Help choose our Featured Artists for the Fourth
Posted at 10:00 AM on June 20, 2010
by Michael Wells
(96 Comments)
Last year, The Current celebrated the Fourth of July by celebrating the music of Prince. This Fourth of July weekend, The Current wants to celebrate by playing a track every hour from a different Minnesota artist. The happy challenge we face is that there are a lot to to choose from. After debating it amongst ourselves for the last couple days, we've decided to turn the decision over to you.
Who should be our featured artist for the Fourth of July weekend?
Listen every day between Monday, June 21 and Monday, June 28 as our hosts play a selection from each artist. Whoever you select will be our Forth of July featured artist, and we'll play a track an hour all weekend long!
Comments (96)
Where is the Wookiefoot button?
Is there a limit of one vote per IP address? I ask because I think Soul Asylum's popularity in this little poll is quite suspicious.
What, no 12 Rods? Ridic.
Soul Asylum posted the poll on their Facebook page. Their surge in popularity is what happens when bands take notice.
:)
Well, if I can't vote for ALL of them, let's make it Soul Asylum....
(Okay, yes, partly because they posted it on Facebook.)
Seriously folks...... is Dylan really that far behind?
There is no question that Dyaln should have been featured well before even Prince.
I'm not sayin' the other acts aren't any good, I'm just sayin' they pale in comparison.
"Is there a limit of one vote per IP address? I ask because I think Soul Asylum's popularity in this little poll is quite suspicious.
Posted by s.g. | June 21, 2010 5:32 PM"
No, it's because they're an awesome live band and I think Dave Pirner's one of the best songwriters on that list!
C'mon Replacements!
Sooooo tired of the Replacements, and Paul Westerberg being played religiously on the Current.Play more Jayhawks,Husker Du and escpecially Soul Asylum.All these bands have huge catalogs of tunes!The Current's playlist is way too narrow overall.
Bob Dylan!
Can I be your featured proofreader? You have 4th spelled "Forth" in the question. :-)
I considered the list thinking it would be difficult to pick just one. Dylan is out because he hasn't really maintained his Minnesotaness, The Replacements/Husker Du/Soul Asylum rep a very importtant but narrow slice in Minnesota musicdom. I think Atmosphere represents the now and the future but for timeless lyrics and beautiful harmonies, The Jayhawks won my vote
I voted for The Replacements/Paul Westerberg. However, I think it's a major over-site that The Gear Daddies/Martin Zellar have not been listed.
Atmosphere would be lucky to shine their shoes as far as what The Gear Daddies did for Minnesota vs. Atmosphere. I'm not discounting their work but it seems sad to me....that they are listed and NOT The Gear Daddies.
Did Atmosphere go on David Letterman? Did Atmosphere win a few times as Twin Cities Band of the Year in City Pages (like The Gear Daddies)?
KNONAM
Trampled by Turtles? How can you overlook a local band that has been down in the trenches for 8+ years? Especially since they have been sitting at the top of your Chart Show for WEEKS now!!!???
Really? The Jayhawks? Over rated. I agree that Gear Daddies is sorely missing. And can you please be sure to play some Limited Warranty this weekend too?
All these bands and/or artists ARE what make up Minnesota music (and the many more not listed). With that, I vote for The Current to play ONLY Minnesota based music the ENTIRE weekend. Why just pick one artist? Make it an annual event! Maybe even a collective annual concert to go along with it? Everyone from MN wins.
All these bands and/or artists ARE what make up Minnesota music (and the many more not listed). With that, I vote for The Current to play ONLY Minnesota based music the ENTIRE weekend. Why just pick one artist? Make it an annual event! Maybe even a collective annual concert to go along with it? Everyone from MN wins.
x2, beautiful idea!
No surprise really that The Jayhawks are leading by such a wide margin. After packing in 4 nights worth of shows this past weekend, the timing of the vote couldn't be better for them, it puts them more in the news than the others. More fans and non-fans alike have Jayhawks on their mind than usual.
If I must choose from this list, then Atmosphere it is. But there are sooo many better hip hop artists in the Twin Cities such as Eyedea, Kristoff Krane, Sector 7G.
Aside from the oldies and classic rock, there is no other kind of music than hip hop...and I don't mean the RAP they play on KDWB!!!
Uhhh...I agree with all of those here who think the Jayhawks are overrated. I like them. I've seen them a few times over the years but I just think the current has too much of a love affair with them already. Obviously the listeners out there do too. Ugh.
atmosphere. cause mr daly told me to
Personally, I'd be tired of hearing any one of these artists all weekend long. I like the Memorial Day concept much better of 3 song sets. That is all any of these guys I could take.
