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In many ways, the Anchorage music scene is similar to those in many large cities across the country. Most popular genres are played here, and there are multiple venues to hear the music, from intimate coffeehouses to rocking taverns to bass-thumping nightclubs.

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But in many ways, the Anchorage music scene is nothing like any other scene.

Singer-songwriter Jared Woods is Anchorage's music star. He's a popular performer, both as a solo act and with his rock band, and has hosted popular open mike nights and released independent albums.

Woods, who has lived in Los Angeles and toured the country, appreciates the special qualities that set the music scene in Anchorage -- and in many ways, the music scene around the state -- apart.

"We definitely have a tightly knit community," Woods, 29, explained. "No one thinks they're going to become famous straight out of Alaska, so we help each other and we're not as competitive here."

And while only a handful of performers play Alaska's most unique brand of popular music -- a blend of country, rock and storytelling known as Alaskana -- Woods notes that most artists are at least stirred by the state's people and places, no matter what their genre.

"We have nine months out of the year where we have time to write and think without a whole lot of distraction -- I think that's great," he said. "And Alaska definitely inspires you with the beauty of the landscape and the people you meet. It takes a special kind of person to live up here and there are people I run across who are characters in songs."

Whether you want to hear about those characters or just enjoy the musicians who deliver the songs, here are some names to know and places to go if you want to tune in to music while visiting Anchorage.

ARTISTS

Arctic Flow Records

The skinny: Anchorage's preeminent hip-hop heavyweights deliver rugged rhymes and frozen flows inspired by urban life in the country's coldest state. Led by Akream and Josh Boots, the Arctic Flow unit is a longtime staple in the state's rap scene.

Sounds like: Hot rhymes on frozen nights.

Catch them: As opening act for visiting rap superstars and at hip-hop nights at busy bars like Chilkoot Charlie's and Blues Central.

Web: www.arcticflow.com, www.myspace.com/arcticflow

Bearfoot

The skinny: Raised from bluegrass babes and mentored by the state's top teachers, this group that came together as youngsters has grown up to become Alaska's top bluegrass outfit and a popular national touring act.

Sounds like: Plucking, picking and singing Alaska-style.

Catch them: Due to their busy touring, family and college schedules, the group rarely performs at home but does make time for special seasonal concerts and headliner slots at summer festivals.

Web: www.bearfootbluegrass.com, www.myspace.com/bearfootband

DJ Andee

The skinny: Anchorage's most versatile -- and styling -- DJ always keeps the clubs steamy and the dance floors hopping.

Sounds like: The perfect night out dancing.

Catch her: Weekends at Mad Myrna's.

Hobo Jim

The skinny: A living Alaskana legend who sings about the 49th state's faces and places, Hobo is one of the area's most respected musicians and beloved by locals and visitors alike.

Sounds like: If Robert Service and John Denver merged into a one-man band.

Catch him: At bars and taverns, theaters and coffeehouses, sled dog races and anywhere people want to hear songs about Alaska.

Web: www.hobojim.com, www.myspace.com/hobojimfans

The Hoons

The skinny: These hard-rocking indie kids have methodically built themselves into one of Anchorage's sturdiest and popular bands.

Sounds like: "Awesome, if it were a sound," according to The Hoons.

Catch them: Anywhere the amps are loud and there's a crowd willing to rock, from all-ages clubs to 21-and-older bars.

Web: www.myspace.com/thehoons

Jared Woods

The skinny: Anchorage's most popular singer-songwriter, and perhaps its hardest-working musician, Woods is at times an intimate acoustic act and at other times a golden rock god.

Sounds like: Popped-out and pepped-up Elliott Smith.

Catch him at: Playing solo acoustic sets at quiet coffeehouses and bars to rocking large taverns with his band Woodrow.

Web: www.myspace.com/jaredwoodsak, www.jaredwoods.com

Ken Peltier

The skinny: In this country-music-crazy state, Peltier is the country king. He opens for touring stars at arenas, packs tiny taverns and is the first musician promoters call when they throw a country party.

Sounds like: Classic country stars of AM radio and the genre's hottest hit-makers on FM.

Catch him: Leading his band into the biggest country concerts and making line dancers happy at the Four Corners Bar in Palmer.

Web: www.myspace.com/kennypeltier

Melissa Bledsoe Fischer

The skinny: Soccer moms are everywhere, but in Anchorage there's only one Jazzmom -- Bledsoe Fischer, a popular jazz singer and pianist.

