The Vibe is enabling creativity in the Twin Cities Hip-Hop scene February 05, 2019 The Vibe is an idea formulated by hip-hop artist Sole2dotz to create an intimate listening experience for artists and fans alike. An inviting atmosphere with performances of jazz, blues, R&B and hip-hop establishes a common space that fosters creativity. Jeffrey Bissoy describes the experience at The Vibe's inaugural event. Read More ›
Music News: Were Maroon 5 the most boring Super Bowl halftime entertainers ever? February 04, 2019 Maroon 5 played the Super Bowl halftime show. Did you even notice? Jay and Jade talk about the music stars who showed up at the Big Game. Also in the news today: 21 Savage apprehended by ICE, Gordon Lightfoot's heading back into the studio, Linda Ronstadt opens up about Parkinson's experience, and a song from the 'Waitress' musical takes on a second life in online cover versions. Read More ›
Music on TV this week: Lizzo; Margo Price; Beck; boygenius; Grammy Awards February 04, 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 ›
Album of the Week: Maggie Rogers, 'Heard It in a Past Life' February 04, 2019 From her early successes like "Alaska" and "On + Off", Rogers continues to showcase herself as an exciting new talent. These songs hold up really well here in the wintertime, and they're still gonna sound great when the weather warms up. Read More ›
Review: Kacey Musgraves does it all at the Palace Theatre February 03, 2019 “I feel like everyone here has been cooped up inside,” Kacey Musgraves told the crowd at St. Paul’s Palace Theatre on Saturday night. After a week of polar vortex-induced blistering temperatures, the St. Paul audience seemed eager to be out of their homes and shoulder-to-sholder with thousands of strangers for the sold-out show. Georgia-based singer-songwriter… Read More ›
How Beirut's Zach Condon escapes to find his focus February 02, 2019 Indie folk band Beirut are out with their latest album, 'Gallipoli.' The band's leader, Zach Condon, talks with NPR's Scott Simon about emphasizing music over lyrics and escaping to unexpected places for inspiration. Read More ›
Friday Five: Con Davison, Moise, and more new Minnesota music videos February 01, 2019 The frigid polar vortex has passed, and Minnesotans are stuffing Target, gas stations, and every other errand spot they avoided for three days. Well, except me. I’m getting over my second cold of the month and dealing with a new bout of pink eye…so I still rely on screens for my interaction with the world.… Read More ›
Review and photos: Emily King brings the heat to the Fine Line February 01, 2019 I’ll have to admit, I was dreading leaving my bed and heated blanket on Thursday night. It was -4°, it still hurt to breathe in the brisk air, and it was snowing. But, I layered two pairs of pants and the thick sweatshirt I only wear in public if it’s really that cold, and I… Read More ›
Say it Loud: Anthems of Black Pride and Empowerment February 01, 2019 We're celebrating Black History Month by spotlighting black musical artists whose voices and songs changed the world, throughout the decades and across genres. We'll also post four essays delving into a deep, enduring and ever-evolving body of work. This first entry collects tales from 13 artists about the creation of their inspirational social and political anthems of black pride and empowerment. Read More ›
Music News: The Specials collaborate with activist Saffiyah Khan January 31, 2019 This week, the Specials are releasing their first new album in 18 years - with a special guest, an activist who went viral wearing a Specials shirt while confronting a far-right group. Also, Jay and Jade spotlight new music from Billie Eilish, Cherry Glazerr, Mandolin Orange, Girlpool, Emily King. 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 ›
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 ›
Watch Pedro the Lion's #Microshow performance, featuring new songs from 'Phoenix' January 11, 2019 Pedro the Lion's new album 'Phoenix' is out January 18 on Polyvinyl Records, but we're giving you a special live performance preview of their new material. Watch live January 11 at 4 p.m. CST. 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 ›