This week for our New Music Tuesday segment, we turn our attention north to San Francisco. That's where you'll find Thao Nguyen, the Vietnamese-American lead singer of the indie rock band Thao and the Get Down Stay Down. 

Their latest album is called "We the Common:" 

Thao and the Get Down Stay Down are known for their upbeat, pop sound. A sound which is somewhat surprising considering how Thao Nguyen got into music. Nguyen picked up the guitar when she was just twelve years old, after her troubled father abandoned her family. 

Thao Nguyen recently spoke with Alex Cohen about how music helped her get through the tough times.