Mary Lucia
Mark Wheat
Steve Seel
Jill Riley
Barb Abney
Bill DeVille
Mac Wilson
Jade Tittle
Jacquie Fuller
Craig Finn has been an integral part of Minnesota music since his work in Lifter Puller during the 90s, and his subsequent turn as the frontman of The Hold Steady in New York created some of indie music's most compelling and critically acclaimed records. Now Finn is taking a short breather from the full band approach to focus on a more personal and reflective style.
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If you took Brother Ali's lyrics to new song "Writer's Block" seriously, you might think that new material would be slow to arrive. But Ali is proving just the opposite; in the past month he's followed up "Writer's Block" with a new single, "Sweet (Potato Pie)," and just today he sent over another new track, "Shine On," with news that it would be one of seven tracks on a free EP that's dropping Monday.... full post
With a busy weekend of local shows just around the corner, here's a look at some of the most intriguing tracks and videos to surface over these past five days:... full post
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This Friday's Song of the Day comes from local band Zoo Animal who released their new Departure EP a few weeks ago. Fronted by the enigmatic Holly Newsom, and currently joined by a rotating cast of regional musicians, this new release is, as noted by the title, a departure from the earlier sound that Newsom and her previous bandmates explored over the past five years.... full post
Rock the Cradle, The Current's free day of fun for kids and their grown-ups, will be held again on February 26, and we've got all the details over on the Rock the Cradle page! Check it out today and start planning your visit.
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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.
TheCurrent.org/win
Whereas Epic had a more haphazard, bedroom project-type sound, Van Etten and (The National's) Aaron Dessner have teamed up to craft a record bursting with meticulous sonic details, while also leaving plenty of space — sonically and lyrically — for contemplation. Most songs settle into the same broodingly melancholic feel of her other work, sometimes slowing to the point where it feels like the music will simply sputter out in its tracks. This only enhances the contrast with her "rock" numbers, of which one, "Serpents," is arguably the best song she's ever written.
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Tune in at 8 p.m. on Thursday as we count down your Top 20.
This week, vote for a chance to receive (1) pair of tickets (2 admissions) to see the SOLD OUT Welcome to MN Tour (Atmosphere, MaLLy, and more) on February 22, 2012 at First Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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Vicious Vicious features the talent of three local music mainstays: Erik Appelwick, Martin Dosh, and James Buckley. When not playing in a multitude of other projects, they reunite to record material, and the past few years have seen them hard at work at their latest self-titled effort. Releasing a self-titled album well into a band's career usually indicates a sort of reinvention of sound, and Vicious Vicious has certainly illustrated how flexible their creative direction can be.
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Cass McCombs performs live in The Current studio
In the past decade, Cass McCombs has recorded six full-length albums, toured pretty much constantly and even got a nod from John Peel who called him, "unobtrusively brilliant." He's an artist that has been able to hover on the verge while staying mysterious and entirely indie and has created a growing base of fans across the world in the process.
While I was hosting The Current's Time Machine the other night I was playing Santo and Johnny's 1959 instumental, "Love...
There are so many reasons why this is the Transmission Video of the Day. (find a list why within)
Playlist and audio for Transmission with Jake Rudh, February 9, 2012.
Photo Credit: www.warinthenorth.com Where do you go when you're day dreaming in February? A tropical beach? A dew covered meadow?...
Today in: 1975 - Record producer Phil Spector was injured in a car accident. Not much was known about what happened, except that it...
Playlist and audio for The Chart Show with Mark Wheat, February 9, 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.
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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.
During each week of Black History Month, we'll focus on one legendary artist who made a lasting impact on American music.
Jan. 30 - Feb. 5: A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest's positive lyrical subject matter and heavy use of jazz samples established themselves as a popular alternative to the hardcore and gangsta rap of the early '90s. Tune in for his hits and deep cuts, and visit the A Tribe Called Quest artist page for more information.
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:
2/12/12 - The Making of Making Music - Mark Wheat
Making Music is a long running series of intimate interview and performance shows based in the Whole Music Club of Coffman Union on the campus of the University of Minnesota, hosted by James Everest. We talk to James and play excerpts from some of his favorite moments including Pink Mink and Dan Wilson, and we look forward to the new season which starts on February 16 with Alpha Consumer."
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.