Slugs the shit....its all bout atmosphere....
"Did Atmosphere go on David Letterman? Did Atmosphere win a few times as Twin Cities Band of the Year in City Pages (like The Gear Daddies)?"
No, but he was on Conan, who has a better show anyways.
And last year, they won an award in the Star Tribune for being the best artist in the Twin Cities as well as having the best new album in the Twin Cities.
Atmosphere also is much more popular right now than the Gear Daddies, and will continue to be because they are still making music and finally starting to get the national recognition they deserve.
others have skills but Atmosphere is, como se dice, FRESH
""Did Atmosphere go on David Letterman? Did Atmosphere win a few times as Twin Cities Band of the Year in City Pages (like The Gear Daddies)?"
No, but he was on Conan, who has a better show anyways.
And last year, they won an award in the Star Tribune for being the best artist in the Twin Cities as well as having the best new album in the Twin Cities.
Atmosphere also is much more popular right now than the Gear Daddies, and will continue to be because they are still making music and finally starting to get the national recognition they deserve."
~Atmosphere has been on numerous 'late night shows' and did indeed win some local awards last year.
It may not be everyones cup-o-tea, but is #1 on this list in my books.
actually, atmosphere was on letterman:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRQQE6XfQAg
and yes, that is p.o.s. singing backup vocals with atmosphere on letterman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRQQE6XfQAg
Not only Letterman, but Atmosphere has been on Conan and Kimmel. Mark H, you are a tool.
The Replacements all the way! It's too bad all their fans probably don't give a flying F*@k about contests like this, because they were the all time best!
atmosphere!
Go, Sean, go! lol
GO ATMOS!!!!!!!!
Not too familiar with other groups but do know Atmosphere has a song for every situation out there..They have a ton of material that never gets played and should..
ATMOSPHERE!!!
Atmosphere
Atmosphere!
ATMOSPHERE!!!!!!!!
Anyone at Soundset2010 knows the winner should be Atmosphere by a mile
voted for the replacements
Well-played, Mr. Daley.
How lucky are we to live in a state where this is such a tough choice?! (Although I agree that the Gear Daddies should definitely be on the list).
in response to mark h's comment which concluded in saying "Did Atmosphere go on David Letterman? Did Atmosphere win a few times as Twin Cities Band of the Year in City Pages (like The Gear Daddies)?"
I would say yes mark, they have performed many times on late night television, much more often then the great daddies. Also they have won many more awards from local publications like the city pages. Also they headlined a concert in May where they performed in front of over 17,000 people here in Minnesota, so I think they know what they're doing.
Uh Atmosphere, I feel like I'm back my dorm room again and I'm the only one listening to Dylan. My radio wont be on the 4th.
Atmoshpere all the way! Never heard of all those other guys cuz a *cough* they suck *cough* *cough*.:)
Soul Asylum!!!!!
Loving all the support for Atmosphere. What makes them a great band/group is that they continue to evolve as artists and still have their original fans showing up to shows.
I was at Soundset this year, and only Jane's Addiction and maybe Rage Against the Machine pack a more diverse crowd than they do. Smiles all around while grooving to their new stuff and the old stuff.
To dismiss them as a rap group is so shortsighted. They are helping put MPLS on the map, and they LOVE their city. And from what I saw, their city LOVES them.
Atmosphere through and through! There wont be much to clean up
Atmosphere FTW! cuz god loves Ugly
Gotta be Husker Du. Make sure to include some Grant Hart/Nova Mob.
Was that your celebrated summer?
I don't understand how this poll works? How can the Jayhawks have 37% of people's votes one day and 21% the next? Shouldn't all of these numbers be increasing???
@Ben Boyd
It's based of percentage of votes. Right now Atmosphere has 56% of the votes. Yesterday they had 11%. Basically a lot of people have been voting for Atmosphere.
Atmosphere posted this to their myspace and someone said they voted a "million times" in the comments, but who knows how much that happened for any one artist. Regardless, it gives some explanation for their sudden jump.
Bubbleteeth! Heard of them? They are a young band that's been playing around town for the past year. Fresh.
If you want to just Huskers that's ok, if you want to have Huskers/Mould/Hart that's ok, but don't do Huskers/Mould without the Hart!
Leo Kottke?
Bob Dylan is the best artist/group on this list but he is always on the radio.
Atmosphere! They deserve a lot more attention then they get.
God Loves Ugly one of the best albums EVER.
Thats right I said EVER
I've never understood why The Current ignores local punk artists. I cherish our local hip hop artists too, but what about Dillinger Four? These guys deserve some local appreciation by now! They've been around so long they're practically, dare I say, mainstream. Yet no one has even mentioned them here yet. If I could, I'd vote for them. They deserve it!
