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Thursday, July 9, 2009

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Jeremy Messersmith
Minneapolis singer-songwriter Jeremy Messersmith claims to be a hermit. Indeed, he's probably not exaggerating; although he moved to Minnesota in 1999, he only made it to the 7th Street Entry for the first time in 2007. (01/04/2007)

Randy Weeks
Randy Weeks' name isn't right at the tip of your tongue when you think of hit songwriters, but after Lucinda Williams recorded his song, "Can't Let Go" on her record, "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road", people began to take notice. (12/29/2006)

Alice Peacock
Growing up without a TV isn't all bad, according to Alice Peacock. Now living in Chicago, Alice hails from White Bear Lake, dontcha know. And she's quick to revert back to a heavy Minnesota accent on cue. (12/27/2006)

Peter Ostroushko
Mandolin and fiddle virtuoso Peter Ostroushko appears to be one of the most relaxed people on the planet. His thoughtful pauses are long enough to allow you to go for coffee and get back before he begins his answer. And that would be OK with him. (12/19/2006)

Ol' Yeller
Ol' Yeller plays the kind of music that sounds right at home in the dark confines of the 7th Street Entry or playing from a jukebox in Mattson's native Iron Range in northern Minnesota. (12/09/2006)

Snowden
To be sure, there's a serious streak to the band Snowden, but there's much more to this Atlanta based four-piece band. (12/08/2006)

The Dears
It's hard to stay grounded when you've been called " ... the Best New Band in the World," but this tight-knit group has remained true to their original blend of orchestral arrangements, narratives, and pop. (12/08/2006)

¡Forward, Russia!
An English indie band from Leeds, formed in the Spring of 2004. The band was particularly well known for its decision to only name tracks with numbers, in the order that they were written. (12/08/2006)

Free Range Pickin'
Free Range Pickin' has been quite busy this past year, although not necessarily together as a bluegrass band. They've been able to get together the last three years for a special holiday show at Minneapolis' Cedar Cultural Center. (12/07/2006)

Vietnam
The band Vietnam is the bad boys from Brooklyn, N.Y., who play the kind of rock suggested by the unholy ternary of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. They play melodramatic, blues-like glam rock with oddly enunciated vocals and mellow guitar strums. (12/05/2006)

The Roches
Maggie, Terre and Suzzy Roche started singing Christmas carols in New Jersey when they were young and have since recorded 15 albums as trios, duos and singles. They're back together as a trio for their latest tour passing through Minnesota and have a new record coming out in March 2007. They stopped by The Morning Show studios to chat and play some new songs and old favorites. (12/01/2006)

Nick Urata and Tom Hagerman of DeVotchka
Nick Urata and Tom Hagerman of DeVotchka stopped by Gluek's to talk with Mary Lucia before their performance at First Avenue. (11/30/2006)

My Brightest Diamond
My Brightest Diamond is Shara Worden, granddaughter of an Epiphone-playing traveling evangelist, fathered by a National Accordion Champion, and mothered by a church organist. Spanish tango, Sunday-morning gospel, classical and jazz were the accompaniment to her home life. (11/30/2006)

Dr. Dog
Dr. Dog has been creating music in various incarnations in their hometown of Philadelphia for nearly six years now. (11/29/2006)

Doomtree
Doomtree is a record label. Doomtree is a rap crew. Doomtree is a family. Over the past five years, Doomtree has become one of the most highly regarded hip-hop collectives in the Midwest, thanks to their innovative recordings, explosive live shows, and tireless work ethic. (11/28/2006)

Sonya Kitchell
Sonya Kitchell's rare gift may result from some fortuitous conspiracy of genetics and environment, or it may be the manifestation of something more mystical -- but there's certainly no denying her exceptional talent. Kitchell is an eloquent songwriter, dazzling singer and old soul who just happens to be 17 years of age. (11/29/2006)

Bon Savants
The Bon Savants' first album, "Post-Rock Defends the Nation," is a revelation. But for the Savants, who have long enjoyed a reputation as one of the smartest bands in Boston - frontman Thom Moran is a rocket scientist at MIT - an intelligent, cohesive album isn't enough. There is the small matter of actually selling "Post-Rock." (11/22/2006)

Brazilian Girls
First off, no one in the band is Brazilian. Secondly, there's only one girl, lead singer Sabina Sciubba. (11/27/2006)

Guy Davis
Blues musician, writer, actor and director are words that describe Guy Davis. Storyteller is another one. (11/20/2006)

Tahiti 80
English is the official language of rock and roll, at least according to Tahiti 80 lead singer Xavier Boyer. He says the French quartet decided to sing all of their songs in English because it felt more authentic. (11/16/2006)

The Honeydogs are back making sweet sounds
Adam Levy is known for writing music with a social conscience. He talks with Kerri Miller about how his experiences as a social worker have informed his songwriting, and later in the day he talked with the Current's Steve Seel about the Honeydogs' new CD "Amygdala." (11/15/2006)

The Bird and the Bee
Inara George (Bird) and Greg Kurstin (Bee) do just fine without each other. He's a well-respected and in-demand producer and keyboardist and she's got a solid solo career going. They formed The Bird and the Bee to collaborate on jazzy electropop. (11/14/2006)

