Susan Rogers on working with Prince in the studio: ‘The man I knew was so human’ April 20, 2018 On the night that Prince and the Revolution were recording their historic August 3, 1983 concert at First Avenue — where the band would debut “Purple Rain” — the studio technician Susan Rogers was celebrating her 27th birthday and packing up her life in Los Angeles to move to Minneapolis, where she would spend the… Read More ›
‘I want to be known as a Minnesotan, finally’: John Maus sticks to his roots as his music surges forward April 20, 2018 Whenever reporters talk to John Maus, they tend to end up writing a lot about the way John Maus talks. Some phrases and sentences that have been used to describe him in conversation include “maddeningly referential,” “circular,” “nonlinear tangents abound,” and “It is not easy to talk to John Maus.” The very first sentence of… Read More ›
Review and photos: Kate Nash is a fierce and fun triumph at the Fine Line Music Cafe April 20, 2018 Kate Nash first came to Minneapolis almost exactly ten years ago, for a First Avenue show supporting her sensation of a debut album, Made of Bricks. Reviewing the show for the Twin Cities Daily Planet, I described her overall onstage affect as “coy, demure, and slightly prim.” No more. Last night Nash and and her three-piece… Read More ›
Musicheads Essentials: Prince - Musicology April 20, 2018 In his first of three albums put out in 2004, Prince struck a chord with 'Musicology.' Read More ›
Prince and Sheila E. wagered $1000 over who was best-dressed, and more from Celebration 2018 at Paisley Park April 19, 2018 Every Prince fam has an opinion on Celebration, the four-day event hosted at Paisley Park. For better or worse, the Prince extravaganza is back for the second year running, drawing some locals and a few thousand out-of-towners to Prince’s Chanhassen complex. On day one, attendees watched panel after panel and a live performance by Sheila… Read More ›
L7 rock the rafters at The Current April 19, 2018 Los Angeles band L7 gave the structural integrity of the Bill Kling Public Media Center in St. Paul got a good test today with a rocking set in the The Current studio, in a session hosted by Mary Lucia. 'We're a meat-and-potatoes rock band with a conscience and some humor,' says L7 frontperson Donita Sparks. Read More ›
Music News: Janelle Monae talks Prince's inspiration April 19, 2018 Today's top music news stories include Janelle Monae talking about how she's been inspired by Prince, Kanye West announcing two (!) albums, and the relaunch of 'Yo! MTV Raps.' Read More ›
Newly minted star Caitlyn Smith comes home to Cannon Falls April 19, 2018 Even as she found success as a Music City songwriter, Caitlyn Smith slowly let go of her own teenage dreams -- of signing with a label, playing live on national TV, having her voice ring out on the radio to folks back home in Cannon Falls, MN. Read More ›
Listen to Looch: Talking about Father John Misty April 19, 2018 We're looking forward to seeing Father John Misty perform at Rock the Garden, and this week on Listen to Looch, Mary Lucia is joined by Anna Reed from Oake and Riley in the Morning to ask you: What do you think about Father John Misty? Let's have a discussion about music! Read More ›
Electric Fetus debuts ‘Fetus Girl’ Lego set April 19, 2018 There was so much buzz surrounding First Avenue’s foray into Lego culture a few months back that it only feels appropriate to see another Twin Cities music landmark follow suit. The Electric Fetus record store has teamed up with Brickmania, a Minnesota-based group that creates and sells custom Lego sets. Brickmania was founded by designer… Read More ›
Record Store Day Giveaway: Record player and Flaming Lips vinyl April 17, 2018 Get primed for Record Store Day with our ultimate prize pack! Enter to win a turntable from Dogfish Head and some sweet vinyl, including the exclusive Music To Drink Beer and Make Love To compilation from Dogfish Head. Read More ›
Drunken chaos, pointless destruction, great music: The Replacements roadie talks April 16, 2018 "On the road," says Bill Sullivan, "somebody was always looking at your stuff and wanted to steal it." Read More ›
L7 rock the rafters at The Current April 19, 2018 Los Angeles band L7 gave the structural integrity of the Bill Kling Public Media Center in St. Paul got a good test today with a rocking set in the The Current studio, in a session hosted by Mary Lucia. 'We're a meat-and-potatoes rock band with a conscience and some humor,' says L7 frontperson Donita Sparks. Read More ›
Durand Jones and the Indications bring their soulful sound to The Current studio April 12, 2018 Although the singing career of Durand Jones began somewhat reluctantly, soul-music outfit Durand Jones and the Indications are now in it for the long haul. 'It's been a pretty fun ride so far,' Jones says, 'and we've got a lot more work to do.' Durand Jones and the Indications recently visited The Current for a session hosted by Jade. Read More ›
Margaret Glaspy performs in The Current studio April 06, 2018 'Born Yesterday,' the new EP from Margaret Glaspy, was largely written while Glaspy was on tour. 'That's why it's only three songs!' Glaspy laughs. In town for a show at First Avenue, Glaspy, along with guitarist Julian Lage, stopped in The Current studio for a session hosted by Mary Lucia. Read More ›
The Decemberists in concert at the Palace Theatre April 04, 2018 On Saturday, April 7, The Current streamed live video of The Decemberists in concert at the Palace Theatre in St. Paul. Read More ›
Gang of Youths spread hope and joy in The Current studio April 02, 2018 'I think the whole point of our career was to bring a sense of hope and joy to the circumstances that are devoid of it,' says Gang of Youths frontman David Le'aupepe. 'I think every artist has their purpose, and I think in Gang of Youths, we've sort of found ours.' The Sydney-based band recently visited The Current, where they played their uplifting and empowering songs. Read More ›
Coffee Break: Minnesota music April 20, 2018 Tomorrow is Record Store Day and as we prepare to celebrate our local record stores and small businesses, let's spend some time this morning listening to local musicians. So for today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs from Minnesota artists do you want to hear? Read More ›
Today in Music History: 'American Idiot' opens on Broadway April 20, 2018 Elvis Presley 'shook up' the singles charts; Deep Purple made their live debut; George Burns was in the Hot 100; numerous artists paid tribute to the late Freddie Mercury; Aerosmith got a grip with their 11th studio album; The Sound of Philadelphia became the first disco song to reach No. 1 in the singles charts; and 'American Idiot' opened on Broadway, 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 ›