Thao and the Get Down Stay Down (Adam Thompson on bass, keys and additional guitar, and Willis Thompson on drums and percussion) return with the follow up to their critically lauded album, We Brave Bee Stings and All, the best-selling record of 2008 for Kill Rock Stars. We checked in with Nguyen to get the inside word on the music that inspired it all. She started with The Avett Brothers song, Will Your Return [listent below]: ‘So catchy, forlorn, provocative and rakishly charming. It reminds me of touring. I love the cutting sincerity and the charisma of the Avett Brothers. And, totally unrelated, they are the nicest band in the world. Seriously. Ask anyone’. Read the rest of Thao Nguyen’s Secret Playlist.

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Starting on cello at the age of nine, Madigan Shive began her composing career at fifteen in the Pacific Northwest Riot Grrrl scene, releasing music with indie record labels K and Kill Rock Stars. Performing under the name Bonfire Madigan, Shive has established herself as a trailblazing performer, blending folk, art, punk, classical and avant-baroque styles. Her latest release, the Lady Saves EP, was produced by Shawn Biggs (Little Echoes) and features remixes by Neotropic and Dub I.D.