Gecko Turner
”$45,000 (Guapa Pasea)”
Spanish singer, songwriter, producer, guitarist Gecko Turner is part of a new generation of musicians whose imagination is unfettered by boundaries. Guapapasea!, his debut album, is a unique blend of jazz, blues, samba, reggae, rock, Spanish and Arab music with songs in English and Spanish. His music is unlike anything you’ve ever heard, and yet there’s something strangely familiar about it too.

Ana Egge
“Talco Girl” (performed by Ana Egge, written by Steve James)
Ana Egge was living in New Mexico when a friend coaxed her to Austin to put together a demo in 1994. She was only 17. What resulted was a cassette that accompanied Egge at her live shows and sold like hotcakes it was enough to get her to Europe for a tour and facilitate her move from New Mexico to Austin. With that encouragement Egge put together her debut CD, River Under the Road. Her latest CD, Out Past the Lights, was released in 2005. (Source: maplemusic.com)

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
“Restless Sinner”
Based in Los Angeles, B.R.M.C. (or Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, the name of Marlon Brando’s biker gang in The Wild One) combines distorted and acoustic guitars, raspy voices and pounding drums. Through their obviously influenced music, the group openly proclaims its membership to the noise movement and its psychedelic heritage. Their newest CD is Howl. (Source: Fred Thom)

LZ Love
“My Higher Ground”
Born in Chicago and raised in Berkley, California, LZ started singing at her mother’s church at the age of 5 and has been singing ever since. Mainly known for her back-up vocals, LZ had the pleasure to record with many great artists. She also made a name for herself with UK releases of her dance records from 1999 to 2005. LZ is now living in Austin and her new CD, My Higher Ground, was released earlier this year.

Robert Socia Band
“Gone ‘Fore Dawn”
Robert Socia Band is a native of Austin who has spent the past 10 years honing his guitar and songwriting talents by playing with Austin bands such as Southern Fried, Ryan Bingham and Britton Curry. His own roots rock sound has been influenced by the likes of Steve Earle, The Band and Little Feat. Robert’s current band features a unique blend of musical artists, with Socia handling lead vocals and rhythm, slide and lead guitars. The band has a new self-titled CD.

— Teresa Ferguson