Jeremy Messersmith on "song sharking" and writing the worst song ever

Songwriting ain't what it used to be.

Need some fresh new chords? Try Microsoft Songsmith. Having trouble finding that perfect simile? Give MasterWriter a go. Want to know if your new song is a hit? The algorithms at uplaya.com can help. More and more, it seems that the craft of writing songs is being aided (or subverted) by digital tools.

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Local Current Blog

MaLLy's 'The Last Great...' out today, release show this Friday

While he’s just now getting some well-deserved accolades, MaLLy is actually no stranger to the Twin Cities. Since 2007, the young MC has been steadily releasing new music, often with the harmonious help of producer the Sundance Kid. One look at MaLLy’s Bandcamp alone illustrates the breadth of his output; 14 releases currently grace the front page with one more out today.... full post

Local Radar: Part Mammal, Deimos Phobos and Wolf Mountain

Local Radar highlights bands that the local team at The Current is spinning heavily at their desks. You'll be able to preview a track from each as well as hear them on The Local Show and Local Current.... full post

Ronnie Spector and the 5.6.7.8's cap off inaugural Girls Got Rhythm Fest

There has been a lot of discussion about gender politics in the Twin Cities art scene this spring. I’m happy to say that even though I'm one of a small number of female music writers working in the area, sexism isn't something that I encounter very often while doing this job. As I headed out on Saturday night, first to see St. Vincent at First Avenue and then to Ronnie Spector and the 5.6.7.8’s at the inaugural Girls Got Rhythm Fest in downtown St. Paul, I couldn't help but wonder: Are we still in need of events like Girls Got Rhythm? Or is there still more work to be done?... full post

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Nick Waterhouse

What's New on The Current This Week

New music from Conor Oberst, Heiruspecs, Here We Go Magic and more!

Check out the great new music The Current has added to our mix this week and last, including tracks from emerging retro-soul singer Nick Waterhouse, Here We Go Magic, Conor Oberst, local hip-hoppers Heiruspecs, Here We Go Magic and Canadian indie-pop outfit Imaginary Cities.

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CD of the Week: Best Coast - The Only Place

Best Coast - The Only Place

David Safar's review

The Only Place isn't just an improvement on Best Coast's debut; it's a harsh reminder that it's a steep fall from grace when you start out as a darling of the indie music blogs. Like Weezer's Pinkerton, this album can't and won't be fully appreciated until fans and critics have their chance to deliver some initial hipster backlash.

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Bonnaroo 2012

Bonnaroo 2012 Giveaway

Win tickets to one of the world's biggest music festivals!

Fans of live music know that Bonnaroo is one of the premiere outdoor festivals in the world, happening each summer in Manchester, Tenn. Among the bands featured on this year's line-up include Radiohead, Bon Iver, Santigold, The Roots and many more. We've got a chance for one (very) lucky winner to receive one pair of 4-day festival passes, Thursday through Sunday, June 7-10. The passes include camping and parking, but do not include travel.

Enter here, and don't forget to read the rules.

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In-studio performances

MaLLy

MaLLy

MaLLy performs in The Current studios
If there's one artist in the Twin Cities who has steadily increased their recognition and popularity, it's probably MaLLy. Malik Watkins is only in his mid-20s, but his reputation has been bolstered by encouragement from the Rhymesayers crew and old friends from the high-school days that now collaborate with him side-by-side.

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Bloodnstuff
Bloodnstuff
Local duo Bloodnstuff has been gathering accolades the past few months for their raucous live show. While many might think they're a new band on the circuit, Ed Holmberg and Dylan Gouert have actually been playing around for almost ten years, finessing a craft that has seen many incarnations.
Father John Misty
Father John Misty
Father John Misty may be a relatively new project, but the man behind it has been around for a few years now, playing in one of indie music's greatest break-out bands. J. Tillman used to drum for the mighty Pacific-Northwest act Fleet Foxes, but left the group this year to pursue his own endeavors, trading in the rootsy, experimental folk for more of a vintage rock sound.
Justin Townes Earle
Justin Townes Earle
Justin Townes Earle shouldn't be overshadowed by his famous father Steve Earle. The two may have similar styles, but Justin modernizes what his dad began popularizing in the late '90s. His newest record "Nothing's Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now" has garnered considerable accolades in the Americana scene, and there's a chance for you to win a copy of that CD from The Current this week.
I Self Devine
I Self Devine
I Self Devine's new record features a slew of hip-hop power players to complement an emcee who is gaining major ground locally and nationally for his whip-smart and poignant raps. In his debut for The Current, I Self Devine talks Soundset, origins, his wide-range of influences from disco to his mother, graffiti and more.
Dylan Hicks
Dylan Hicks and The Toughies
Dylan Hicks has been in the midst of a long-term hiatus. We saw the release of his last record in 2001 after a string of prolific efforts starting all the way back in 1990. Maybe he was tired and maybe he needed something new, but we can at least partially chalk up his absence as the result of his most recent endeavor: "Boarded Windows," Hicks' new book.

