You know, when I heard 'roots' music, I didn't think you meant Bach.

Oh. Wait. It's 8:27am.

Good Luck.

I am excited about the station and am pushing it on my blog.

I'm glad you didn't decide to play a weekend full of REM's "It's the End Of the World As We Know It" back-to-back before going on air.

Listening for the launch from Missouri. If this station is half as good as it looks, I'll be streaming regularly. I have XM but there's nothing as good as a real local public radio station. Who knows, maybe someday this erstwhile broadcaster may even become experienced enough to work with you guys. Can't wait for my new favorite station to hit the air. And thank you for keeping us in the loop and discussing with us what we want!

Looking forward to this, seeing how much hype has been made. I REALLY hope your first song is something by The Dave Matthews Band, because, you know, I can't reallyfind any station in the metro that will play their stuff on a regular basis. I also hope you will play a lot of Coldplay, as I find a lack of their stuff on the radio these days. I'm expecting big things, and I doubt I'll be disappointed. Good luck.

Poor Craig Curtis. How many different ways can a man say, "The Current! 89.3! Eclectic rock! Just a few minutes away" and "99.5! I'm not going away; I'm just moving!"

On the other hand, if folks start calling Thorn up to request Strauss' tone-poem about the clever bandit, it will be nobody's fault but their own.

Maybe instead of "The Writer's Almanac", we'll get to hear Garrison Keillor's "Hipster Indie Rocker Almanac"?

It's started! Yeah!

Woohoo!

Atmosphere! An inspired choice!

Delightfully surprised!

So far so good... aac+ stream working fine with VLC on windows.

I hope the hamsters on wheels providing power to the building don't get tired....

Any chance you will publish the play list for each hour?
With new music it would be good to be able to find it and support the artists.

The aacPlus stream with Winamp sounds amazing - even better than the OTA broadcast! Wow.

Congratulations everyone for getting launched. I'm sure its all downhill from here ;)

BTW, I'm not able to login to the forum with a new user account. Weird.

Is there going to be a playlist on the website?

32 Flavors? Yes, I think we'll be listening quite a bit, thankyewverymuch...

Atmosphere to Aimee Mann. I'm delirious. Thank you!

Congrats on the launch!
Best of luck with a bold new format, the Twin
Cities needs you.

So far so good! Thank god!! Keep the good stuff coming, and just a suggestion...nobody else plays Lyle Lovett. Please play Lyle. He's quirky and cool. He'd fit in here!

The playlist is coming..but because this is the first day we're trying to keep things pretty liquid and so we need a little patience if you can find it! Later today we'll have the list and the first hour of audio.

So far so good! I look forward in hearing you throughout the day today... :o)

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Finally, a radio station I can actually listen to! I had been thinking about letting my MPR membership lapse... now I'd sooner double it!

Great first song. Fitting yet unexpected. In the past, I've been listening to KCRW (L.A.) or KEXP (Seattle) streaming through the Web at work. No more! Also, I'm very pleased with the aacPlus format through Winamp. Glad to see a play list is coming. That way we won't bug the DJ's so much.
Cheers!

Playlist? Man, don't scare me keep it liquid!!!

Let the other stations stick to the formula and suck.

Another song that mentions radio.

I get it.

A great start with some great radio. Keep it up!

I have to admit that I'll miss some of the old WCAL programming (Loved "Thistle and Shamrock", for example), but great stuff so far on the new format.

As to suggestions - how 'bout something from the new Steve Earle CD? Or to placate me for the loss of "Thistle and Shamrock" throw in some Pogues.

I can't get away from the "Garden State" Soundtrack!

i think i'm totally in love.

I am so happy. I can't begin to describe how tired I am of the 45 song playlist. There are songs I'm not sure I can ever bear to hear again because they've been so overplayed elsewhere...

Hearing Ani DiFranco on the radio again (well, ok, online right now because I'm at work). Life is good. Thanks!

TJames - the playlist shows what was played in the past so people can lookup who what where-to-buy. It has nothing to do with a formula.

I live in the Twin Cities - we have been dying of thirst - let it flow!!! Loved the first song - very inspired choice.

This is the future, this is the public radio of MY generation. If the commercial stations won't play the music...

Have not given a dime to MPR for years, could care less about "Minnesota Monthly House Beautiful Magazine" (gag). This station, however, will definitely get my support.

Thank You!!

The playlist lets listeners know what was played--if you liked a song, you'd know who the band was and would be able to check out their stuff. 89.3 ought to be able to stay liquid and still have a record of that liquidity.

I'd like to hear some Bjork. Keep up the great radio station!

I have goose bumps. I'm currently listening to a radio station that is playing Guided By Voices. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.

9:30 a.m. Monday morning and I'm in love -- from the Atmosphere opener to discovering a new song with Aimee Mann (on the Jim White track).

Thank you.

I'm actually excited to listen to the radio again!Thank you!

Very cool to hear Ani DiFranco, Atmosphere and the 'Mats. I'd love for you to play something from the new Robyn Hitchcock. Or Eleni Mandell. Or Joe Henry. Or Magnetic Fields, or......

I guess some of us are a little giddy. So happy to hear you this morning. Thank You!

I am absolutely in love with this station! I am plugging it on my blog and listening via streaming audio while at work (sounds like I'm not alone there). I have been waiting for so long for a station like this! THANK YOU!

Finally, an awesome radio station in the Twin Cities again. I am excited to listen today, it sounds great already! Thank you, thank you, thank you!! We are Minneapolis, land of great music - we finally have a radio station to match!

Yes, I'd love to hear some Bjork as well. Maybe some Portishead too.

What Atmosphere song was played?

I'm downright giddy!! I'm currently an MPR member (mainly for KNOW) but I'm SO glad my dollars are going to support this new format (and I'll definitely be renewing my membership). Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

The first song was Atmosphere's "Say Shhh"...the hidden track on Seven's Travels.

Enjoy the station - any chance you'll get the name of the artist and song along with the streaming audio? Love to hear some Over the Rhine.

Hank Williams next to Luna. Exorcising the ghosts of radio stations previously killed by such ambition.

How far will they take it? How about Tortoise's Djed in it's entirety?

Yes. This will work. Thank you.

Thank you. I'm soooo happy. I caught the Atmosphere song in the radio on the way to work, and installed WinAmp as soon as my computer booted up this morning. I hope I didn't look too antsy when my coworker stopped by to chat about the snow... but I just wanted to get my headphones back on!

Frou frou! Can you play some Beth Orton, too?

Thanks.

not cool cutting off the DM like that!

First Son Volt played within the first 45 minutes. Love it!

Thanks for the response to my playlist comment and putting my fears to rest. GREAT NEWS!

I love the fact that you played local music first!

Are there plans for a minnesota music show that ISN'T on Sunday nights after 10pm. In my opinion the other stations totally dis the local stuff by putting it in a such a horrid time slot.