I must extend my deepest apology to the fans of Atmosphere, as it appears to me that I was completely messed up in my understanding of Atmosphere's contribution to society. After seeing this amazing response, I now understand that Atmosphere is truly the greatest musical group to influence music since The Beatles. So thank you for liberating my consciousness as I feel at peace with this enlightened peace of mind.
I agree with Crochetmos, where's the Wookiefoot button? There are a lot of Minnesota artists missing from this list, as is apparent from reading the comments.
so like husker du/sugar right? no solo mould? because solo mould is, well, to use a minnesota type euphamism, interesting.
I don't live in MN but Atmosphere makes my world go round! Slug, slug, slug!
Atmosphere :)
who are the gear daddies?
Go on Atmosphere
Is there any question about it? Atmosphere!
Are you guys kidding me with Atmosphere? I voted for the Jayhawks because they are one of my personal favorites but Bob Dylan is next to the Beatles on the all time list of great and influential musicians! 7%? Weak
WWWOOOO ATMOSPHERE! GO SLUG & ANT! :D
I had to Du what was in my heart.
I currently live in Seattle. I recently began to listen to MPR in the afternoon. While I have enjoyed Atmosphere, I can honestly say that I have never heard of them outside of this station. I grew up listening to the Mats though. So I voted for them. Go Mats! :)
This popularity contest is swell. I wonder if the voters going to Atmosphere's facebook page to cast a million pointless votes actually listen to the current in the first place? Suggestion: try asking this question during one of your weekly pledge drives. At least then it might be a fair representation of listener preference, rather than a bunch of wanna-be hackers gaming the system. There is simply no comparison between Dylan and the rest of these fine artists. All of these artists can be fun listens and I certainly have nothing against Atmosphere (or Soul Asylum so long as I never have to listen to Runaway Train again...ever). But Dylan is a global icon. They make movies about him, so he must be really neato.
Atmosphere has some good things to say, some glimmer of beauty in the lyrics. But they are all very mundane, very recycled, very been there done that. I love Atmosphere, but there are so many artists who have done it better. Their last effort was not their best.
They are not Minnesota's finest. If they are, then we are ridiculously outshined by other states . Outkast from ATL. The Roots from Philly, Notorious, Tupac and Public Enemy from NY. I can go on listing acts that would blow Atmosphere out of the water.
Atmosphere is talented, yes, but they are only were they are because of the massive support from their Minnesota fans. I mean right as you're reading this, you fans are probably already typing up a comeback. And that's fine, you say what you want to say. Atmosphere is solid, but nothing amazing. But at least they have great fans like you.
P.O.S. Now that guy has some great potential.
Anyway, I think that some of the most solid acts out of MN have been in the rock scene. Husker Du is amazing, they have two perfect albums. Zen Arcade and New Day Rising. They bridged the gap between hardcore punk and melodic rock.
But why waste my time? it is the era of the playlist, and that's what most current listeners I met are like. They just look for those different, yet catchy songs, and don't always care about looking into the bands they listen to. Let alone listen to the bands that paved the roads for the bands that we have now.They just stock their iPods with the songs they like, and just listen to that.
Atmosphere.
I don't know why any of us should vote for anybody other than Atmosphere, as they are apparently the second coming of The Beatles. (Yes, I'm being sarcastic.)
atmosphere
atmosphere
If Slug and Ant from Atmosphere don't win this it is FIXED!
Husker Du!
husker don't atmospher all the way
i vote all mn music, not one artist!
there are WAY too many artists missing to pick one of these.
Atmosphere? 60% in a runaway? Either the Current has finally managed to capture the all important young, dumb and with out taste demographic or rymesayers have got all their little friends all over this poll. Passable local hip hop is not what I would call a Minnesota Icon worth dedicating a weekend to. I guess I'll have the radio off for the Fourth. I'm sad that ,in it's own way, the Current is surrendering to the lowest common denominator one painful piece at a time.
OMG, the first song I ever heard Atmosphere do was "Say Shhh". Thanks to the current for their support of local bands or I never would have known about this group. I love this band and most every song they have done because they speak from the heart and their reality.Which happens to be much of my reality. To all the naysayers who poo poo Atmosphere, that only tells me they haven't listened to their albums or have only heard the songs the current chooses to play which I have a problem with. Got to say have heard Dylan on the radio as well as the other bands on the radio but have not been inspired to buy their material. Got to remember the Atmosphere crew chose not to go mainstream because they want to have control over their music.....how many artists have choosen to take the monied way???? I agree that we have lots of musical talent in Minnesota and we have more than enough room for other locals for the weekend. But wait theres more....