Leo Kottke
Still spending 80% of his days on the road, life hasn't slowed down for Leo Kottke. His late collaborations with bassist Mike Gordon have helped with record sales and he says the two are talking about a possible third release soon. (11/14/2006)

Jamie Lidell
It's a rare transition from human beatbox to soulful R&B artist, but Jamie Lidell did just that while keeping the best of both. (11/11/2006)

Hot Chip
The voices of Alexis Taylor and Joe Goddard are a study in contrast. While Taylor offers dreamy, falsettos while Goddard offers a tone that sounds a bit more world-weary and at times almost gruff in comparison. (11/11/2006)

John Gorka
It's been 18 years since John Gorka released his first recording. He's just released his first new record in three years on Red House Records, "Writing in the Margins" with some songs about love and war and hope for the future. (11/10/2006)

IV Thieves
It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to get your start in the music business. Sometimes, all it takes is someone sending your tape without your permission to the right people. (11/09/2006)

Larry Long
Larry Long is a troubadour from Minnesota. He's been writing and singing for well over three decades in the style of Woody Guthrie and uses his music for community service and education. (11/09/2006)

Justin Roth
Justin Roth has a problem. A good problem, though. He's a Minnesota boy, has a few records out and plays a LOT. But most of his gigs are on the road: in the Northeast, West, Mountains and not much in his hometown. (11/08/2006)

David Stoddard
Being compared to Randy Newman isn't a bad thing for most musicians, and Dave Stoddard loves it. He's a songwriter from originally from Wisconsin, but makes his home in Fergus Falls these days. (11/06/2006)

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars
Even though the members of R.A.S. travelled many of the same professional circles in their native Sierra Leone, it wasn't until they were all living at the Kalia Refugee Camp in Guinea that the roots of this band took shape. (11/05/2006)

Frank Black
He's now spent more time as solo artist Frank Black than he ever did as Pixies front man Black Francis. His solo work, however, has never gotten the same attention. While he hopes his newest album Fast Man Raider Man will change that, he's just happy making music. (11/03/2006)

The Heartless Bastards
The Heartless Bastards are a power trio whose members have taken a no-frills approach to life and music. (11/02/2006)

Now It's Overhead
Now It's Overhead mixes moody pop influences such as the Cure and Depeche Mode and the layered textures of bands like Spiritualized and My Bloody Valentine into lovelorn indie rock. (11/01/2006)

Citizen Cope
Citizen Cope is both a person (Clarence Greenwood) and a band. Born in Memphis, Greenwood is obviously the leader of the group, as he plays the keyboard, guitar, sings, and acts as a DJ, songwriter, and producer. (11/01/2006)

Black Angels
Formed in Austin Texas in May 2004, The Black Angels definitely have a love of all things 60s: From the trippy, Doors-like psychedelia right down to the strikingly cool, retro-style artwork. (10/28/2006)

Claudia Schmidt
Singer-songwriter Claudia Schmidt has almost run the whole musical gamut: from folk to poetry to blues to swing and now, Jazz. (10/25/2006)

Michael Franti
The former member of Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy is known for being politically active. Spearhead's latest album was inspired by a trip Franti took to Iraq so that he could see firsthand what toll the Iraqi War was taking on the people there. (10/25/2006)

The Hold Steady
The Hold Steady's last release, Separation Sunday, was a concept album. Singer Craig Finn's inspiration for their new critically acclaimed album Boys and Girls in America was a line from Kerouac's On the Road: "boys and girls in America have such a sad time together." (10/24/2006)

Dosh
Minneapolis multi-instrumentalist Martin Dosh is taking some time for himself. He's an in-demand musician most notably as a member of Andrew Bird's band and Fog. (10/19/2006)

One Self
One Self is one of many projects for DJ Vadim, Yarah Bravo, and BluRum 13. Although 1/3 of the group is American, they've had some problems getting their work released here. DJ Vadim says that is just the nature of the business. (10/18/2006)

matt pond PA
Matt Pond is a man. matt pond PA is a band. The band always includes singer Matt Pond, but the rest of the roster changes frequently. (10/16/2006)

Secret Machines
Secret Machines sound like prog rock to a lot of people. However, they refer to their sound as "space rock." (10/12/2006)

Kaki King
Kaki King's is known for her amazing work on the acoustic guitar, her newest album is a bit of departure from her previous work. (10/11/2006)

Bettie Serveert
Bettie Serveert have never toured to Africa, Australia, and or South America but they estimate they've been to the Twin Cities nine times. (10/10/2006)

TV on the Radio
The core of Brooklyn-based TV on the Radio are Tunde Adebimpe and David Andrew Sitek. Their music can sound like a film score, improved electronica, or as accessible as any band out there. (10/08/2006)

Grizzly Bear
What started out as a Edward Droste's post-relationship home-recording session has turned into the multi-instrumental band Grizzly Bear. They like to approach all of the songs as stories, from prologue to completion. (10/08/2006)

Yo La Tengo is not afraid of you
Yo La Tengo have been performing for over twenty years. While they haven't achieved the popular acclaim of their contemporaries The Flaming Lips, they get a lot of credit for outlasting pretty much everyone else. (10/07/2006)

Joseph Arthur
Joseph Arthur usually goes it alone. On stage, he used to perform looping to fill out his sound onstage; you could think of him as more of a one-man band than a solo singer-songwriter. But this tour, he's changed everything. (10/06/2006)