I do expect that MN music will probably appear at various times through the day but how bout a weekly show for the lesser known lesser played locals instead of the same 10 groups each week. There's a lot more good bands here than the ones the other stations promote.

Thanks for supporting local music!!!

Awesome music so far!

I'd love to hear some Ohno, Metric, and Postal Service.

This webcast is a dream come true for a displaced Twin Cities native. My antenna isn't quite powerful enough to pick up cities stations here in Eau Claire, WI. I think this station is amazing, and reminds me of better times of Twin Cities radio. Keep it up! And play some Bright Eyes.

Congrats on your first day and thank you so much for making my day. Somehow I feel 10 years younger - I think it has been that long since I have enjoyed quality musical programming. You are my fountain of youth!

I've been looking for a way to listen to KEXP seattle in my car.. Now there's no need! Please don't die!

I've enjoyed what I've been hearing so far this morning - a lot of it is unfamiliar to me, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. However, I keep hoping for more of the "roots" music promised on the promos - it'll be great to be able to hear that kind of music without having to suffer through annoying commercials.

Thanks for putting this kind of music out on a public radio station. We're currently members of MPR & will definitely be renewing!

The Jam then Dylan. This is EXACTLY how I was hoping things would go.

Two Subterranean Homesick songs. The thinking listener's station.

It has been a long dry spell. I have great hopes for your station. I have been in mourning since the demise of Cafe 105 and the sellout of 97. I will withhold judgement but so far so good.
I would definitely be a strong supporter if you can pull it off.

Great to hear you up and running! Remember, no genre barriers...none of us as listeners has just one genre in our CD/aac/mp3 collections...heard some Depeche Mode, Radiohead and some other things I've never heard before...absolutely PERFECT! KEEP IT UP! (please!)

Having lived in Boston area for over ten years, I have been in continual withdrawl for the last eight years after moving back. I feel renewed mucical hope! Soon-to-be supporting member.

Could you play Over the Rhine?
Ooh, and Zero 7, too?

I checked it out for a bit, then it was right back to Radio K. I'll check you out out more throughout the day, I it will be good to have something to listen to after the K goes off the air at sunset.

Precisely at 9am as we were changing our dials to 89.3 in search of an expanded playlist, KS95 & Cities 97 were -of course- both playing the same song, ... Alanis Morrisettes' "Isn't It Ironic".

I hope this little bit of good karma was noticed by others as well. It must be a good sign!

Wow. They came through on their promise of Arcade Fire.
Good luck!

Absolutely fabulous! Already a member but will be giving more $$. Gotta keep this alive.

Does this mean I can finally end my 5-year ban of Minneapolis radio?

Yay!!!!

MPR... I, I love you so much. Real music on the Radio? My hands tremble at the thought. I will be supporting this station, we have to keep this around.

It appears that the "revolution' has returned to our fair state. Thank God. Please play some Freedy or Waterboys to rekindle old feelings....

Someone, who was the second song played today?

This is wonderful -- I am even more proud to be a Minnesotan now that we have commercial-free alternative rock public radio along with news and classic music stations. Congratulations on a savvy move.

The second song was Earlimart - Hidden Track. Here is a list of the songs played so far. I was keeping track and thinking of putting these songs on a mix disc in this order.

1. Atmosphere Shh…
2. Earlimart Hidden Track
3. Ani Difranco 32 Flavors
4. Jim White f/ Aimee Mann Static on the Radio
5. Wilco Late Greats
6. Replacements Left of the Dial
7. Iron & Wine Such Great Heights
8. Death Cab For Cutie New Year
9. Luna Speed Bumps
10. Hank Williams Lost Highway
11. Son Volt Windfall
12. Matt Pond PA KC
13. Low Transmission
14. Depeche Mode Enjoy the Silence
15. Frou Frou Shh
16. !!! Hello, Is This Thing on?
17. Jam Going Underground
18. Bob Dylan Subterranean Homesick Blues
19. Radiohead Subterranean Homesick Alien
20. Arcade Fire Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)
21. Specials Concrete Jungle
22. Spearhead Stay Human (All the Freaky People)

Anybody know if there'll be RDS data with artist/song info?

Outstanding! This is the beginning of something wonderful! I'm looking forward to hearing some roots favorites and learning of new groups and new music. I was hooked after the first two songs.

Finally, I'm freed from the tyranny of Cities 97's "all Eric Clapton, all the time" approach to programming! So far, so great. Never thought I'd hear "Lost Highway" on the radio. Do me a favor: no John Mayer, ever again.

Love the new station! Its about time. Any chance you could play some Decemberists, Neutral Milk Hotel, Elliott Smith?

thrilled! i am absolutely thrilled. between lrt and 89.3, our little city is growing up so fast. sniff..

Am I hearing Madeleine Peyroux ??? WOW.

Here are some song suggestions...

Uncle Tom's Dead, Guy Davis (Legacy; Red House)
Cinnamon Park, Jill Sobule (Underdog Victorius; Atlantic)
Rebel Music, Azeem (Mayhem Mystics; Wide Hive Records)
Bubblehouse, Medeski, Martin & Wood (Bubblehouse; Rykodisk)
Only A Fool Breaks His Own Heart, Nick Lowe (The Convincer; Yep Roc Records)
Eva Cassidy - Ain't No Sunshine (Time After Time, Blix Street Records)
Van Morrison - Somerset (What's Wrong With This Picture, Blue Note)
Joe Strummer and The Mescaleros - Coma Girl (Streetcore, Hellcat)
Robert Skoro - Heaven (Proof, Merciful)

Thanks for the jazz...great to hear it

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! I'm in love! I wouldn't mind hearing some Neutral Milk Hotel.

i hope you are not a bunch of snobs who think that electronica isnt real music. it is so include some. and find kevin cole and pay him whatever it takes to get in on this.

Simply Beautiful. A wonder to behold!

Thanks, now play some old Misfits, then some Massive Attack!

Sounds great so far!

A couple of suggestions of cds. You may already have them in the collection:

TV on the Radio--Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
Eric Clapton--Sessions for Robert J
Robert Johnson--King of the Delta Blues Singers

Thank you from a listener in her fifties.

Wow! I had heard about the station, but I hadn't realized just what it was going to sound like. Excellent!

AAAAHHHH! I think I am in love. It is so, so good. You guys and gals really pulled it off. It is simply divine. Thank you.

I would love to suggest Neutral Milk Hotel and TV on the Radio.
s.

'Nother vote for the "Hipster Indie Rocker Almanac"

This is Great. Just listening to Johnny Cash right now. Finally a great alternative!

Haven't tuned yet because I'm at work and we can't stream, but my wife says she likes it so far.

One suggestion: play some Calexico! Also posting your playlist would be cool.

I hate to be a downer but where's the rock. this just sounds like the cities 97, only different songs, please play some songs that make me want to get out of my chair, not just doze off in it.

