The tracks for the February 2010 sampler are no longer available. Please visit the latest sampler for more tracks! www.utne.com/sampler

Every month, Utne Reader presents free, downloadable music gleaned from current and upcoming releases on independent labels, curated by senior editor Keith Goetzman.

The Watson Twins
The Watson Twins move away from their previously rootsy territory and deep into smoldering soul music on Talking to You, Talking to Me, their February 9 Vanguard release.

Listen now: “U-N-Me” by the Watson Twins

Jesse Winchester
When veteran singer-songwriter Jesse Winchester performed this tender ballad on Elvis Costello’s Spectacle show in December, it brought a tear to the eye of fellow guest Neko Case and spurred Costello to plead, “Finish me off.” Here we present the studio version from Winchester’s Love Filling Station album on Appleseed Recordings.

Listen now: “Sham-a-Ling-Dong-Ding” by Jesse Winchester 

Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore

The album Dear Companion (Sub Pop, February 16) by Kentuckians Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore makes a strong statement, in deftly subtle ways, against mountaintop removal coal mining. Produced by “Yim Yames” of My Morning Jacket, it’s proof that music with a message doesn’t have to beat you over the head with a protest sign.

Listen now: “Something, Somewhere, Sometime,” by Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore

Freedy Johnston
The singer-songwriter with the reedy, one-of-a-kind voice is back in fine form on Rain on the City, his new album on Bar/None with tunes that veer from downbeat to driving.

Listen now: “Venus Is Her Name” by Freedy Johnston 

Toro Y Moi
Electronica with solid songs and real soul behind the beats? That’s the unusual proposition at work onCausers of This, the February 23 Carpark release by Chaz Bundick, the musical polymath who calls himself Toro Y Moi.

Listen now: “Blessa” by Toro Y Moi

Glen Gillis
When most people think saxophone, they think jazz. This lead-off composition from the ear-opening MSR album SaxSpectrum: New Music for Alto and Soprano Saxophone shows that in the right hands it can shine brilliantly as a classical instrument.

Listen now: “Elegy Cadenza” by Glenn Gillis 

Razia
Razia Said pays homage to her home country of Madagascar on Zebu Nation (Cumbancha, February 23), singing out—mostly in her native Malagasy tongue—against tribal strife, poverty, and, especially, environmental destruction. 

Listen now: “Salamalama Aby” by Razia 

Danny Barnes
Banjo alert! Barnes’ old band, the Bad Livers, lit bluegrass on fire, and on Pizza Box (ATO) Barnes still displays the off-kilter humor and songwriting savvy that fueled the Livers.

Listen now: “Caveman” by Danny Barnes 

Pale White Moon
Pale White Moon’s tunes have been used to set the mood in the Showtime television adaptation of National Public Radio’s This American Life. Stretch out and enjoy these Satie-esque compositions in full on Call of the Wolf Peach, coming out March 2 on Space Elevator Music.
Listen now: “Stars Hollow Days” by Pale White Moon