These Massachusetts musicians are killing it in the local scene

Did you know that Tracy Chapman played some of her first gigs right here in Boston? Or that the members of Lake Street Dive got together when they were students at New England Conservatory? You’re probably aware that the Dropkick Murphys started out in Quincy and that New Edition came up in Roxbury. But there are so many others worth mentioning, from the trailblazing chamber orchestra A Far Cry to punk cabaret weirdos the Dresden Dolls to local R&B legend Barrence Whitfield.

It’s easy to look at a roster like that and imagine the heyday of Massachusetts music is in the past. But the region is constantly churning out new talent. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to keep you in the know.

Sound On is WBUR’s series on rising local musicians, highlighting the best musical talent Massachusetts has to offer. These may be artists who are just starting to make a name for themselves, or are having a mid-career “moment;” regardless of how long they’ve been in the biz, they’re all doing something fresh. Past Sound On musicians include the folk experimentalist Anjimile, Brockton’s rap rabble-rousers Van Buren Records and indie rock poet Squirrel Flower. Read more about the musicians defining Massachusetts’ sound now.

Is there a musician or band you think we should cover? Let us know here.