








The party is just starting. Keep your eye trained on TheCurrent.org for updates and photos throughout the night. To see what folks are saying about the party, and to join in with your own thoughts, use our live chat and/or #CurrentBday on Twitter.
Live Coverage
Tonight is the first night of 89.3 The Current's two-night 7th Birthday Party at First Avenue. Check out the line-up and set-times for each night here, and if you're not able to make it to the show, be sure to come back to this page for updates and photos throughout the night. Check out what people are saying about the party below, and share your own thoughts below or by using the #CurrentBday hashtag on Twitter....
The entire staff here at the Current has turned localvore as we head into tonight and tomorrow night's sold-out 7th birthday parties at First Avenue -- but those stacked lineups of local acts aren't the only things to rock the Minnesota music scene this week. Here's a look at five items that caught my eye:...
1. Bon Iver ruins everything... full post
I contemplated making a flowchart to explain all of this, but let's see how we manage with pesky words instead....
A few years back, a group of high school kids performing under the name Total Babe made a name for themselves on the Twin Cities club circuit by performing mature, layered folk-pop that belied their young age as a band and as individual performers. The attention they received was well deserved; the talent coursing through four members was palpable even as they were still figuring out how to project their energy on stage.... full post

On the heels of the release of his solo album (and our CD of the Week) Clear Heart Full Eyes, Hold Steady frontman Craig Finn will make a very special appearance in The Current's UBS Forum on Sunday, February 5, 2012 — and we have a pair of tickets to give away! Enter the giveaway on the blog, and don't forget to read the rules
EnterSpeaking of fabulous friends and great music, our friend John Munson has been filling in for Steve Seel on The Current's Morning Show for the past month, and he takes his leave of us on Friday, January 27. John has done an amazing job getting up early, being funny and charming, and adding his own special mark to the mornings, including the "John Interviews..." feature in which he dials up a friend of his at 7:30 a.m. and asks them about some of their favorite music.
Check out his conversations with Alan Sparhawk, Dan Wilson, Rosanne Cash, Sims and other great musicians, and tip your furry hat to John in thanks for his able-bodied guest-hosting.
What's different in this situation than in that of The Hold Steady is that the musical arrangements are more subtle and sort of mellowed out, allowing the listener to concentrate on the words. His delivery and writing style are true to the "Craig Finn style," littered with themes of religion, character development and solitude.
Read the Review
Tune in at 8 p.m. on Thursday as we count down your Top 20.
This week, one prize winner will receive one pair of tickets to see Jeff Mangum (of Neutral Milk Hotel) on February 4, 2012 at The Pantages Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota You must be 18 or older to claim this prize.
Vote Now!Check out the eight new tracks we've added to rotation this week, and let us know what you think!
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Low performs in the Current Studio
Duluth-based indie-rock mainstays Low will be playing Friday night's birthday party show at First Avenue. Check out this in-studio from April 2011 in support of their latest record "C'Mon."






This one's going out to the rad station celebrating it's 7th birthday this weekend (and for fans of "Sixteen Candles")
Playlist and audio for Transmission, January 26, 2012. Jake Rudh revisits seminal (and now defunct) Twin Cities acts from the 90s and...
We're really just getting excited about The Current's Birthday Bash and want to bask in that glow for a bit. So for today and...
Active on the Twin Cities music scene for twenty-plus years, John Munson has run the gamut from playing bass in cult favorites Trip...
Birthdays: Nick Mason (Pink Floyd) is 67 Margo Timmons (Cowboy Junkies) is 51 Mike Patton (Faith No More) is 44 Today in Music: In 1756,...
The Chart Show with Mark Wheat for January 26, 2012.
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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.
More Info
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.
Thursday, January 19, 7:30 a.m.
A day before his last broadcast, MPR's famed midday host stops by our studios to take over the airwaves and play some of his favorite tracks.
We believe that everyone has in them at least one great idea for a radio show - something they are passionate about, something that hasn't been done and something that would be interesting to do. The ideas might be a one-offs or ongoing programs, but what if we had a place on the schedule where we could push ourselves to create and air new shows? As an idea lab, as a way to extend what we do at the Current, just because it'd be fun and 'cause we can. 9 p.m. on Sunday nights, The Current Presents.
Coming up:
1/29/12 - The Grammy's 2012 - Mac Wilson
Previously:
1/22/12 - Scandinavian Music - Sophie Frank
01/15/12 - Secret Stash: Mickey Murray - Bill DeVille
01/08/12 - Pairings: Beer and Music - Lindsay Kimball
01/01/12 - The Current Staff Review 2011 - Mark Wheat
(Playlists and audio)
Minnesota Music on Gather.com
Minnesota's music scene has occasionally popped up on the national radar, but regardless of national attention it's a vibrant artistic community. Discuss the venues, shows, record stores, labels, or anything else pertaining to Minnesota music.