Listen to 'Good Times: The Evolution of Black Music' episode 3 - Soul, Motown and Funk June 22, 2021 'Good Times: The Evolution of Black Music' is a weekly show throughout the month of June, spotlighting the many genres and artists that make up the Black Music experience. Episode 3 explores three genres that originated in African American communities in the 1950s and '60s: Soul, Motown and Funk. Read More ›
Touré on his new podcast: 'Who Was Prince?' June 22, 2021 Who was Prince? That question lands differently with respect to the Minnesota music genius than with most public figures, since Prince had such a complex inner life - combined with an iconic public persona. In a new podcast, host and writer Toure explores Prince's work and identity. Read More ›
Sign up for our free online discussion, LineCheck: Supporting Safe Music Spaces in Minnesota June 16, 2021 As venues around the state start to reopen, how can operators use this opportunity to make their spaces more inclusive for artists and music fans of all identities? We’ll explore standards that make venues accessible to every body, as well as codes of conduct that prioritize the safety of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. Read More ›
Music You Should Know: 50 Best of 2021 So Far June 21, 2021 We've been rolling out six new songs every week this year, and as we're nearing the halfway mark of 2021, here's a compilation of the 50 best songs of the year so far. Read More ›
Gary Louris embraces isolation, plays songs from 'Jump For Joy' in Virtual Session June 21, 2021 Founding member of The Jayhawks and Golden Smog, Gary Louris joins us for a virtual session to play songs from his second solo record, 'Jump For Joy' which came out this month. Gary chats with Mary Lucia about navigating quarantine as an artist, how he approaches his writing and recording in his solo work, and what's in store for his projects next. Read More ›
Jakob Dylan on the Wallflowers' new album 'Exit Wounds' June 21, 2021 Jakob Dylan has announced his first Wallflowers album in nine years: 'Exit Wounds' is out July 9 on New West Records. He joined Jill Riley to talk about the making of the new album, and about a Minnesota connection you probably *didn't* know about. Read More ›
Album of the Week: Sleater-Kinney, 'Path Of Wellness' June 21, 2021 Sleater-Kinney are back as a self-producing duo and channeling the sounds of King Crimson, Patti Smith, Tom Petty and more. They left the sonic palette wide open, bringing in textures rarely heard on previous Sleater-Kinney releases, and the results are sure to leave you with surprise and delight. Read More ›
Listen to Matthew French's Father's Day tribute, 'Man in the Yellow Chair' June 20, 2021 The Minneapolis singer-songwriter describes the song as a 'tribute to my grandfather and all of the fathers, grandfathers, and father figures whose legacy of love and peace lives on in us.' Read More ›
Behind the Scenes: King Pari’s kooky cartoon world June 18, 2021 If King Pari aren’t on your summer playlist, it’s time you add a couple of their tracks. The collaborative project of Cameron Kinghorn (Nooky Jones) and Joe Paris Christensen (PHO) is the sonic embodiment of drinking a cold beverage while floating around on a neon pool noodle. It’s a funky project that embraces fun and… Read More ›
Trivia Week, Day Five: Great Moments in Live Music June 18, 2021 Trivia Week, Day Five, features questions about great moments in live-music performance. Going head to head on this topic are the Craig Finn of the Hold Steady and Adam Weiner of Low Cut Connie! You can test your knowledge with five bonus questions. Read More ›
Gary Louris embraces isolation, plays songs from 'Jump For Joy' in Virtual Session June 21, 2021 Founding member of The Jayhawks and Golden Smog, Gary Louris joins us for a virtual session to play songs from his second solo record, 'Jump For Joy' which came out this month. Gary chats with Mary Lucia about navigating quarantine as an artist, how he approaches his writing and recording in his solo work, and what's in store for his projects next. Read More ›
Bachelor talk collaboration, play songs from 'Doomin' Sun' June 17, 2021 Bachelor, the duo including Palehound's Ellen Kempner and Jay Som's Melina Duterte, join The Current for a virtual session to play tracks from their debut release, Doomin' Sun. The duo catch up with The Current about recording the record in Topanga, CA, the emotional meshing that takes place in a new collaboration, and writing to cope with fears of mortality. Read More ›
Rostam talks sequencing and saxophone, plays tracks from 'Changephobia' June 10, 2021 From his studio in California, Rostam joins The Current to play songs from his sophomore record, 'Changephobia'. We catch up with the prolific producer, songwriter, and composer about the sequencing decisions he made on the record, incorporating the saxophone as a central sound, and referencing grunge in his work for the first time. Read More ›
Cautious Clay talks album sequencing, plays tracks from 'Deadpan Love' June 08, 2021 Brooklyn-based songwriter and producer Cautious Clay joins The Current to play a few tracks from his upcoming record, Deadpan Love. Hear his conversation with Zeke about what makes a great taco, how Disney's Aladdin got him interested in music, and the contrasting hot and cold energies on his new record. Read More ›
Flock of Dimes on the importance of community for artists, play tracks from 'Head of Roses' June 04, 2021 Fresh off the release of her new record, 'Head of Roses,' Flock of Dimes' Jenn Wasner joins The Current to talk about the self exploration of songwriting, recording the new record with her close pal Nick Sanborn of Sylvan Esso, and the value of personal community in making art. Plus, hear performances of tracks from the new record--filmed in Joshua Tree, California with Meg Duffy of Hand Habits. Read More ›
#Current15: The Best of The Current in a new stream January 06, 2020 We're celebrating the 15 years The Current has been on the air, so we took your favorite songs from the past decade and a half and made them into a brand new stream. 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 Smart Speakers July 23, 2018 Listen to The Current on Google Home and Amazon's Echo devices. Similarly, you can use your smart speaker to listen to Purple Current, Radio Heartland and Rock the Cradle Radio. Read More ›
Musicheads Essential Album: Prince, '1999' April 08, 2021 In 1982, Prince released the critically acclaimed double album '1999,' and it made him a superstar. Read More ›
Jakob Dylan on the Wallflowers' new album 'Exit Wounds' June 21, 2021 Jakob Dylan has announced his first Wallflowers album in nine years: 'Exit Wounds' is out July 9 on New West Records. He joined Jill Riley to talk about the making of the new album, and about a Minnesota connection you probably *didn't* know about. Read More ›
Coffee Break: Britpop June 21, 2021 Today the godfather of Britpop, Ray Davies turns 77 years young. For today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what Britpop and Britpop-influenced music do you want to hear? 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 ›