Midtown’s highly anticipated yearly music festival is back for 2012, featuring a great line-up of sought-after acts. Now that we’ve all had a chance to see Music Midtown's list, let’s delve further into the lesser-known acts on this year’s bill.  Everyone has heard of Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters.  But what do you know about Van Hunt, Civil Twilight, and LP? Local Notes breaks it down for you.

Van Hunt

Like another act at Music Midtown this year (Ludacris, anyone?), Van Hunt has ties to the Atlanta scene.  He spent some time in the city, moving here to attend Morehouse College, and then quickly becoming involved in producing hip-hop demos for area artists. After moving to Los Angeles, he really got his music career going. In 2007, he won the Grammy for Best R&B Performance By a Duo or Group With Vocals alongside John Legend and Joss Stone for the song “Family Affair.”  His latest album “What Were You Hoping For?” was put out through his own label godless-hotspot and Nashville indie group Thirty Tigers, known for its work with the likes of The Avett Brothers, Jason Isbell, and Those Darlins. Van Hunt’s music showcases an R&B vibe with a rebellious punk attitude.  RIYL: Cee-Lo

Civil Twilight

Originally from South Africa, the guys of Civil Twilight (brothers Steven and Andrew McKellar and Richard Wouters) find themselves in Nashville, where the Southern influence is clear in their alt-rock sound. They’ve been active at music festivals including Bonnaroo last year.  Songs “Quiet in My Town” and “Letters From the Sky” off their self-titled debut album have both had numerous television spots including One Tree Hill and Celebrity Rehab. Civil Twilight's second album, “Holy Weather,” came out in March, released on Wind-up Records. RIYL: U2

LP

Since her sudden popularity for that Citibank commercial with the rock-climbing woman showcasing song “Into the Wild,” this girl’s been making waves.  Previously, LP wrote songs for Rihanna and Christina Aguilera, but her own live EP, also entitled “Into the Wild,” debuted this week. She soulfully croons a la Adelle but with more grit, in front of a full-band. RIYL: La Roux