I'm so excited about this new format! The first couple of hours have been great - just need to hear some 1) Cowboy Junkies and 2) Cowboy Junkies and 3) Cowboy Junkies.

Thanks!! You've changed my radio listening habits from nearly none to "Turn it to Current.". We can now say we have true variety in the twin cities, and it's all on one station! I'm very pleased with the format change.

Boring guttless, although nice cure for insomnia

now i'm afraid to turn off my radio. I might miss something good!

Streaming with you from Casal di Principe, Italy. Enjoying a little after dinner music and loving it. Great variety and a familar voice always makes me think I'm home again. Great job!

How's the snow?:)

Ok, since when do you hear Hank Williams SR. and Johnny Cash on Cities 97?

I love it so far. My request: Know How by Kings of Convenience

Great stuff. Keep playing plenty of local stuff. I'm happy that there's another station out there that won't play Dave Matthews and John Mayer. How about some Bobby Bare Jr. and Ted Leo.

Thank you, thank you, thank you and damn you too. Based on the results so far this is a dream come true - but I can't get any work done. I'm upset I had to leave my office when The Jam came on and I have about three songs stuck in my head that I'm trying to remember the artist. Would be great to get the "World Cafe" on air too.

While I'm excited about the new station. There's clearly no diversity on your staff - I'm concerned that that lack will be reflected in your programming. I hope Funk and R&B are not forgotten in this "mix" - if not this station is nothing but an "alternative" to all the white people music we already have. I hope that while this station will clearly appeal to a "White Liberal" like myself - other stylings do exist. I have a feeling or concern that this station will become nothing more than a cooler Cities 97. Slow soft boring alternative music with no fire and funk. I hope KCMP truly gives us a literal "wide variety" of music and not just claim it. If not I guess there is still Sirius Satellite Radio.

Good luck and don't forget the little purple guy - he means a lot to this town.

Chris

The diversity of talent (local & global) is breathtaking - keep up the good work! :-)

R U using Moby's Natural Blues as some sort of station promo??? - it would B great 2 hear the entire song - but its cruel 2 tease us like that

big Depeche Mode fan here - but like a previous blogger wrote, cutting into it like that was unkind - cant the weather & station ID wait til the end of the song?

this is the 1st day so stuff like the above is easily 4given - thx 4 playing the cover of "Such Great Heights", !!! (chk chk chk) & Billie Holiday too - wow - i'm definately hooked on this!

since you asked...

I heard Johnny Cash on Cities on Thursday.

Ahh...refreshing. I have eclectic music tastes and so far am finding most bases covered on this station. I have been looking forward to it for a long time. Love the webstream option - no radiowaves in my basement cube, no sunlight either. Thanks for your waves and rays you are providing. Zap!

Before anyone rips on Weezer, let me thank The Current for playing Weezer! They're a very underrated band that gets overrated. Get it?

Lots of good suggestions in the blog -- I know you'll read it all with an open mind, but I'm already confident that your instincts are perfect. Thank you for filling that big gaping hole in Twin Cities radio offerings. The big challenge now will be to figure out how to listen to THREE MPR stations instead of juggling only two. I promise I'll give an even bigger donation when my membership comes due next fall. Maybe sooner!! You're way worth it.

Something worthwhile on radio after all these years. This is amazing!

I can make no song requests, since I am dumbfounded at the prospect of actually hearing new music. This has certainly fit the bill, and then some. This is public radio well worth supporting.

LOVE THIS STATION. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm listening to Big Star at 11:40am in the Twin Cities. How great is that?

Excellent stuff going on here. A Weezer song from Pinkerton? Fantastic.

How 'bout some Pulp or Blur?

As to whether we're skewing too "alternative" here, I would guess that the sound will change when the DJ changes. Please don't label the entire station based on what just one of the five shows is playing.

CAN'T HEAR IT!!!! !%(&*#%!@#$%@@%!#@%
Streaming is blocked in my office.
No more money for you!

hey Chris K & other naysayers,

starting off w/ local rapper Atmosphere (yes, he's white, but does that really matter?) was the best possible choice imo...& it seems 2 indicate that this station will NOT B a whites-only hipper version of Cities97 rock...there's been country, jazz, old stuff, new stuff - they R really mixing it up...i don't like every song, but at least i'm being challenged, & the stuff i do like is AMAZING

Hey, thanks for this. I think it is quite nice. One little complaint. If you are going play a censored version of a song, i.e. Weezers "The Good Life", I'd rather you just skip it. It's quite jarring.

Anyway, keep up the good work.

Well, I made the leap. I'm a first time MPR member now. I've debated for years, especially during pledge drives... but today I finally did it. I've been waiting for this station since Rev105's demise - and this is already better than Rev105. Thanks for the service.

Anyone else want to hear some Halloween, Alaska?

I think they would fit perfectly here. Well, now that we're talking about Dave King (drummer of Halloween, Alaska), it would be awesome to hear some "The Bad Plus".

Good stuff. The more ecclectic the better I say!

I want to request a band from Eau Claire, WI: Amateur Love, Sell me your Army or I Need You Now

This is a great band. (Amateurlovemusic.com)

Finally, something worth listening too... thanks for all the joy the Current brings my dancing soul and thumping ears.

Finally, Twin Cities radio that doesn't suck. How bout playing Mirror In The Bathroom by the English Beat?

I'm loving the station so far! From what I've heard so far Badly Drawn Boy to Billie Holiday to Johnny Cash to The Pixies to very near dear favorites of mine Interpol and a hilariously censored version of Weezer's The Good Life. Who needs to go to class anyway?

Glad to hear a Weezer - Pinkerton song on the radio. Awesome station so far.

Wow, better than I expected. I'm lovin' it. Matt Pond, right on. How nice was it to hear Weezer on the radio not singing about Buddy Holly? And you're even taking requests already. Thank you 89.3!

Wow. LOVE THE STATION!!! awesome to hear patsy cline and johnny cash mixed in too! i'm so excited!

I feel like I've hit the motherload! Simply brill. The last 2 hours have been a whirlwind and very pleasant for a monday. Now...if I can refrain from getting out of my seat and dancing in my cubicle.

Really really great.
Only one complaint so far...
Thorn, chill out. Stop chastising listeners for making requests. Isn't the mass interest and input a good thing? It's a reflection of how excited everyone is.

Thank you so much! You have brought quality back to the Minnesota airwaves. I am proud to become a supporting member to support the station and its long life. And excited to see the staff you have chosen for its direction.

Just like to add my voice to the chorus that's obviously VERY excited at this great addition to our community!

Minneapolis is casting another vote in the right ballot box - who needs Clear Channel and their Fox News contracts?? Horray for MPR!

Wow, this is a dream come true! It's almost as if someone broke into my cd collection, I have everything on the playlist so far. Thank you and great job!!!!

Thank you. We need something like this around here. I am sick of Drive 105's ten song play list and if only Radio K survived the sunset. This will give me a reason to take a break from my CDs once in a while.