Ben Kweller
Ben Kweller is an old hat when it comes to performing and hard work. He started out in his early teens with the band Radish, and while his first group had some minor successes, he has found much greater recognition for his solo work. (10/06/2006)

Takka Takka
Takka Takka doesn't have a major label record deal. They aren't even on an indie label. The Brooklyn quartet are distributing their low-fi, indie-rock themselves and hope that word-of-mouth will bring them an audience. (10/05/2006)

Mew
Indie-rock band Mew has paid their dues to become one of the more successful "surreal" bands from Denmark. They've gone from sleeping in bunk beds in London to save money to winning "Album of the Year" and "Band of the Year" and the 2003 Danish Music Critics Award Show. (10/05/2006)

Rocky Votolato
Seattle-based singer/songwriter Rocky Votolato used to play in a punk band, but you'd never guess it from his spare, folky solo style. (10/01/2006)

Nous Non Plus
The band Nous Non Plus comes from New York, but you wouldn't know it once they step into their French alter-egos. Don't be too fooled though, there's one genuine Francophone in the bunch. (10/01/2006)

Pigeon John
Pigeon John (John Dust) got his start in the L.A. hip-hop scene by performing at open stage nights at the Good Life Cafe. (09/29/2006)

Yonder Mountain String Band
The Yonder Mountain String Band is a jam band which follows the bluegrass revolution of old-time instrumentation performing new and non-traditional songs. (09/29/2006)

Amy Millan
Amy Millan is best known for her breathy singing with the pop groups Broken Social Scene and Stars. Despite that indie-rock reputation, Millan thinks of herself as a country music girl at heart. (09/29/2006)

Calexico
When a new Calexico record comes out, you never know quite how it will sound. They've been influenced by jazz, folk, fado, French chanson and good old-fashioned rock n' roll. (09/28/2006)

Pete Morton
Pete Morton's background is in rock-and-roll, but he's a busker now: a singer-songwriter from England, living and writing songs on the road. His latest record is "Flying an Unknown Flag." (09/28/2006)

Hem
Mark Wheat thinks there needs ot be a new category to sum up the sound of the band Hem: prog folk. The Brooklyn-based group is sometimes a quartet and sometimes grows into a small orchestra. (09/27/2006)

Eric Bibb
What Eric Bibb refers to his music as "Upside down blues." Blues that don't talk about life's problems as much as they do life's joys. (09/27/2006)

Hangar 18
Hangar 18 is a rap group consisting of Alaska, Windnbreez and paWL who rose from the underground rap world in New York City. They unleashed their unique style of Hip Hop with the release of "The Multi Platinum Debut Album" in 2004 on Definitive Jux Records (09/27/2006)

Asobi Seksu
Asobi Seksu could possibly come across like the most recent Japanese pop/indie import to hit the states, but this quartet hails from Brooklyn, NY and proves those rumors wrong with atmospheric reverb and effects that closely resembles NY guitar noise ensembles like Sonic Youth and Yo La Tengo. (09/24/2006)

Jon Vezner, Celeste Krenz, and Lindsay Mac record for North House Folk School
For the past five years, Nashville songwriter Jon Vezner has gathered some other musician friends together to perform a concert to help raise funds for the North House Folk School. (09/26/2006)

Tobias Froberg - In studio
There's a strong affection for folk music in Scandinavia these days. New folkies Ane Brun, Nicolai Dunger, and Jose Gonzalez have been out on tour around the U.S. this year. Now add Tobias Froberg to the list of singer-songwriters from northern Europe. (09/25/2006)

Lynn Miles
Canadian singer Lynn Miles writes many of her songs in her car while on tour. She stopped in the Morning Show studio and chatted with Dale and Jim Ed about songwriting, driving, and the big country north of us. (09/22/2006)

Geoff Muldaur
Richard Thompson once said of Geoff Muldaur, "There are only three white blues singers - Geoff Muldaur is at least two of them." (09/21/2006)

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yelsin
Hands down the best band name of the past five years: Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. It's even better than I've Loved You but I've Chosen Darkness. (09/18/2006)

Birdmonster
Hailing from San Francisco and embracing a D.I.Y. ethos for their music and touring, Birdmonster is currently bringing their brand of punk-with-banjos music on tour to support their first full-length "No Midnight." (09/18/2006)

Cibelle
Cibelle makes use of a variety of elements to create unique, imaginative and enchanting pieces of music. Including; acoustic instrumentation, electronic processing, noise guitars, children's toys, and pure melodies carried by her unmistakable moving voice. (09/14/2006)

Eliza Gilkyson
Eliza Gilkyson is no stranger to the music world. She grew up in a musical family and made music her passion. Her father is songwriter Terry Gilkyson and her son Cisco Ryder is playing percussion on stage with her now. (09/13/2006)

Richard Buckner
With the release of his new eighth CD "Meadow," Richard Buckner has once again delivered an incredible performance fueled with swirling melodies and strong rhythms. (09/13/2006)

The 88
The 88 are not just great at writing and performing great, old-fashioned pop songs. They're also really nice guys. (09/12/2006)

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Each member of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band could tell you how Hurricane Katrina has affected their lives, but as a group they continue to tour and share the musical traditions and culture of New Orleans. (09/10/2006)

