WHO: Graphic design school drop-outs Matt Beringer (vox) and Scott Devendorf (bass) recruited Devendorf's brother Bryan, plus fellow Ohio natives (and twin brothers) Aaron and Bryce Dessner to play music together after relocating separately from Cincinnati to Brooklyn in 1999. The fivesome started recording tunes on a lark, crafting orchestral anthems that drew sonic inspiration from Guided By Voices, The Smiths, The Replacements and Violent Femmes. Eight years and four albums later, the quintet has arrived, first with the release of 2005's Alligator, an indie-rock blockbuster that sold more than 60K, and this month with the critically loved Boxer -- a strings-bolstered collection of epic blue-collar yarns. Read a live review of the National's NYC Bowery Ballroom show here.

HEAR IT NOW: Feast your ears on boozy ballads like "Fake Empire" and "Mistaken For Strangers" on their Myspace page.

›› Watch every episode of our weekly New Breaking Artist video podcast by subscribing via iTunes (when prompted, click "Launch application"). Every Wednesday, an exclusive video profile of an emerging artist will be delivered to your iTunes. [If you don't have iTunes, download it here.]

WHO: Well-connected Brazilian trio (singer/guitarist Moreno Veloso is the son of South American pop star Caetano Veloso) rotates the principal singer and songwriter for each album, resulting in an ever-evolving sound that marries experimental rock with Tropicalia, electronica and Bossa Nova. Their latest record, released under the name Kassin + 2, was released in March.

HEAR IT NOW: Listen to two of the band's songs now, and sample tracks from their most recent release, the electro-flecked Futurismo on their Myspace page.

"Sincerely Hot"

"Arrivederci"

WATCH IT: Pour yourself a Caipirinha, cue up our clip of the threesome performing the smooth Bossa Nova jam "Pra Lembrar" and wait for Gisele to appear.

›› Hey, iTunes users: You can now subscribe to our weekly New Breaking Artist video podcast here (when prompted, click "Launch application"). Every Wednesday, an exclusive video profile of an emerging artist will be delivered to your iTunes.

Who: Two preternaturally gorgeous Southern sisters who deliver sassy lyrics and traditional harmonies

Hear It: Check out the Pierces MySpace page and go buy their new album Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge, in stores now.

Watch it: Learn to make margaritas with Catherine and Allison Pierce, the kind of girls who love dancing to the perfectly cheesy Kenny Rogers/Dolly Parton hit "Islands in the Stream."

››Hey, iTunes users: You can now subscribe to our weekly New Breaking Artist video podcast here (when prompted, click "Launch application"). Every Wednesday, an exclusive video profile of an emerging artist will be delivered to your iTunes.