The Current Music NewsMusic News: Prince's Vault suffered 'damage'Jay Gabler • Nov 14, 2017Today's top music news stories include a report of 'damage and degradation' in Prince's Paisley Park Vault, another Super Bowl music announcement, and Bob Mould opening for Foo Fighters.
Local Current BlogEaux Claires narrator Michael Perry talks Prince, Chance the Rapper, Montaigne in new bookMaia Jacobson • Nov 7, 2017Midwest music enthusiasts may know him best as the poetic “narrator” of the Eaux Claires Music and Arts Festival, but New York Times bestselling author Michael Perry has a new, and frankly quite funny, book out today. Born out of the chance discovery of 16th century essayist Michel de Montaigne’s work as Perry was doing…
Local Current BlogPrince’s teal Cloud guitar sells for astonishing $700,000 at auctionAdrian Williams • Nov 6, 2017A teal model of Prince’s iconic Cloud guitar has sold at auction for ten times the expected price. At a Saturday auction held by Julien’s, an anonymous buyer paid $700,000 for the instrument, which had been estimated to have a value of just $70,000. The price blew away the $137,500 paid just last year for a…
The Current Music NewsMusic News: Umphrey's McGee pay tribute to PrinceJay Gabler • Nov 1, 2017Today's top music news stories include Umphrey's McGee paying tribute to Prince, Noel Gallagher playing with scissors, and Portugal. The Man achieving a rare chart feat.
Rock and Roll Book ClubRock and Roll Book Club: 'Prince: A Private View'Jay Gabler • Nov 1, 2017Afshin Shahidi's new book of photos documents Prince's life and work in the first decade of the 21st century.
Local Current Blog‘We feel very blessed’: New owners of Prince’s purple house site settle in (and yes, they’re saving the gates)Jay Gabler • Oct 27, 2017One of the most significant sites in Prince history is also one of the most mysterious: the site of Prince’s legendary purple house, on Lake Riley in Chanhassen, Minnesota. Prince lived there in the first half of the 1980s, and recorded portions of Controversy, 1999, and Sign O’ the Times in the house. With 1999 celebrating its 35th anniversary today,…
Local Current BlogSheila E. opens up about her new album, her memories of Prince, and healing in MinneapolisAndrea Swensson • Oct 20, 2017The iconic drummer, songwriter, and performer Sheila E. visited the studio recently to talk with Tom Weber of MPR News and Andrea Swensson of the Current about her new album, Iconic: Message 4 America, which features interpretations of songs by the Beatles, Sly and the Family Stone, and Stevie Wonder, her long professional and personal relationship…
DuluthLizzo, Morris Day, and others announce New Year’s Eve shows in Twin CitiesHanna Bubser • Oct 19, 2017Although 2018 is still a faraway thought for some, local venues are already starting to book up with New Year’s Eve shows. Some of the biggest names to announce shows so far include Lizzo, Morris Day and P.O.S. Lizzo will headline a NYE party at Myth, with special guests Brooke Candy and CupcakKe and a…
Local Current Blog‘Empire’ pays tribute to Prince, with a little help from his friends…and familyJay Gabler • Oct 18, 2017In a much-anticipated episode tonight, Fox’s hit hip-hop drama Empire paid tribute to Prince with a climactic performance of his classic Purple Rain opener “Let’s Go Crazy.” Directed by Prince collaborator Sanaa Hamri, the episode featured guests including Morris Hayes (New Power Generation), Hannah Welton (3RDEYEGIRL), Joshua Welton (co-producer of ART OFFICIAL AGE and Hit n Run Phase One), and Prince’s sister Tyka Nelson.…
Local Current BlogWatch members of NPG and 3RDEYEGIRL in ‘Empire’ Prince episode teaser videoJay Gabler • Oct 18, 2017Tonight’s episode of Empire is going to celebrate Prince, thanks to a special arrangement with the late legend’s estate that will allow the show to feature his song “Let’s Go Crazy.” In a just-released teaser video, 3RDEYEGIRL drummer Hannah Welton can be seen preparing to play the song along with her husband Joshua Welton (who co-produced…