With Noise Pop coming up next week—in addition to wondering how one is supposed to choose from the slew of talented acts that will be flooding our venues, bars and cafes—arose the question of who these gutsy voices behind the mic actually are and what it is about San Francisco that brings a continual spread of artists flocking to our foggy city.

We hear them in our earbuds and see them on stage, but there's no amount of memorized lyrics or number of shows you can see that will really bring to light the experience of being an artist with its struggles, glamor, and insights. So what does it mean to be a Bay Area musician? We delved into the minds of some of our favorite local bands to pick their brains on what the scene is like, what they do in their free time, and which acts they're itching to see at this year's Noise Pop Festival.

With responses like karaoke, growing vegetables and writing comedy sketches via Facetime for what they do with in free time, it looks like they're people just like us, trying to live the dream; except that they exist in an ever-present state of creation. The difference is that they've surrendered to their passions, unafraid to wear their hopes, fears, and desires on their sleeve, openly displayed on music streaming sites, CDs, and stages.