Formerly known as the trio of Neat Neat Neat, Dirt Magnet is the newly named duo of drummer Shanna Willie and bassist/vocalist Clancy Ward. Willie and Ward can pretty much play any genre, but Dirt Magnet’s sound has its roots in rock ’n’ roll while spouting a “don’t be a dick” mantra. The duo is on a mission to build community and promote inclusivity while having fun singing about the banality of four-way stops, the pitfalls of perimenopause and the benefits of quality communication.

Deep Fake Five transmits its high-powered “earth rock” to the planet below from a flying saucer that was designed and built by Pearl Jam in a secret Seattle warehouse. The band has been on an intergalactic search for truth and recently released its findings on a five-song EP titled War: Brought To You By Our Sponsors. The record is a blistering message of love and hope mixed with a healthy dose of questioning power. The Deep Fake Five include Scott Kimball on drums, Mike Bernier on bass, Cliff LaVigne on lead guitar, Cam Mathews on keys and Dan Munthe on voice.

He’s half-guitar hero, half-chimpanzee. He’s a children’s music champion and stuffed-animal star. He’s got more toy musical instruments than Target. He’s Dan Munthe — or as the youngsters know him: Dan the Monkeyman. “I started playing for kids as a way to ‘just keep playing’ when my own kids were young,” Munthe said. “I still get nervous but it all goes away when I see and hear the kids singing and playing.” Dan the Monkeyman has performed at countless street festivals and children’s events. “I don’t think there’s a more rewarding thing that I do,” he said.

Cyr and the Cosmonauts consists of Eric and Rachel Cyr blending vocals with Brady Kamphenkel on drums, Tarek Makky on bass, and John McLoughlin on keys. The quintet performs eclectic music with tight harmonies, explosive dynamics, space to breathe and space to blast. Their eccentric songs feature probing lyrics and a search for the cosmos hidden in the chaos. The band released its second album, Songs to Sing Before We’re Dead, in 2021.