Sxip Shirey tests the edge of music as he builds "ecstatic melody, unimaginable sounds and deep sexy beats" from mutant instruments and everyday objects. Using his vast imagination and an array of materials (his list includes: Industrial Flutes, Bullhorn Harmonica, Regurgitated Music Box, Triple Extended Pennywhistles, Miniature Hand Bell Choir, Obnoxiophone, Glass Bowls With Red Marbles and a clutch of curious objects), he constructs playful, mischievous acoustic beauty.

The charismatic ringmaster hosts a variety show, Sxip's Hour of Charm, at Joe's Pub in New York City, with a lineup that hosts some of the best and certainly some of the most unusual performance artists in the country. He also plays with the Luminescent Orchestrii.

Rachelle Garniez inhabits a skewed musical universe of accordions, ocarinas and women who growl like Tom Waits. Her brilliant playing has landed her gigs with musicians such as Rufus Wainwright and Dan Zanes, and she prowls around the neo-cabaret scene with her band the Fortunate Few. She's also a musical co-director of the theatrical troupe The Citizens Band.

Her latest album with the Fortunate Few is 2008's The Melusine Years.