Zero 7
What started out as a limited run EP from a couple tea-boys-turned-engineers-turned-songwriters has become one of the most well-respected all-star collaborations in the electronica scene. (09/08/2006)

Sakher Hattar and Crossing Borders
Jordanian oud virtuoso Sakher Hattar is one of the most significant Arab musicians of his generation. He teaches Arab classical and folk music at the Jordan National Music Conservatory. (09/07/2006)

Connie Evingson and the Hot Club of Sweden
Twin Cities vocalist Connie Evingson already had a "hot club" jazz record out so she was ready to move on to her next project. But then she met the Hot Club of Sweden on a winter trip to Stockholm. The result is a new CD, "Stockholm Sweetnin'", that was released this summer in Minnesota. (09/07/2006)

M. Ward
M. Ward doesn't like to discuss the meanings of the songs he writes; he prefers the songs to speak for themselves. Luckily, the Portland-based singer's songs have a lot to say about subjects from love to the state of America. (09/05/2006)

Jurassic 5
Anyone who knows anything about "Old School Hip Hop" has probably compared Jurassic 5 to the Cold Crush Brothers, The Crash Crew, or the Furious Five. Don't be confused, as J5 has their own signature style that is like nothing else on the Hip Hop scene today. (09/04/2006)

Cafe Accordion Orchestra
The Cafe Accordion Orchestra's new CD "Cinema", is a tribute to film music ranging from slap-accompaniment to love ballads. (09/05/2006)

Haley Bonar - Live at the Minnesota State Fair
Haley Bonar's beautiful melancholy tunes seem to be written by someone older than a woman in her early twenties. But that could be because Bonar has a lot of experience; she was playing gigs in bars well before she could legally drink in them. (09/01/2006)

Cracker
Cracker may be considered a somewhat traditional rock band, yet singer/guitarist David Lowery's roots were anything but traditional since he's fronted the '80s outfit Camper Van Beethoven. (08/31/2006)

The [Gosh Darn] Doo Wop Band
Remember Bowser and Sha-Na-Na? Well, there's a Twin Cities group that thinks it is high time for another revival. The [Gosh Darn] Doo Wop Band features three female singers who sing about heartbroken girls and the bad boys they love. (08/30/2006)

Mark Mallman - live at the Minnesota State Fair
With a scheduled release date of August 28 for his new CD, Between The Devil And Middle C, Mark Mallman stopped by The Current's broadcast stage at the Minnesota State Fair (in the pouring rain) to perform three new songs from his new CD. (08/25/2006)

Amos Lee
Former schoolteacher Amos Lee takes inspiration from some of the greats of soul, such as Stevie Wonder and Bill Withers, and folk legends like John Prine and Dave Van Ronk. (08/26/2006)

Ghostland Observatory
Thomas Turner and Aaron Behrens are the duo that makes up Ghostland Observatory. With their blend of electronics, drums, guitar and vocals, they have emerged with a sound that is the culmination of past influence and present inspiration. (08/19/2006)

Bonnie "Prince" Billy
Will Oldham - aka Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - doesn't like sleeping with doors closed, and he doesn't like being too far from the ocean. (08/12/2006)

Silversun Pickups
Named after an L.A. liquor store that they've lived above for years, the band played a stripped-down, acoustic version of several songs from their debut full-length album "Carnavas." (08/12/2006)

Greg Laswell
Greg Laswell is a singer/songwriter from San Diego who is not afraid to tap into some very personal and dark parts of his life for musical inspiration. In the case of his latest album "Through Toledo," it was his recent divorce that provided the material. (08/07/2006)

Butch Thompson
Ask Butch Thompson a question about jazz piano and you're likely to get more than an answer. Be prepared for the complete history of your question, who influenced who, the nicknames of the players involved and he'll even play you an example of that kind of jazz. (08/03/2006)

Husky Rescue
Can you be a one-man band with a girl lead singer? Supposedly, Husky Rescue is a one-man band comprised of Marko Nyberg. However, it took 20 or so musician friends to record the group's first album, "Country Falls." (08/02/2006)

Smoosh
You'd think that touring would be difficult if you were too young to drive, but the band Smoosh has played with the Eels, Death Cab for Cutie, and Pearl Jam. (07/31/2006)

Jolie Holland
Spring is usually associated with new life and rebirth, but on her new CD, Jolie Holland looks at spring from a different point of view. (07/31/2006)

The Futureheads
Don't be fooled by the catchy pop sounds of the Futureheads - they take their music-making process very seriously. (07/29/2006)

Los Amigos Invisibles
David Byrne of the Talking Heads discovered the infectious Latin dance beats of Los Amigos Invisibles after the band had moved from its native Venezuela to New York City. (07/28/2006)

Pete Hofmann - live at Gluek's
Pete Hofmann spends his days teaching music to children, inventing objects that would make his life easier and coming up with new ideas for reality shows. Despite those talents and interests, we invited him to our live Gluek's broadcast for something else: his singing and songwriting. (07/28/2006)

The Get Up Johns
The Get Up Johns are a Twin Cities duo that loves old time country gospel and folk and remind many of the Louvin Brothers, perhaps the most well-known of the "brother groups." (07/28/2006)

