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Pop/Rock

An unconventional path to a charming life
Joan Armatrading has collected honorary degrees and even accolades from Queen Elizabeth for her eclectic music spanning folk, blues, and rock. And yet she feels her character hasn't changed at all over her prolific 40-year career.Midmorning, July 29, 2010
A visit with Prince at Paisley Park
Jim McGuinn, program director for 89.3 The Current, was invited recently to visit Prince at his Paisley Park studio complex in Chanhassen. He recalls his meeting with the man behind the music, and reviews Prince's newest album, 20TEN.July 24, 2010
Special preview of Prince's new album
Prince's new album is called 20TEN and it comes on the heels of his triple album last year.July 23, 2010
A rock and roll retreat, just for girls
Being a rock star is every kid's dream, isn't it? The dream is real for several dozen kids this summer, thanks to Minnesota's first rock and roll camp for girls only.July 23, 2010
Spreading the good word of indie rock
Local singer/songwriter Jeremy Messersmith is known for sunny, melodic pop, yet his newest album is all about death and dying. He joins Midmorning to talk about the new record, and why he occupies a "nether-region" of music.July 7, 2010
U2's Bono undergoes surgery; tour status unclear
The manager of U2 says that frontman Bono has undergone emergency back surgery in a Munich hospital after he was injured while preparing for the group's tour.May 21, 2010
A fanatic's ode to rock and roll
Writer Steve Almond is obsessed with music, a self-proclaimed "drooling fanatic" of rock and roll. He chronicles that obsession and it's many forms in his new memoir.Midmorning, May 13, 2010
Duluth indie rockers Low reach for 'Heaven' with dance
Duluth indie band Low is trying something very new about a very old subject as band members are collaborating with Minneapolis choreographer Morgan Thorson on "Heaven," a dance exploring religious ritual.March 4, 2010
Life in Peter Bognanni's 'House of Tomorrow'
St Paul writer Peter Bognanni combines geodesic domes and punk rock in his new novel. "The House of Tomorrow" is an off-kilter coming of age story set in small town Iowa. Bognanni, who teaches at Macalester College, says the book came about from a chance encounter.March 3, 2010
Director says themes in Noel Coward's 'Brief Encounter' remain timeless
It's been 70 years since Noel Coward's movie "Brief Encounter" became an international sensation, but the director of an acclaimed new theatrical adaptation says the story has lost none of its emotional punch. The production by the British Kneehigh Theater opens at the Guthrie in Minneapolis this weekend.February 10, 2010
The Current Music Blog: Posts by Peter Valelly (RSS Feed)
RSS Feed of Peter Valelly's posts to The Current Music Blog.February 2, 2010
Grammy winners on Midmorning
The 52nd annual Grammy Awards are on Sunday, with Beyonce, Lady, Gaga, and Taylor Swift among the nominees. Midmorning replays Grammy winners interviewed by Kerri Miller in 2009: Dave Pirner, Bela Fleck, and Roger McGuinn.Midmorning, January 29, 2010
Ordway Center celebrates 25th year
This week the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in downtown St. Paul celebrates its 25th Anniversary with an open house on Sunday that takes a look back at the effort it took to build, and what it has meant to the community.January 13, 2010
The Red Pens make their mark on local music scene
A local indie rock duo is riding a wave of fuzzed-out guitar distortion into the hearts of critics and fans.January 8, 2010
Radio Heartland Live Holiday Concerts
Radio Heartland celebrated the 2009 holiday season with the help of some friends.December 23, 2009