'Musicians Don't Retire': A Tribe Called Quest On The Work Ahead November 21, 2016 The death this year of founding member Phife Dawg means that A Tribe Called Quest's long-delayed new album may really be its last. But as Q-Tip and Jarobi White put it, 'Musicians don't retire.' Read More ›
Prince and Low make Pitchfork list of all-time best holiday songs November 21, 2016 The tastemakers at Pitchfork have just published a list of the 50 best holiday tracks of all time, and Minnesota is well-represented. In keeping with the list’s overall tilt toward contemplative rather than exuberant Christmas songs, both selections by local artists are decidedly in a somber mood. “Another Lonely Christmas” lands at number 13. “Nobody… Read More ›
Album of the Week: Leonard Cohen, 'You Want It Darker' November 21, 2016 On his final album, Leonard Cohen counterbalances the heaviness of his end-of-life message with a confidence in his past choices and a sense of peace with how things have worked out. Read More ›
Music News: ‘Purple Rain’ wins fourth American Music Award…31 years later November 20, 2016 Purple Rain won its first American Music Awards in 1985, for Favorite Pop/Rock Album, Favorite Soul/R&B Album, and Favorite Soul/R&B Single (“When Doves Cry”). There was no Top Soundtrack award that year, but don’t worry: the album scooped that one too, Sunday night at the 2016 American Music Awards. (AMA nominations are based on popularity and other… Read More ›
Cbabi Bayoc and the “The Rainbow Children” cover art November 20, 2016 Picture this: you’re an artist living in St. Louis, painting whenever you’re not spending time with your family. It’s 1998, and Prince is about to play a “New Power Soul” show in nearby Collinsville, Illinois. You’ve been asked to loan some art for his arrival. The night of his show, Prince doesn’t seek out your paintings… Read More ›
Alejandro Escovedo performs in The Current studio November 20, 2016 Alejandro Escovedo is a true survivor; not only has he enjoyed 40 years in the music business, he's had some very close calls with death, including surviving a category four hurricane. 'I appreciate everything now more than ever,' Escovedo says. Touring in support of his latest album, 'Burn Something Beautiful,' Escovedo and his band stopped at The Current for a session hosted by Bill DeVille. Read More ›
Arkells perform in The Current studio November 19, 2016 Arkells' frontman Max Kerman is in it for the long game; he's already thinking about how he will age as an artist. 'I've observed the way a lot of bands have aged; there are some bands that can do it really well and some bands can't do it as well,' Kerman says. 'But there's one person who's been really inspiring to me lately ... Leonard Cohen.' Hear more from Arkells in their in-studio session, hosted by Sean McPherson. Read More ›
Sharon Jones dies at age 60 November 18, 2016 A message posted on Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings' Facebook page announced Sharon Jones passed away Friday, Nov. 18, following a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Jones was known for her powerful voice, her soulful songs and her indomitable spirit. Read More ›
Friday Five: Crunchy Kids, Mike Dreams, and more new Minnesota music videos November 18, 2016 Crunchy Kids, “Wrong Medicine” The kids are back! Eric Mayson, Chance York, Marcus Skallman, and Eric Burton just dropped this trippy video — actually a compilation of still photographs from Peter Jamus — and are drumming up excitement for their opening slot at First Avenue on Jan. 21. Mike Dreams, “Change Up” Twin Cities trap sounds good in… Read More ›
Kelsey says goodbye to The Current November 18, 2016 “I’m excited, but this isn’t an easy place to leave.” This has been my mantra for the past few weeks, inside and out. Let’s start with the first part: I’m excited about moving to Seattle! I’ll be taking on a new marketing role with Seattle Theatre Group – a cultural hub for the Pacific Northwest… Read More ›
Music News: 'Drift Away' songwriter Mentor Williams dies at 70 November 17, 2016 Today's top music news stories include a planned tour for A Tribe Called Quest, a 'Last Waltz' tribute tour, and the death of the man who wrote 'Drift Away.' Read More ›
Como Zoo welcomes a giraffe named Prince November 17, 2016 Como Zoo, in St. Paul, has welcomed a new baby giraffe — and his name is Prince. Making his first appearance before the public today, Prince stands 6’6″ and weighs 160 pounds. The giraffe was named by Gretchen and David Crary, who have been the most generous donors to the zoo on Give to the… Read More ›
Alejandro Escovedo performs in The Current studio November 20, 2016 Alejandro Escovedo is a true survivor; not only has he enjoyed 40 years in the music business, he's had some very close calls with death, including surviving a category four hurricane. 'I appreciate everything now more than ever,' Escovedo says. Touring in support of his latest album, 'Burn Something Beautiful,' Escovedo and his band stopped at The Current for a session hosted by Bill DeVille. Read More ›
Arkells perform in The Current studio November 19, 2016 Arkells' frontman Max Kerman is in it for the long game; he's already thinking about how he will age as an artist. 'I've observed the way a lot of bands have aged; there are some bands that can do it really well and some bands can't do it as well,' Kerman says. 'But there's one person who's been really inspiring to me lately ... Leonard Cohen.' Hear more from Arkells in their in-studio session, hosted by Sean McPherson. Read More ›
Devendra Banhart performs live for The Current November 15, 2016 Devendra Banhart performed live for The Current and sat down to chat with 'New Hot' host David Safar about this new album, 'Ape in Pink Marble.' Read More ›
Band of Horses perform in The Current studio November 12, 2016 Touring in support of 'Why Are You OK,' their fifth album in 10 years, Band of Horses stopped by The Current's studio to play their latest hit single as well as songs from a couple of their previous albums. 'It's fun for us to reimagine and learn new things about the songs we've been playing for years,' says frontman Ben Bridwell, who also shares what it is he found 'In A Drawer.' Check out the complete in-studio session. Read More ›
My Bubba perform in The Current studio November 11, 2016 In town to open for Mandolin Orange at the Turf Club in St. Paul, Scandinavian duo My Bubba stopped at The Current for a session hosted by Mark Wheat that's filled with witty banter and captivating music. Watch video of the session, and listen to My Bubba's web-exclusive cover of Bob Dylan's 'You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go.' Read More ›
The Shelters perform in The Current studio November 07, 2016 The Shelters are a straight-up rock band from California. While working on their debut album, the band members didn't concern themselves with fitting into a particular scene. 'We just put ourselves in that studio and tried to write the best songs we could,' says the Shelters' Chase Simpson. In town to play a show at the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis, the Shelters stopped at The Current for a live session hosted by Mary Lucia. Read More ›
Coffee Break: Late bloomers for Miss Sharon Jones November 21, 2016 Sharon Jones of Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings passed away Friday, following a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Her full-time professional singing career didn't begin until her 40s, and she sang her soulful songs until the end. So for today's Coffee Break, what songs do you want to hear that feature late bloomers - musicians whose careers didn't start off until later in life? Read More ›
Today in Music History: Happy birthday to Bjork November 21, 2016 Billy Idol had a hit with a cover; The Stone Roses released a song after five years; Ray Charles had four hits at the same time; and Bjork was born, Today in Music History. Read More ›
Coffee Break Suggestions and Archive November 08, 2016 Got an idea for a Coffee Break? Want to see what we did a while back? Read More ›