THANK YOU!

Cool...everything sounds great so far. Listening to Down in Flames right now...can't wait to hear the next song. I've been saying that to myself all morning.

thank you...
amazing...
getting nothing done at work!

MPR is typically know for playing the music of talented, memorable, influential dead white guys. In watching this blog over the last few weeks, most of the suggestions were for music by talented, memorable, influential live white guys. I was grinning ear-to-ear to hear Atmosphere's Shhh as the first song. LOVE the mix!

Awesome, I love it. I missed the Weezer song, how I do love Pinkerton. But in the first half hour that I was listening I got to hear The Postal Service, and Rogue Wave! What radio station plays Rogue Wave!? That's awesome.

THE THE!!! YAY! Flashback!

Like I'll get work done today...thanks for the great new station!!

This is great. I wasn't expecting such current music, I guess I should pay better attention to the name of the station. I love all the old favorite people back . . . Mary Lucia, Thorn, Steve Nelson. We've missed you. This has been a great morning!

Wow! 89.3 Rocks and will only get better!

I loved hearing the Garbage tune over my lunch hour! I didn't recognize much else - but that's a GOOD thing!

I would LOVE to hear some Dr. John.
I would LOVE to hear some Roy Orbison.
I would LOVE to hear some of that so-called "Jam Band" music (Phish/Dead/Panic)
I would LOVE to hear some Marley (Ziggy and/or Bob)
I would LOVE to hear Abba.
I would LOVE to hear Beatles/Stones (the early stuff one never hears)
I would LOVE to hear lots of Steve Earl.
I would LOVE to hear Thorn make fun of the traffic lady.
And I would LOVE to hear you keep doing what you're doing!

Cheers!

I keep shooting off these one-line e-mails to my friends today.

"Sweet! PJ Harvey!"
"This Pixies song is the song that I first loved of theirs."
"WEEZER!"

Etc... needless to say, I'm not getting much work done today.

Love it love it love it love it love it...

Thank you, thank you, thank you -- goodbye Cities 97 -- goodbye Drive 105

some good, obscure covers. A nice little (rare)cover that might fit right in would be Butch Walker's acoustic version of "My Best Friends Girlfriend". Just a suggestion.

ear-to-ear grinning
with music like this on air
all is not yet lost

Joyous joyous joyious. I'm likew snoopy with a fresh mug of rootbeer.

So I take it there won't be any Heavy Metal on this station?

Viva la resistance! Snap crackle and pop! Holy pope on a rope!

Who knew it took MPR to bring back seriously good radio? What kind of alternate universe do we live in where the record companies pay stations to not expose their listeners to new music?

If you're still on a 'radio' themed song kick how about 'Radio Silence' by Harvey Danger? "Nobody likes what I like, that's how I like it, Some things are personal, at least they should be..."

Keep on rockin' in the free world!

Oh, the Jayhawks. I know it has gotten relatively a lot of air play in its time, but I so love this song. I once took a week driving trip to the Utah desert by my self. My CD player broke and I had one tape for the whole trip. Hollywood Town Hall on one side and Tomorrow the Green Grass. This song always makes me think of that awsome trip! THANKS THANKS

Finally!
I have been waiting for this since Rev105 went off the air 8 years ago! Good to see all my favorite DJs back in one place.

Now you just have to get Brian Oake back from Clear Channel...

Thanks again. Minnesota NEEDS this station.

Excellent! Truly. Today has been exceptional thanks to your amazing programming. I can't wait to hear from Mary next!

I can't wait to see where Ms. Lucia takes us this afternoon! My request is to add some Andrew Bird to the music lineup. Keep up the good work...

I grew up in Pittsburgh, home of WYEP, which is given a shout out on the FAQ page here. I just want to thank everyone involved with this station. I lived in New York after Pittsburgh, and with all the choices there, still missed WYEP. Thanks for bringing me a Minnesota WYEP. The lack of a good indie radio station was my only real complaint with life in the Twin Cities, so I'm a pretty happy camper now!

One question, I see that Low is playing a benefit concert for 89.3, will the Current be sponsoring concerts in the future? WYEP's presence in Pittsburgh gets some really good bands through the little steel town, so I hope the same happens here.

Haven't heard any Elvis Costello yet! How about "From a Whisper to a Scream" from the Trust album??

play Rufus Wainright. please :)

This is just what I've been waiting for. Brilliant! I can't say enough. 'Left of the Dial' should be your official theme song.

Liking it so far... First song I heard was a Polara song, followed in close proximity by Ella Fitzgerald. Love Ella, indifferent to Polara, but that's the way to do it! I signed up as a founding member on the spot.

Reading through the comments, it strikes me as odd that many of those posting seem to be unaware that Radio K has been more than admirably filling the void since that first glorious year of Rev 105.

Looking forward for the first time in over a decade to saying- "Let's see what's on the other radio station!"

Let's have some fun in blog land and generate some KCMP buzz.

If you or a friend have a blog, make sure you blog this link:
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/services/thecurrent/

Be sure to use the terms "KCMP" and "The Current" - you can share the link on appropriate web forums and weblog comment areas that you visit.

Then let's see if we can push the link up the blog charts for today!

Places to watch:

http://www.technorati.com/cosmos/search.html?rank=&url=kcmp and: http://tinyurl.com/6tlkp
http://feedster.com/search.php?q=kcmp
http://www.waypath.com/query?type=kws&key=kcmp
http://www.blogdigger.com/search.jsp?q=kcmp
http://www.daypop.com/search?q=kcmp
http://www.daypop.com/top/ - Let's see if we can get into the top 40

Cheers,
Steve

Posted on another thread which I beleive has run its course so I thought I'd throw it in here:

Maybe someone else pointed this out already, but to defend "Neal's" (a naysayer on the other thread) comments about tax dollars going to support MPR, it's true, since as a non-profit a donation is deductible, that increases donations and results in less taxes paid to the feds and the state, and that's a basic form of subsidy. That's the purpose of getting a non-profit status. So what's the public purpose here? A mix of music not available elsewhere? Maybe not so far, but I don't see why this couldn't be a viable commercial enterprise. Seems like a pretty good format idea with an audience looking for it. No commercials? Well that's nice, but why should the public subsidize the removal of airspace from the market just for that sake and no other?

And of course what's also happened is that KSJN has removed the other major classical station, giving itself a monopoly there. I may not increase my pledge after all. (Just kidding, I don't pledge.)

Thank you a million times over.

MARY!!!!! welcome back! you've been missed, friend!

Listend over lunch and heard the following 3 artists back-to-back-to-back.

1) Johnny Cash
2) Nick Cave
3) Leonard Coehn

WOW!!! I no longer have to stream indie music off the web. I can finally support a local station. Way to go, keep up the good work and how about some of the following...

Neutral Milk Hotel
The Mountain Goats
Tom Waits
Bright Eyes
Velvet Underground

Sonic Youth the third song on Mary's first shift. My goodness, I mau never leave my radio again!

