East Bay singer-songwriter Melissa Phillips released her debut album, Fits and Starts, in 2012, and KFOG selected her song “Centralia” for its Local Scene #10 compilation. Her stellar band The Sincerelys includes Kevin White on bass, Vicente Rodriguez on drums, and James DePrato on guitar and backing vocals. Her music has elements of folk and pop, and her vocals have an appealing openness that makes you want to keep listening.
 
Paul Knowles and Nicole Storto are New American Farmers, and they have a new album, The Farmacology Sessions, that features solid songwriting, rich harmonies, and a guest appearance by Chuck Prophet. Paul and Nicole recorded four albums as Mars, Arizona, but they changed their band name in 2012 and their music took on more of a folk-rock influence, with a touch of twang and a tinge of hippie. “We’re late bloomers who are more focused on the music, the mood, and the quality of the songs than on image,” Paul says.
 
Santa Barbara native Jessie Bridges is a talented singer-songwriter with a self-titled EP and a strong debut album, Let It Breathe. “Writing songs is about personal expression,” she says. “It’s a way to pick apart all the knotted up memories, stories, and experiences that have accumulated over time.” Her influences include the Everly Brothers and the Beatles, Wilco and Neko Case.

Visit Melissa Phillips' website

Visit the New American Farmers website

Visit Jessie Bridges' website