Joey Burns of Calexico: ‘Write to your friends, your loved ones, your favorite artists’ March 28, 2020 Jill Riley continues to check in with musicians across the country on The Morning Show. She caught up with Joey Burns of Calexico to talk about the music he’s making with his daughters during social distancing, his tour with Iron and Wine, and writing a cathartic letter to Elton John on Instagram. Jill Riley: So… Read More ›
Music News: Concert hiatus hits independent promoters hard March 27, 2020 When the concert industry emerges from the coronavirus shutdown, Billboard projects, even more power is likely to be in the hands of major promoters. Also today: Bob Dylan releases the longest song of his career, random duets land in listeners' ears, Rihanna donates medical supplies, and a group of Ugandan musicians share an exuberant PSA. Read More ›
Mark Mallman talks about ‘The Happiness Playlist’ in unhappy times March 27, 2020 On The Current’s Morning Show, Jill Riley got in touch with Minnesota rock auteur and musical wellness advocate Mark Mallman to talk about the psychological and physiological benefits of listening to happy music. Jill Riley: We thought since we’re going to get into the Coffee Break and try to kick off a week with some… Read More ›
Dessa on staying connected to fans, the music community, and herself March 27, 2020 As Minnesota prepared to shelter in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, Morning Show host Jill Riley caught up with Dessa. Jill Riley: Calling in from, well, her apartment in Minneapolis, I’ve got Dessa on the line. Dessa, how are you doing? How are you feeling? Dessa: Hey, good morning Jill. I’m… Read More ›
Colin Meloy of The Decemberists: ‘Music is a balm’ March 27, 2020 Morning Show host, Jill Riley, has been spending a lot of time chatting on the phone with various musicians to see how they are holding up in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Riley had a chance to talk with Colin Meloy of the Decemberists about how he is coping, performing virtually via social media,… Read More ›
Jim James of My Morning Jacket: ‘We’re seeing how the dollar has been prioritized over the person’ March 27, 2020 My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James is one of the many musicians who, due to the spread of COVID-19, are now contemplating how to proceed personally in their careers, as well as how to proceed as industry. James checked in with Morning Show host Jill Riley to talk about the temporary loss of live shows,… Read More ›
Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs on meditation and music: ‘Any perfectionists out there, you’re gonna need to get over that quick’ March 27, 2020 Throughout the last few weeks, the spread of the coronavirus has disrupted many lives, and has caused anxiety in just about everyone. Morning Show host Jill Riley checked in with Merrill Garbus of tUnE-yArDs over the phone. Garbus discussed how she’s been processing her emotions through staying on a routine, practicing meditation, and being present… Read More ›
Full Results: March Music Madness, Greatest Soundtracks March 22, 2020 All week long, vote in hourly match-ups pitting the greatest soundtracks of all-time against one another in a bracket-style competition, until we crown a winner on Friday night. Read More ›
Top 89 Songs of 2019 January 05, 2020 Celebrate another year of great music! Review the top 89 songs of the year, as chosen by you. Read More ›
Top 89 of 2019: The Current Staff Picks December 02, 2019 Selecting your votes for Top 89 of 2019? Get some inspiration from The Current staff, who've put together their own lists of favorite music of the year. Read More ›
Nathaniel Rateliff brings his stripped-down sound and expressive lyrics to The Current studio March 12, 2020 Nathaniel Rateliff visits The Current studio to play songs from his new solo album, 'And It's Still Alright,' and to talk with host Jade. Watch video of the entire session. Read More ›
Best Coast play songs from 'Always Tomorrow' live in The Current studio March 09, 2020 After a three-year gap since their last release, Best Coast are back with a new album 'Always Tomorrow.' Frontperson Bethany Cosentino expounds on that hopeful title. ' I think the overall theme of the album is very much the idea that at times we can be our own worst enemies, and learning to get out of our way and let life happen,' she says. Listen to Best Coast's full session, recorded live in The Current studio. Read More ›
Wolf Parade perform a Microshow at Icehouse in Minneapolis March 09, 2020 On Saturday, Feb. 15, Wolf Parade recorded what may have been the loudest Microshow to date as they played a live set at Icehouse in Minneapolis. The audience consisted of lucky winners who had entered for a chance to attend this intimate performance. Read More ›
Destroyer perform songs from 'Have We Met' in The Current studio March 06, 2020 Led by Daniel Bejar, the Vancouver-based rock band Destroyer recently visited The Current studio to play a set of tunes from their latest release, 'Have We Met,' and to talk with host Mac Wilson. Read More ›
Glass Animals return to The Current studio to share a powerful story and awesome songs March 06, 2020 Glass Animals triumphantly return to touring and performing in the wake of drummer Joe Seaward's life-threatening accident that had put the band on hiatus as Seaward recovered. 'It's good to be back,' says frontman Dave Bayley. Read More ›
#Current15: The Best of The Current in a new app-only stream January 06, 2020 We're celebrating the 15 years The Current has been on the air, so we took your favorite songs from the past decade and a half and made them into a brand new stream, and it's only available in The Current app. 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 ›
Coffee Break: The Happiness Playlist (part 5) March 27, 2020 In the final installment of our giant happiness playlist, what songs do you want to hear for today's 9:30 Coffee Break that make you happy? Read More ›
Today in Music History: Remembering Sarah Vaughan on her birthday March 27, 2020 CBS Records announced the stereophonic record; The Supremes enjoyed their fourth No. 1 hit; U2 were told to pipe down; Will Smith got jiggy with it; and Sarah Vaughan 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 ›