Thank you so much!
AC

Fantastic! I was so excited to hear Iron and Wine on the radio this morning! You definitely have a playlist that is #1 with me. Just an idea to further listeners music education...stream a listing of what you're playing or post your playlist throughout the day!

This is excellent stuff. My ears are already hurting from the uncomfortable headphones I keep at work. Now my only problem is when I'm going to listen to Gary Eichten! I'll just have to live plugged into MPR 24/7 I guess...

keep it up

Have listened from the opening sh-h-h. Pretty good so far. I've never heard Bettie Serviert on local FM. Don't think I'll make any requests yet; I'll keep my favorites private. I echo Chris' comments regarding lack of R&B and soul (though I did hear Ray Charles). The inclusion of those genres was what made KQRS so great from '69 to about '73; then they went to crap.
Bert

The format reminds of a killer public radio show we have here in Kansas City, "Sonic Spectrum". www.kcur.org

Kudos!

Finally a station that combines the best of MPR (Dale and Jim Ed) with music that you can't hear anywhere else in town. I'm proud to be a member. Welcome back, Mary!

LOL, Radio Shack is doing swell today.
I had to go buy antennas for a couple of receivers.
Haven't needed an antenna in a long long time.

Today changed that.

Welcome to my house "The Current".
Welcome back Thorn and Mary and all youse guys.
(Mr. Deville!!)

Fun. Good radio, in our town, go figure.

It's been great listening so far - and I know it's still early - but it was so promising to hear Atmosphere and Michael Franti this morning... I hope that there will be more independent hiphop included as you continue.

Aesop Rock
Sage Francis
Eyedea & Abilities
Doomtree
etc...

Idea to spread the word: add "89.3 The Current" to your del.icio.us favorites.

If you don't know about http://del.icio.us you should, check it out!

"Picture Book" by the Kinks!!!

Thanks so much for supporting the local music scene! I am stoked to say the least!!!

yea! long sonic youth track! replacements! iron & wine! low! atmosphere! wilco! jesus & mary chain! thorn! mary lucia!

i remember working briefly on rallying support for a public radio replacement for rev105 back when they were bought out. it's good to see that good ideas don't just fizzle out. maybe they take 10 years to come around, but they do come around!

i can't wait for your first pledge drive!

JESUS & MARY CHAIN! Yes!!

Outstanding! In my travels around the country I have come across stations like this (San Francisco and Santa Cruz come to mind) and have wondered why don't we have something like this in the Twin Cities. Now we do-Thank you!
Likes: Todd Snider and any "Americana/Alt-Country" artists.

More Tull, and Deep Purple. How about Machine Head, commercial free?

Ditto on the Todd Snider.

Delerium, Siouxsie, Echo, Rose Chronicles, Pistols, Andrew Bird, Sinatra, Bauhaus and, heck, some Slade for kicks...

Great Job!
Keep it up (& great to have you back, Mary!)

Love the commitment to local music, we are truly blessed to have such a great musical history (past and present) here in the TC. In that vein... how about some Walt Mink?

Will there be any "world beat"-type music played on The Current? I'd love to hear some of that thrown in for good measure. (Maybe if I listen a bit longer, I'll learn the answer to my question.)

Terrific job! Thank you!

AMAZING! This station is everything that I hoped it would be. I've put it on every stereo I've walked by today! Keep up the great work!

THANK YOU!!! I turned on MPR this morning expecting some news and I heard music...GOOD MUSIC...music that makes me want to press the dusty reciever button on my reciever once again.

I go to St. Olaf College, and any ill feelings I had been harboring about the sale of WCAL are now totally gone.

89.3 is the BEST wide-range radio station in Minnesota.

~Nathan

And THANK YOU THANK YOU for Benny!

Niiice! Benny Goodman in the same hour with Sonic Youth. Now THAT's diversity. As a former KVer who's been waiting for Twin Cities radio to catch up for 15 years, I say Rock On!

FINALLY I am home - never to touch that 'dial' again. I have been so excited listening today that I became a member cause we can not loose this radio format.

Thanks to everyone who is making this possible.

Revolution. (Niiiiiiice.)

Sounds great so far, adding the jazz ia an awesome touch. maybe some more classical, country and hard rock as well would be a nice touch. Just please lay off the better then ezra. Otherwise, it's nice to have some "Fun" music.

i just e-mailed a request to: 893dj@mpr.org

has anyone else used this yet? - do the DJs have access to it yet?

Its so nice to actualy listen to the radio again. I'm glad I became a member this year

Yay! I think I'm going to have to renew my membership! I actually brought a radio to work now so I can listen to this great content! I concur with those who have declared that 89.3 is their new home! Thank you!!!

Didn't catch the Johnny Cash. Tuned in too late. Was it the Nine Inch Nails cover? ("Hurt")

They are playing that here in Vienna, Austria FM4.

(You got to love streaming internet radio!)

Before moving to Europe, I lived in LA and am a big fan of KCRW. As a Minnesota native, however, I am totally chuffed that you guys are putting some EXCELLENT (and sometimes weird... ok, let's say alternative/eccentric) stuff out there.

I'll definitely be listening to you from now on!!

And if you feel like going funky Europop sometime on a whim:

"Dragostea Din Te" was the real runner last summer here. Crazy song from Moldavia.... in Moldavian... not that that matters... every little kid in Europe knows the words.... Check it out, just for fun. The song is so good that TWO bands had it running at the same time (O-zone and Haiduci.)

And the coolest thing in Germany right now is:

"Schappi" Das Kleine Krokodil... the little crocodile. Brilliant.

And cute too!

Immer weiter so!

(Ok, these suggestions were cutsie... but they can't all be NIN.)

Wow!!! I can finally listen to music on the radio; my mp3 player will finally get a much needed break. I stopped listening to the radio when KJ104 died. It's been a very long time to wait for this! I'm proud to be an MPR member!
Would love to hear:
Pixies, Royksopp, The Shins, Goldie, Air, Kings of Convenience, Pavement, Charlie Parker, Zoot Sims, Bjork, Zero7, many more.....
Thanks for using my member $ wisely!!!! :)

REQUEST: Just wondering if you'ld consider adding Ogg Vorbis streaming format to your list for those of us who don't pay the Apple and Microsoft tax. Information at http://vorbis.com.

Thank you! I am a long time listener of RadioK, KFAI, and now 89.3! Public radio is taking over! Power to the people.
I look forward to listening in my car.

This is my new favorite radio station. I've been listening since the launch, and it's like you guys are playing the playlist inside my head! I'm so excited that there's finally a station in the Cities that reflects the breadth of my musical interests. Keep it up!!

Right on Tom! The best way to be sure your request, question, or message is seen by djs and by producers is to use the "contact the 89.3 studio" link on the homepage. Let us hear from you now! *grin*

Hope to see you in the 89.3 The Current Forum, if I haven't already.