More live performances

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Jade Tittle
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The Current Music Blog

Random Vinyl - 5/16/12

Random Vinyl for May 16, 2012.


R.I.P. Chuck Brown

Chuck Brown, the godfather of the Washington, D.C. dance-funk genre known as "go-go," has passed away after being hospitalized...


First Listen: Kimbra - Vows


Spiritualized Takes Over The Airwaves

Listen to a rebroadcast of the band's concert at First Avenue earlier this month.


Transmission Video of the Day - Trent Reznor before Nine Inch Nails

We're celebrating Trent Reznor's birthday tomorrow night on Transmission. Check him out here before forming NIN.


9:30 Coffee Break: Movies and Film

Today marks the first day of the Festival de Cannes, or for English speakers The Cannes Film Festival. Running from today until May 27th...


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The Currenton

Local Current Vol. 2

After the success of last year's Local Current Vol. 1 CD, 89.3 The Current is back with another disc of great music performed by local bands right here in our studios! Enjoy this video preview of the disc, and be sure check out the full tracklist and release information on the blog.

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Musicheads Essentials

The Afghan Whigs - Gentlemen

Musicheads Essentials is a web feature that gives the Current staff a chance to share some of our favorite albums of all time with our listeners. Check out Barb Abney's take on the Afghan Whigs' Gentlemen and her memories of discovering the Cincinnati band in the early '90s.

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The Current Giveaways

Current Giveaways

Here's a list of all your opportunities to win CDs, tickets, or other fun stuff we're lucky enough to share with our listeners on-air and online.

Win a pair of tickets to Bonnaroo!
Fans of live music know that Bonnaroo is one of the premiere outdoor festivals in the world,... Enter


TheCurrent.org/win

Upcoming Events

Rock the Garden 2012

Rock the Garden

Another installment of Rock The Garden is coming up on Saturday, June 16, 2012. Check out the line-up!

Tickets are sold out, but we'll also have ticket giveaways in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!


Wits™

Host John Moe and Musical Director John Munson are back for the 2012 season of Wits™, bringing together comedians and musicians for unique performances at The Fitzgerald Theater.

Dates:
6/1/12 - Wyatt Cenac and musical guest, Ted Leo
6/15/12 - Bobcat Goldthwait and musical guest, St. Vincent
6/30/12 - Amy Sedaris and musical guest, They Might Be Giants

Archive Highlights

Rock The Cradle »

Local Music Exchange™ »

Rock the Garden »



On-Air Highlights

This Week

Wednesday, May 16, 10 p.m. – Rebroadcast of Spiritualized concert at First Avenue
Thursday, May 17, 11 p.m. – New songs from Sigur Ros
Friday, May 18, 7 a.m. – Writer Brad Abraham on The Morning Show
Friday, May 18, 7:30 a.m. – Rachel Hutton of MN Grill Festival stops by The Morning Show
Friday, May 18, 9:05 a.m. – Chris Roberts talks about local music on The Morning Show
Saturday, May 19, 24/7 – MN Music Day
Sunday, May 20, 7:20 p.m. – The Hypstrz in-studio on The Local Show


THE CURRENT PRESENTS

Coming up:
5/20/12 - 9000 45s - Hipshakers

Previously:
5/13/12 - Wits feat. Paul F. Tompkins / Aimee Mann - John Moe / Larissa Anderson
5/6/12 - Words and Music: Favorite Songs of Local Writers - Jacquie Fuller
4/29/12 - Wits feat. Fred Willard / Dan Wilson - John Moe / Larissa Anderson
4/22/12 - Great Girl Gross Out - Christina Schmitt
4/15/12 - Wits feat. Andy Richter / Reggie Watts - John Moe

(Playlists and audio)

Video from The Current

Punch Brothers

Check out video from Rock the Garden, The Local Show sessions and special features!

Live Current Vol. 7

We've compiled 18 of the best performances in The Current studios in the last year. Become a member and get your copy of the CD.

See tracklist and get your copy

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