Friday Five: DENNY, Remo Drive, and more new Minnesota music videos May 17, 2019 I am tired. I’ve spent the past week putting finishing touches on a new project The Current will debut next week, and it’s only at the end of the day that I’ve found the time to put this post together. But what a nice send-off to the weekend: glorious synth work, lots of indie rock,… Read More ›
Watch standout Minnesota submissions to NPR’s 2019 Tiny Desk Contest May 17, 2019 Each year since National Public Radio’s Tiny Desk Contest was inaugurated in 2008, thousands of emerging musicians have submitted performances for the chance to be featured in NPR’s popular Tiny Desk series and tour the country with the organization. Past winners, including Duluth’s Gaelynn Lea, have gone on to sign record deals and perform around… Read More ›
The Japanese House performs in The Current studio May 17, 2019 As the Japanese House, Amber Bain has been crafting ethereal-sounding songs that unabashedly plumb the depths of human emotion. Her new album, 'Good At Falling,' released on March 1 of this year, was recorded at Justin Vernon's April Base studios in Wisconsin. Bain recently stopped at The Current for a session hosted by Jade. Read More ›
Rock Bottom Remainders celebrate three-decade journey from page to stage May 17, 2019 The Rock Bottom Remainders are a music group whose members also happen to be some of America's best-known authors. Stephen King, Amy Tan, Dave Barry, Mary Karr, Scott Turow, Roy Blount Jr. and the rest of the group shared their incredible story with Jay Gabler. Read More ›
Author Duane Tudahl shares his annotated Prince playlist for the Purple Hour May 17, 2019 Few Prince scholars know Prince's movements through two of his most prolific, momentous years --1983 and 1984 -- as Duane Tudahl. Duane visited the Purple Current studios for a special edition of The Purple Hour. Read More ›
Music News: Eurovision lands in Tel Aviv, amid protests May 16, 2019 The annual Eurovision music contest is taking place in Tel Aviv, amid protests. Also in the news this week: Vampire Weekend hit number one, Soundgarden announce immersive film events, and punk pioneer Susan Beschta dies at 67. Plus, an interview with the Rock Bottom Remainders and a new book chronicles the history of Run-DMC's "Walk This Way" cover. Also, new releases from The National; Alex Lahey; Tyler, the Creator; and Carly Rae Jepsen. Plus, Mick's got his moves-like-Jagger back. Read More ›
How the Flaming Lips share the rock-star feeling with fans May 16, 2019 Many music fans may dream of being onstage with their favorite bands, but it rarely goes beyond that. For fans of the Flaming Lips, however, the dream has proved more attainable. Three fans share their joyful memories of being onstage with Wayne Coyne and company. Read More ›
Belinda Carlisle and Dessa top Minnesota State Fair’s 2019 free music lineup May 16, 2019 For this year’s variety of free (with Fair admission) concerts, the Minnesota State Fair has booked some ringers. On the recently announced free music lineup, names like Belinda Carlisle and Dessa are at the top. Carlisle, a Go-Go gone solo, will perform one evening for the Fair at the Leinie Lodge on Aug. 23, most… Read More ›
The Current Rewind: Teaser episode transcript May 16, 2019 The Current Rewind is the podcast that puts music's unsung stories on the map. Read a transcript of the teaser episode here. Read More ›
The Chart Show Hall of Fame May 15, 2019 When a song stays on The Chart Show's chart for more than 10 weeks, we retire it from the poll and it enters the very prestigious Chart Show Hall of Fame. Read More ›
Giveaway: Prince '3RDEYEGIRL' Funko! Pop Rocks vinyl toy May 15, 2019 Enter for a chance to win a vinyl toy of Prince in the 3RDEYEGIRL era. Read More ›
Music News: Eurovision lands in Tel Aviv, amid protests May 16, 2019 The annual Eurovision music contest is taking place in Tel Aviv, amid protests. Also in the news this week: Vampire Weekend hit number one, Soundgarden announce immersive film events, and punk pioneer Susan Beschta dies at 67. Plus, an interview with the Rock Bottom Remainders and a new book chronicles the history of Run-DMC's "Walk This Way" cover. Also, new releases from The National; Alex Lahey; Tyler, the Creator; and Carly Rae Jepsen. Plus, Mick's got his moves-like-Jagger back. Read More ›
Download The Current app January 29, 2018 Download The Current's app to hear a crisp, high-fidelity stream of our station (and our additional streams) wherever you go! Read More ›
Listen to The Current via Smart Speakers July 23, 2018 Listen to The Current on Google Home and Amazon's Echo devices, and get enhanced functionality -- song names, requests, song of the day -- with our Alexa Skill. Read More ›
Julia Jacklin performs a solo set in The Current studio May 18, 2019 Australian singer-songwriter Julia Jacklin visits The Current studio to perform songs from her second album, 'Crushing.' Read More ›
The Japanese House performs in The Current studio May 17, 2019 As the Japanese House, Amber Bain has been crafting ethereal-sounding songs that unabashedly plumb the depths of human emotion. Her new album, 'Good At Falling,' released on March 1 of this year, was recorded at Justin Vernon's April Base studios in Wisconsin. Bain recently stopped at The Current for a session hosted by Jade. Read More ›
Lady Lark gives 'Permission' to dance in The Current studio May 09, 2019 Lady Lark is debuting her latest album, Permission, at the Fine Line, backed by Purple Funk Metropolis. Ahead of the show, Lady Lark stopped into The Current Studio to perform songs from Permission and talk with Local Show host Andrea Swensson. Read More ›
My Brightest Diamond performs in The Current studio May 08, 2019 Ahead of a concert at The Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis in support of the album 'A Million and One,' My Brightest Diamond stopped at The Current studio for a session hosted by Mary Lucia. Read More ›
Watch Lucius live from the Fitzgerald Theater for their 'Live Nudes' tour May 08, 2019 This Saturday, May 11, watch Lucius perform their Live Nudes tour at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul. Read More ›
Coffee Break: Dragons and disappointment May 20, 2019 Last night, the very final episode of Game of Thrones aired and people are ----- mad? They're mad about it. So for today's 9:30 Coffee Break, let's get some feelings out. What songs do you want to hear that revolve around things that could be in the world of Game of Thrones OR express disappointment? Read More ›
Today in Music History: Happy Birthday, Dan Wilson May 20, 2019 Bill Haley and the Comets released a seminal song; Paul McCartney notched is sixth solo U.S. No. 1 single; Frank Sinatra was commemorated in a couple of ways, 10 years apart; Finland won its first Eurovision Song Contest; and Dan Wilson was born, Today in Music History. Read More ›
Coffee Break Suggestions and Archive November 08, 2016 Got an idea for a Coffee Break? Want to see what we did a while back? Read More ›