-Julia
MPR Interactive Producer

MMmmm, HEM.... delicious

Thanks, what a great first in-studio guest.

I second the request for Calexico! Neko Case also - have never heard her on the radio.

And I will second the request for Neco Case!

It's nice to finaly have a station that is focused on music and not EGO Hungry DJ's claiming there your Humble Host repeating the call letters every minute. Way to Go!

This will be a huge success!

The WebStream is great!

Keep it up Minnesota Pulic Radio.

Say no to Clear Channel...

nice opening set this morning.
GOOD LUCK 89.3!

Just heard the Shins' "New Slang". This is good. This is very good. 'Bout time a good music city has a good FM radio station, besides my Ipod FM stream, of course:)

Caveat - I'm an employee, but I think the music is great and different from what I've been hearing. I just became a founding member to show my support and wills start buying more music on prms.org!

Oh yeah! Pet Sounds all the way! Wonderful.

I, too, became a founding member within the last 30 minutes.

Before you use the excuses -- my wife and I are students on a limited income and we think that it is important enough to forgo that extra 1/2 CD each month in order to be introduced to even more music.

If you love what you hear, miss having an eclectic selection of progressive music (what FM was originally all about -- yes, I'm that old) or are just plain tired of the same old force-feeding for the LCD -- chuck in a few bucks. If I know MPR, you don't have to be afounding member to be appreciated.

I plan to link The Current from my webpage. And, no, I am not an employee. I would be honored if they could use me, but I am just a musician who has listened to NPR for 10 years without being compelled to contribute until today.

KEEP IT UP GUYS!

Congratulations on your achievements thus far and here's wishing you much future success.

You've gained another founding member.

"I'm not between you and your ambition"

Other possible artists... Parisota Hot Club, Greg Brown, Dan Bergman, Indigenous, Bruce Cockburn, Tab Benoit, WookieFoot, Moxy Fruvous, the Roches, Me First & the Gimme Gimmes, Ryan Inselman, Adrian Belew, the Keller Brothers, Trey Anastasio, Youngblood Brass Band...

Why mention any, because that only excludes the rest. Don't leave anything out.

There's plenty of time. I look forward to your venture through the collection, even as it grows beyond your ability to broadcast it fast enough.

I finally got the chance to tune in and I nearly cried. It is so nice to be able to turn my radio on again and listen to something I want to hear...congrats on what is turning into a wonderful first day. I wouldn't mind hearing The Faint, Dandy Warhols, Autumn, Baaba Maal..although I'm pretty much happy with anything you play as long as it isn't Clapton, Ashlee Simpson, or that one song with the piano break that everystation has decided to play exclusively for the last year.

Absolutely wonderful so far. It is everything I hoped it would be, and then some. Starting off with Atmosphere's "Shh" was the best choice, and completely unexpected. I knew right from the start of that song that this would be good. Everything since then has been very entertaining as well, even the things that I normally wouldn't listen to or have never heard before. This will definately broaden my music horizons, which is really saying something, because they were broad already.

I'm really liking the sound, though you need to put on some happier tracks once in a while ;-) I know, it's tough—Most of my collection is pretty brooding.

I'd love to see some more electronic-y stuff, and I'll probably keep bugging you guys about it every so often :-p ... You've played some Frou Frou already, which I like ("Flicks" is a great track that you should play if it hasn't popped up already). How about some Sneaker Pimps? Olive? The Cardigans (non-"Lovefool" ;-) ? Oh, and even Orbital or Crystal Method? Even some Peter Gabriel floats along those lines (well, in my messed-up head, anyway). BT is wonderfully euphoric on many many tracks as well.

And, as much as I generally don't like hip-hop, I know there are some great artists out there, so I hope that at least some of the more broadly-appealing tracks can get played (every once in a while, there's something I can get into).

All I can say is that we needed you guys. Amazing...I can't thank you enough for giving Minneapolis this gift. We need some Bright Eyes! Anything off of "Lifted or The Story is in The Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground" or "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning," especially "Method Acting" or "Road to Joy." Please keep up the great work!

try playing some stuff from The Residents.

that would rock my world.

This Garbage song is one of their best. I'm glad that The Current doesn't think Butch Vig is off limits!

The good news: I finally found a place for the radio at my desk at work that doesn't cause mega-interference from the lights and electrical stuff. The bad news is I can't stay at my desk all day on this gig. But welcome, so glad you are here and will make you my leave-on station. I would encourage you to stir in a little more multi-genre to the mix as you've been doing.

And Mary, I see why people rave about you.

Looking forward to hearing Dale and Jim Ed in their new home (and hearing the bits that will go with!).

Wow! Just ... wow! Music that crosses multiple genres, and something that my teenaged son and I can enjoy together.

nice work so far..

please play,

halloween alaska
happy apple
heiruspecs
cloud cult
teague alexy
fog
the bad plus
the hang ups
martin devaney
the hockey night
free range pickin
mates of state
mirah
sufjan stevens
beastie boys
del the fankee homosapien

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! My long years of wandering in the musical desert have finally come to an end.

You've got another founding member.

Thank you! This is the station that I have been waiting for. 89.3 is an oasis of good music among a radio dial crammed with horrible commercial music. You have earned a new MPR member.

Congratulations on your launch and the extremely high quality of your stream! Your station is now listed at Tuner2.com.

Thanks!

Awesome job! I knew it would be good when I heard two songs I had never heard before on the way home. I don't think that has ever happened during my time in MSP. Then you followed it with Elvis. Then followed up by Atmosphere. At last a radio station that will play something local besides Soul Asylum and Prince. They are great and all but how many times can you listen to 'Runaway Train' and still be excited?

I have been telling everyone I know about you. Thanks.

Hey, it seems like from browsing through this message board that the playlists from this station seem very similar to another Minneapolis-area radio station, AM 770 Radio K...I would suggest anybody who is shocked to have heard the music you've heard today to check out Radio K as well.

I've been reservedly optimistic about 89.3 since I first heard what was going to happen.

Well, I caught the last hour of Mary's time and about an hour of Wheat. So far I've recognized exactly ONE song. And I could not be happier!

Yes, I know 770 plays similar music. But it is on low power AM. Even when you are "in range", it is low fidelity. 89.3 sounds awesome.

Oh, and Spaghetti Western in studio was soooo cool. I am now a fan.

Continue to challenge the listeners. Don't get complacent. And thank you.

Joy Division on the air in the Cities!

Who da thunk it?

More more more!

Again, love the station. More alt-country please!!!! Oh and power pop. Lots and lots of power pop.

Suggestions? Sure!

Poole
Get Up Kids
Death Cab For Cutie
Jayhawks
Tommy Stinson
Teenage Fanclub
The Damnwells
Whiskeytown
The Shins
Buffalo Tom
MORE Elvis Costello
Belle and Sebastian
Hang Ups
Mutual Admiration Society
Uncle Tupelo

OK, that's just off the top of my head.

