The artist: Nick Lowe, 75, the singer-songwriter best known for his 1979 top-40 hit “Cruel to Be Kind” and as the writer of the anthemic “(What’s So Funny ’Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding.” His 14th studio album is Indoor Safari, out in September.

He recommends: The Cactus Blossoms, a Minneapolis alt-country act led by brothers Jack Torrey and Page Burkum, who once opened for Lowe. “They sound like the Everly Brothers. They have that unique harmonic blend that brothers often do. Their songs are soulful and modern but look back to something earlier.”

↑ Willie J. Healey, a British singer-songwriter. Lowe’s son, Roy, 19, plays drums in Healey’s band, but Lowe was already a fan. “With younger musicians like Willie, their bedrock is hip-hop. They’ll shove in other bits, but that’s where they start. He has a chord progression that is George Harrison-esque. So that caught my ear.”
—Craig Rosen