Tapes 'N Tapes
To say that the Minneapolis band Tapes 'N Tapes is on the verge of something big is an understatement. (07/21/2006)

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Buzzcocks
Formed in 1975, the Buzzcocks were one of the most influential bands to emerge in the world of punk rock. Along side other musical icons such as Joy Division and the Stone Roses, the Buzzcocks helped establish Manchester as one of the biggest punk rock cities in England. (07/18/2006)

Alexi Murdoch
Traditionally musicians go to L.A. to be discovered. Scottish singer-songwriter Alexi Murdoch didn't discover his own music talent until he was all ready there. (07/15/2006)

The Rakes
The Rakes don't allow themselves to be influence by a single genre, but rather by all of them. To paraphrase the band: If they like it, they'll incorporate it. (07/11/2006)

Sam Shaber
Sam Shaber's latest album is a live recording done at a club in Chicago. The record is called "In My Bones" and it consists of songs requested by fans in advance. (07/06/2006)

World Party
World Party fell apart after leader Karl Wallinger was struck down by an aneurysm that left him unable to speak. After several years of rehabilitation, Wallinger put the group back together, and re-mastered and packaged "Dumbing Up" on his own label. World Party stopped by The Current to perform and chat with Brandt Williams. (07/10/2006)

The Alarmists
The Alarmists just released their debut CD, "A Detail of Soldiers" on their new independent label, Instrument Control Records. They stopped by The Current to chat with Mary Lucia. (07/10/2006)

Bruce Cockburn
For nearly 40 years now, Bruce Cockburn has been writing songs, recording and touring all over the world. He has released his 29th album "Life Short Call Now" on Rounder Records. (07/06/2006)

Duplomacy
When a band goes from one-man to all hands, you have to hope that the spirit of the music will remain the same. (07/06/2006)

Rock Kills Kid
Los Angeles-based alt rock group Rock Kills Kid released a well-received EP in 2001 and then disappeared. Lead singer and songwriter Jeff Tucker tucked himself away in a studio for a few years, wrote over a hundred songs and emerged to record the group's first album, "Are You Nervous?" (07/06/2006)

James Hunter
You can call his sound soul mixed with reggae with a retro feel, but James Hunter prefers to call his sound timeless. This British crooner is one of the only soul singers to come out Europe in recent years. (07/06/2006)

The Bellrays
Though they have a sound that a little bit R&B and a little bit rock-and-roll, do not say they're from Detroit. (07/03/2006)

Monroe Crossing
Bluegrass bands do something a lot of bands can't do: stand around one microphone and make music. It requires some "choreography" and a careful eye. (06/30/2006)

Sound Team
The Austin, Texas band Sound Team are D.I.Y. kind of people. They began making their own cassettes to hand out, silk-screening t-shirts themselves and still enjoy shooting videos to accompany their music. (06/30/2006)

Tim O'Reagan
Usually known only as the drummer for the Jayhawks, Tim O'Reagan also writes songs, sings, and plays guitar. (06/30/2006) (06/30/2006)

Juana Molina
Singer/songwriter Juana Molina is best known in South America as a comedic television actress, but her unique, surprising, and atmospheric songs have brought her comparisons to Lisa Germano and Beth Orton. (06/28/2006)

Carim Clasmann and Galia Durant of Psapp

Psapp
The English indie-rock duo Psapp (pronounced sap) feature Carim Clasmann and Galia Durant. Their collaboration creates a poppy mix of electro-beats and sultry singing. Their 2006 release The Only Thing I Ever Wanted provides a more focused look into their quirky song-writing. (06/23/2006)

Jose Gonzalez
Swedish singer-songwriter Jose Gonzalez keeps his songs simple. He once was a hard-core punk who loved Black Flag but you can hear little of that in his modern folk style. (06/23/2006)

Small Sins
Small Sins began as a solo project for multi-instrumentalist Thomas D'Arcy as a way to get back into playing the music he truly wanted to write. Originally called "The Ladies and Gentlemen" and performing in all-white suits in support of their debut album, Small Sins were signed by Astralwerks in 2005. (06/22/2006)

The Sweet Colleens
A cross between Irish, Cajun, Rock, and even some Caribbean sounds, The Sweet Colleens don't miss a beat. Collectively, the five members bring together many years of studio and live performance experience in genres covering a diverse spectrum. (06/23/2006)

Desdamona
Iowa native Desdamona is the premier female hip-hop artist in the Twin Cities. She's also creating opportunities for many other Twin Cities artists, helping to produce the Twin Cities first-annual women in hip-hop conference called "B Girl Be Hip-Hop Summit" in 2005. (06/22/2006)

Rani Arbo and Daisy Mayhem
Rani Arbo and Daisy Mayhem are Signature Sounds recording artists from the east coast who have molded their sound from years of experience in different musical genres including swing, bluegrass, rock and blues. (06/12/2006)

The cast of "Singing in the Rain"
Many remember the successful 1952 film, "Singin' in the Rain" with famous music and dance scenes with Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O'Connor. But this spring, the Chanhassen Dinner Theater has done something unusual: made a stage musical based on the Hollywood film. (06/09/2006)

K.T. Tunstall
Scotland native K.T. Tunstall didn't start playing with a band until she moved to the United States for one year in high school. She moved back to Scotland and immersed herself in the same scene that formed The Beta Band.(06/06/2006)

