First, let’s get this out of the way. We’re shining the light on zipcodes that don’t involve New York City or Los Angeles, because, let’s face it, everyone in the music biz ends up on those two coasts anyway. But if you’re talking about the best burgeoning music communities, where band begets band and musicians incestuously play in each other’s sets at any given night, you might say these eight cities have the most impressive music scene — maybe because of the low cost of living, or proximity to large venues or record labels, its musical history or just inherent coolness.

New Orleans, LA

From alt rockers Mutemath to jam band Galactic to the Trombone Shorty, the music born in New Orleans is nothing if not eclectic.

Because Dixieland jazz was born here, because the blues are intertwined with the city’s soul, because there are musicians playing everywhere you go from the French Quarter to Frenchman Street, it’s hard not to derive inspiration when all you want to do is live and breathe music.