Sounds like: The soundtrack for martini sipping and slow dancing.

Catch her: Singing and tickling the ivories at classy, jazz-friendly venues like Sullivan's Steakhouse and the Anchorage museum.

Web: www.jazzmom.net

Rebel Blues

The skinny: Everyone gets blues during long, cold and dark Alaska winter nights. And this talented and well-traveled blues and roots rock outfit provides the cabin fever reliever -- epic gigs year-round.

Sounds like: Blues with a rock backbone and a barroom attitude.

Catch them: At festivals, taverns, Blues Central and Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse.

Web: www.myspace.com/rebelbluesband

Spitshine

The skinny: When locals want to mosh, thrash and rock with abandon, this quartet is happy to oblige with an all-out audio assault.

Sounds like: Straight out of the basement punk-inspired rock.

Catch them: Bringing the pain at all-ages clubs and Chilkoot Charlie's.

Web: www.myspace.com/spitshineband

Stray Dogma

The skinny: Grooving the groovers and making hippies happy, this versatile band can pep up a party and slow jam the night away.

Sounds like: A little bit pop, a little bit jam band, a little bit jazz, a little bit world music, a little bit adult contemporary.

Catch them at: Festivals, Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse and Girdwood stages.

Web: www.straydogma.net, www.myspace.com/straydogma

Strept

The skinny: Indie rock darlings since their high school days, band members are now college aged and their music is maturing as well. But two things will never change -- the band's sense of humor and its wildly devoted fans.

Sounds like: Teen spirit rock fueled by Red Bull.

Catch them: Anytime there's an epic all-ages gig or rock festival.

Web: www.myspace.com/streptmusic

The Whipsaws

The skinny: Alaska's most popular bar band, this quartet kicks out pure Alaska country-rock and boot-stomping gigs.

Sounds like: Neil Young riding shotgun with The Drive-By Truckers.

Catch them: At old taverns across the state and selling out big Anchorage venues like the Snow Goose Theater and Bear Tooth Theatrepub.

Web: www.thewhipsaws.com, www.myspace.com/thewhipsaws

VENUES

Blues Central

The skinny: Don't let the name fool you. Sure, the blues often fill this tiny club, but it also offers rock, soul and occasionally hip-hop.

Address: 825 W. Northern Lights Blvd.

Phone: 272-1341

Web: www.myspace.com/bluescentral

Chilkoot Charlie's

The skinny: Alaska's biggest and busiest bar, this world-renowned hangout is always the place for music, from locals to cover bands, DJs and national acts -- sometimes on the same night.

Address: 2435 Spenard Road

Phone: 272-1010

Web: www.koots.com, www.myspace.com/chilkootcharlies

Club Elixir

The skinny: The hot spot for urban grooves and hip-hop parties.

Address: 1911 E. Fifth Ave.

Phone: 272-9224

Web: www.myspace.com/fantasiesupperdeck

Club Soraya

The skinny: This dance club adds Latin spice to the scene.

Address: 333 W. Fourth Ave.

Phone: 276-0670

The Downstairs

The skinny: All-ages clubs come and go often here, but this one is thriving behind its live music gigs.

Address: 420 W. Third Ave.

Phone: 277-1428

Web: www.myspace.com/thedownstairsak

Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse

The skinny: One of downtown's most popular dining destinations is also one of its busiest music venues, offering live acts or DJs nightly.

Address: 610 W. Sixth Ave.

Phone: 276-2337

Web: www.humpys.com

Mad Myrna's

The skinny: Most know Myrna's as Alaska's gay-friendliest venue, but it is also among the hoppingest nightclubs on weekends with two dance floors.

Address: 530 E. Fifth Ave.

Phone: 276-9762

Web: www.alaska.net/~madmyrna, www.myspace.com/madmyrnas

Organic Oasis

The skinny: Acoustic jams and mellow pop occasionally take over this healthy hot spot.

Address: 2610 Spenard Road

Phone: 277-7882

Web: www.organicoasis.com

Players House of Rock

The skinny: Hosting national noisemakers and local legends, the name says it all.

Address: 3300 Spenard Road

Phone: 522-7625

Web: www.myspace.com/playershouseofrock

Snow Goose Restaurant

The skinny: This busy downtown restaurant and brewery has a cozy stage upstairs for singer-songwriters and an adjacent theater that hosts a variety of performances.

Address: 717 W. Third Ave.

Phone: 277-7727

Web: www.alaskabeers.com

Writer Josh Niva can be reached at jniva@adn.com.