The Walkmen
The Walkmen are five guys from New York, but you'd never guess it from their rich and rhythmic - almost mariachi-style - sound. (06/03/2006)

The Coup
The Coup draws from the rich funk and hip-hop tradition of their native Oakland to craft a catchy and soulful sound transcends the merely political. (06/02/2006)

Gary Louris and "Wordplay"
Gary Louris of The Jayhawks and Golden Smog loves a crossword puzzle, so it is perfect that he wrote music for the new documentary "Wordplay" about the people who make crossword puzzles and the folks obsessed with solving them. (06/02/2006)

Two Gallants
Two Gallants have a soft-spoken manner that belies the power of their warm, romantic Western sound: equal parts American traditional and the modern, world-weary sensibility of a new generation. (05/26/2006)

JoAnna James
JoAnna James has the voice and power of a singer twice her age. She belts out blues, rock and gospel, but can still get in tight and close for a steamy ballad. (05/26/2006)

Wood Brothers
They have the paperwork to prove they're real brothers. They were raised together in Colorado, but developed their musical chops in different cities. (05/25/2006)

Dan Chouinard and "Mambo Italiano"
Musician Dan Chouinard spent a summer biking across Europe with his accordion and fell in love with the countryside and the people. He brought home a deep appreciation for the music of Italy and its roots here in America. (05/19/2006)

Drive-by Truckers
With three singers and three guitarists, this Athens, Georgia-based band, the Drive-by Truckers are run as a democracy. (05/18/2006)

Nautilus Music Theater and the cast of "I Am Anne Frank"
"I Am Anne Frank" combines excerpts from Anne's diary with songs that reveal the power of her inner life. (05/18/2006)

John Ellis
Saxophonist John Ellis is a rising star in the world of jazz. He's traveled in Africa, Europe, and southeast Asia with his music and played with some of the genre's best-known names. (05/17/2006)

Mason Jennings
It's been seven years since Mason Jennings first gained notice as the standing Thursday night act at the 400 Bar. Now the beloved troubador has moved from D.I.Y. to indie label to a major. "Boneclouds," the first album put out by Modest Mouse's Isaac Brock's imprint, is a little louder and rocking than the singer-songwriter's last album but it's still about love and politics but with a smidgen of religion thrown in. (05/16/2006)

The Concretes
The Concretes hail from Stockholm, Sweden. They are playing with borrowed instruments after being the victims of theft outside the Bowery Ballroom in New York. Where they found a loaner glockenspiel is a mystery. Lead singer Victoria Bergman was joined on our studios by the flute-playing pianist and glockenspieler Ludwig Rylander and guitarist Daniel Varjo. (05/15/2006)

Film School
San Francisco-based Film School has a flair for majestic swirls of layered guitar and keyboards, which they juxtapose with driving, and sometimes jagged, melodies. (05/15/2006)

Gomez
Gomez took off in the late 90s and everything must have seemed easy. A big label signed them, they won awards and sold records. But their last few CDs for that big label got lost in the shuffle. Luckily, the band stuck together, found a new label and carried on. They are known for energetic live shows, an ever-changing sound and, at least here at The Current, for fine footwear. (05/12/2006)

The Vacation
The Vacation, a four-piece from LA, offers a new look at pure old-fashioned rock: they're gritty, noisy, catchy, and mesmerizing. The band, fronted by brothers Ben and Steve Tegel, are also articulate and enthusiastic as they talk and joke about their musical influences, their new record, and their evolution from the underground L.A. scene to a new major-label record deal. On their way to a show at the 7th St. Entry, The Vacation stopped in at the Current studios to chat with Mark Wheat. (05/11/2006)

Rainer Maria
Rainer Maria got together in Madison, Wisconsin. they have since moved, like many a rock band, to Brooklyn. For the past decade the trio has worked at expanding their musical style and while managing to keep devoted fans through all the changes. (05/11/2006)

David Ford
The affable English singer/songwriter David Ford just released his debut album, "I Sincerely Apologise for All the Trouble I've Caused", and has been touring with Gomez and Aqualung. (05/08/2006)

Claudia Schmidt
"There's no tenure in this business." says Claudia Schmidt. The Michigan-based singer songwriter has been very busy writing, recording, and traveling lately. Her latest release is "Spinning" which she says is her first "folk" album in a long time. (05/04/2006)

Aloha
Aloha began with Tony Cavallario and Matthew Gengler in the summer of 1997 in Bowling Green, Ohio. Even now, when members of the band have been spread out across the East Coast, Aloha has continued writing, rehearsing, and touring. (05/02/2006)

Vasen
The members of the trio Vasen play traditional instruments, but bring modern arrangements, their passion, and new interpretations to the old melodies of their native Sweden. (05/02/2006)

Regina Spektor
Singer-songwriter Regina Spektor moved to the United States as a kid in 1989; her Jewish family left the Soviet Union to make a home in the less anti-Semitic New York City. (05/02/2006)

The Essex Green
When the Vermont-based Guppyboy relocated to Brooklyn, a change in name as well as address was warranted. Described in the contradictory terms of both "Neo-psychedelic" and "Pop," The Essex Green bring their mature sound to light on their third full-length album Cannibal Sea. (04/29/2006)

