2003 has already proved to be quite a year for Ted Nesseth and his band, The Heavenly States. After changing the band's name from Fluke Starbucker late last year (good move, Ted), they put out a split single with Coldplay titled "Vacant", teamed with Future Farmer Recordings, released their debut self titled full length. The Heavenly States emerged from the confluence of strange but destined paths early in 2002. Four players uprooted from New York, Texas and Minnesota found themselves within hollering distance of each other in the Bay Area awaiting this fateful formation. Driven by his desire to form a post-adolescent post-Minnesota project, guitarist-songwriter Ted Nesseth teamed up with his new roommate, ex-Texan Jeremy Gagon. Then came Genevieve Gagon from New York, sister to Jeremy, a founding spirit that convinced each of them to let old tunes and traditions pass. The band has received nothing but praise in reviews for its almost flawless songwriting, rough and twisted pop adventuring and lush sound.

Show Me State - Wedding Present guitars, The Cars' analog synth, The Who's rhythm section, and rotating lead vocal duties. Playfully noisy pop songs in the spirit of GBV or the unselfconscious Pavement. An occasional earnest meditation al la Jim Yoshii Pile-Up, The New Year, or Yo La Tengo. Songs about ice skating, mathematics, swimming in the Adriatic Sea and breaking up in public.

Women & Children are Kevin Lasting (California) June Serwa (Canada) Jamie Moon (California) and Olivier Robert (France) formed in October 2001. This is their debut release, a self titled album written and recorded at their flat in Paris, France. Women & Children like to play with and combine elements of folk, experimentalism, goth-rock, abstraction, acoustic meanderings, and melodic texture. At the core of many of their songs is the enchanting voice of June Serwa. Their influences are wide and varied and the result is a soft sound saturated with haunted acoustics and illuminated melodies. Together, the music they create radiates playful originality in a seamless flow. Their music has already been embraced by the likes of Chan Marshall of Cat Power and Colm O'coisoig former drummer of My Bloody Valentine, who now plays with Hope Sandoval and The Warm Inventions. W&C have already recorded a new EP, which is expected later in the year. Currently they are touring as the opening band for Cat Power's European summer 2003 tour.