Today in Music History: Happy Birthday, Dave Wakeling February 19, 2019 Dave Wakeling was born; Harry Nilsson went to No. 1 with "Without You"; Ozzy Osbourne was arrested in San Antonio, Texas, for urinating on the Alamo; Smokey Robinson was born; and Stevie Wonder won the Grammy for Album Of The Year, Today in Music History. Read More ›
The Gospel Roots of Rock and Soul February 18, 2019 Monday, Feb. 18, from 8 p.m. to midnight, The Current has a very special presentation: The Gospel Roots of Rock and Soul. Join recording artist and host CeCe Winans as she traces gospel's influence and how it informed artists from Elvis Presley to Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and Al Green, all the way to Public Enemy, Patti LaBelle and Chance the Rapper. Read More ›
Music on TV this week: St. Paul and the Broken Bones; Natalie Prass; Anderson .Paak; Phoebe Bridgers; Bell Biv DeVoe; Lily & Madeleine February 18, 2019 Artists heard on The Current are frequently featured on TV programs, and we've gathered the listings in one convenient place for you. See the complete listings and find performance videos as the week progresses. You can also subscribe to receive the week's schedule in your inbox to plan your TV viewing around music. Read More ›
The Current's Guitar Collection: Tyler Burkum of The Cactus Blossoms, Jerry Jones Longhorn Double Neck February 18, 2019 When The Cactus Blossoms played in The Current studio ahead of the release of their new album, 'Easy Way,' the guitar being played by the band's Tyler Burkum caught everyone's attention. After the session, we were able to talk to him about it. Read More ›
Review and photos: Sharon Van Etten goes gale-force at First Avenue February 17, 2019 It had been months since I saw a good thunderstorm. Snow and deep freezes have swept through the Twin Cities lately, but it’s been a long time without thunder and lightning. Sharon Van Etten put an end to that stretch last night at First Avenue. She summoned angry synths, crashing cymbals, and even windchimes and… Read More ›
The Cactus Blossoms play songs from their new album, 'Easy Way' February 17, 2019 Ahead of the March 1 release of their new album, 'Easy Way,' the Cactus Blossoms stopped at The Current to play songs from the forthcoming record and to talk with host Bill DeVille. Read More ›
Album of the Week: Gary Clark Jr., 'This Land' February 17, 2019 The album is a clear step forward for Clark who now has one of the most respectable careers in making rock records but still maintains the status of an incredible live musician. Read More ›
Celebrate Black History Month with music January 31, 2019 The Current is honoring the music and contributions of Black musicians in February, and we're starting off by dedicating Friday, Feb. 1, exclusively to music made by Black musicians. Read More ›
Interview: William Bell and the passion and clarity of soul music February 16, 2019 From the early 1960s to this very day, Stax recording artist William Bell has crafted soul classics with a clarity, passion and grit that is truly unparalleled. Last week Sean McPherson sat in the backstage of the Dakota with the soul legend and discussed soul music with him. Read More ›
Review and photos: Indigo Girls add their voices and guitars to the Minnesota Orchestra February 16, 2019 Seven rows away from the stage last night, I sat munching on my chocolate chip cookie, not knowing quite what to expect. I was about to see Amy Ray and Emily Saliers — the Indigo Girls — perform with the Minnesota Orchestra. As conductor Sarah Hicks and the folk duo walked on stage, a roaring… Read More ›
Music News: New music from J.S. Ondara, Ladytron, Chaka Khan, Tourist, and Lizzo February 15, 2019 Jay and Jade dig into new albums from Ladytron, J.S. Ondara, Chaka Khan, and Tourist. Plus: 'Cuz I Love You,' a new single from Lizzo. 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, and get enhanced functionality -- song names, requests, song of the day -- with our Alexa Skill. Read More ›
The Cactus Blossoms play songs from their new album, 'Easy Way' February 17, 2019 Ahead of the March 1 release of their new album, 'Easy Way,' the Cactus Blossoms stopped at The Current to play songs from the forthcoming record and to talk with host Bill DeVille. Read More ›
Sunflower Bean perform in The Current studio February 15, 2019 Less than a year after the release of their most recent full-length album, New York band Sunflower Bean dropped an EP, 'King of the Dudes.' The new release exudes a sense of fun. 'We ended up really experimenting with a different side of ourselves,' explains Sunflower Bean's Julia Cummings when the band stopped in for a session hosted by Mac Wilson. Read More ›
Dorothy perform in The Current studio February 14, 2019 The band Dorothy's latest album, '28 Days in the Valley,' was produced by none other than Linda Perry, the extraordinary producer and songwriter (and former 4 Non Blondes frontperson) behind massive hits for artists like Pink and Christina Aguilera. Dorothy recently visited The Current for a session hosted by Jill Riley. Read More ›
Abby Jeanne performs in The Current studio January 29, 2019 A rising musician out of Milwaukee, Abby Jeanne recently released a new album, 'Music Box Dancer.' Although Jeanne is a multi-instrumentalist, she says her primary instrument is her voice -- and on hearing these soulful songs, that becomes abundantly clear. Before Abby Jeanne performs at the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Jan. 30, she and her band stopped at The Current studio for a session hosted by Mark Wheat. Read More ›
Tommy Emmanuel and John Knowles perform in The Current studio January 27, 2019 Two masterful musicians, Tommy Emmanuel and John Knowles - whom Chet Atkins deemed Certified Guitar Players - visited The Current studio to perform in two-part guitar and to chat with Bill DeVille. Read More ›
Coffee Break: Sad and angry February 15, 2019 A new academic study from Michigan's Lawrence Technical University claims that pop music is getting sadder and angrier. Read More ›
Today in Music History: Remembering Vanity February 15, 2019 Nat King Cole passed away, Sid Vicious joined the Sex Pistols, "Everyday People" hit a chord with the nation, and Vanity passed away at the age of 57, 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 ›