Audible
In 2003, after parting ways with Matt Pond PA, Mike Kennedy and Jim Kehoe turned their attention to creating the band Audible. (04/27/2006)

Floyd Collins
The area premiere of the musical "Floyd Collins" is being produced by Theater Latte Da. It's the story of the incredible media circus that surrounded the news of a man trapped in a Kentucky cave. (04/27/2006)

T-Bone Burnett
Working with Sam Shepard, the Coen brothers, and Bob Dylan has provided T-Bone Burnett with more of a Minnesota connection than he had realized. (04/27/2006)

Thunder in the Valley
Award-winning Minneapolis band Thunder in the Valley has been compared to Tom Waits, Sixteen Horsepower, and DeVotchKa, but they have a style unmistakably their own. (04/26/2006)

Karen Savoca and Pete Heitzman
Karen Savoca and Pete Heitzman keep things simple. They've won songwriting contests and have been offered recording contracts, but to this day they prefer to keep control of their music to themselves. (04/26/2006)

Michael Monroe
North Shore singer/songwriter Michael Monroe has been making music from his solar-powered studio near Grand Marais and strumming guitars made from exotic woods for years. (04/25/2006)

The Presets
Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes have always been considered the odd men out, whether it's in school or among their musical contemporaries. (04/22/2006)

Shiny Toy Guns
The sound of the Shiny Toy Guns has been compared to Depeche Mode and Oingo Boingo. Whatever the comparison may be, Shiny Toy Guns says they just want to write good songs. (04/22/2006)

Constant Star
"Constant Star," a musical based on the extraordinary and heroic life of Ida B. Wells, is currently in production at the Park Square Theatre with an all-star cast. (04/20/2006)

Crystal Skulls
Two albums in twenty-four months may seem rather aggressive to most, but it's just part of how the four-piece from Washington approach their music. (04/20/2006)

Claudia Russell
A lot of people pass through Berkeley, California, and a lot of people move there, but The Morning Show actually now knows someone FROM Berkeley, Claudia Russell. (04/20/2006)

The Editors
After successful performances at the 2006 South by Southwest music festival, the Editors have remained in high demand while touring the United States. (04/18/2006)

She Wants Revenge
The synth-pop duo - Justin Warfield and Adam Brevin - aren't musical neophytes "discovered" by the former Limp Bizkit frontman. (04/18/2006)

Margot and the Nuclear So-and-So's
Margot and the Nuclear So-and-So's is an eight-member musical collective from Indiana whose intricate melodies and gentle lyrics tell of having more experience than only a single album to their name. (04/17/2006)

South
South, a trio who hail from London, share keyboard, guitar, bass and percussion duties. And they change music styles just like they change instruments. (04/17/2006)

Elbow
Known for their unique sound and the deeply personal lyrics of singer Guy Garvey, Elbow have received vast critical acclaim and been endorsed by major artists REM, U2, and Blur. (04/15/2006)

Josh Rouse
The music of Josh Rouse's new album, the intimate and dreamy "Subtitulo," lent itself well to the simple arrangements of acoustic guitar and harmonica that he brought up to the Current studios. (04/15/2006)

The Stills
The Stills are a Canadian rock band consisting of members Tim Fletcher, Dave Hemlin, Liam O'Neil and Oliver Crowe. They have known each other since the age of 12 and played in various bands prior to forming the Stills in 2000. (04/14/2006)

Eagles of Death Metal
Fans of The Eagles of Death Metal might hate this comparison, but it's going to be made anyway: they're a little like Andrew WK. They are about making rock n' roll, drinking, girls, partying, and fun. (04/11/2006)

Sia
The former jazz singer released her first solo single "Taken for Granted," in early 2000. She has followed up with the release of "Healing Is Difficult" in 2002 and "Colour the Small One" in 2004. (04/11/2006)

Metric
Metric's new-wave influences fall away somewhat for the new record, incorporating a stripped-down sound intended to "translate directly to the stage." (04/10/2006)

Jay Ungar and Molly Mason
Jay Ungar and Molly Mason are some of the first names to come up when one thinks about traditional fiddle music. (04/10/2006)

Hopewell
Descriptions of Hopewell's music has been an exercise in contraditions: delicate/visceral, sublime/stabbing, crushing/romantic, immense/fragile. (04/09/2006)

Tom Russell
Tom Russell has recorded over 20 albums of original material. Artists such as Johnny Cash, Nanci Griffith, and Dave Alvin have recorded his music. (04/06/2006)

Maria Taylor
Maria Taylor can be heard as part of the duo Azure Ray, the band Now It's Overhead, or appearing on albums with Crooked Fingers, Bright Eyes, and Moby. She also finds time in her busy schedule for a solo career. (04/05/2006)

Ben Harper
California singer-songwriter Ben Harper likes to stretch. He's popular with the jam band crowd, he's recorded gospel with the Blind Boys of Alabama, and he's worked with indie-favorite Beth Orton. (04/05/2006)

Mates of State
Mates Of State is comprised of husband and wife duo Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel. They were in town to perform at the Varsity Theatre in support of their new release, "Bring It Back." (04/05/2006)

The Cops
Seattle rock band The Cops' new record "Get Good or Stay Bad" was recently released on Mt. Fuji Records. (03/31/2006)

