TINDERSTICKS (UK) — Alternative rock’s most elegant incarnation, featuring the splendid baritone vocals of Stuart A. Staples and the talent of excellent multi-instrumentalists. This English band is promoting its eighth album — but their first on 4AD — titled “Falling Down A Mountain” (2010).

MEW (DK) — A dream-pop trio with their groundbreaking, critically acclaimed album titled “No more stories Are told today I’m sorry They washed away No more stories The world is grey I’m tired Let’s wash away.”

ATLAS SOUND (USA) — Garage rock, ambient, and stream-of-consciousness by provocateur Bradford Cox. “Logos” (4AD, 2009) featuring a guest appearance by Noah Lennox (Panda Bear/Animal Collective) and Laetitii Sadier of Stereolab is the Deerhunter frontman’s second solo record.

THE TALLEST MAN ON EARTH (SE) — Kristian Matsson and his acoustic rock’n’roll from Scandinavia. Opened for Bon Iver. Proclaimed the successor to Bob Dylan after his enthralling debut album, “Shallow Grave” (Gravitation, 2008). His second record, “The Wild Hunt” (Dead Ocean) is expected to premiere in April.

CIEŚLAK I KSIĘŻNICZKI (PL) — (Previously known as Tunes of Early Spring) Solo project of Maciek Cieślak, one of the most recognizable artists on Poland’s alternative scene. Ścianka’s frontman is backed by the forest sounds of violins and cellos played by Karolina Rec, Edyta Czerniewicz, and Julia Ziętek. Their debut on My Shit In Your Coffee is expected any day now.

PABLOPAVO I LUDZIKI (PL) — Pablopavo, voice of the Warsaw band Vavamuffin and the precursor of the Polish variety of rapid-fire raggamuffin ranting. He performs on his first solo album “Telehon” (Karrot Kommando, 2009) and live accompanied by an eight piece ensemble of musicians and their impressive collection of instruments.

VOO VOO plays SNO-POWIĄZAŁKA (PL) — One of Poland’s most relevant musical groups. Voo Voo have been touring and recording incessantly for the past quarter century. They will be playing one of their best-known albums, “Sno-powiązałka”, in its entirety at the OFF Festival Katowice.

SZELEST SPADAJĄCYCH PAPIERKÓW (PL) — This legendary band is the co-father of the Tri-City underground. Closely tied in the 80’s to the artistic group Totart and the circles of the Orange Alternative, a subversive happening group. They return after many years with their second regular album, “Klętnictwo” (Nasiono, 2009), to lash out against the plastic superficiality of pop-culture with unrelenting noise.