Ben Araiza

A former break-dancing teen turned singer-songwriter from Watsonville, California? Can't wait for the video. Not sure what brings him to the Valley from the Bay Area, but his first album has some likable acoustic rap-rock moments and a particularly angelic female background vocal that makes nearly every number a treat. But Araiza really touches a contact high on the unassuming "Perfect Day," where he finds euphoria in family coming over for a beer-drinking, ball-game-watching summer holiday. Does he know about August here? (www.benaraiza.com)