Morris Hayes on 'Musicology' September 19, 2018 Morris Hayes has it all: candor, a sense of humor, and musical chops that earned him the title of keyboardist, then musical director in Prince's band. He sat down with Purple Current host Sean McPherson for a marathon interview about Prince albums from 1995-2010, plus miscellaneous other stories he remembered as they went. Due to overwhelming demand, we're publishing the full interview album by album. Read More ›
Music News: Prince fans go crazy (not in a good way) over Capital One ad September 18, 2018 Capital One used 'Let's Go Crazy' in an ad that aired during the Emmys, and fans were not thrilled about it. Also today: a member of Pussy Riot may have been poisoned, Kanye's playing SNL, Bob Seger's hitting the road one last time, musicians are boycotting SiriusXM, and we remember 'King of the Honkers' Big Jay McNeely. Read More ›
Paisley Park to host listening party for Prince’s ‘Piano & a Microphone 1983’ September 18, 2018 Paisley Park announced on Monday that the Chanhassen venue and museum will be dedicating Friday’s Paisley Park After Dark party to Piano & A Microphone 1983. The album, being released that day, is a collection of private rehearsal recordings including renditions of “Purple Rain” and “International Lover,” among many others. Three tracks from the album have already… Read More ›
Hi, Dessa: My awkward transition from fan to critic and back again September 18, 2018 If your parents or teachers are your role models, well, good for you. I haven’t been so lucky. As a young adult, I grew attached to a musician/writer named Dessa, looping her lyrics through my brain; processing a not-break-up through her music. For the last two years, I’ve been watching those bonds fray. It’s not… Read More ›
Morris Hayes on 'Indigo Nights' September 18, 2018 Morris Hayes has it all: candor, a sense of humor, and musical chops that earned him the title of keyboardist, then musical director in Prince's band. He sat down with Purple Current host Sean McPherson for a marathon interview about Prince albums from 1995-2010, plus miscellaneous other stories he remembered as they went. Due to overwhelming demand, we're publishing the full interview album by album. Read More ›
Watch Neko Case live in concert at the Palace Theatre September 06, 2018 Neko Case played the second show on her fall tour supporting the album, 'Hell-On,' on Thursday, Sept. 6, in Saint Paul, Minn. We streamed live video of her entire set at The Palace Theatre. Read More ›
Music News: Watch Dave Grohl play 'In Bloom' with Trombone Shorty September 17, 2018 Dave Grohl performed Nirvana's 'In Bloom' with Trombone Shorty...and yes, there's video. In other news, Dua Lipa says she's 'horrified' by fans being dragged from their seats at her recent concert in Hong Kong. Also today: AEG is ending its controversial 'block booking' practice, Macca's back on top, Beasties respond to Eminem album cover, and Rihanna dangles a tantalizing new business idea. Read More ›
23 Prince albums from 1995-2010 now available on streaming services August 16, 2018 As the result of a distribution deal with Sony, 23 Prince albums originally released from 1995 to 2010 are now available on major streaming services. Some were previously available on Tidal, but the widespread availability of these albums — some of which were originally released only to members of Prince’s NPG Music Club — will… Read More ›
Prince's 12 Essential Funk Jams (1995-2010) August 24, 2018 If you are looking for a place to start on the funk, look no further. Read More ›
Music News: Prince fans go crazy (not in a good way) over Capital One ad September 18, 2018 Capital One used 'Let's Go Crazy' in an ad that aired during the Emmys, and fans were not thrilled about it. Also today: a member of Pussy Riot may have been poisoned, Kanye's playing SNL, Bob Seger's hitting the road one last time, musicians are boycotting SiriusXM, and we remember 'King of the Honkers' Big Jay McNeely. Read More ›
The Current Music News podcast August 10, 2018 In about ten minutes a day, hosts Jay Gabler and Jade put music industry headlines in context, share breaking news about upcoming releases, and surprise listeners with strange-but-true stories. Entertaining, conversational, and informative, The Current Music News is an essential daily listen for fans of all genres of music to catch up on the news that matters about today’s most essential artists. Read More ›
Download The Current app January 29, 2018 Download The Current's app to hear a crisp, high-fidelity stream of our station (and our additional streams) wherever you go! Read More ›
Listen to The Current via Amazon Echo July 23, 2018 * You can listen to The Current on Amazon’s Voice-on-demand Echo devices, and get enhanced functionality -- song names, requests, song of the day -- with our Alexa Skill. Read More ›
Superorganism perform a #MicroShow at Can Can Wonderland September 17, 2018 Within the whimsical surrounds of Can Can Wonderland in St. Paul, Minn., Superorganism perform a MicroShow for The Current before an all-ages audience. Read More ›
Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats perform a #MicroShow at the Turf Club September 10, 2018 On Monday, Aug. 6, a select group of The Current's listeners were treated to a #MicroShow with Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, who performed at the Turf Club (capacity 350) in St. Paul. The band's generous set includes seven songs from their latest release, 'Tearing at the Seams,' plus a favorite from their breakout self-titled album from 2015. Read More ›
Dawes perform an acoustic set in The Current studio September 07, 2018 Ahead of their big 'an evening with Dawes' concert at the Palace Theatre in St. Paul, Dawes stopped in The Current's studio to play an acoustic set and to chat with Mark Wheat. Read More ›
Watch Now Now perform at the Minnesota State Fair September 02, 2018 Minnesota band Now Now stopped at the MPR booth at the Minnesota State Fair to perform a live set as part of Oake and Riley in the Afternoon. Between songs, the band members talked about their upcoming tour plans and bonded with Brian Oake over their shared roots in the Twin Cities area's northern suburbs. Read More ›
Watch Lissie perform at the Minnesota State Fair August 27, 2018 Before opening Saturday's Music On-a-Stick concert at the Minnesota State Fair grandstand, singer-songwriter Lissie stopped at the MPR booth to perform two songs and to chat with The Current's Brian Oake and Jill Riley. Watch video of the performance and interview. Read More ›
Coffee Break: Believe September 18, 2018 Thanks to unofficial assistant producer/listener Loran for today's topic idea. What songs do you want to hear that have "believe" in the title for today's 9:30 Coffee Break? Read More ›
Today in Music History: Lucinda Williams married her manager in Minneapolis September 18, 2018 Frankie Avalon collected the royalties he earned as a minor; Pink Floyd played the Montreux Festival; Wild Cherry played that funky music; Kiss appeared without makeup for the first time; Garth Brooks topped the album chart; Jimi Hendrix passed away; and Lucinda Williams married her manager in Minneapolis, 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 ›