So, I come from the projects, the ghetto's of St. Paul. Unfortunately , its a sign of the times that many more people relate to the lyrics of Atmosphere than other bands represented by the current.Personally, I believe this is why Atmosphere appeals to the local community more than the other bands up for vote..This is why people gravitate to music that speaks to them...so therefore, maybe the people voting for
Atmosphere honestly believe in their support of a band that speaks for them like they speak for me. Guarantees, Waistress, Happy Mess, Paintings, Sunshine, 66th Street
PS. I will be 54 this year...........
Atmosphere has it all! Classy band-classy and cool lyrics! ----Can't wait to see them in the Phoenix area!
Let's hear the Gear Daddies!
Martin Zellar packed to Mexico when made enough money. Told the Mn fans he would be back to milk us in the summer. Times got tough down there when there was an extra mouth to feed so he decided to come back and charge more for the show.
I would vote, but it appears that Spider John Koerner was left off the list! :)
Poll closed? It's Tuesday? Whats going on? There is no way Atmosphere gets 60% and nobody else gets even a third of that. This thing is being jacked by over voting or some Colbert style swarm voting from friends of the band and rymesayers. I'm starting to regret my sustaining membership. I wonder how many of the Atmosphere voters are members?
Jayhawks for sure
Well a person can work up, a mean, mean thirst,
after a hard day of nothin' much at all .
I used to live at home, now I stay at their house.
Pretty girl keeps growin'up, playing make-up, wearing guitar. you'll grow old in a bar, you'll grow old in a bar.
Just a sampling of Replacements lyrics. By FAR, the best BAND to come out of Mpls in the last 40 years. Misunderstood, and under-played in their home state.
Westerberg is a genius. Unfortunately, he's also an addict.
Who the f@#k is Atmosfarce, anyway? I have never heard of them before! Seriously. I have NO clue who or what these these pozers are all about.
In honor of the Flamin' Oh's drummer, Bobby Meade's recent passing, a shout out to them, as well as, the 'Burbs, is highly in order!!! RIP!
I live in Pennsylvania but I'm a big fan of all things Minneapolis music, and I have never even heard of Atmosphere. I visited Minneapolis a few months ago and it was beautiful and classy and the people were so friendly! I don't know how the heck some hip hop duo by the names of Ant and Slug represent the city of such legends as Bob Dylan and Paul Westerberg.
The Replacements. I don't consider Dylan a "Minnesota" artist.
Atmosphere OWNS! Shout out from the Golden Coast!
Atmosphere? Really? The Current isn't a rap station. They might play it a little bit because it's local or whatever, but that's pretty much the only reason.
Seriously, look at those choices. One of these is not like the others, as in, one isn't a band that one would normally expect to hear on The Current.
Bob Dylan is a legend. The Replacements are almost certainly one of the most important rock and roll acts of all time. I could say great things about the others as well, but Atmosphere? I live in South Minneapolis and I have never even heard of them. Isn't there some kind of rap station where you guys can listen to your "music" and leave The Current alone?
| June 2010 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | |||
Master Archive
- Transmission Video of the Day - Adam & the Ants "Antmusic"
- Dr. Dog - Be The Void review
- 9:30 Coffee Break: World Thinking Day
- Dining with Dara: Food and Wine Experience
- Today In Music History: Whole Lotta Shaking Going On
- Transmission Video of the Day - "How the Brits Rocked America"
- 9:30 Coffee Break: Fat Tuesday
- An Array Of Awesome Atmosphere Video
- Today In Music History: Celebrating Nina Simone
- New Hot Playlist (2/20/12)
- 9:30 Coffee Break
- CD of the Week
- CD Reviews
- Contests
- Dining with Dara
- Favorite Songs of the Decade
- Honey-Do List
- In the Studio
- Last Call at the Uptown
- Live Events
- Local
- Meet the Beatles (Again)
- Morning Show
- Music History
- Music News
- Musicheads
- My Three Songs
- New Hot
- Passport Approved
- Pitchfork
- Programs
- Random Vinyl
- Rock the Garden
- SXSW
- Teenage Kicks
- The Aughts
- The Chart Show
- The Current Presents
- The Current Road Trip
- The Local Show
- Theft of the Dial
- Time Machine Tuesday
- Transmission
- United States of Americana
- Become a Member
- Member Connect Accounts
- Leadership Circle
- Sustaining Members
- Member Discounts
- Become a Sponsor
- Tax Information
- Planned Giving
- Vehicle Donation
- Donate Stock
