Rock and Roll Book Club: 'Jack & the Ghost,' a picture book written by Chan Poling and illustrated by Lucy Michell November 06, 2019 'Jack & the Ghost' is a new picture book written by Poling, well-known to his fellow Minnesotans as a co-founder of the Suburbs and the New Standards. Music fans might also recognize the name of the book's illustrator Lucy Michell...but wait, isn't that last name missing an E? It would be if we were talking about Lucy Michelle of the Velvet Lapelles and Little Fevers, but in this case we're talking about Lucy Michell the visual artist. (Yes, they're the same person.) Read More ›
Rex Orange County doesn't care what you call him (anymore) November 06, 2019 Alexander O'Connor, aka Rex Orange County, shares insights into his career thus far. 'You are something and you make a choice in your life, like, 'This is going to be great' -- and then it happens, and you're kind of like, 'This is more stressful than I imagined.' Read More ›
Today in Music History: Aerosmith played their first gig November 06, 2019 Gram Parsons' body was stolen; Dylan recorded two classic songs in Nashville; Aerosmith played their first gig; Soft Cell broke a U.K. charts record; Pearl Jam had a fast-selling album; Taylor Swift's album sold even faster; and the Sex Pistols debuted, Today in Music History. Read More ›
Angel Olsen and John Congleton on how they made 'All Mirrors' November 06, 2019 Angel Olsen has reimagined her sound. On this edition of All Songs Considered, she and her co-producer, John Congleton reveal how they did it, with the help of a 14-piece string section. Read More ›
Listen to Looch: 'Mystify: Michael Hutchence' coming to Sound Unseen November 05, 2019 Mary Lucia talks about director Richard Lowenstein's biopic 'Mystify: Michael Hutchence,' which explores the complex life of the late INXS frontman. The film will make its Minnesota Premiere at the Sound Unseen Film Festival on November 17. Read More ›
Dessa - The Making of 'Sound the Bells' November 05, 2019 How do you make a catalog of deftly delivered rap hits a classical collaboration? Dessa walks through the process of making 'Sound the Bells,' her new album of her greatest hits with the Minnesota Orchestra providing the score behind the celebrated singer and rapper. Read More ›
The KAT Challenge: Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns needs his own theme song November 05, 2019 Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns has been on a tear this season, helping to propel the Timberwolves to a 4-1 start to the 2018-19 NBA season. Towns's play has been so impressive even, that it might be time that the 'Big Meow' gets his own song. Jeffrey Bissoy makes an appeal to artists to step up to the free-throw line. Read More ›
Coffee Break: Choice November 05, 2019 Happy Election Day! While not every Minnesota community will have something on the ballot this year, many do, including city council elections, school referenda and school board elections. What songs do you want to hear for today's 9:30 Coffee Break that mention choice or choosing? Read More ›
Today in Music History: The Nat King Cole Show debuted on NBC November 05, 2019 'The Nat King Cole Show' was the first on U.S. TV hosted by an African American; Elvis played at the old Met Center in Bloomington, Minn.; the Beach Boys had a film-fueled hit with 'Kokomo'; Garbage kicked off a world tour at the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis; and Ryan Adams was born 41 years ago Today in Music History. Read More ›
Music on TV this week: Wilco; Grace Potter; Teskey Brothers; Muna; CHVRCHES; Vampire Weekend November 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 ›
Caamp plant a stake in The Current studio November 16, 2019 While in town to play a sold-out show at First Avenue in Minneapolis, the Ohio band Caamp visited The Current to talk with host Mac Wilson and to play songs from their album, 'By and By.' Read More ›
Angel Olsen performs songs from 'All Mirrors' in The Current studio November 12, 2019 The latest release from Angel Olsen is characterized by soaring vocals and lush instrumental arrangements. Olsen and her band visited The Current studio to play songs from the new album. Read More ›
The Current Rewind: The Peters Brothers' anti-rock crusade September 04, 2019 A family of pastors hell-bent on saving souls. A pro-sticker Washington wife. A B-horror blood-gusher with a heart of gold. Plus...Prince's photographer? This episode's cast of characters is just a peek at the wild ride of the Peters Brothers, the evangelical trio who hosted record burnings and condemned rock music throughout the 1980s. But for all the Peters' popcorn-worthy stunts, you could say darkness was at play. Read More ›
Playlist: The rock that fueled the Peters Brothers September 05, 2019 In the '80s, controversial St. Paul ministers the Peters Brothers traveled around America preaching about the dangers of rock music. From shock-rock to suggestive pop, this playlist compiles some of the songs that fueled the Peters Brothers' protests against rock & roll. Read More ›
Tou SaiK Lee interviews Missy and Ernest Whiteman about representation, intergenerational art, and 'The Outsiders' September 03, 2019 For the latest episode of The Current Rewind, local rapper Tou SaiK Lee sat down with a father and daughter pair, Ernest and Missy Whiteman, who are both artists working in Minnesota. Tou SaiK is Hmong, and Ernest and Missy are Hinono'ei; all three artists use their respective mediums to create art that bridges generations in their cultures. 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 ›
Coffee Break: Americana November 15, 2019 Tomorrow night, Bill DeVille is bringing Pert Near Sandstone and Jerry Douglas to First Avenue for The United States of Americana 10th Anniversary show. Let's get excited with today's Coffee Break - what songs do you want to hear that have an Americana vibe? Read More ›
Today in Music History: Happy Birthday, Petula Clark November 15, 2019 Petula Clark was born; Janis Joplin was arrested; Elvis made a movie; and Blondie had a hit, 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 ›