GREAT MUSIC + GREAT DJ'S = GREAT STATION.

Great stuff so far. This is the first time listening to the radio has made me happy in years.

Thanks! I'll be rejoining MPR in support of The Current after several years hiatus.

I am a part of the management of WMCN, Macalester College Radio (91.7fm in St. Paul). As a station that celebrates broad genres I'm amazed to hear such a format, especially from public radio. It's wonderful to have another partner in independent music in the Twin Cities. If I ever get my student loans paid off I'll definitely join. Best.

thank you thank you thank you. i feel a little delirious, been listening ALL DAY and i keep waiting for something to be a drag but it hasn't been! at all! even if i'm not into the song (not often), i'm into being introduced to something i haven't heard before. great djs, great music, and a real excitement in the community again. thank you for not dumbing us down and for believing in the music and our city. hope you form some partnerships somehow with the other greats in town: radio k and kfai. keep up the good work! and now chris osgood is on too - rad. it's also nice to hear mark wheat in glorious fm again!

:o This is what I had expected to find on the dial here in the Twin Cities given its music heritage after moving here five years ago (and never really able to get in AM 770).

I heard it go live this morning and nearly cried when for the first time I heard Ani and her 32 Flavors being played on the airwaves. It was her, unlike another station giving us lip service about being a rebel, but only playing someone else's rendition.

Keep it up! Love the variety from Benny Goodman to Depeche Mode to Radiohead to Patsy Cline to Dylan to Wilco to Ella to... You have saved me from XM, and you guys make me glad to be a part of listner supported radio.

I might be showing my age, but this is the best radio station since Rev 105. It's great to hear a station (other than Radio K, KFAI, KMOJ) where the djs actually pick the music they want to listen to (as opposed to music being picked by an evil super-computer which, in my mind, looks something like HAL from 2001). Despite the fact that some of this music is being played on Radio K (as someone pointed out), it's nice to a) hear this music in stereo and b) not to have long stretches of programming time divided up by specific genres or themes. Well done.

Finally! Finally! Finally!

Awesome stuff.. caught Thorn's show this morning and plan to listen tonight when I get home from work.

I contributed to KEXP last year-- since it was the station I listened to the most online (Not many great music choices out here in NE Wisconsin). But this year, my public radio donation budget will go toward becoming a founding member of KCMP.

Way to go guys! The spirit and sound of REV 105 lives on.

Just to clarify-- that's not to say KEXP is not a great station. It is-- and is similar to KCMP. I'm just proud to be able to support an awesome station in my hometown.

All I heard about was how angry people were over this. I really think anybody who cares about the health of the radiowaves has to love this. Good to see a new flower blooming in the dead of Minnesota winter. Good luck and thanks for getting it together.

Amazing! Truly amazing! Where in the world do you find all these cool tunes?

ps. I hope you're not too cool to play a little Dead for us old hippies once in a while :)

What a fantastic contribution to the Minneapolis radio dial. Way to go.

Watch for in-car iPod use among local music geeks to plummet in the coming weeks.

And this:

http://www.joegratz.net/archives/2005/01/24/893-the-current/

Just a note for others regarding the streams:

If you can't get Winamp to play the AAC stream...check the version number of your Winamp install. I had 5.02 and the AAC stream did not work. Apparently 5.04 added AAC functionality. The current downloadable version is 5.08.

The WMP stream stopped working for me sometime earlier this evening. Anyone else having problems with that stream?

Great Launch song. I was driving home to Morris (go UMM!) and heard the first 4 songs before losing signal.

It looks like the CC evil empire has some new competition from a new (?) empire.

So far there's a lot less local music than I exprected.

Yes - a new "empire". Broadcasting 100,000 watts from an 800 foot tower in Empire, MN.

I'm hooked! I sent an email, but wanted to post here too. This is an amazing mix of music and I'm so glad it's coming out of the Twin Cities. Mark Wheat is great and knows his stuff. I can't tell you enough how much finding this absolutely rocks. it made my day for sure. i mean, I just heard an REM track from MURMUR, for cryin' out loud!! YES!

xoxo

Heather

OMG - FAR better than I'd dare imagine or hope for.

This is indeed a very bright day for the local airwaves, and via webcasting, for all the world.

I really don't know how to put into words how really worthwhile this service is to me. I can give my iPod a rest, and listen to some music I've never heard before - or some I'd forgotten about. I really LOVE it.

I've not felt so good about a station since the opening hours of Rev 105.

The programming I've heard so far has been really inspired and so refreshing.

If I listen long enough, I might actually hear some of my favorite 'obscure artists'... The Residents, Evolution Control Committee, The Branflakes, People Like Us, Ryuchi Sakamoto.

BTW, is it possible to post to your website a running log of all the music played? It would be outstanding to be able to just jot down a note of the date and time of day, then go back and find out what that really great selection was... I would find SO MUCH new music this way.

Keep up the great work - I know you will.

Congrats!

Thank you for a wonderful day...
It was like getting gifted a brand new "mix tape" from a really good friend. I don't want to go to bed because I might miss something.
And I think my CD collection will be expanding leaps and bounds.
Mark Wheat...you're something somethin.
Thanks

Holy crap. Happy day!

I'm ecstatic to hear so many people that mean "music radio in Minneapolis" to me all together in one place.

I am so happy for you guys... for us all.

Woo! Björk into Massive Attack ;-)

You guys make this look easy.

Highlight: Wheat deftly segues into the Mekons' "Memphis Egypt" -- a huge song I've heard zillions of times but within this context somehow new and thrilling again.

Nice what radio programmed by humans can do, eh? Long may it live.

Great playlist thus far. Sure hitting the Jesus & Mary Chain pretty hard though, aren't we?

What a thrill! Bjork/Massive Attack, I anticipate Kate Bush around the corner!

oh my good lord. how thrilled am i to hear this station? absolutely ecstatic. before i had to have itunes on or be within 5 miles of the u to listen to what i consider "my" music. while the people here at my school (i'm a st. olaf student) created a huge stink about selling "our" station, i feel like i have more to contribute to a station like this that identifies with so many different tastes and has such a great staff. keep up the good work!

Thanks for having the streaming web version up and running right away. I'm in Boston on business today and was simply delighted with my ability to tune in on this historic day. I look forward to many hours tuned in... to the good, the bad, and the ugly (Thorn).

;-) Dan

This is seriously the greatest station I have ever heard, it has an amazing balance. My compliments, you all have put together something really incredible.

i am beyond thrilled--i am in love! it's been years since we've had a station in town that even came close to what you're doing. i can't believe how many of my favorite artists you've hit in the first day that i've never even heard on the radio before. keep it up! i won't be able to talk about anything else for days.

I've been listening all day, and I can't begin to express how pleased and excited I am about the new 89.3! FINALLY! WELCOME! And now, as I close my day listening to Steve Seel in the wee hours, I just wanted to thank MPR for bringing MUSIC back to radio, and to let you know that I just opened my wallet and became a first-time member of MPR. Thanks again and keep up the great work!

