime around 1950. After hours. With a little homemade hooch to lighten the load. Junkyard Mule hasn’t released any work yet, but when it does it should be on both Spotify and shellac. The supergroup features vocalist and guitar/mandolin player Nate Hynum, bassist Jennifer Krussow and fiddle ace Clancy Ward.