Martha Wainwright
With the release of her self-titled debut album in 2005, Martha Wainwright moved out of the shadow of her musical family and into her own spotlight as a singer/songwriter. (03/30/2006)

The Mila Vocal Ensemble
The Mila Vocal Ensemble is celebrating the release of their new CD titled V Gradinata. They perform in the vocal traditions of over 30 countries, specializing in Bulgarian and other eastern European folk music. (03/29/2006)

Cloud Room
The self-titled debut album of Brooklyn-based Cloud Room was released to critical acclaim. The band came by the studio to talk with Bill DeVille and perform some songs, including an unreleased track. (03/26/2006)

The Metal Hearts
The music of the Baltimore band Metal Hearts has been described as "quiet guitars and haunting harmonies layered over subtle, programmed drum beats, ala Mazzy Star on a booze bender." (03/21/2006)

The Umbrella Sequence
The Umbrella Sequence will be releasing their latest album in late spring 2006. (03/21/2006)

Cam Waters
Cam Waters spends his days teaching reading to elementary kids. He spends his nights writing and performing as a singer-songwriter all over southern Minnesota. (03/21/2006)

Headlights
The Headlights are a quartet from Champaign, Illinois. They have an EP out and hope to get their first full length album released in late 2006. (03/21/2006)

Orkestar Bez Ime
Orkestar Bez Ime is a collection of musicians who specialize in music of the Balkans and Eastern European cultures. (03/15/2006)

Andrew Calhoun
Andrew Calhoun was enamored in his youth by singer-songwriters. So much so that he became an accomplished performer himself, as well as starting his own independent record label, Waterbug Records, to help share his passion with others. (03/14/2006)

Johnsmith
Singer-songwriter Johnsmith spent four years in Nashville churning out songs as a job. Now he's living in Wisconsin with his family, but he's still churning out songwriting gems. (03/09/2006)

Catie Curtis
Boston-based singer-songwriter Catie Curtis was in the Twin Cities for a concert. She's including some material in her concerts from a new album to be released in August, 2006. (03/06/2006)

Willie Wisely
Willie Wisely is a Minneapolis native who discovered the wonders of rock & roll by immersing himself in the record collections of others. (03/03/2006)

Unknown Prophets
Minneapolis natives The Unknown Prophets have a new album out titled "The Road Less Traveled". It's the third release for the hip hop group. They stopped by our studios to talk to Mark Wheat. (03/03/2006)

Trevor Hall
A native of Hilton Head, South Carolina, Trevor started writing at age 14, inspired by artists like Ben Harper as well as legends Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrix. (03/02/2006)

Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer - 03/01/06
Grammy winning duo Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer are in Minnesota for a series of family and kids shows in concert halls and schools all over the southeast part of the state. They're celebrating nearly 25 years together as a folk/swing/bluegrass duo.They were in the studio to play for Dale and Jim Ed this week.
"It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got That Swing"
"That's Where the West Begins"
"The Banjo Pickin' Girl (Goin' Round this World Baby Mine)"

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Archer Prewitt - 02/22/06
Archer Prewitt was in town to perform at the 400 Bar, in support of his latest release, "Wilderness". He stopped by The Current studios for an In-Studio performance with Mark Wheat.

"Way Of The Sun"
"Leaders"
"No More"

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The M's

The M's - 02/21/06
The M's have been described as having a catchy blend of blue eyed soul with a little new wave.

The M's in studio

Vinicius Cantuaria - 02/21/06
The Brazilian born Vinicius Cantuaria is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and percussionist. His career connects several zones of Brazilian music. His new album, "Silva" released on Hannibal/Rykodisc worldwide is currently in stores.

Vinicius Cantuaria in studio

DJ Scanner - 02/22/06
British artist Robin Rimbaud traverses the experimental terrain between sound, space, image, and form, creating absorbing, multi-layered sound pieces that twist technology in unconventional ways

DJ Scanner in studio

Bill Staines - 02/22/06
Tireless performer Bill Staines is in the area for a series of Minnesota concerts. He stopped by the Morning Show to talk to Dale and Jim Ed.

Bill Staine in studio

Undertow Orchestra - 02/20/06
Undertow Orchestra is made up of four of today's most under the radar yet prolific singer-songwriters: David Bazan of Pedro The Lion and Headphones, Vic Chestnutt, Mark Eitzel of American Music Club, and Will Johnson of Centro-matic. Johnson's Centro-matic band mate Scott Danbom joined the Orchestra on piano and violin.

Undertow Orchestra in studio

Kelley Hunt - 02/17/06
Powerful live performances at over 100 music festivals across North America have gained Kelly Hunt a great following and made her a crowd favorite. She has been described as a powerhouse singer, a hardboogieing pianist, and a polished songwriter.

Kelley Hunt in studio

Elefant

Elefant - 02/07/06
"Uh-Oh, Hello"
"Lolita"

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Flogging Molly - 02/05/06
Dublin's Flogging Molly is in the midst of an extensive US Tour. Band leader Dave King says the band tries to blend the traditional Irish music heard as a kid, with the loud guitars and punk rock he discovered as a teen. They stopped by The Current to chat and perform.

"The Wanderlust"
"Screaming At The Wailing Wall"
"The Sun Never Shines On Closed Doors"

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