'This could be the next Motown': Pepe Willie on coming to Minneapolis (and meeting Prince) in the '70s November 23, 2020 Regarded as 'the Godfather of the Minneapolis Sound,' Pepe Willie was an early mentor to Prince. The author of a new memoir, 'If You See Me,' Willie connected with Sean McPherson to talk about his remarkable life in music. Read More ›
Album of the Week: Adrianne Lenker, 'songs' November 23, 2020 The new album from Adrianne Lenker is a mix of folk songs, sound collages, and Lenker's distinct voice making the album stand apart from her work with Big Thief. Read More ›
Join us for Sounds Like Home IV on Dec. 5 and 6 November 19, 2020 On Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5 and 6, The Current is hosting round four of Sounds Like Home. It’s two days of virtual performances celebrating Minnesota music. Join an incredible lineup of local musicians and Andrea Swensson from The Current as we meet up on the internet for a virtual festival. Read More ›
Adam Granduciel of The War on Drugs talks about 'Live Drugs' November 20, 2020 Adam Granduciel of The War on Drugs talks about the band's latest release, 'Live Drugs,' which SNL musical performances he pored over as a teen, and the intimacy of playing in smaller venues. Read More ›
Prince: The Story of Sign O' The Times, the complete series October 19, 2020 Prince: The Story of Sign O' The Times is an audio documentary series brought to you by The Current in collaboration with the Prince Estate, Paisley Park, and Warner Records. Listen to the complete eight-episode series. Read More ›
Virtual Gig List: Live streamed concerts from your favorite artists June 26, 2020 As concerts are cancelled due to social distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, artists are taking to live streaming intimate performances. We've got your watchlist. Read More ›
Minnesota music in the key of thanks: Ten new songs to soundtrack your holiday November 20, 2020 This Thanksgiving, Minnesotans’ hearts will be full of grief as well as gratitude. Even so, thoughts next Thursday will turn to the people, places, and principles we cherish and give thanks for. As always in troubled times, music has been and will continue to be a source of reflection, fresh perspectives, and – yes –… Read More ›
'The hardest thing I have ever had to do': Palmer's Bar owner Tony Zaccardi on the heartbreak of 2020 November 19, 2020 As Minnesota puts a pause on social gatherings to slow the spread of COVID-19, Palmer's Bar owner Tony Zaccardi reflected on the ups and downs of running an iconic music venue and popular watering hole in 2020. Read More ›
Rock and Roll Book Club: 'The Butterfly Effect: How Kendrick Lamar Ignited the Soul of Black America' November 19, 2020 Marcus J. Moore's new book comes billed as 'the first cultural biography' of Kendrick Lamar. It's certain 'The Butterfly Effect' won't be the last. Read More ›
The Chart Show: Mixtape for the Milky Way Debuts November 18, 2020 We have one new entry this week from MN's own Jeremy Messersmith recording as Mixtape for the Milky Way, a collaboration with John Mark Nelson. Read More ›
Josh Ritter: Virtual Session November 12, 2020 Josh Ritter joins The Current for a virtual session. Hear songs from his new EP, 'See Here, I Have Built You A Mansion,' plus a familiar favorite. Read More ›
Virtual Session: Deep Sea Diver November 09, 2020 Seattle's Deep Sea Diver join us to catch up with Jade and play a few songs from their latest record, 'Impossible Weight'. Read More ›
Blu DeTiger: Virtual Session October 09, 2020 Blu DeTiger joins us for a virtual session to perform a few tracks she's released this summer, and talks to us about sharpening her skills while playing bass over DJ sets in New York clubs pre-quarantine, finding success on Tik Tok, and what she'll be releasing later this fall. Read More ›
Samia: Virtual Session October 08, 2020 SAMIA shares songs from her upcoming record, The Baby, and talks to Jade about recording in Minneapolis with members of Hippo Campus, getting over fears of being alone, and what it's like to release a debut record during a pandemic. Read More ›
Ondara: Virtual Session October 06, 2020 Jade spoke to Ondara about how growing up in Kenya influences his view of America today, how Carl Sagan has inspired him, and what he'll be working on this fall. 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 ›
Prince: The Story of 1999 bonus feature: Dr. Fink, 'When Prince sang live, he was just impeccable' January 03, 2020 Matt Fink - aka Dr. Fink - was one of Prince's first keyboard players and is a member of the Revolution. In conversation with Andrea Swensson, Dr. Fink reflects on performing, recording and touring with Prince. 'He was always transforming himself into something different with every record,' Fink says. 'There was always something new and original and exploratory.' Read More ›
Coffee Break: Leading ladies of rock November 23, 2020 We put the spotlight on Alison Mosshart this morning - lead vocalist of the Kills and the Dead Weather - as she turns 42 today. So for today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what leading ladies of rock do you want to hear? Read More ›
Today in Music History: Happy Birthday, Alison Mosshart November 23, 2020 Alison Mosshart was born; The first jukebox was installed; Elvis Presley got punched; Billy Swan had a one-hit wonder; Rush performed in Rip; Bono and The Edge surprised the audience at a charity gig; and blues legend Robert Johnson began his first recording session, 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 ›