A nice set from Steve Seel in the wee hours. It's pretty surreal hearing him introducing tracks by Magazine, Low, the Hang Ups, Sisters of Mercy and the hip hop recently emanating from my speakers after having heard the names Beethoven, Bach, and Khachaturian tripping off his lips over the past few years, but that's a testament to his versatility!

How about some Marine Girls?

Up late listening in the a.m.--Steve Seel is awesome! Just heard Nick Drake--and about an hour ago heard Nick Cave. Wow! Add to that Low, Nas, and Loretta Lynn--and now he's promising Iron and Wine!! Big sleepy smiles from me.

heard about this listening to goove garden on 106.7 sat. night. this is reallyreally good. some rock would be nice though. bust it up with some melvins or fugazi or murder city devils or at the drive in or something. electronica of any sort would be good too. but who listens to me? thanks and keep up the good work.

My husband heard you playing the new Chemical Brothers last night and I couldn't believe that he'd heard it on a Twin Cities radio station. Hooray for Bjork too! I would like to request that if Jazz is in the mix, would you play some late 1920's music too like the Charleston etc ????

Thanks for making this station- I can finally listen to music again on the radio. It's even something my young children are asking to listen to.

The Morning Show definitely has a different mix than the other daytime shows. I love the folk and old-timey stuff and blues and some of the interesting world music. I'm still trying to suss out whether some of the more jokey stuff is my cup of tea anymore, or if I may jump back and forth from KCMP and KNOW in the mornings.

This has been a wonderful 24 hours, however. Just amamzing music; so much I haven't heard, and twinges of relatively obscure, divine music that I _have_. We heard 16 Horsepower and Joy Division last night as we were driving home from a friend's house, and we got to talk about it on the drive. We do this on long trips with our iPod on shuffle as we rate music; it's fantastic to be able to do the same listening to the radio.

I couldn't help but notice the absence of any of Dale's comic pieces this morning. Will there be fewer of those on the Current, or is this simply an accommodation to the numerous reminders about where to find classical music, etc?

The humor is part of what makes The Morning Show what it is. Don't lose it! Meanwhile, it was nice to hear Mason Jennings. The "iconoclastic eclecticism" is getting even better.

Kudos on the first 24 hours everyone!

I'm in love.

Thank you for your commitment to get local music in the mix. Your efforts are not going to go unappreciated.

How do I give money?

Not sure if you plan to keep the Morning Show that you have currently but I have to say this is the exact same morning show I remember listening to when I was a little kid. I've always thought a morning show should have a little "Zip" not necesarily in the DJ's (that get's old) but at least with the music. I love the diversity, it just needs a little "zipifying".

Happy Day!!!!
Finally the city of Rochester is liberated. Prior to yesterday, Rochester has been musically stuck in a classic rock and country music evil spell. In only one day, you helped this city progress from being stuck in 1990 to leaping 15 years to the present......actually, the future!!!!
Your music selection is much like FM4 in Austria; up until now it was my favourite station. I feel that I will be using my computer less often to listen to good music.
Hats off to MPR!!!!

I just have to add I was pretty psyched to hear The Mekons last night during Mark Wheat's shift

I love this station. Let's hear some New Order, Adore-era Smashing Pumpkins, Violator-era Depeche Mode and some When in Rome... "I PROMISE YOU..."

I heart thee, 89.3.

Lily Liver's Va Va Va Voom, awesome. Thank you for playing one of my favorite songs with out me having to ask.

D.

wow....all this on one station? no way. and without commercials? un-be-f&*^-ing-lieveable. this is so cool, so what we've been dreaming of and longing for.

i admit, i was apprehensive...but doubt no more! this is the best radio station ever. minnesota has officially got the most brilliant public radio in the world!

i've heard so much in my own cd collection, stuff i'd forgotten about, and stuff i wish i had - but no disappointments.

thank you, thank you, thank you for doing this, for bringing together so much great stuff all into one place on the dial, because - news flash! - people really do like variety.

Thank you Thank you Thank you.
Frank Sinatra followed by Cake's Frank Sinatra.
That's Heaven Baby.

One minor comment - How about a little less Rev 105 in the afternoon and a little more Cafe 105. More Eclectic - No matter what I am a happy boy!

HOW ABOUT PLAYING SOMETHING FROM HOT NEW LOCAL ACT HEAVY SLEEPER. OR MARTIN DEVEANEY. THANKS

excellent work so far, this is very exciting.

please play Mike Doughty.

Not too bad. You may be the best FM station now, easily edging the whole REV105 middle-of-the-road crud. Although, you could do more to differentiate yourselves from the formula employed by the big three (Clearchannel, Disney, Viacom) whom, as you already know, own 15 local radio stations.

The Current will be my runner up station. 770 RadioK still owns my dial. Although they have poor transmission quality and amateurish DJs, they still deliver more interesting music.

If we could only have KALX piped into the Twin Cities… sigh.

I must agree with Hapa9 - Radio K will remain my station during the day (my desk here at work has a *lovely* view of their transmitter tower just over a mile away!) - but 89.3 will definitely be on after sunset.

I have to ask all the people that have been posting things like 'finally, a station that has variety' and 'a station that plays local music': Have you HEARD of Radio K? 770A.M., 6am (6:15 in Dec & Jan) to sunset -- check them out sometime!!

Hey, dude, this station is awesome!!! I heard Postal Service, and jsut about fell over in shock!!! wow, and then no commercials?!? AWESOME!!!!!

The Fall an MPR!!! WE ARE BLESSED!!!
What a fantastic mix. Have been listening for two days, have been reading the blog. Millions of kudos to the MPR Current staff. The INDEPENDENT airwaves of the Twin Cities are strong as is, The Current is the cherry on the cake!!! I went into a business today and asked them to change their dial to 89.3. It actually was their introduction to The Current. Let's collectively change the Twin Cities' soundtrack...and to Mary, thanks for the image of Amie Man passing the ham to Sean Penn on Easter....that was brilliant! Also want to encourage Mark Wheat to give footie-up-dates,
I love that Sparta FC track. ...the new Lemon Jelly....HOT! Can see the bright future for 89.3 already. Thank you SO much!!!

Analisa

cool beyond belief. while Radio K will always have a special place in my AM heart I'm afraid I've found a new love. checking the finances to see what we can pledge. now if you guys would only let me get some sleep!

beyond awesome. I know people who have cried with happiness at your playlist - and having the playlist ticker online? We were bawling.

Keep up the good work. You've got a fanbase and support already.

i am on dial-up. can you provide an aacplus 32kbs stream?

I have found an abundance of good music allready on the Current and will listen as much as possible but if you could post bands and songs that you played in the past hour on the site along with sound bites it would be helpfull as it is dificult to catch the exact names of bands and songs on air.