Minnesota Rocks

That's why we created Local Current -- a Minnesota music hub. There's a 24/7 stream of all Minnesota music on the web and HD Radio (89.3 HD2 in the Twin Cities)... and now a new blog with a full-time writer covering the local music scene.

Enjoy listening to — and reading about — your favorite Minnesota artists, from emerging bands to the local legends who inspired them.

For more information on HD radio and how to access MPR's HD radio services, check out our HD Radio page.

Local Current Blog

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.... full post

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

Blog homepage

Featured Performances

Each weekday at 6 p.m. we feature a performance from a local artist recorded in our studios.

• 

  Wednesday 5/16: Digitata

  Local electro-rockers, Digitata warned us about the dangers of drinking 3.2 beer during the recording process. They still managed to turn out a solid record.

  • Thursday 5/17: Mason Jennings
  • Friday 5/18: Dylan Hicks and The Toughies

Local Current

Local Current Vol. 2 is an album we produced highlighting some of the best performances featured on The Local Show. It will be available at The Current's 7th Birthday Party January 27 and 28, online, and at the Electric Fetus, and features some of our favorite tracks from artists like Polica, Howler, Doomtree, Pink Mink, and Night Moves. Stay tuned for more information.

The Local Show

with Dave Campbell

Join The Current's David Campbell as he explores the Twin Cities local music scene, both past and present.

• Complete Local Show Archive

Local in-studio Library

• 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.May 13, 2012
• Bloodnstuff performs in The Current studios
  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.May 13, 2012
• I Self Devine performs in The Current studios
  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.May 6, 2012
• Dylan Hicks and The Toughies performs in The Current studios
  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.May 6, 2012
• L'Assassins performs in The Current studios
  L'Assassins have been playing together for over two years, but they may seem new to local music fans since L'Assassins wasn't always their name. In fact, the quartet performed without a title for months before settling on something that fit their aesthetic and style. They've found their identity and are rising fast: L'Assassins will be playing the inaugural Girls Got Rhythm Fest in early May.April 29, 2012

• Local In-Studio Library

Minnesota Record Stores

A huge part of what makes the local scene so cohesive around the state is the great record stores. We're trying to map out independent and local record stores. Here's a short list of stores around the state.

About Local Current

Local music is important to The Current. Local Current is a music stream dedicated entirely to local music available 24 hours a day via our webstream or HD Radio. It highlights the incredible music made in and around our region and features a mix of the legendary artists that helped put Minnesota on the musical map, as well as up-and-coming artists that are furthering our state's reputation as a hot bed of talent.

Send your music for Local Current play consideration

(no e-mails, please):

Local Current c/o Jon Schober
Minnesota Public Radio
480 Cedar St.
St. Paul, MN 55101

The Local Current music stream is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

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